Page 8 of White Room Virgin

“No,” he replied. He turned to me and wrapped his arm over my shoulder. “And you, Mr. Agricultural Scientist? Do you want to save the world from starvation?”

“That sounds honorable, but it probably won’t happen.”

“Why?”

“My parents expect me to take over the farm at some point. You have no idea how long I had to work on them to be allowed to come here in the first place. It was and is a liberation, even if only for a limited period of time.”

“Uh… hello, you’re an adult. And in a few years, you’ll have one of the best degrees in the world in your pocket,” Lucien said, taking his arm off my shoulder. “Then you can do whatever you want.”

“I was raised a strict Catholic.”

“What’s that got to do with it?”

“My greatest achievement so far is that I was able to convince them to start studying science. It sounds like they’re letting me out into the wide world for a while, like the Amish, with the expectation that I’ll come back afterward.”

“You don’t have to.”

“No, I don’t have to.” I forced a smile out of politeness. “But you don’t know my parents.”

“Hm… how depressing,” Lucien mumbled and drank from his beer.

“Basically, it’s not a problem.” I didn’t know whether I was serious or just trying to make myself feel better. “I’m doing well. I’ve even met a fellow student who attends church with me on Sundays.”

“That’s good,” Lu replied into his glass, even more disinterested than before.

“You’re welcome to come with me.”

“Where to?”

“To church.”

“Uh … no, thanks.”

“Hey, guys!” a sudden voice called out from behind us. “Lu! Long time no see!” A giant who was into weightlifting patted Lucien on the shoulder and raised his eyebrows at me. “Andyou must be …” he drew quotation marks in the air, “the cousin. Hello, I’m Marco. And this is Steven.”

A guy stood behind Marco with a sleepy look on his face and raised his hand in greeting. Jessica pushed past me and snuggled up to Lucien. “Lu! Why didn’t you tell me it was the opening day? I would have loved to come too.”

Lucien mumbled something and looked around for help. But the two—or was it three?—beers I’d already had paralyzed my tongue. Add to that the crowd, the booming music, and the stifling atmosphere—suddenly, everything was too much for me. I slid off the bar stool and felt dizzy.I have to get out of here.I also felt a bit sick, so I slipped on my jacket.

“Where are you going?” Lucien asked in surprise, with Jessica still hanging on his neck.

“Home.”

“What, it’s Saturday. The evening has only just begun.”

“Yes, but I have to be up early tomorrow.”

“Oh. You were serious about church?”

“Yes.”Did he not believe me?

His expression softened. “Are you all right? Are you feeling sick?”

I wondered at his sudden concern for me, but as I watched him try to break free from Jessica’s hold, I realized he was just looking for an excuse to shake her off. But that wasn’t my problem. “Don’t worry about it. Everything’s fine,” I replied. “Have fun, everyone.”

“Do you know your way back home?” Martin asked behind me.

I just nodded and staggered out of the bar.

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