Not Acid Nor Alkaline ~ Sleep Token FF ~

31. The Encounter

Vessel's POV:

We ended up cuddling and talking over the next few hours. I loved how enthusiastic Emma had been about chemistry and a review about the last book she had been reading.
In return I told her about everyone of the crew. I knew she was nervous meeting so many people, but I was more than sure everyone would like her.

In the evening my friend and drummer wanted to come over.
When he knocked on the door, I let go of Emma. She pouted at me and I would have loved to stay with her on the couch forever, but I needed to open the door.

Slowly she stood up as well, but stayed behind.
I walked down the stairs just on my socks and opened the door.
'Hey lad. Nice to see you', I greeted him and we quickly hugged each other.

'So, you want me to meet your gal, eh?', he said and patted my shoulder.
He was way shorter than me.
'She's a bit shy. I didn't want her to be new to everybody when I'll take her with me at the gig.', I explained to him while we walked up the stairs.

Emma slowly walked closer as we entered the apartment.
'Hey, I'm Emma.', she reached her hand out to greet my friend.
'Nah, come here.', he pulled her into a hug and introduced himself as well.

'You were the one that handed me the card, right?', my girl asked him.
'Yes, he forced me to be amor.', the drummer winked and I slightly slapped the back of his head.
'Oh really?', now all eyes were on me. Great. 'I tried to stay in contact somehow.', I shrugged. 'And you obviously liked our music. You clearly needed to get a card.'
I handed everyone something to drink and we sat down on the couch talking. I was surprised both got along really well from the first second.

After about an hour, Emma stood up and took her jacket. 'I just go and grab some coffees and snacks. The usual?', she looked in my direction. 'Yes, sure.', I chuckled. 'And you?', Emma asked my friend.
He told her his order and there she left.

'You should keep her.', he grinned. 'How comes you haven't dated in school?'
I just shook my head. 'It wasn't my best time, mate.'
'But neither your worst. I am glad you found her and are able to love someone again.', he nudged me.
'Maybe this was ment to be.', I mumbled more to myself than to him.

'Is it THIS serious already?', he laughed and I rolled my eyes.
'You know what I mean. It seemes predetermined, like both of us needed more time to find each other again and actually come together.', I told him seriously.
'I am happy for you, man.', he began, but we got interrupted by Emma coming back. As soon as the doorbell rang I jumped up and hurried down to open the door and help her carry everything.

'Isn't this a bit too much?', I laughed as I placed down the brownies, cakes and muffins Emma had bought.
'Well, I couldn't decide, so I took a bit of the best things.', she excused herself.
I gave her a kiss before we all sat down at the table. 'Don't feed him too much. He isn't that sporty.', my so called friend mocked me in front of Emma.

'He isn't? That's new...', she replied. The drummer next to me bursted out into laughter and Emma smiled at me innocently. How was this the same shy girl?
'The others are going to love her!', I heard the other man saying.
'Maybe I need to rethink about this idea. It seems like I am going to be everyones victim.', I smirked and took a sip of my moccha.

We have just been sitting at my apartment the rest of the time. II was trying to teach Emma little things on the drums. Eventhough he was a good teacher, Emma failed miserably.
'Sorry, but I guess this is not an instrument for me.', she chuckled. 'But you're a great teacher. I think I am just not a musician as you two are.', she excused herself.

When it was already dark outside, we decided to go out, or better II and Emma forced me to go out.
I pulled the hood of my sweater over my head. As we were outside I put my hands into my pockets and walked next to Emma. She looked at me and showed me her sweet smile before she linked her arm with mine.

'Is everything alright? You seem a bit quiet.', she mumbled. 'I need to get used to this. I am not going out much.', I answered her.
'I tried to get him out a couple of times. Maybe you have more luck.', II said. He tried it in the beginning, but he was so kind and quickly accepted I didn't want to. Now I wanted to try it at least. I was sure, Emma and I needed to go out as well. It wasn't good to be at home all the time, I knew that.

We ended up in The Hawley Arms. A boozer that was very much typical for Camden, well known for frequent live music.
We sat down in a lil corner. II got us the first drinks.
'Thank you.', Emma said and squeezed my hand. I didn't know the reason and frowned.

'For going out. I know it's not your favorite thing to do. And thanks for introducing us. It makes me feel better now looking at the gig next week.', she pointed at the drummer who walked back to us.
'You worry too much, darling.', was the only thing I was able to say before we got interrupted. II placed the drinks on the table. 'I'm back. Stop your lil dirty talk.', he began with a mocking grin on his face. 'Cheers.'
We clinked glasses and downed our first drinks quiet fast. At that time I already got the feeling of being observed, but I didn't see anyone looking at us.

I have to admit, the afternoon wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I enjoyed the live music actually and with every drink I got more and more relaxed. But still, it wasn't an activity I enjoyed much.

We had a couple of drinks already, but the glasses in front of us were empty again. Emma stood up and got the next round.
I watched her walking to the bar. 'It hit you hard, man. I pretty much see the hearts in your eyes.', II said and I smiled. 'Yes, it probably did.'

I saw a man walking up to her. He began talking to her, but from afar I couldn't hear what it was about. For sure he was flirting with her, I thought to myself.
She even talked to him as well. Was that a smile she gave him?
I had this feeling again. The fear she'd flirt with him. Would she be cheating? I was ugly, inadequate and lost. Why shouldn't she dump me as my ex did?

My eyes were glued to the scene.
They still talked with each other and then they even hugged. I really felt the adrenaline rising and I tried to think straight, but my mind was too dizzy. I had no chance if I wanted to fight this man.

I felt a punch against my arm. 'Man, hey. Everything alright?', II asked me.
Emma came back with the drinks and sat down before I could answer the question.
I didn't want to ask who this man was. I didn't want her to feel like I was jealous or controlling. But maybe I actually was.

Without me noticing at first my hand had formed to a fist and my knuckles were already white.
'Was this a friend?', II asked Emma. 'He could have joined us.' I knew my friend. And I knew he asked this, because he saw my reaction on the scene.

'No, wouldn't call it that way. He was a fellow student. We catched up on the last weeks after finishing uni.', Emma explained. I hid my hand under the table and tried to look more relaxed, but still I felt all this negative emotions inside of me.