Class is over and I'm walking to the bus with the only friend I have made so far: Imani.

I told her about Slash because I had to tell someone and she doesn't know any of the guys.

"So you getting a new boyfriend?" Imami giggles.

"No way! It just- it's casual"

"Casual sex?"

"Kinda, yeah"

I laugh.

Imani gets serious.

"Well just be careful. I was friends-with-benefits once, with this guy and suddenly he got mad clingy. It just didn't work out".

I wave for the bus to stop.

"Yeah I don't think Saul is like that. He seems very, like, aloof. Anyway, see you next time!"

Imani waves as I get on the bus.

"Whatever you say, girl. See ya!".

-

Back home I prepare a sandwich and eat it at the kitchen table while flipping through a book about Ancient Architecture in the Middle East.

Duff comes out of his room. By the looks of it he just got out of bed.

"Good morning, Sylvie"

"Did you just wake up?"

"Yeah, man. I was knocked the fuck out"

He picks a grape from the fruitbowl and catches it in his mouth.

"How was it with Slasher?"

I choke on my food and cough.

"Uh- hm, what?"

Duff casually picks another grape.

"Did he keep you up? I shared a hotel bed with the guy once. He's like super restless, right?".

"I don't know... I didn't notice anything"

I mumble.

"Lucky you"

He shuffles to the bathroom not realizing how much he just startled me.

I try to focus on my book again.

I'm done with my reading when Izzy comes home.

He seems agitated and immediately starts rambling.

"So I just came from Steven's house and his neighbors apparently had all these fuckin noise complaints"

"What do you mean?"

I close my book.

Izzy slams his backpack in a corner.

"Well, we practice at Steven's house. With the band. Did I tell you about- Whatever. We're screwed".

Duff comes back in to check out Izz's yelling.

"Fuck's going on?"

Izzy rolls his eyes and yankes off his leather hat.

"If you would've shown up to practice you would've known! But since you asked: we need a new place to practice".

Duff does not seem fazed.

"Then we'll do it here".

Izzy's expressie goes sceptical.

I watch Duff closely as he continues.

"We'll set up in the livingroom. I bet it'll all fit".

Izzy looks at me, raising his eyebrows.

"Uhh-"

I mumble as Duff is now also expecting an answer.

"I mean... sure why not?"

Duff grinns and walks over to high-five Izz.

Izzy's stress seems to have melted and he grabs his bag.

"I'll go and let the others know!".