Chapter Twelve: Strange World:
I do not go out and party.
Sebastian didn’t take us to party, but he took us down to a small coffee shop. He said that he had a friend performing there tonight.
“What type of performance?” I asked.
“Tap dance,” he said. “He’s been a region champion for four years in a row. He even teaches tap dance to the children here in Kreuzburg.”
“Smashing!” Stephanie said. Sebastian led us further down the street. My loud friend smiled as she grabbed me on the shoulders.
“Em!” she said in my ear.
“Yes?” I asked, trying to pull away.
“Carry me off!” she said.
“No,” I said.
“Aw, why not?”
“You’re too old.”
“Am not! We’re the same age!”
I sighed and rolled my eyes. “You always do this when you get wound up.”
“So? Carry me anyway?”
“No.” I paused when I heard laughing. We looked up and saw Sebastian covered his mouth.
“What?” I asked. He smiled, shaking his head.
“You two seem like really good friends,” he said.
“Yes we are!” Stephanie said, grabbing onto my chest.
“Get off!” I said, pushing her away. We finally made it over to a cafe called Helga’s. The inside wasn’t smoky in the smoke lounge we just came from. Looking inside, I noticed there weren’t many people inside. Maybe I can deal with this. Sebastian walked over to the glass door and opened it for us.
“After you,” he said, bowing his head. Stephanie giggled.
“That’s quite cute,” she said. I blushed as I followed after her. The inside had a better smell than the smoke lounge did. The lighting was still dim, however. The brightest ones were more focused on the stage. Sebastian took hold of our hands.
“I can get us to a better table,” he said. That beautiful man led us to one close enough to the stage. We each sat down in the three chairs. Sebastian looked at his cell phone.
“Looks like we made it here just in time,” he said. A woman dressed in a stage red dress walked up to the microphone on stage.
“Welcome, everyone!” she greeted the crowd. “Welcome to Dance Night at Helga’s!” The crowd erupted into applause around us. Sebastian called his hands in the air. The woman in the red dress used her hands to tame the crowd.
“Let’s get until our first dancer tonight!” she said. “Put your hands together for Bruno Binus!” The lady moved aside as everyone clapped again. A guy with puffy blonde hair stepped out on stage. He looked so cute in his white shirt, black tie, and matching pants.
“Go, Bruno!” Sebastian shouted. Two more men joined him on stage. One sat down and set up his bongos. The other one assembled his saxophone. Bruno counted to three. The man with the bongos drummed out a steady beat. Soon, the saxophone player joined in. Bruno counted down in his head and started to dance. The sounds of his shoes drew my eyes and ears closer to the beat. All eyes stayed on Bruno as he danced. I have to admit, Sebastian’s friend is really good.
“Yeah!” Stephanie shouted. Bruno and the music in the background worked together as one. I had no idea who was leading who. I just let myself get lost in the performance. It ended when the music stopped. I looked around at the people clapping.
Huh? It’s over already?
“Give it up one for time for Bruno Binus!” the hostess shouted. The tap dancer stepped off the stage and joined our table as the crowd went wild.
“Sebastian!” he said. “You actually showed up!” The beautiful man sitting with us had the smile like an angel. I think my heart just exploded in my chest.
“Of course,” he said. “Why wouldn’t I?” The men laughed and hugged.
“It’s good to see you, man,” Bruno said.
“Same here,” Sebastian said. Bruno looked over his shoulder and noticed us.
“Who are these lovely ladies with you?” he asked. Sebastian turned and looked at us, smiling.
“These are my new friends, Stephanie and Emily,” he said, pointing at us.
“Hey there!” Stephanie said. I pressed my lips together and waved.
“Are you foreign?” Bruno asked.
“How did you know?” my loud friend asked.
“It’s in your face,” he said. “Plus your accent.”
“Oh yeah,” Stephanie said, running the back of her head, laughing. I sighed and lowered my head.
“Care to drink with us?” Sebastian said.
“Nah,” Bruno said. “I have classes tomorrow.”
“How long have you been teaching tap dance?” I asked.
“Six years now,” he said.
“Six years?” Stephanie asked. “How old are you?” I nudged her in the side.
“Stop it,” I whispered. Bruno broke into a huge smile.
“Twenty-eight,” he said. Stephanie and I stared at him with big eyes.
“What?!” we shouted.
“You don’t look twenty-eight!” I yelped. “You look like you are nineteen years old!” Bruno’s laugh reminded me of rain on a summer day.
“Aw, thanks, ladies,” he said.
“Kind of bad that you can’t have a drink with us,” Sebastian said.
“Nah,” Bruno said. “I can’t drink caffeine or alcohol on days that I teach classes.”
“Because you need to sleep and have a focused mind in the mornings,” Sebastian said. “Right, right.” He patted Bruno on the back.
“You know me well,” the dancer said. “Now if you will excuse me, I have to get back home. I have an early day tomorrow.” Sebastian nodded.
“I see,” he said. “Good night.” Bruno turned his attention to us.
“And good night you too, ladies,” he said. The dancer smiled and bowed to us like a true gentleman. Stephanie giggled.
“Good night,” I said in a soft voice.
“Sweet dreams,” my friend said.
“And with that, I take my leave for tonight,” Bruno said. He turned and walked out of the cafe. Sebastian turned his attention back on us.
“He may have to go, but we still have the whole night ahead of us,” I said. Stephanie leaned forward, smiling as I stared at him, confused.
“Where to now, mate?” she asked. Sebastian’s smile was enough to make me sit up and take notice.
“Come along and you shall see,” he said.
My only thought at this point was, yes sir!
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