The Forbidden Manual// Denis Stoff

f o r t y - t w o

That sounds interesting, she laughed.

The ring of the bell shut our laughs off, it was seven fifteen only, who could it be? We both looked at it each other strangely.

Are you waiting for someone? Ferni asked me.

Not that I know of, I moved my head and then got out of the room to open the door.

Ferni went behind me and when I opened the wooden door I took a big surprise to see Denis there. My eyes almost fell out of the sockets.

Stoff? I phrased, clearly surprised.

Hey, I thought we were past formalities, he joked and then looked over my shoulder to Ferni, who looked at him dumbfounded.

He walked in without me telling him to and smiled at Ferni.

Hello, he said. Im Denis, he extended his hand.

Dashas boyfriend, I said, closing the door in a bad mood. Why would he never put that clear to people?

Hello, Ferni said, extending her hand as well. Fernanda.

No, I am Denis, he said. Ferni laughed.

No, no, Im saying Im Fernand, but call me Ferni.

Oh! Ferni, of course! Ive heard a lot about you, he said. Im glad to finally meet you.

I cleared my throat, making myself noticeable.

Ferni, umm...the manuale in my room, umm..could you put it away, please?, I mumbled, remembering that we had left the photographs out in the open and spread all over my bed.

Of course, she caught on to my words and shot to my room.

I looked at Fenis, although I didnt want to admit that I was happy that he was here and tried to remain serious.

Isnt it to early for you to be here?, I tried to sound as normal as possible, but I couldnt hide the panic very well behind my voice.

Yes, but since tomorrow its Mr. Vittores party, I want to know what well do tomorrow or what time we will be leaving, He said.

"But...".

"Done!" Ferni interrupted me, walking out my bedroom with a stunning smile on her beautiful face. In that moment I thanked the gods that she was here; at least that way I wouldn't look so obvious, I wouldn't be so clumsy talking to him. And my reason would keep my heart calm.

Ferni and Denis got along right away, both were social birds and the conversations between them just flowed so fast, that made me happy.

When Dasha arrived with Kir I smiled significantly like usual, although it deeply hurts me to see Dasha and Denis together worked for me to put a stop to my most absurd feelings.

After Kir and Ferni left, I locked myself in my bedroom like usual, but it wasn't long until I heard someone call me at the door, the murmuring voices had disappeared from the exterior and only the little knocks on the wooden frame was heard.

I jumped out of my bed and opened the door, Dasha's face wasn't the same, she was extremely sad, I could tell.

"Dash, what's wrong?" I asked, concerned.

"I need to talk to you" She said and sat on my bed.

Not only was her face sad, her voice also had seemed to lose joy.

"About what?" I asked, now nervous, was she suspecting that I was in love with her boyfriend? I stayed on me feet, biting down on my top lip and waited for her to speak.