Chapter 8 - Alex

Shinichi startled. “What the hell was that dream?” “I hope it was just a dream. Would Ran really do that? he thought. He quickly dismissed this thought. “It was just a dream,” he told himself. He looked at the clock. It was already 3 p.m. He usually didn't sleep that long. But it was no wonder, after all, he didn't get to bed until around 5 a.m. A couple of friends had picked him up at Jack's party last night. Shinichi smiled. He had actually enjoyed himself.

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"Come on Kudo. You haven't been to any of Jack's infamous parties." Shinichi raised his left eyebrow. "Why notorious? Do the police stop them regularly?" The boys grinned. "Not as often as you probably think. No, so just imagine it like this. A huge house full of damn hot women." Chris and Brian clap each other's hands. "Thanks. No need." Shinichi was about to close the door when Dom switched on and put his foot in the door: "Kudo, believe me you will regret it. Even if Chris only talked about the women, they are far from being the party. You know him, the player through and through. Jack is always good for a surprise. And if you still want to have a say in school on Monday, you should definitely come along. "" Hey! Of course I like women. Who don't you? ”Chris glared at Dom. "Well. The way it looks, Kudo. Or have you seen him with a woman since he lived here? Well outside of school I mean. One with whom he had a date." Brian said and grinned at Shinichi. Chris' eyes widened. "No, I haven't. Tell me, is that Shinichi right?" The addressed narrowed his eyes to slits. "Have you ever seen me with a guy? Apart from you two idiots and Dom? As far as I know we are all 4 from the same bank."" Are you coming or not? If we stand here any longer, we will miss the climax. "Dom now interfered in the conversation. 'Oh, what the heck,' thought Shinichi. He went outside and closed the door behind him after he was sure he had the key with him." Great. Ladies, we're coming "shouted Chris and Brian. Dom just shook his head." Could it be that there is someone in Tokyo that you don't want to cheat? "Shinichi looked at Dom. He was the most sensible of the three. You could almost compare him to Heiji." Hey. Are you still talking to me? " "What? Uh ... yeah sure. And no, I have no one in Tokyo to cheat on. "Shinichi said firmly. Dom nodded, he didn't know why, but somehow he didn't believe his buddy.

Chris really hadn't promised too much. There were girls wherever you looked. Shinichi knew many of them from school, but he had never seen others. "Hello girls. Your Chris is here!" he said and, followed by Brian, went to a group of girls. So only Dom and Shinichi stood there. Or so Shinichi thought. But when he turned to look at it, it was gone. Great. He now ducked into a somewhat quieter corner. "Here. You can have any beer you want as long as you're into Corona." Shinichi looked up. Dom held out a beer. He accepted it with thanks. Even if he wasn't actually the drinker. But you're only young once, aren't you? "Domenic, can you come with me, please?" April, Dom's friend, suddenly stood behind him. "Sure. You excuse me?" Shinichi nodded and Dom disappeared with his girlfriend.

Dom was right, there really was only Corona here. But Shinichi didn't mind. He had been here for two full hours and had never seen any of his buddies. Except for Chris, who was busy with a girl. Shinichi put his empty bottle next to him and was about to leave when ... "Are you going to have a drink with me?"Alex was now standing in front of him. She was holding a tray on which there were about 8 small glasses, each with half a lemon wedge and a salt shaker on it." What kind of stuff is that? And how do you drink that? "He said, pointing to the salt shaker." Very simple. "She said and sat down next to Shinichi." You take the lemon wedge, stroke it briefly on the back of your hand and sprinkle the salt on the spot. Then you lick off the salt, drink and bite the lemon. "She demonstrated what she had just explained to him." Aha. And what is that now? "" The national drink of Mexicans. Tequila. " "Well then. "Shinichi copied Alex. They toasted and drank.

Around half past three in the morning, Shinichi and Alex were still sitting in the corner that he had picked out at the beginning. Alex stayed with him, not like his buddies. They talked about a lot and there were only empty glasses on the tray that she had brought with her. "You know Shinichi. I like you." "Oh yes." This looked into her eyes. She did the same to him. The two got closer. Shinichi couldn't explain it, but he was attracted to her. She took his head between her hands and pulled him towards her. A small piece was still missing as ...

“It's starting!” Someone shouted in the crowd and everyone cheered. Jack was upstairs holding a skateboard. He took a run and grinded down the railing. Everyone knew that he had only had a serious accident with the board. But he didn't seem to care. At least not anymore. Everyone cheered. Shinichi and Alex clapped too. "He's just amazing. I'll get us another drink. All right?" Alex got up and before Shinichi could say anything, she was gone.

The party was coming to an end. There were only a few people left. Including Chris, Brian and Dom. "Hey Kudo. We want to go, come with us." Asked Dom, who was probably the only one still present who was really sober.Shinichi looked at Alex. “Shall we take you with us right away?” “That would be nice. Thank you.” “Let's go.” Dom went ahead with Chris in tow. “Chris seems full,” Shinichi noted. Alex laughed and said that he probably wouldn't be the only one.

First they dumped Brian and Chris and then it went to Shinichi, where Alex got off too. She lived just a few streets away. Dom said goodbye to both of them. Shinichi didn't want to let Alex go alone at the time, so he accompanied her home. "You Shinichi? I know by chance that you wanted to watch" Death Race ". What do you think if we go to the cinema together tomorrow?" Shinichi thought for a moment before he said: "Sure, why not. What do you think of it If we go out to eat afterwards? "" Sounds good. Then we'll see you tomorrow evening at five thirty. See you tomorrow. "So they said goodbye.

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Shinichi thought, maybe his dream was a subliminal message of his conscience. Did it mean to tell him he was cheating on Ran with it? Or was what he had dreamed of the reality? Was he really so connected to Ran that he could feel what she was doing?

He would meet Alex in a couple of hours. So he decided to get up. When he had "breakfast" he showered and got ready to meet Alex. They wanted to go to the cinema first and then have dinner.

Shinichi was in his car and drove to Alex. When he saw her, he thought again of Ran and his dream. He shook his head. He had broken up with Ran, so there was nothing wrong with seeing other people. It should even help him to finally break away from Ran.

"Hello Shinichi," Alex met him smiling and kissed him on the cheek. "Hi," he said. “Shall we?” Shinichi opened the door of his car and held it for her. "Sure," said Alex and sat down.Shinichi slammed the door.