“I can see the bruises.” Claus curses quietly. “That’s not right. You need to make it clear to him that he has to stop.”

“But that’s the whole problem. I’m too scared.”

“Why did he get so mad?”

“I asked him the wrong question.”

I don’t mention Isolde. Claus might feel guilty because he was the one who sent me in that direction.

“So now you want to go home because of this…Fender?”

“Not just because of him,” I admit. “I’m being stalked.” Now that I’m saying it out loud for the first time I can hear how unlikely it sounds. “It might sound crazy, but…”

“Not at all.” Claus takes a swig from his glass. “Why do you think it sounds crazy?”

“Well, no one has any reason to stalk me. I don’t have a disturbed ex, I’m not a celebrity, I’m…”

“Pretty.”

Suddenly I don’t know where to look.

“I didn’t mean that in a creepy way,” says Claus. “But if you ask me, a lot of guys would think you’re pretty.”

I think about Lucas, who flirts with me all the time. Could he be one of those guys?

“Maybe,” I say quietly.

“And the fact that you’re so modest makes you even more attractive, of course.”

I turn the glass around in my hands.

“And what’s the story with you?” I say, changing the subject.

Claus looks up. “What do you mean?”

“Like, do you have someone?”

There’s a long silence. The only sound is the quiet buzzing of the minibar.

When Claus starts talking, his voice sounds different. Soft and cautious.

“A while ago, I was really, really in love.”

I notice that he’s talking in the past tense. It feels as if there is suddenly a huge distance between us, much bigger than the few feet between the chairs we’re sitting in.

“You shouldn’t go home. You need to stay here.” Claus looks at me. “If you go home, this stalker’s sure to follow you. And Fender will be back in your classroom as usual on Monday.”

“So what should I do?”

“Confront Fender. Tell him what you think of him.”

“Do you think that’ll work?”

“You’ll feel better if you get it out. Will you give it a try?”

“Yes.” Hesitantly, I stand up. I’m not going to say anything to Kate and Lucas for now. I want to talk to Fender first.

“Are you leaving already?” asks Claus. He sounds disappointed.

“Yes, but thanks for the chat.”

“Wait a minute.” Claus comes and stands between me and the door. For a moment I think he wants to say something, but then he holds out my glass. “You didn’t have your drink.”

I look at the glass, but I still need to pee.

“No, I’m good, thanks,” I say. “You have it.”

The perfect opportunity: gone!