Eventually I persuaded Stella that the kiss meant nothing. And anyway, kiss is a big word, it was a chaste brush of lips before Sky interrupted us. But I'm sort of avoiding to say so to her.

In any case, after the discussion she has started to look my moves like a hawk. And I wonder why I'm trying to save this relationship. But then, on the other hand, my parents taught me to deal with the problems, not to run away when things get tough.

And Riven has enough on his plate without my doubts about him and Stella.

Stella amazes me though, because in the pass she woulds get angry with Riven, and instead now she looks at him with pity, not jealousy.

And Riven ... He spent almost two weeks as Riven, but today his pace gets Rika' swing. Musa's right, it's easy to see the difference if you know where to look.

So, it's Friday, the classes are over, and we're bringing the girls out to dance.

None of us said anything Riven came out of the room with a light turquoise dress, tight at the waist. It's a really nice dress and it leaves bare a significant part of the legs and arms. And the make up too…. I think the Stella is giving her lessons, because if before the make-up was good, now looks like a expert put it up for her. Her long hair, a wig exactly the same color as her natural one, tonight are pinned on one side with a turquoise flower.

Coming out of the dormitory, a couple of students from another year have commented, with whistles and giggles, her clothing, but the Sky's growl and the warner look from Helia seem to have been sufficient to put everyone back to their places.

Perhaps the presence of Codatorta and Saladin helped too. The headmaster's face was priceless, he had two eyes as big as saucers. Rika then brought two fingers to his forehead in a mock of salute, and greeted both with a "Professors ..." and a grimace. Helia's grandfather tried to answer, but all that came from him was a series of "but ... but ... Riven ... when? ... How?" Codatorta just drove him away adding "Let them being, they're young! Guys enjoy! "

and then, as an afterthought, he added: "Riven, you're beautiful tonight. Do not get yourself in trouble! "

Since the meeting, Rika had a chagrined look on her face and I, even if I had decided to keep distance, for his own good and for Stella's one, I find myself caressing her bare arm in a way that I hope is reassuring .

She smiles at me grateful, but she does not relax completely until we are far from Red Fountain and in view of Alfea. Or maybe she's still tense, because Musa sends us a questioning look.

Anyway we arrived at the club, a pretty chic one, and with a huge queue at the entrance.

The girls titter and giggle. Apparently the bouncer is looking at them, and they are all winking and smiling. All apart Rika, Flora and Tecna, who are competing in who is more embarrassed by the others behavior.

But the bouncer approaches, and looking straight at Rika says, 'Hey beauty, can I offer you a drink when I'll finish the shift? "

Rika is so surprised that at first looks behind herself to make sure that the huge guy is talking with her. Then, also thanks to Aisha nudge, she smiles back shyly and tilts her head to look from below, flapping her eyelashes in a way that I can only define coquettish. "There is no way to let me and my friends in?" Coquettish. If there is a term that I'd never thought to associate with Riven, it's 'coquettish'.

the guy swells even more the huge chest, and motions for us to go in the VIP queue. If at this time I could foresight that in the next hours I will have to see twenty people flirt with Rika, I would ask everyone to leave behind the slimy brute and go home.

Instead I follow the group, and step in one hour of hell.

I'm dancing with Stella, but with one eye always on Rika. At a certain point I see her in trouble with a guy who separates her from the group and towards the bathrooms. I am going to stop him, but a dark boy act before me. It is tall and well-proportioned, with dark skin highlighted by a white shirt easy worn over light colored jeans.

I watch them, and I see how the guy starts to flirt with her, and how she arches her back and tilts her face to the side in a playful manner. And coquettish. For the second time. If I could be honest with myself I would recognize that maybe I'm jealous. But honesty is overrated.

In any case, Stella distracts me, telling me something that with loud music I cannot understand, and so I lose sight of them. I would run to find them, but Stella drags me to the bar to get something to drink.

I will not see her again before one hour, and she will be beautiful, a little 'disheveled and with her cheeks flushed, I hope just for the dance. I'll see her sitting at the table we occupied, busy gossiping animatedly with Musa, as if she had gone for an hour.

I'll see her holding a napkin folded like a rose, and I'll seethe at the sight of the phone number scribbled on the leaf.