Ch. 3

Mia has pulled on black skinny jeans with a light blue wide shirt. Kim and Lukas have already started. The lovebirds still can't keep their hands off each other.

Jonas should come at any moment and he will accompany her to lunch at Max's. She looks in the mirror one last time. Mia has her black hair draped around her shoulders, her green eyes accentuated with some mascara. Take another deep breath in and out and calm down. It will be a wonderful day, even if Jack comes, she whispers to herself. It is ringing.

She opens the door with relief. "Hi, Jonas! Nice that you can today. Thank you! ”, She takes him in her arms. "That's not a problem. The ass should only dare to come near you, it won't know what happens to it before I'm done. ”He underlines his threat with a stern face. His brown hair hangs down shoulder length. A leftover from hard times AND the women love it, he always brags. “We can start right away!” He gallantly lifts his elbow so she can chop in. "Thank you!"

The journey goes on in silence. Mia is probably a little more excited than she expected. Jonas pats her arm reassuringly. "I'm there for you and I think I'm not the only one," he adds when he spots Finn, Sophia, Kim, Lukas and Lola while parking.

Why does Jack keep popping up in her head? She loves him, that won't change anytime soon, but he has turned away. Mia should finally have come to terms with it, shouldn't she?

#

Jack came with Summer a little earlier to talk to Max. The women have spread out in the garden behind the house. He is sitting on the sofa with Max. “Nice house!” His friend just smiles. He realizes that Jack wants to delay the conversation a little longer. It's not that they see each other for the first time after the show, they just left one topic out: Mia. Just mentioning her name makes his friend shut down. He fends off all questions, looks at him coldly and tries to change the subject.

Why is everyone so mad at him? It was his choice, wasn't it? He must be able to have a relationship with the woman. With Summer it sounded / sounds more exciting than with Mia. Mia is a cute little cat who has never used her claws before.

Even Finn is still throwing him that - I'm not sure you're crazy yet? - look. They treat Summer very cordially, she doesn't notice anything at all.

"Is Mia coming too?", There he is again. That look that tells him to just shut up. “Just wait and see. Why do you keep coming back to her? You have Summer now. ”He doesn't have to think twice. "I miss our conversations, our fits of laughter as buddies." Max snorts. "Yeah, I know, I still can't change it."

Then the doorbell rings. Max looks at his watch before getting up. "I'll be right back.", Jack follows Max unobtrusively. But it's not Mia he sees but five people he doesn't even know. "Hello! Come in. Nice that you were able to set it up. “, He greets his friends. In the living room he calls for Miriam and Summer. “These are Valeria, Christina, Sebastian, Martin and Florian. People that’s Jack and Summer. ”“ Hey! Nice to meet you. ", Says someone whose name is Sebastian, if he remembers correctly. "Also pleased.", Hands are shaken and small talks are started. "How do you guys know all of them?" Summer throws in at one point. "How was that again?", Christina looks thoughtfully around. “I think Sebastian and Max have known each other since kindergarten, he brought me into the group because I was living next to him at the time. Valeria and Martin as well as Florian found Miriam in secondary school. And when the two found each other, we became a big clique. Did I leave something out? ”“ Of course you did! I didn't voluntarily share you with Max. You only stuck to our asses as long as we gave up at some point. “, Max nods with a smile. “For once I have to agree with him.” “For once? Brother, I thought we were soul mates? “, Sebastian raises his eyebrows in the air. "You hurt my feelings." This is how it starts to be a fun evening.

Only one thing is missing, right? Where's Mia? Max must have invited her. He just has to. “I'll have a look after the meal. It shouldn't take too long. ”, Miriam gets up and Max slaps her on the bottom. "Should I help with something, darling?", She shakes her head.

Nevertheless, he follows his girlfriend into the kitchen, only to join them shortly afterwards with a tray full of glasses and drinks. "Help yourself!" "Are you okay?" Summer asks him in a whisper. “Sure, why shouldn't it?” “Because you can't sit still. Your leg bobs, you can't concentrate and your gaze wanders senselessly through the area. ”He didn't even notice. He immediately stops the activities. Jack takes Summers hand in his and squeezes it lightly.

Suddenly one hears laughter and murmurs of some kind of conversation from outside. Max gets up with one: “They'll be the last ones. I'll let you in. ", Grinning, he disappears into the hallway. He would have loved to follow him, but Jack controls himself. He's here with Summer too when he misses Mia. He shakes his head briefly to get clear again.

"Hey, nice that you could set it up. Everyone else is already there. ”He listens to the polite phrases as if spellbound. Can't make out Mia's voice though. Then the moment has arrived. The group comes into the living room. He sees Kim and a man who is probably Lukas. There is Sophia with Finn. Jack didn't even know that Finn was invited too. Overall, his communication with his best friend has fallen asleep.

At the very end with her head bowed, Mia almost sneaked in. She is clinging to someone's arm. Who is this? His heart rate doubles. Who the hell is that? This someone now bends down to her and whispers something in her ear. Then she just nods and keeps her head down. Something about his body and the hairstyle looks familiar. There was something in the swimming pool! Jonas! This is Jonas, who flirted with Mia so much back then. Heat rises in him.

"Hey, Mia! Nice to see you. “, Summer got up and hugs her. The reply is rather half-hearted.

“People, that is: Lola, Sophia and Mia. You should know them from television. You also got to know Kim briefly. “, Max smiles as he remembers the conversation between her and Jack. "That's still Lukas and Jonas."

"And what about you? Am I just left out? ", Finn opens his mouth indignantly. Max bows mockingly. “Sorry, Your Majesty. That, my loyal friends, is Finn. Highborn ... “, he doesn't get any further because Finn punches him in the side. "You are a great friend. I'm still waiting for our game of revange." Did the two meet? “I'm sorry, champion! I'll put you on the waiting list. After all, not everyone gets a second chance against the master. ”They joke a few more. But Jack is no longer listening. He stares at Mia, inconspicuously as he hopes. She still clings to Jonas, but now looks up and looks around in a friendly manner. She deliberately leaves him out.

People move closer together on the sofa and chairs are carried to the small tables so that everyone has space.

#

Mia is so happy that she has Jonas. He's like a buffer between her and Jack. He stares at her with this strange look and she only lets her gaze wander over him for fear of the memories. There he is sitting holding hands with Summer.

She quickly devotes herself to the other guests. Everyone is relaxed or tries to appear that way. Sophia pats her back inconspicuously. Kim sits on her other side and does the part with the looks that can kill. Really cute.

But she shouldn't be so dependent. She should be strong and get over it. If possible in the next few hours.

"Mia? Can you make a salad? ”, Miriam's voice booms from the kitchen. "Favorite. I asked you if I could help. ", Max complains. He gets incredulous looks. “What?” He asks everyone. "What?", But he is only laughed at while Mia gets up and Miriam rushes to help.

"The bowl is there by the sink.", Miriam is checking the roast in the oven. “It's as good as finished. The salad still has to be dressed, the potatoes still have to be out of the pan and the table is already set. ”She breathes in and out deeply. "All right! Then tell me, honey. How are you? Max has been worried about you over and over again in the last few weeks. ", Mia tries to smile. “Better in the past few days. Always take small steps, right? ”Mia points towards the living room. “And that's a pretty big chunk that I have to digest. Under the circumstances, I would say I am fine. Others don't have enough water to survive and I'm sad because the man I fell in love with doesn't want to mix. I shouldn't make an elephant out of it, ”she routinely mixes the salad. “But he broke your heart, honey. That takes time and patience. Even if you've only known him for a month, it was an intense time. Don't rush into anything. “, Miriam gives her a warm smile. “Your physical needs may be satisfied, but you cannot enjoy them without a sound soul. So now that I've gotten rid of that, you can bring the bowls in. I'll bring the roast straight away. "

Balancing the bowls, she ponders the words. Then she ticks them off and puts everything down. "Come on. Grab food. Zack, Zack, Zack. “, Like a herd she shooed the crowd to the table. Mia takes a seat next to Jonas and Sebastian. The former holds her hand and she leans against him smiling. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. She can feel his nose in her hair. "They stare at us." They should. We're friends. ”His shoulder shakes. "Come on. Shovel something on your plate. I don't want you to knock off my flesh. ”“ All right, Sherlock. Look closely. “, Mia sits up straight and overflows her plate with everything that is within reach. Then she takes a fork and EATS.

"Very good. Jonas, you should eat with us more often. Mia has lost weight. Even if she doesn't want to admit it. ”, Kim interjects. Then Mia stands up without a word and goes into the kitchen. She comes back with a ketchup bottle. With a good blob on her plate, she continues to feed happily. "That's a statement," says Sebastian.

People eat in silence. Nobody had imagined the evening like that. Valeria and Christina clean up voluntarily.

Max then asks everyone to go outside on the terrace. It's dark and it's getting fresh. Nevertheless, it is pleasant after the heat and tension in the house. “I invited everyone today to make something clear. Life is unpredictable. Life can be different than expected. It can contain the greatest happiness one could wish for. It can also suddenly come to an end. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow or in the next few minutes. Life is too short to regret taking a wrong step. Either you live with it or you change it. Life is too short to simply vegetate. When you have found what you were looking for, you make sure that you will never lose it again. You hold it very close to your heart and keep saying how much you love it. “, Max takes a step towards his girlfriend.

“Miriam, darling, I love you. I love you every single minute that we are together. I love how you laugh, stroke your hair or rub your nose when you don't know what to do next. How you kiss me when you are dissatisfied and when you got exactly what you wanted. I love your very special kind.

We've been together for five years. Living under one roof for three and a half years and waking up next to you every morning is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Every morning I imagine what it will be like to wake up next to you in 5, 10, 50 years from now. Do you know what I'm thinking of then? To the infinite love that will never run out. To our children, our grandchildren. That we support each other and never give up.

Miriam, do you want to be my wife? “, Max sinks on his knees in front of her and opens a box in his hand. Time stands still for a moment. The wind is blowing gently, the moon is full in the sky and their friends are standing around the couple. The light shines on the veranda from inside.

Miriam's eyes are moist. Her hands flutter excitedly around her body. "Max ... Max, I love you. I love you and yeah YES, of course I want to be your wife. Who is so crazy to let YOU go. ", With trembling hands he puts the ring on his fiancée. "Darling, darling, I love you.", A heartfelt and romantic hug follows.

Mias and Jack's eyes meet across the cheering and clapping crowd. For a second there is this connection. This agreement, the calm of a long-term relationship that never existed. Then Summer kisses Jack's cheek. The moment is over.

#

What was that? Absently he takes Summer in his arms. His heart was beating like crazy. For a moment he had been the happiest man in the world. Then her gaze turned away and he fell into a hole. And now that he is holding Summer in his arms, his pulse has calmed down. His body no longer sends out happiness hormones. Mia turns to Jonas. Laughs with him and holds hands.

What shoud that? Doesn't she love Jack? Has she checked it off yet? To forget? Found a replacement? Suddenly his blood is boiling. It is literally boiling and would like to persuade him to storm the two of them and give Jonas one. In order not to give in to this burning desire, he wraps his arms tighter around the object in front of him. But in his current state, which can almost be described as trance-like, he does not register that he is holding his girlfriend in his arms. His blood is boiling, he hears it pulsing in his ears. From the effort to suppress his impulse, drops of sweat form on his forehead. He develops tunnel vision and Jonas is his red rag.

At the edge of his perception he hears his name squeak. Something pokes his chest. Multiple times.

Confused, he looks down to scare away this fly in his mind. Instead, he looks into a face that has gone red. Startled, he lets go of the woman in his arms. His breathing slowly regulates itself. He didn't even notice that he was panting so much. His body temperature also drops. "I'm sorry.", The dark blonde curls and blue eyes look familiar. "It's okay. What was going on? ”, How does he know that sweet voice?

Buzzer.

The woman standing in front of him is summer. How could he forget that? His girlfriend ... Jack shakes his head to be clearer. The fog in his mind clears. His look goes to Mia again. She now stands with the future bride and admires the ring in all manner. Jonas stands next to them. Again he feels the urge to give this man one. This time, however, it is easier to control. "I am sorry. Are you all right? I don't know what was wrong with me. ”Of course he does. Jack was jealous. He still is. But why? He's got buzzer, has a relationship with ups and downs. Exactly what he was looking for. So why here and today? “Nothing happened. Sure, I'm fine. It was probably your reaction to the beautiful marriage proposal. ", Summers eyes veil. Not because, as he thinks, she is imagining her own proposal, but because she followed his gaze and knows why he freaked out. It's pain in her eyes that he doesn't notice, but it's gone as quickly as it reappeared.

Why should she react like that? No matter! The main thing is that the real reason does not come to light. “You just love me so much and don't want to lose me.” She enthuses. Pretended that Jack's gaze wanders again beforehand.

"Let's congratulate the happy couple." His thoughts drive a carousel. Doesn't he have more feelings for Mia as he thought? And what should he do if it is? Just leave Summer and ask Mia for forgiveness? He can see that in the next few days he has to be clear about a few things. "Hey, Max! We wish you all the best in the world. ”Jack hugs his friend. He seems to be unable to move his facial muscles. Max grins incessantly. "Thank you!", Like a little boy who has had his favorite toy repaired, he shines like a firefly in the deepest darkness. The cameraman looks behind him, sees Miriam talking to Mia and just pulls her out of the conversation to hug her. “Sorry, Mia. I need this right now. I still have the feeling that she's running away from me at any moment. ”, The surrounding friends laugh.

"And now it's going to be celebrated.", Shrieks Martin, who has hardly said anything the whole evening. Suddenly it rains champagne foam down on them. Everyone turns around looking for the source. Florian stands there with the largest bottle of champagne Jack has ever seen. “We've had them in the trunk for a year. For exactly this occasion. ", He shakes the bottle again, so that others can feel the drink tingling on their skin. “I've wanted to do that for so long. Thank you Max for finally redeeming me. Now get the glasses before I drink the rest on my own. "For fun, he lifts the huge thing immediately. Immediately a few set off.

Shortly afterwards everyone has a well-filled glass in their hand. One or the other has already poured himself a second. The mood is exuberant. And Jack calmed down too. The sight of the two doesn't bother him anymore. Only a small stitch near the heart reminds of the maddening jealousy.

In the course of the evening he gets to know Sebastian and Florian better. Both are eternal bachelors. Until now. There will come a time when you will look for a life partner. Martin and Valeria are one heart and one soul. They haven't thought about getting married yet. Maybe this is the next engagement that takes place.

At 11 p.m. there is a spirit of optimism. Most of them have to get out of bed early in the morning. Reluctantly watching Mia and Jonas get into ONE car. Is he staying overnight?

Actually, it was agreed that Summer would stay with him today, but for some reason she is not in the mood and prefers to go home.