What dude! After all, he left me alone last night.
Fortunately, on the way we meet Roberta.
<<Hi, Robbie>> I say thanking my lucky stars to give me the chance to discuss no more with Max.
<<Hi, Isabel. Hi, Max>>
<<Since I have fulfilled my duty I can go now>> Max says making what might be called a fake smile. He kisses me and says goodbye to Robbie.
<<Talk to you later>> I say returning the kiss.
When I see Max going away I breathe a sigh of relief. Nothing gets past Robbie and she looks at me inquisitively. So I tell her everything that has happened in the last hours.
<<Isabel, forgive me if I take the liberty of...>
<<Tell me! You know you can tell me everything>> I say worried about the pearls of wisdom that are going to come out of her mouth.
<<In the last two months you have practically been a paranoid sourpuss and today all of a sudden you have a smile from ear to ear. When you talk about this infamous Matthias you can not help but notice your enthusiasm. I hope you werent so euphoric while you talked about him to Max too! I have no idea what can be so special about this guy. But he did a spell: your eyes have found the light that had been extinguished for quite some time.>>
<<Cant I just be serene because today is a beautiful sunny day and because, after many days, I spent some time with Max?>> I ask her confuse about what she has just pointed out to me.
<<Look, whatever it was, welcome back Isabel! Whoever succeeded in doing it, I thank him from the bottom of my heart.>> She says taking me by the arm while we walk towards the entrance of the classroom.
Its true that in recent times I could hardly feel new emotions. In fact, the more time passed, the more my pout was getting worse. My discontent will always remain a mystery. Robbie sees me practically every day and knows me better than anyone else. I didnt know she was so worried about my fickle attitude. Maybe Im just a little more tired than usual. I should control myself and put a stop to the constant desire to expect too much from myself. Im constantly in competition with the whole world, I should give me some limits. But if I want to fulfil my dreams I can not afford to give up. Sometimes Id like to be more carefree. I have chosen the department of psychology to study the mental processes and to understand human behaviour. In the future I want to work with children and adolescents, very sensitive persons. Some of them may have behavioural problems and Id like to combine my studies with my passion. I love the discipline that is better known as contemporary dance: performance art that expresses the movement of the body and includes more styles on the basis of classical ballet. I want to be able to impart the same emotions that I feel and I want to teach others to unite body and mind to get carried away and overwhelmed by this combination. Contemporary dance is an expression in the round, also it includes the recitation of texts. One day it would be great to have my very own school! I do not dream to take part in musicals for a lifetime or to gambol in some stupid TV show. I love dance for what it gives me. Its poetry for me, unconditional love and it makes me feel free. I do not need audiences, the music enters into my bones and, from that moment on, my body is able to do whatever I want, even to fly.
I get lost in my thoughts and I do not notice the time that is passing, when Robbie thinks to bring me sharply back to reality <<Is he engaged?>> she asks me point blank.
Understanding that she was referring to Matthias I answer: <<I dont know...>> I pause and then I ask her: <<Could you come for dinner tonight? In this way I will introduce him to you and you can ask him it personally.>>
<<Its not a bad idea>> she answers immediately, seizing the moment.
In the afternoon I was able to study a little and to spend a couple of hours in the gym, this time without embarrassing interruptions. I go to the bathroom to freshen up and to get ready for dinner. Robbie will come here in a while. Im still in my bedroom when her message arrives on my mobile phone:
Come down, Im at the front door.
I rush at the entrance to let her in and make her sit. Matthias has not been seen at all before dinner time, but when he makes his entrance in the dining room to join us, I notice Robbies look and open mouth. Maybe now she can understand too why he upset me so much. It should be illegal to be so devilishly handsome With two fingers I push upwards Robbies chin to make her close her mouth and I say amused: <<Close your mouth, you are indecent!>> theres only one thing she can do: remain silent. But she takes revenge with a little kick under the table.
<<Hi Matthias, how are you?>> I ask him staring into his eyes without being mesmerised by his overwhelming magnetism.
<<Fine, thanks. And you?>>
<<Im fine too! This is my best friend Roberta>> I say to him pointing at her.
<<Nice to meet you Roberta>>
Despite the initial block, Robbie becomes friendly with Matthias. She shows off her cheeky beggar and bombards him with questions. How is it possible that he doesnt affect my timid friend as he does to me? Last night I was petrified and could hardly speak. We exchanged roles: she has become extroverted and I have become excessively shy. In the dining room theres the background chatter typical of more open conversations. Suddenly Vanessa tells me shouting from a table not very close to ours: <<Isabel, remind me what is the date of your next competition!>>
<<Do you have to take part in a competition?>> Matthias asks me leaking the desire to be invited too
<<Yes! do you want to come along with these lunatics? At least you could control them to avoid making a fool out of me!>>
<<Sure!>> he answers staring at me in way of making me feel uncomfortable. I look down to hide the blushing and above all to prevent Robbie from noticing it.
The evening passes pleasantly. We decide to stay at home and, as usual, we lose track of time if it wasnt for the first symptoms of tiredness that stand out. Given the time, Roberta decides to go home.
<<Im going, accompany me to the door>> she says, dragging me with her. She thanks me for the invitation to dinner and above all to make her become acquainted with Matthias.
While we are heading for her car she looks at me and says: <<I could not help but see how much tight-knit you and Matthias are: Im worried about this! Im your friend as well as Maxs friend. I would be really sorry to see your relationship destroyed. You know that I love you Isabel, be careful. If Max sees what I saw tonight, arguments could arise.>>
<<You are exaggerating, I act with him just as I do with the others...>>
<<Are you really sure? Was I the only one to notice how he watches you?>>
<<Why? How does he watch me?>>
<<With sex drive!>>
<<Robbie!>> I growl at her.
<<Trust me, Isabel! Matthias likes you, it is clear. Also when he was taking his leave he watched you deeply.>>
I burst into a nervous laughter and say: <<Robbie, its the effect of alcohol! Tonight we overdid the wine at dinner. In my opinion its not as you say!>>
<<Whatever. I really hope that this is so. However, I can guarantee that he doesnt take away his eyes off you!>>