What would my solution be? I would probably run away and try to build myself a new existence somewhere else, but what shocked me was to realize that I was endangering everybody by simply existing.

Yes, the crazies have blown up that compound, including everybody who survived the black angel there, but would they do it in a town?

Well, nothing would happen as long as they did not find out about me, so all I had to do was keep a low profile... OK, I cannot call what I was doing keeping a low profile. Keeping a non-magical profile would be better. Oh, fuck, I did heal Helen, isn't it? Will the story with the ring be any good to help me?

But I did not have much time to ruminate on these thoughts as we were done with all songs that we exercised, even with those popular songs that we only sang once or twice. Our performance was celebrated with roaring applause; now was the time to relax and feel great.

I watched how the caster was scanning through the crowd testing people right and left. The problem was that I didn't want him to get the feeling that I was watching him. I tried to ignore him and casually chat with the boys, but I was not good at pretending.

On the other side, what do I do now that the performance has ended? We retired behind the scene, in an improvised behind-the-scene room and congratulated each other, but I was not in the mood to celebrate. Not with that fucking caster walking here around.

I should stay here with Matt and the boys. Flo had been adamant about it, and I reluctantly agreed with her before, but now? Will that idiot leave or stay?

As I saw Joe trying to force his way to me, I hurried up to him and told him to go and wait for me at Sweenie's. I promised him I'll be coming soon.

This was the plan White Flower had to get rid of him and the handball team and not create a conflict here. She planned to stay with Matt and the group at least until Stavros was going to close its doors. Tom and Jane Sween were very successful with their restaurant, which was one of the best in town, very popular due to their excellent food, quite accessible prices and very long open hours. They stayed open through the night, and you still could get soup at five o'clock in the morning. I knew Joe would not be pleased with me coming there later, but that was the best compromise I could think of.

Stavro's greek restaurant used to close one hour after midnight. Now it was still early, only past nine o'clock. So I had plenty of time to celebrate with Matt and the boys; however, the 'masked' caster guy made me nervous. I got even more worried when I saw him moving around. He was interested in Helen's group but not only.

“There is a guy from the television, and they invited us to their table, and Matt agreed”, - explained Mike - “see where that guy in grey is? They are making room for us there! It may be a good opportunity for us!”

Fucking fuck, the guy in grey is my nemesis, the caster with a magic mask.

“You know Mike, I'll be leaving.”

“But, but? So soon? Are you sure, or is it again a panic attack? What about if we get an offer?”

I shrugged. An offer that is valid 'only now' is rather a trap and not an offer.

“We'll meet at Matt's place to talk things through this weekend, isn't it?

“Yes, sure, but...”

“Just give the boys a big hug from me. I'll be leaving through the back door before Hew finds out and stops me, OK? See you!”

Hew would hang on me and insist so long that I'll lose hours just to convince him to let me go.

I sighed at the thought, hugged Mike and hurried up before the others got wind of what I intended to do. No way was I going to stay at the same table with that damn caster.

When I got to my bike, I was surprised that the handball boys had not yet left; they were still arguing about something when Simon saw me.

“Yeaaaah! Dolores!!”

And that's how I ended up celebrating with Joe, not Matt, to my personal satisfaction and Flo's disdain. There were another three bikers in the team, so we left in a column of four bikes and two cars and arrived, making a lot of noise at Sweenie's, where the party started immediately after.

On the road, I had time to chat a little with Flo about our situation.

“Do you love him?”

“Who?”

“Matt!”

“I like him.”

“But do you love him?”

She did not answer immediately.

“I cannot tell that I love him, but I know he loves you. He is just a kid in comparison with me. I am much older and more experienced than you; you should trust me.”

I rolled my eyes.

“You are, at best, a couple of years old, but how old you feel is not the point. The point is that you do not love him. You like him, but I love Joe, so I have priority. It is the love of my life, as simple as that!”

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“You do not even know him. You desire him; that's not love.”

“And he loves me.”

“He desires you. You are just one on the list of trophies he wants to have on his wall of fame.”

“How can you talk like this? You do not know him?”

“I know him better than you do.”

I sighed.

“Can desire not become love? Is love not desire? You do not desire Matt.”

“No. I like him.”

“That's OK; I can accept him, but as a friend.”

“Joe will never be your friend.”

“How can you know that? Never mind. So let's be friends with Matt, and let me enjoy Joe! OK? Deal?”

She was silent for some time.

“You make an error. You lose true love for your desire and fantasies.”

“It's my desire and fantasy. Deal?”

“We don't need to make a deal, but OK, deal.”

It feels good to be reconciled with your other half. In addition, the idiot caster was far away. There was only one point I was dreading: Helen, but I tried to ignore it as much as possible. I could not do anything about it. Or could I?

“You know, I told Helen that I had that ring. You came up with the idea. What if she asks me to give her my ring?”

“I can make such a ring for three healings; we just need to check what ring can bear the spells.”

“You can do that?”

“Sure. That's why I suggested it.”

“Cool”

That sounds like a solution. Now, I could enjoy myself. Let the party start!

It did include some touching, beer drinking, even more touching, stupid games, drinking and kissing.

There was no real long kissing and makeout; there was no room for that, but short happy kisses on my neck, my naked shoulder or my and his cheek. I also gave some kisses.

It was my first real party. Yeah, I've been to several parties before but never with a friend that I cared about and never got so involved.

I was drunk with alcohol and emotions. We left after five in the morning and were wise enough to leave our cars and bikes there. It was anyhow close to the school and to my home.

There was on the way an incident with a gang of marauders, and some fists were exchanged. As a result, I got a punch in the face and flew on my ass, but I still don't remember who and why started the fight.

Well, Whatever. Once we got in front of my house and we said our goodbyes, Simon and Joe helped push me up the tree, and I waved happily from the window to land later over a shocked Lola in bed.

I slept like a log until ten. Lola woke me up as she extricated herself with difficulty to go to school, but I went back to sleep after that.