Sorrow | 18+

18 Upside down

A song to listen to: Lose by Wonho

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Vivienne

My lips were dry. I was pretty sure they would never get back to their normal size and would stay slightly puffy forever. Zero had barely had enough self-control to leave me on Friday night and tend to his work. We had eaten some delicious bao buns on the kitchen counter and immediately when I was finished, Zero rushed us to take a nap after the meal before he had to leave. However, it consisted more of kissing and cuddling than napping in the end. I was actually worried he might end up to eat me, or more to eat me out, with his demanding kisses. We still had a strict line that we didn't cross. Wandering hands and rough kisses but no sex.

Zero was gone for the weekend, but he appeared on Monday morning without a word. He was flipping pancakes for me when I woke up and entered the kitchen with sleepy eyes, looking too mesmerising. Then he was making out with me, which was why I had been late for school and also still hungry as I only managed to eat one pancake. He offered to drive me but I knew if I stepped into his car, I would not get to class before lunchtime.

I really needed to dip my head in a bucket of cold water and stop acting like a blushing teenager with a first love. Not that I didn't want to be one, but it was so risky. I fished out a strawberry flavoured lip balm, applied it and refocused on what we were learning. Fabrics were the subject, how to recognise them in any situation. What did they feel like, how would they react when rubbed between fingers. It was all useful knowledge to have, but I was a bit lost when we were split into small groups. Ten pieces of different fabrics were given to us and the task was to recognize them together with our group members. To my luck, Axel was in my trio. He was a middle aged man and had a soft smile on his round face with fierce red hair. He knew everything about fabrics and gladly explained things again to me. The other partner of our group was Helle. While Axel was writing down our answers, they asked me: "Didn't listen much?"

"Uh, no, my mind is a bit distracted", I smiled back at them awkwardly. Helle gave me a toothy smile, which accented their nose ring. The golden ring on their nostrils suited the warm glow of their skin. They had a buzz cut with bleached hair and dozens of matching golden rings on their ear. Sunkissed and heart dropping were the adjectives that came to my mind with their looks.

"Okay, we are ready, I have to go to the bathroom", Axel said after a few minutes and left our answer sheet to the white table. His flowy, dark clothes hurried past us and I noticed that Helle was still smiling at me.

"Have you already decided what you want to do after graduating?" they asked as we waited for others to finish the task.

"No, I'm not sure yet. What about you?"

"Theatre if you remember. I work as a volunteer in amateur theatre. I'm currently working on a up-coming show and planning the costumes."

"Sounds cool, what is the play about?"

"Fears and future, what do humans do when the worst happens. I could get you free tickets if you want to come and watch", they offered kindly, fidgeting with their rings. I accepted the offer, getting lost in my thoughts again as the teacher began to continue the lesson. Celly would go with me definitely, maybe Connie and Remi as well. I didn't know if theatre was an interest for Zero. Asking him would be a date offer.

"Just heading home?" Helle inquired when we left the building at the end of the day. Our school was located in an old part of the town. It had cobblestone streets and low wooden houses everywhere. Our building was a soft yellow one in front of the marketplace. I had been doing group work together with Helle all day, eating lunch and talking about school and life. I was happy to make a new friend.