Ready for it? (Joost Klein)

3

"Kate, I think I just ran into Joost Klein!" I sit back down at the table -with an empty plate. "Really? Where?" Kate looks around the restaurant. "He was the guy in the elevator!"

It takes her a moment to realize it. "Oh." I nod. "Was he angry?"

"No idea but I am now. He said my name sounds like a stinky plant. And he didn't want to share his apple pie."

Kate looks at my empty plate. "You insulted his name too, now you're even."

Before I could even answer, Elio walks in. "I knew I'd find you here. The hotel wants a group photo with all the candidates staying here. I'll see you right away, Livia."

Kate looks at me. "Are you going to say sorry to him?"

I hesitate for a moment. "No."

Arriving in the lobby, many people were already there. Besides the Netherlands, Denmark and Croatia were also here. Elio places me to the right of Croatia's candidate. He greets me kindly.

"Hello, Livia right? I'm baby Lasagna." I suppress making a joke about his name again. I'm not going to do that a second time. "Hi, nice to meet you. I heard your song and I'm totally a fan!" 

I've never heard his song in my life.

Elio instructs Elena, Kate and Lucas to come and stand around me. Suddenly, I see Joost coming towards us. Behind him walks a man with a bird beak on his face.

"What?" Why would anyone wear that?

Joost comes to stand next to me with his team and we wait for the picture to be taken. When that happens, everyone steps back apart a little.

"I look forward to seeing you practice tomorrow." Baby Lasagna comes over to me. I look at him gratefully. "I can't wait to be on stage. I'll be supporting you while you're singing."

His manager calls to him and he walks away with a wave. Then suddenly I feel someone standing behind me. 

"He should know how hard you're lying."

I turn around and see Joost standing there. "Excuse me?"

"You have no idea who he is or what his song is. Oh and I'm surprised you didn't say a joke about his name." He looks at me with a smile.

I swallow."You know what, I still have time until I look everyone up online. And that won't include you and your friend with a bird snout."

I turn and step toward my friends. Looking back, I see that Joost is talking to his friends. He looks in my direction again and then smirks. I roll my eyes and turn around.