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Sensory overload?

Last night, the section of the A8 between Hohenstadt and Merklingen was closed for several hours. A car crashed into the median barrier for reasons that are still unclear, causing it to roll over several times. All four occupants were killed instantly.
The police assume that excessive speed with the influence of alcohol was the cause of the accident. The four young men come from the surrounding towns.
I shook my head and turned down the radio. I just couldn't get on with my presentation, so I saved what I had written and closed the program. It was already a few minutes to seven, and I wanted to go out with the guys tonight.
I got out of my clothes and went into the bathroom. As I stood under the shower, there was a knock at the door. I turned off the water.
“Yes, what is it?” I called.
“Michael, we're leaving now, we'll see you tomorrow!”
“Okay, Mom, have fun and say hi to Aunt Elvira.”
“Yes, I'll tell her, have a nice evening.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
I turned the water back on because I was slowly getting cold. After I had finished showering and drying off, I went back to my room. Since my younger sister Katja was not there, I was able to do that naked.
I looked for the clothes that would be appropriate for the evening and got dressed. I shut down the PC and went back to the bathroom. I put a little gel in my hair, tousled it, and my hairdo was already sitting.
Should I put on some of my make-up? I looked at myself in the mirror. No, today I was going out like this. I turned off the light and left the bathroom. Since everything was closed downstairs, I grabbed my jacket and left the house.
I stopped briefly outside on the street and wondered where my car was. I remembered that I had parked it on the other side today because there was no more space. But I had to hurry, because Benni was probably already waiting for me.
“Where have you been?“ Benni greeted me when I arrived.
“I'm here, what are you getting so worked up about?” I asked and waited until he had buckled up.
“We want to go to the new nightclub at Brenslauer Platz today, don't we?”
“I know, we won't be too late,” I said and drove off.
“Where's your war paint?“ Benni asked.
I looked over at him and saw that he was grinning.
“You can't please everyone,” I said, continuing to concentrate on the traffic.
“Oh, is the little one being difficult again?” Benni said, stroking my cheek tenderly.
“Keep your hands to yourself, you know I like to bite!
“It doesn't matter, I've been vaccinated against tetanus.”
Now I had to laugh too. Benni and I had known each other for a long time, and he was also the first to find out that I was gay. Of course, I was head over heels in love with him back then, but unfortunately he only had girls on his mind.
I carefully maneuvered the car into the narrow space.
“You're getting better and better at this,” said Benni, unfastening his seat belt.
“I'm curious to see how you'll park when you finally get your driver's license!”
“If you give me your car then, I'll show you.”
“When you have friends like that, you don't need enemies anymore,“ I said, grinning as I got out.
“Ah, there you are at last,” Lukas called out to us. “What kept you?”
“He must have spent too long in front of the mirror again,” Benni said, poking me in the side.
The others started grinning.
“Why aren't you going in?“ I asked, noticing the line in front of the store.
“We don't know for sure, but apparently the owner has trouble with the police,” said Matthias.
“Now, but they've only been open a week!” Benni added.
“Yes, and too many underage drunks have been noticed during the week.”
They should be smart enough not to sell alcohol to them,” said Lukas.
I nodded and looked down the line. I would have thought most of them were my age, but when I looked more closely, I noticed that there were even some under sixteen here. Even guys who looked styled up were hard to judge.
“And already picked out a potential victim?“ Benni whispered from the side.
I looked over at him.
“How so?” “Just look at them! Can't you see the difference?” “They're dressed kind of gay, aren't they?” I asked.
The others naturally turned around and looked too.
Yes, the figure-hugging clothes are in and so are the jewelry. Why don't you dress like that, you're gay after all?“ Lukas asked.
“Because I don't like it that much and I don't always want to dress like that,” I replied dryly.
“A twink for you, we'll at least get something, right?“ Matthias asked.
“If not, I'll dance with him,” Benni said and put his arm around me, grinning.
It's really touching how you look after me, but now go and look for yourself, for example, at the group of girls who have been watching you the whole time, I said and broke free from the embrace.
They all turned around quickly and I heard a unanimous “Where?”
Michael, I think you'll have to dance alone, the way Benni is drooling next to you, Christian said, laughing.
Benni next to me blushed and I had to laugh too. Something was happening at the entrance now too; the lights got brighter and the doors opened. Two bouncers took up position on each side of the doors.
Slowly, the line started to move and we were getting closer to our goal. I noticed that not everyone was allowed in; some were turned away. Loudly protesting, they left.
“Do you have your IDs with you, they check your age?” Lukas shouted.
Everyone nodded and took out their wallets to have their IDs ready. The group of girls that had caught my eye all managed to get in. The louder the music got, the closer we got to the entrance.
As Lukas said, ID was checked and we were already inside. We gave our jackets and looked around first. You could either sit at the dance floor or there was a gallery upstairs.
“I'd go for the top, there's more space,” said Christian and had already gone up a few steps.
Closed, we followed him.
“There are girls up there, too,” came from Lukas, and he headed for the neighboring table.
I wasn't so thrilled, but I followed my friends. It was nice here. Round tables in the middle and round sofas set up around them. I just dropped down next to Benni.
I thought it was cool that almost everything up here was made of glass, so you could easily see onto the dance floor. Even the floor was equipped with several glass windows.
“Here you have a total overview,” Benni said, looking down between his legs to see what he meant.
Lukas was already halfway over the sofa, trying to make contact with the neighboring table. Apparently with success, as the girls got up and came over to us. Oh no. Everyone at the table knew that this meant I would have to come out again.
Benni seemed to read my thoughts and patted my shoulder.
It'll be alright, my little one,? he said and we moved closer together.
We introduced ourselves and quickly got into the conversation. We talked about school and training. Lukas grabbed Sophie and the two went downstairs to dance. I was rather quiet the whole time and listened to the conversations.
And you? Michael, right? What do you do?, the person sitting across from me asked.
“Yes, Michael. I'm at the design school for fashion and fabrics, in the new part of town,” I replied, ”and you are?”
She was about to answer when a young man approached the table and asked what we wanted to drink. I looked up and into his eyes. I didn't know how long he had been there, when suddenly I felt an elbow in my ribs.
“Stop staring like that,” Benni whispered in my ear, ”it's even more embarrassing than with Lukas.”
In front of me stood a magnificent specimen of a guy. The white, tight muscle shirt showed every muscle in his upper body. His black-dyed hair stood in all directions. Silver earrings, leather bands around his neck.
“Micha, stop it!”
Once again, it was Benni who poked me in the side.
I immediately succumbed to those ice-blue, shiny eyes and that smile when our eyes met, I could have melted away.
“And what would you like to drink?” he asked.
“Micha, what do you want to drink?“ Benni asked.
“Me? Oh, a Coke.”
“Large or small?” he asked.
“Large, very large.”
And with that he got moving, not without giving me another smile.
“Could it be that the guy standing opposite me is gay?” I heard someone say in the distance.
“It can't just be him, he definitely is.”
I wondered who Benni was talking to. I was still staring at the guy, who was now standing behind the bar again.
“Michael, would you come back to us, please?”
I jumped and suddenly saw a lot of grinning faces in front of me.
“What?“ I asked.
“Are you hungry?” the female across from me wanted to know.
“Me? Why?”
“The way you just devoured the guy?”
“Please?“ I looked at Benni in amazement, who just nodded at me.
“That bad?” I asked.
“Yes!” it sounded from all sides.
“Sorry, but come on!“ I fell into a dream again.
“Michael, pull yourself together, it's getting really embarrassing with you.” “Simone, he's not normally like that, I've never seen him like that before!” Benni said.
Then the dream guy came back, laden with a tray full of drinks. Benni didn't even try to address me, but took my coke for me. Everyone paid immediately, and I did too.
“Keep the change,“ I said, totally blown away.
“Michael!” Benni called, almost angry, “That's fifty euros.”
No problem, I wouldn't have kept it, said the dream man and gave me the money back, then he disappeared again.
I took the money and wanted to put it back, when a card fell down. Benni bent down and picked it up.
What is this? he asked.
I don't know and looked at it.
It was a business card from the disco here, with the usual information. I turned it over and saw a cell phone number and a name: Alex!
* * *
Have you called him yet?
Benni, what are you calling so early for, it's only half past eight, I said, annoyed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“Aren't you usually always up this early?” I heard Benni say.
“First of all, it's Saturday, and secondly, if I don't go to bed until three, how am I supposed to be awake then?”
I threw back the covers and sat up.
“And no, I haven't called him yet.”
“Why not?”
He might have been on duty a bit longer than we were, and he might still be asleep,? I replied.
?My God, is the gentleman grumpy this morning.?
If he had been standing in front of me, I would have torn his head off.
“Have you had breakfast yet?“ I asked, trying to sound friendly again.
“I thought you'd never ask,” I heard Benni laughing through the cell phone.
“But please bring rolls, I don't know if my parents have been shopping yet.”
Okay, see you in a bit!” And without waiting for a goodbye, he had already hung up.
So I got up and went to the bathroom. It was still quiet in the house, so everyone was still asleep. After I had showered, I tried to drag my tired body to the kitchen. A bit in a trance, I got the dishes out.
I poured the water into the coffee machine and switched it on.
“If you put coffee powder in it too, it's sure to make a wonderful coffee.”
I spun around to see my mom standing against the doorframe.
“Oh mom, you shouldn't always scare me like that.”
She laughed and took the coffee can out of the cupboard.
“You set the table, I'll do the rest, but wake Dad first, he should get rolls.”
“He doesn't need to, Benni will bring them.”
“How could I forget that the self-chosen Mr. Son provides us with rolls on Saturday mornings?” she said.
I just looked at her.
Michael, wake your father anyway and I'll make you a special mixture to bring you back from the dead.
Thanks, Mom, I replied and yawned heartily.
“But today!” she called after me.
I ran back up the stairs to my parents' bedroom. I went into the room and went to pull up the blinds, but something on the floor had escaped my attention.
So I tripped and fell with a loud scream right onto the bed, or rather onto Dad, who was lying on it. He was immediately wide awake and looked at me with a grin.
“Good morning, son, up and about already?” he asked me.
My mom was already standing in the room, attracted by the noise. She burst out laughing. I love the early mornings. My foot was tangled in the blanket my mom had dropped as she got up.
“I know you like it warm and cozy,” my father began, ”but would you be so kind as to get off me with your weight. The time when you liked to crawl into bed with me is probably over, isn't it?”
Somewhat embarrassed and under my mom's laughter, I crawled off my dad.
“If you're so tired, why didn't you sleep longer?“ she asked.
“Benni?” I grumbled, which I thought was a sufficient answer.
As if on command, the door bell went downstairs. My dad got up and put on his jogging clothes. I tried to free my foot from the blanket, but I realized that Mom had already opened the door for Benni.
“Morning, Astrid. I brought the rolls,“ I heard him say.
“And your parents on the road again?” my mom said.
“Were they even at home?” Benni asked.
You don't see each other very often, I see.
It doesn't bother me too much, I'm already used to it.
I almost tripped down the stairs and landed in Benni's arms.
Oh, so that's how it is, yesterday you were still chasing the most beautiful guy from Igopop and now you want to ingratiate yourself with me again.
I looked at Benni's face, which was covered with a broad grin. What an ass.
“Same to you,“ came from Benni, who could probably read minds.
“Benni, take him to the dining table before he hurts himself somewhere,” came from my mom.
“Very funny,“ I grumbled.
“Is he still out of his mind?” Benni asked.
Why?
Well, since he saw that mixture of Brad Pitt and Elliah Wood yesterday, he's been on cloud nine.
Michael hasn't told me anything about that yet! My mom said in amazement.
What did Michael want to say?
My dad had come into the dining room.
Morning Benni.
“Morning, Harald.” ‘What happened yesterday at the disco?’ Benni replied.
I sat at the table and stared at the three of them. Had the three of them made it their life's work to make my morning so sweet that I really wanted to crawl back into bed?
“Michael, tell us, what's his name, where does he come from?”
My mum, of course, was hooked from the word go.
“There's nothing to tell yet,“ I grumbled.
“His name is Alex and he gave him his cell phone number,” Benni piped up.
“Oh, interesting! Have you called him yet?” said mum.
“No, I didn't,“ I answered grumpily, rubbing my face.
“Before you continue with your interview, let Micha have a coffee first,” said Dad.
“At least someone takes my side,“ I said, taking the cup of coffee that my father handed me.
“Who is Elliah Wood?” my mom asked.
Oh mom, enough please?
I just wanted to know what Alex looks like.
Then go with me to Igopop tonight, then you can meet him yourself, I said and took a big gulp of coffee.
Do you even have anything to wear to the disco, Dad asked.
I must have drawn the short straw this morning.
? Morning, what are you talking about?
Oh God, now Katja too, I didn't need her. She sat down next to me and looked at me in bewilderment.?
Not getting enough sleep, Micha, why are you up already? she asked.
Everyone at the table started laughing and Katja looked even more confused, I even grumpier.
* * *
Later in my room, I collected the clothes from the night together.
“You really think I should call him?” I asked Benni.
“Of course, he was so taken with you.”
“We didn't even talk much.”
“But your eye contact was very intense!”
I don't even know where I put the card.
There it is on your keyboard, Benni said and handed it to me.
I looked at Benni.
Come on!
I took my cell phone and typed in the number.
Hello, this is Alex!
Man, he was wide awake.
Um, hello, this is Michael.
Michael?
Benni put a pillow over his mouth and began to giggle.
“Yes, the one you gave your number to yesterday?”
“Oh, Michael, the one who wanted to reward me with such a big tip yesterday?”
“Yes, the one!”
I blushed.
“And why are you calling?”
“Because you gave me your number?”
I couldn't have come up with a more stupid answer. Benni was already lying on the floor, doubled over with laughter.
“Are you all right, I can hear a whimpering sound in the background?
Oh, that's just my guinea pig, it's out of breath,” I said, giving Benni a gentle kick to make him stop.
Oh, I see. And do you want to meet up? Alex asked.
Um, yes, when?
It's best to do it right away, I have to go back to Igopop later when my shift starts again.
And where?
Maybe at the old cinema, do you know it?
Yes, sure, I'll be there in half an hour.
Okay, take your time, I still have to get dressed.
The thought that he was now standing naked in front of me, talking to me on the phone, woke up my lower region.
“Okay, see you in a bit!”
“Bye, Micha!”
“Bye, Alex!”
I hung up the phone.
“See, that went well,” said Benni, who was sitting on his chair again.
“I must be out of my mind to just call him there.”
Why do you think you get a number?
Yes, it's all right, now off with you, I have to get ready.
Okay, I'm gone. Will you pick me up again tonight?
Same time, same place, I said and pushed him out of my room.
Okay, see you then, he said and disappeared down the stairs.
I disappeared into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. Who was that I saw in the mirror? I decided to wake this stranger up with a lot of cold water and held my face under the running water.
In no time I was wide awake. The coffee seemed to be working slowly. I went back to the room and picked out something flattering. After I had laboriously squeezed myself into my clothes, I went downstairs.
“I'm off then,“ I called.
“Where do you want to go?” Mom asked from the kitchen.
“To meet Alex!“ I said.
My mother's head appeared from the kitchen.
“In such a hurry?” “All reports, please send to this address.”
Yes, you will meet your son-in-law first.”
She paused briefly, probably because she hadn't expected that answer.
“Are you coming for lunch?” she asked.
“I don't know, I'll call you, okay?”
“Yes, sure, see you later.”
“See you later, Mom.”
I had already left the house. It took me less than five minutes by car to get to the old train station, so I decided to walk so as not to wait there for an eternity. When I arrived, I was of course too early.
But what was I doing here? Yesterday I had seen this breathtaking guy, fallen for him? fallen for his looks. What if he turns out to be a jerk? I stopped abruptly and was about to turn around.
“Michael?”
Too late, he was already there. I took my hands out of my jacket pockets and waved at him. He was standing on the other side of the street and tried to reach me, which was very difficult with all the traffic.
He spotted a small gap and sprinted across.
“Hi Michael, sorry I was held up,“ he said, when he arrived a little out of breath at my place.
“Doesn't matter, I just arrived too,” I said, but I would have liked to leave right away.
“Let's walk a bit in the park,“ he asked with the same look as the previous evening.
I already started to melt.
“Gladly,” I said.
Alex made an inviting gesture towards the park and we started walking. At the beginning it was quite quiet, only the noise of the moving cars could be heard. Somehow I didn't dare to look at him now.
I looked stiffly ahead.
“Hey, I wanted to tell you, it's not normally my style to give someone my cell phone number?”
I looked at him briefly, but remained silent.
“Do you feel uncomfortable too?“ he started again.
I stopped and looked at him.
“Yesterday at noon I didn't even know you existed. Last night, when I saw you, I blacked out, and now I'm walking here in the park with you,” I said quietly.
“Does that mean something good?” Alex asked.
I don't know myself, yes, and I feel kind of uncomfortable. What am I doing here anyway?
Getting to know me?
And again that adorable smile. I couldn't help it, I took a step forward and kissed him briefly on the mouth. Somehow I was expecting a slap, I must have seen too many movies, but nothing happened.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. He was standing in front of me, staring at me.
“At first I thought I was being too forward, because I gave you my number, but you? Wow!”
He slowly stroked his lips, where mine had been just a few seconds ago.
Sorry, I'm not usually like this either, but you? I broke off mid-sentence because I was lost in those eyes.
What? He pointed to a bench where we were supposed to sit down.
I don't know how to explain this to you, but something about you really fascinates me.
And what about me fascinates you?
'Just everything,' I breathed.
'Could you have a little crush on me?' Alex asked.
I didn't know what I was saying anymore, I was totally hooked on this guy. I just managed a grin. He said something, but I didn't understand him. His lips moved, but no sound came out.
Suddenly I felt a sharp pain on my forehead, I reached for it.
“Bloody hell,” I shouted loudly.
I sat on the floor and looked around. Now I realized what had happened: I had been dreaming and had run straight into a lamppost. So, no Alex in the vicinity, no fleeting kiss.
I got up again and looked around for Alex, but there was no sign of him. So there I was, in front of the old train station. The dream was totally embarrassing, if this was really happening.
I looked at my watch again, but there was no sign of Alex.
* * *
Hey Michael, you're already home. That was fast. How did it go? My mom asked as I entered the house.
I can't tell you, I said and hung up my jacket.
So intimate?
She grinned again.
No, he didn't come at all.
Oh?
Yes, oh, I said and ran up to my room.
While I was digging through my pockets, my cell phone started to ring. A text message! I opened it, even though I didn't recognize the number. Alex!
>>I'm sorry Michael, but something came up. Will you be at Igopop again tonight? Best, Alex<
So I sat down to write him a reply, but first I saved the number.
> Sure, I'll be back tonight, see you then? Micha<
I didn't have to wait long for an answer.
> Sure, I'll see you, I'm off early and have time for you then. Alex<
Time for me. I still had a bad feeling and wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing. My phone on the desk pulled me out of my thoughts.
> Michael here?
You're really at home!?
Benni!
Of course I'm at home, where else would I be?, I asked him, rubbing my forehead, which still hurt.
Hello! Didn't you have a date?, Benni asked.
Yes, a canceled one, he didn't show up.?
Oh!?
How did you know I was at home anyway? I asked.
Oh, Matthias saw you before he called me.
I guess I'm the talk of the town.
No, you're not that important.
I usually had answers ready, but now my forehead hurt.
Benni, I have to lie down, I have a headache.
Not enough sleep?
No, the eerie encounter with a lamppost.
Please?
I'll tell you tonight when I pick you up for the Igopop.
Okay, see you tonight!
Okay. Bye.
Bye.
* * *
As on the previous evening, I drove to Benni's to pick him up, only this time he wasn't waiting at the side of the road. So I parked the car and rang the doorbell. The buzzer went and I was able to push open the door.
Benni lived on the fifth floor, so I ran up the stairs. The apartment door was open.
“Benni??“ I called, but got no answer.
“Hello, is anyone home?” I called again.
Oh, hi Micha, Benni is still in the bathroom.”
Benni's mother stuck her head out of the kitchen.
“Do you want something to drink?” she asked me.
“No thanks, Renate.”
I went to her in the kitchen and leaned against one of the kitchen cabinets.
“Do you know what's wrong with Benni?” she suddenly asked.
“Why, on the phone earlier he sounded quite normal.”
“All I know is that he spoke to someone on the phone and after that he was pretty quiet and retired to his room.”
I heard the bathroom door.
“Benni? Michael is already there,” Renate called.
I just left the kitchen and went to Benni. He was just walking into his room. I had to smile because he only had a towel around his hips. Benni just looked hot, I couldn't describe him any other way.
His short blonde hair and stubby face gave him a cheeky look.
“Hi Benni,“ I said as I entered his room.
“Hi Micha,” came the quiet reply from Benni.
Oh dear, what was going on? I knew that tone of voice from Benni.
“Are you okay?“ I asked.
“Could we go somewhere else tonight or stay here?” he replied.
That didn't suit me at all.
“Why not?” ‘I want to meet Alex!”
Benni threw his towel on the bed and stood completely naked in front of me. I had to swallow, because, as I said, Benni was just really horny.
“Do you like me?’ Benni asked.
Of course I like you, what a stupid question.
Benni came up to me and took me in his arms. I felt a little strange, so close to Benni.
“Could you imagine having me as a boyfriend?” he whispered in my ear.