And Tomorrow is the Past. E-Book

Isabel Creuznacher

• Herausgeber: tredition
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 767

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

Anna has no idea what to do after leaving school. Sebastian does, but his parents do not agree. Tobias simply wants to get away from his fine parental home. And Constance wants to make it big in the future. The only thing they have in common is the six-month A-level course in the secretive university town of Marburg and their experiences in incredible India. After that, everything changes. ............................................................................ "And Tomorrow is the Past" is an educational novel which - wrapped in a great love and adventure story - deals with three topics: (1) Active self-reflection on strengths and interests, as well as the creation of one's dreams and visions for one's future life (2) Creative-innovative thinking and the systematic development of innovative business ideas (3) Intercultural training (especially in relation to India).

Leseprobe

“Everything will be fine in the end. If it’s not fine it’s not the end.”

Isabel C. Creuznacher

And Tomorrow is the Past.

© 2015 Isabel Christine Creuznacher

Publisher: tredition GmbH, Hamburg

ISBN Paperback 978-3-7323-7755-8

ISBN Hardcover 978-3-7323-7756-5

ISBN e-Book 978-3-7323-7757-2

This work, including its parts, is protected by copyright. Any use of this work without the permission of the publisher and author is prohibited. This applies in particular to its reproduction, translation, distribution and communication to the public in electronic or any other form.

All characters and actions in this book are fictitious.

About the author:

Dr. Isabel Creuznacher studied economics in Marburg and Madrid and detected her passion for the topic how to teach and learn Entrepreneurship in schools with her Master Thesis and later, deeper, followed it further in her PhD in 2005-2008. She now offers worldwide customized programmes and seminars with focus on the topics Innovation, Entrepreneurial Personality and Intercultural Managament to companies and educational institutions, helps companies to develop new business segments and does order-related trend research for innovation world-wide. Or conducts workshops and seminars in high schools.

Main method: Design Thinking.

As assistent professor in India (Christ University, Bangalore) and Saudia Arabia (Dar Al-Hekmar University, Jeddah) she is teaching yearly compact courses in Design Thinking and Creative Business Modelling as well as Cross Cultural Management - always combined with exercises to personal growth.

Prologue

Sebastian was probably the only person whom she could tell at this moment what was going on inside her head and heart. Anna opened her laptop. Then she looked out of the window to her left into the shadows of the unending variety of palms on the campus. She felt the fresh breeze that gently moved the curtains, breathed in the odours to which she had become so accustomed. India. As she had loved it for the past few weeks. But at that moment it seemed strange, too. Why was she surrounded by such blackness all of a sudden, when up two hours ago everything seemed so rosy?

She opened the email program. She had not taken a look at it for the last two days, had lost all sense of reality for weeks. But now she was glad to be back in this apartment, where the big adventure India had begun more than four weeks ago. Goodness, why was the email program so slow! Impatiently she ran into the kitchen to see if Constance had left anything to drink in the refrigerator.

Back at her small desk in the bedroom, with a can of Diet Pepsi next to her, she looked at the screen and couldn’t help grinning. Had she learned the telepathic abilities of the Indians within this short time? Right at the top an email from Sebastian was flashing with the subject line: For you! But this was followed by nothing more than the one line “More about my life here in Rome in the next email …” She continued to wait impatiently for the attached file to finish downloading.

It was a photo. When she recognised the subject, she was that shocked that she dropped the can and the brown sugary water spread out over her trousers. But she did not even move. She just continued to stare at the photograph. And the next moment tears began to roll down her face and she threw herself sobbing on to the bed.

The whole world came crashing down around her. Tobias. Marburg. The project work, the personality training. The quarrels and the funny situations in the team. Constanze. Tobias. Tobias – time and again. Campus life with Philipp. These quirky interviews, the lectures. And Sebastian, who had understood her from the very first moment like a soul mate and who was now no longer here with her, but in Italy. Five months ago she had still been more or less a schoolgirl who did not know what to do with her life. And now? She had learned so much about herself, experienced so much, developed so much. But at this moment she wanted to turn back time. Not back to her parents’ home, but to Marburg to her A-level courses. The tears continued to roll down her face.

Then she stood up and kept staring at the photo: Tobias and herself during one of the first days in Marburg. His lips on hers, in this narrow alleyway. With a feeling of sadness which suddenly turned into outright anger, she punched her fist against the cabinet. Then she stood up and threw herself back on the bed. And cried. And cried. And cried.

Part I

Slow Motion

1

“I don’t believe it!” Anna almost fainted! She stared in horror at the notice showing the arrangements for the Open Day. “With anybody else okay, but why must it be with Constanze of all people?!” she said out loud to herself, taking a step back in disgust.

“Whoops!” a man’s voice exclaimed behind her. With her spontaneous step backwards, Anna had walked straight into her class teacher, who was passing at that moment in the corridor.

“Sorry!” Anna stroked her curly blond hair out of her face, but then looked sheepishly at the floor.

“And? Are you already excited about tomorrow?” asked Mr Jansen amicably, but this only made her angry again!

“Did you make the arrangements? Actually I wanted to be with my friend on the crepe stand. Why do I now have to work on the till with this Constanze girl?”

He looked at her briefly in silence. This made Anna even angrier. Then he shrugged and simply replied, “Maybe just because!”

“What, just because?”

“Because in real life you sometimes have to work with people you are not friends with.”

Anna’s amber eyes sparkled almost orange with rage. But she refrained from making any further comments, after all he was her class teacher.

Even at dinner with her parents she could not stop thinking about the fact that she would have to spend the next day with somebody who she had not been able to stand for years.

“You can’t imagine what type of person this Constanze is!” she started to explain. “Constanze is only interested in herself. She sits there with her perfect fingernails, her handbag always matching her shoes, talking to her friends about the latest trends or golf or sailing. The main thing is that everyone understands that she has rich parents and is the most beautiful and wonderful person. And most of all she always shouts it from the rooftops if she has done something successfully. So that everybody realises again that she is simply the best … “

Anna’s parents looked at each other and smiled. Then her mother took an article out of the sideboard and managed to stop Anna’s angry outburst for a second.

“Just to take your mind off Constanze, Anna, take a look at what I’ve cut out of the newspaper today. Wouldn’t it be something for you?”

Anna glanced at her parents’ faces, but then had to smile herself a little at her outburst and started reading.

New College Programme for A-level Students at the Philipps-University Marburg

After their A-levels, young people receive personal guidance for their future education and career path, learn innovative and creative thinking and undergo intercultural training with a period of study abroad.

After the six-month programme the participants are in a position to choose a subject of study or vocational training which is closely associated with their own individual motivations, interests and skills: after personality training they are immersed with individual mentors in various courses of study and student life.

Through actual project work they learn to develop innovative solutions and present ideas in a convincing manner. This means that we support them in making use of their latent entrepreneurial soft skills so that after completing their studies they can implement their own ideas either in their own entrepreneurial undertakings or within a company.

And – last but not least – the experience that they gain from abroad in conjunction with their intercultural training prepares them not only for global challenges, but also promotes their personal development (through work experience, a study visit or social project).

Anna read the text through once more. It was a lot of information to take in all at once.

The third time, her mother put her hand on her arm and said, “We thought that that might really help you to take a decision about what you want to do after your A-levels. Your father and I are also willing to pay the participation fee.”

Anna nodded, then continued eating her soup in silence and disappeared with an “I’ll think about it, good night!” into her room.

+ + +

Sebastian had always been a dreamer. He was neither good nor bad at school, but above all he was always laid back. Completely relaxed. As he always did in the late afternoon, he was lying on his bed listening to music on his headphones and daydreaming about his future, when his sister Jana, who was two years his elder, burst into the room.

“Sebastian? I have the solution to all of your problems, listen!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Sebastian had not heard Jana because of his headphones, but had seen the rapid movement from the corner of his eye. In slow motion, he took his headphones off, stroked his half-length, fine blond hair behind his ears and replied with a grin, “You see, that’s why I want to have my own studio later. There will be only me, my sculptures and my music and no one can disturb me.”

“Well, if Mom and Dad have their way, you will never become an artist.”

“Thanks for reminding me!” replied Sebastian, his face darkening, and went to put the headphones back on his head again. But Jana had already sat down on the bed next to him and was grinning at him.

“What?” he asked, still with an annoyed undertone.

“I just told you that I have found the solution to all of your problems!” she replied, continuing to smile undeterred. “Listen: there’s a new course level where you can enrol between A-level and university studies and where they systematically find out what the best profession is for you personally and which is the most suitable course of study …”

Sebastian looked at her, with a questionmark on his face.

“Don’t you understand? With this programme you can also convince Mom and Dad that art is the only right thing for you! If psychologists officially confirm that there is a sleeping artist in you, then there’s nothing more they can say against it!”

Sebastian’s face slowly but surely turned into one big smile.

“That would be something! Where did you get this from?”

“Tobias was sitting at the bar yesterday when I had to work as a waitress. He told his friend where his father will soon be sending him.”

“Tobias? Your Tobias?” he now teased her.

But Jana only rolled her eyes briefly and then waved her notes around in front of Sebastian’s eyes, put them down next to him on the bed and left the room.

Sebastian read the notes through and started smiling. What would he do without his sister? He could talk about everything to her and she understood him, protected him, put him in a good mood when he sometimes felt down. There was only one thing that he had never really understood: his elder sister and Tobias from his school year! He could still remember the conversation with Jana when he had just found out about it …

“How on earth do you two go together? The son of a successful politician with contacts and cultivated manners in the best circles – what do you want with such a stuffy conservative bloke? I’m sure he plans in the evening which socks he’s going to put on the next day and who he’s going to talk to about which topic? Or are you interested like all other girls in his money?”

Before Sebastian could get any more of his prejudices off his chest, Jana defended him briefly, once and for all. “Well, Tobias also has another side. I have never met a more romantic boy than him. And even though he’s two years younger than me, he is much more mature than my older ex-boyfriends in some things. And the best of all is you can talk to him about anything!”

Sebastian simply rolled his eyes and covered his ears. “I don’t want to know any of the details!”

However, the relationship did not last longer than a few months. But it lasted just long enough for Sebastian and Tobias to greet one another with an authentic friendly smile when they saw each other at school. But nothing more than that.

+ + +

“Good morning, Anna,” said Constanze, greeting her with a friendly but – in Anna’s opinion – fake smile.

“Hello,” replied Anna dryly. She was not a good actress.

“I don’t really know why they decided not to use one of our mathematics experts for the food voucher checkout instead of us,” Constanze went on, “but it’s all right by me. There will probably only be a rush this morning and then we can sit back and relax.”

Anna nodded. Then she replied a moment later with a genuine smile: “That’s true. Then we don’t both have to be at the checkout all the time, so we can share the work.”

At a quarter past eight the first parents were starting to arrive, ordering coffee, sandwiches or cakes. No more time to think.

One could see the tension in Constanze’s face when she suddenly blurted out, “Damn! Why don’t we have any food vouchers which simply say cake, rolls or drinks on them, instead of just the amounts? They simply come up to me and tell me what they want and we first have to look at the price list, add the amounts together and then hand over the right vouchers for the money. How stupid!”

Anna agreed with her wholeheartedly. And about 45 minutes later also Anna was already so confused that she was hardly able to get out a complete sentence. “I don’t think I have ever done so much mental arithmetic in my life. Good grief!”

It was the same for Constanze. She had just needed three attempts before she could finally hand over the vouchers with the right amount for a cup of coffee, an orange juice, a water and two sandwich rolls. As there was nobody left in the queue, she briefly turned to Anna, saying, “Excuse me for one minute, I’ve got an idea …” and disappeared. Anna snorted briefly, but managed to conceal it.

And really just two minutes later, Constanze reappeared at the booth. And what was even better: the next moment she attached the price list from the cafeteria to the table and then grinned at Anna, “We’ll simply tell the next one that they can decide here what they want to eat and drink and should then simply tell us the total amount of the vouchers they need!”

“Cool!” Anna beamed at her respectfully.

And it worked: Constanze was the first to self-confidently give the instructions to the next parents, thereby setting Anna a good example! How simple it had suddenly become!

“We should have done this from the start! Now they’re only coming in dribs and drabs. Shame!” said Anna.

“Yes, so we should!” Constanze replied. “But things always have to come to a peak before we do anything to change the situation!”

Anna looked at her sceptically, but Constanze only shrugged and said, “It doesn’t matter. The main thing is that we have the solution now. And I think we have earned a cup of coffee, don’t you?”

Anna nodded. And after a brief moment she offered to go and get the coffee.

“Thank you!” said Constanze. However, her voice contained an undertone which changed Anna’s briefly acquired liking for Constanze back into a feeling of aversion.

“What a diva!”Anna thought. She stood up hastily, not noticing that her bag fell off the chair and the newspaper article which her mother had given her the night before had landed on the ground.

When she came back with two cups of coffee, Constanze held out the newspaper article and asked, “Are you also planning to go there? I wouldn’t have expected you to!”

“Are you going then?” It would actually be a reason not to put my name down was what flashed through Anna’s mind.

“Of course, it’s a great new concept! You are so systematically prepared for university that you get your qualification in next to no time. Although it costs a bit of money, you get to know some interesting people. My father believed that they only accepted selected candidates, who then learned innovative stuff from famous people and so …”

Anna was now totally confused. What Constanze was describing seemed to be a completely different programme to what she imagined. Before falling asleep she had painted a picture in her mind of being in the idyllic university town, getting to know nice, open-minded people and exciting subjects of study and then going to India for a social project. Or something like that. But what Constanze had just described? Did she want to mix with such people?

Constanze went on enthusiastically. “It’s great Anna, already studying or doing work experience in China before you begin your studies here. You have a head start from the very beginning!”

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted when a man walked briskly up to Constanze and literally pushed her into the corner, “What was that you sold me just now? I bought almost twice as many vouchers from you for what my wife and I wanted to eat than was really necessary! That almost borders on criminality!”

Constanze simply opened her eyes wide. Not a word crossed her lips. Although she opened her mouth, not a sound came out.

Now even Anna felt sorry for her and intervened. “My apologies. How many vouchers do you have left over? Of course we will pay you back for them immediately. I can assure you that we certainly didn’t do it intentionally. Maybe everything was just a bit too much for us just now.” And with a smile she added, “We are not the best at maths!”

But the man did not react to Anna at all. He continued to look angrily across at Constanze and then remarked, “I know this lady from stories my son tells me; I wouldn’t put anything past her!”

When Anna had given the man his money back and kindly asked him to forgive their mistake once more, he finally left and Constanze was able to sit down again. But she still did not utter a sound.

To Anna this whole thing seemed rather funny. Like a scene from a comic! For this reason she now went over to Constanze and patted her on her shoulders with a smile, “Well, somebody was not very much amused by your miscalculation!”

Constanze did not react, but just continued to sit there. When Anna then also discovered tears in her eyes, she regretted her stupid statement the moment before. Even though she still had no idea what was going on. She knelt down in front of her and asked with genuine sympathy what was wrong.

Constanze began to shake her head. Then she began to speak softly, but more to herself than to Anna, “How can I have made such an error with such a simple calculation? What a stupid mistake! How can I be so stupid?” Her voice trailed off. All she did was simply shake her head silently.

“Constanze?” Anna asked with surprise and pity at the same time. “Hey, what’s wrong? This guy certainly has his own problems at home and has now taken them out on you. You just made a small miscalculation – so what?”

As Constanze was still not reacting, Anna started to think the situation was becoming rather strange. She was behaving like a schizophrenic in a Psycho movie. She shook Constanze and asked her again what was wrong.

Finally Constanze looked at her again, quickly wiped the tears from his eyes, stood up and remarked dryly, “Now the coffee is cold. I’ll get us another … “ And she was gone.

+ + +

The next morning, Sebastian went up to Tobias before lessons to intercept him before he was again surrounded by his clique. “Tobias? Can I talk to you later in peace?”

“Of course, what’s it about…?”

“My sister told me yesterday that she had picked up something about a new A-level course from you. I surfed the Internet well into the night yesterday to carry out some research. I definitely want to go there!”

“Aha! So Jana has been eavesdropping on me!” Tobias grinned. Sebastian was just about to start defending his sister when Tobias went on, “Yep! It’s a new type of education which sounds quite promising.”

On hearing this answer, Sebastian had to suppress a grin. How could his sister have seen anything in him other than a narrow-minded, albeit eloquent politician’s son?

“And why do you want to talk to me about it?” asked Tobias, tearing him away from his thoughts.

Sebastian shuffled a little embarrassed from one foot to the other and finally said, “I wanted to ask you if you might be able to give me a tip on how best to apply for a scholarship. Because my parents certainly won’t want to pay for it. Or be able to …”

Tobias paused for a moment and then patted him on the shoulder as a farewell gesture with an “I’ll think of something!” before waving to his friends, who were just arriving.

Although Sebastian felt as if he had been somewhat abandoned, he had at least spoken to Tobias. And if what his sister repeatedly told him about Tobias were true, he could at least rely on him.

+ + +

All afternoon Tobias repeatedly thought about what Sebastian had asked him. The subject of the application for a scholarship was the least of his concerns – he would easily be able to write that down for him within twenty minutes in the next few days.

Rather, his thoughts moved from Sebastian, through his sister Jana, whose naturalness, spontaneity and zest for life he had so admired at the time, to himself. Retrospectively he was probably not so much in love with Jana as a person. No, presumably he was in love with what she embodied and what he so much wished for himself: freedom and enjoyment of life! Because as nice as it was to come from this “ideal world”, it was also a burden that his father considered that he should follow in his image and he had to be so perfect at everything. He would of course select the subjects of political science and economics to study so that he could subsequently follow in his father’s footsteps. Everything he needed he got from his parents. Really everything. Except one thing: the feeling of being allowed to live his own life. Marburg was now the opportunity simply to be Tobias!

2

“Welcome to the Philipps University in Marburg!” she was greeted by a handsome young man. Early thirties, Anna suspected. “I am delighted that you have decided in favour of our new A-level course here in the traditional university town of Marburg an der Lahn. You presumably all have a wide variety of reasons for being here, but I’m sure that there will be something for everyone in the next six months and we will have an unforgettable time. My name is Oliver and I will be your contact the whole time!”

The room in which the fifteen “freshers” were sitting round in a circle was not an ordinary classroom or seminar room. Anna was immediately blown away by the large number of materials she could see all around. And at the same time she was not sure whether she was in the right place. Because everything looked more like a workshop. Or, to be more precise, a studio. Or like behind a theatre stage! Countless, in some cases really funny home-made things were standing around. In one corner there was a fully equipped workbench, in the other some shelves crammed full with post-its, glue, magazines, fabric remnants, saws, paper and cardboard, wigs, items of clothing, pins! Countless pins! In addition there were white cardboard and Styrofoam walls all around, to which there were attached photographs, labelled post-its and flyers. And there was an ancient wooden floor – fantastic!

Only when the handsome Oliver stood up with a sudden movement did she realise that she had not taken in anything whatsoever of what had been said in the last ten minutes. “… and so I am very interested to see what you have brought with you as homework!”

Oliver now asked the first volunteer to stand up and briefly present to the others what was the greatest innovation in his opinion and why he was here.

“My name is Thomas and I have brought you my Nike running shoe. In the sole there is a chip which records my data and transmits it to the Internet. A great idea, which I use almost every day. This enables me to enjoy running even more … I applied for the A-level course because I also want to develop a great idea like this and hope that you can teach me how to …”

“Hello, my name is Katja. The main reason I’m here is because we used to have a Chinese au pair girl and I always intended to go to China after leaving school. I already know a few words of Chinese. But I wouldn’t go to China alone anyway. And the greatest innovation for me personally is …” She rummaged around in her trouser pocket and pulled out a small plastic container containing frogs’ heads. “Contact lenses!”…

Anna listened carefully. But above all she observed Oliver, how he listened with interest and so confidently, smiling or frowning. And suddenly Anna was no longer taking anything in, but could only see his face, his blue eyes, the one brown curl that kept falling across his forehead. His lips. His laugh. And again and again those eyes … Anna could not wait to start her new life; everything was waiting for her here. Would she perhaps drink a glass of wine one evening with Oliver? Could he not give her a private guided tour of the town? How did the people live in Marburg? Where did he live? Would he sometimes take her back to his home? And would his eyes at some time look at her filled with love?

Indeed, his eyes were suddenly looking straight into hers. Anna’s heart was in her mouth, she knew that she was slowly turning red. An embarrassed smile on her face. But slowly also all the other heads were turning in her direction and looking at her. What did they want?

Oh my God, how embarrassing. Suddenly Anna realised. It was her turn to introduce herself and her innovation. Now her face turned bright red. She stood up, and on her way to the front she even tripped over her rucksack. To be swallowed up by the ground, simply to be swallowed up by the ground, is what she wanted. She also had no idea any more of what she wanted to say; Oliver’s eyes no longer made her feel happy, but only more and more nervous. She would most of all have preferred to go home – away from here, that was the most important thing. Seconds felt like hours.

But then Anna surprised herself: she laughed and began to speak straight from the heart, “Well, that was not exactly my best start here now! And I have to admit that I am extremely nervous and have no idea at the moment what I wanted to say, that I have never been good at giving talks or speaking in front of so many people. I hope you will forgive me. Because, well, it’s always the same with me, unfortunately. And it would be best if I sat down at this point and started again from the beginning.”

While uttering her last sentence, Anna was already taking a few steps towards her seat. But then she thought better of it, straightened her head, turned round and looked resolutely at Oliver first, and then at the others, “Maybe this is exactly what I’m hoping to gain from this college course. I want to be able to approach people, want to stand up for my opinion without being quickly intimidated. I want to ensure that I no longer stumble onto the stage, but can enjoy standing on it with self-confidence. I want to know exactly what I want, and that I can put it across. And I no longer want to have a new plan for my life every week. I no longer want not to be taken seriously for that very reason. I want to find my way and firmly believe in it. I want to feel sure about what I’m doing.”

Now she was only looking at Oliver. It was completely quiet in the room. And Anna was also quiet inside. It was a feeling of calm that she sensed.

Oliver stood up and clapped his hands. And then someone else clapped, followed by somebody else and then more and more people. Everyone was applauding Anna and her speech. Anna stood there and could scarcely believe herself what had just happened.

“I think that is a very nice and good reason to be here at our college,” said Oliver, “and I will make the greatest possible effort personally to ensure that you find your way.” Anna was almost bursting with joy. “But now tell us as well what your favourite innovation is!”

Of course, Anna had completely forgotten about that because of the excitement. “Printing is the greatest innovation for me! So many people suddenly had access to education. Yes, something like the Internet today. And besides, I love reading” She briefly nodded and went back to her place to pass the stage over to the next one.

+ + +

In the evening they first went to see Marburg’s nightlife. The meeting point was at 8 p.m. in front of the fountain on Marktplatz, where Tobias had already arrived ten minutes earlier. Since Anna’s on-stage appearance he had been blown away by her. She was genuine, natural, emotional. Childlike, but at the same time also very feminine. He waited impatiently, not wanting to miss talking to her directly … He looked around, attentively observing the small narrow streets which led away from the square on all sides. Full of magic. He would be exploring all of these together with Anna…

He was just wondering where the narrow stone staircase at the far end of the square led to, when a friendly “Hello!” was heard from Oliver – followed at short intervals by that of the other college students, who were arriving in quick succession. Except for his Anna. She was the last to arrive. And before he could stand next to her, Oliver had already signalled to everyone to follow him.

“Marburg has the highest number of pubs per capita in Germany!” he explained. “Of course that’s also partly because Marburg is really small! You’ll see that on our tour of the town tomorrow. But for today I’d like to show you one of our oldest pubs in Marburg: the Hinkelstein!”

The Hinkelstein was built underground into one of these old houses. A long staircase, above which a “Hinkelstein” (menhir) actually hung, led down into a small vestibule with a bar. Behind this there was a large room in the middle of a high vaulted cellar.

“Wow! That’s what I call a cellar! You feel as if you’re in the Middle Ages!” Sebastian looked around with his mouth open. Everything he had seen of Marburg so far was so beautiful it was almost unreal. “Is it possible to study Art in Marburg?” he asked Oliver, with a smile on his face. But even as he asked, his gaze fell upon a group of students who were wearing sashes and who – as was obvious from their cumbersome movements when attempting to raise a toast – had already downed a few steins.

Oliver noticed Sebastian’s gaze and moved closer to him so that he could explain in a low voice, “Marburg has 36 student fraternities, which are of course extremely noticeable in this small town. And I’m sure you’ll soon be invited to one or other fraternity party!”

Sebastian did not reply, but continued to look across at the boys. With a gaze which caused Oliver to immediately add, “Yes, there are negative examples. But it’s not really as awful as it’s always made out to be. But everyone should decide for themselves.”

Constance had moved as close as possible to the two of them so that she could catch as much as possible of Oliver’s explanations. And when she saw that there were two tables free next to the Student Fraternity members, she did not hesitate for long and waved to the others with the words, “Shall we sit down? I’m dying of thirst!” and sat down next to a good-looking student wearing a sash, jacket and a fine pair of trousers.

Soon both of the tables in the corner were occupied and a lively discussion about the Hessian names for the drinks filled the noisy cellar. Tobias had managed to find a seat next to Anna, who was also sitting next to Oliver.

Anna, who had been captivated by Oliver since the morning, hardly noticed Tobias, but was delighted simply to be sitting next to Oliver.

Of course Tobias could not fail to notice Anna’s interest in Oliver, but this was no obstacle for him. “Can I treat you to a dark beer punch for your great speech today?”

Anna now turned to him and looked him straight in the eyes. For a brief moment Tobias was completely lost, forgetting everything else around him. He had never seen eyes like hers! A mixture of a cat and a deer. And that colour, shining gold!

Anna, who was not able to interpret Tobias’ confused look and was not sure whether he was making fun of her stage appearance or whether he meant it seriously, lowered her gaze.

Only then was Tobias able to compose himself again and quickly went on, “I’m being serious. I really admired your honesty and believe that you will become a very, very good speaker.”

“Thanks.” Now she was smiling. “And yes, I’ll be pleased to accept your offer of the dark beer punch.” Somehow it was really nice to be sweet-talked, she thought, and began a conversation with him. Especially as Oliver was just chatting to the landlord.

“By the way, what innovation did you present today again?”

“The Internet! With Facebook an entire government was toppled, if you remember Tunisia. Two hours and I knew everything about this college instead of having to go through the rigmarole of requesting information material.”

Anna nodded, now remembering his presentation. And how she had become annoyed with herself that it hadn’t occurred to her.

Tobias, who was pleased that he had been able to grab Anna’s attention, dared the next step, “And maybe when we connect together on Facebook I will soon know everything about you!”

Um, that was not funny at all. Anna’s facial expression spoke volumes.

Tobias, who had had a lot of practice at chatting up women, followed up immediately with, “No, no, you’re right in what you’re certainly about to say. That’s much too boring. Facebook would never put across your voice, your eyes or the personality that stood out at the front today and fought for its freedom.”

Anna could not help laughing. How corny! Was he making fun of her or was he really blown away by her? But she did not go on thinking about it. Instead, she desperately tried to think of a way to start a conversation with Oliver. If only she had not accepted that invitation to the dark beer punch. She could hardly pick up the glass, turn round to Oliver and ignore Tobias. Or could she?

“Damn!” Anna was suddenly heard to say, without her meaning to. But the result was that Oliver turned round to face her. The result of which, in turn, was that Anna blushed.

“Damn what?” he asked, and Anna searched desperately for a flash of inspiration.

“My trousers are rather tight and I think I’ve just burst a button.” Oh my God, how embarrassing was that? “I’d better go to the toilet and put things right,” she quickly added, before everything became even more embarrassing, and stood up.

So that she could leave her seat, Oliver first had to stand up and let her out. “Can you manage?” he asked, while Anna squeezed past him with her eyes on the ground. This had been an absolute disaster.

In order to calm down, she first of all punched the wall in the toilet a few times with her fist. Then she desperately thought once more about how she could start a conversation with Oliver. And just as she had made up her mind simply not to talk any more for the rest of the evening and was about to leave the toilets, Constance came bursting in.

“Hey Anna, I really like it here! Have you seen the guys next to me? Well, if they’re not the German nobility! And they’re gentlemen – wonderful! These next six months are going to be great …”

Anna had to think about where she had seen Constance sitting. “Those fraternity morons? You can’t be serious!” she shouted at Constance, shocked.

“Why not? They are at least more mature than all our dipsticks from the college here and know how to behave. Know how to treat a lady,” Constance countered.

Since the incident on the Open Day, Anna had briefly hoped that deep inside Constance was really quite different to what she seemed, but this was not confirmed again. How could anyone be so obviously superficial? Anna thought. However, she did not let on what she was thinking, but simply said, “Well, I also think Oliver is mature and charming.”

Constance paused and looked at Anna. As clumsy as she was, Constance had to admit that Anna appeared to have a strong force of attraction on the male half of the world’s population. Even if she had sat a little further away, it had not been lost on her in the seminar room that Tobias had only had eyes for Anna. Tobias of all people! The only one who she had liked the look of at first sight on the college course. But if he was so fascinated by Anna, who was completely different to her, then she was barking up the wrong tree. Oh well, she would get to know other people in Marburg. Was Tobias really that interesting? She did not need to extend her claws to attack Anna and joined in the discussion about Oliver.

“Oh yes, he’s really gorgeous. But for me he’s too serious and shy. But after your appearance on stage today you seem to be well in with him. So he’ll definitely let you know which of the study courses here have the highest success rate for finding a good job afterwards. And which fraternities are the right ones. You’re sitting next to him, aren’t you?”

Anna beamed. There it was, her topic of conversation.

So with confidence and determination Anna returned to the table and was indeed finally able to conduct a conversation with Oliver without any further embarrassments.

Tobias eventually turned round to his other neighbour, toasted him with his dark beer punch and – shaking his head – said, “I don’t understand it. Why are girls always interested in older blokes? It’s so unfair!”

+ + +

Three hours later and the mood had become increasingly relaxed in line with the rising alcohol levels. Soon half of the college students were playing darts, with everyone moving freely round the table and talking to everyone else.

And then Sebastian joined Oliver and Anna. Up to that moment he had been in conversation the whole evening with Lisa, who was interested in social sciences and possibly in working in developing countries and was just as sensitive as he was. But she had now left for a student apartment with two other girls.

He listened carefully to all of the information which Oliver was giving out about Marburg. And it was easy to get on with Anna anyway. He had found her likeable from the very beginning, and her manner reminded him a bit of his sister.

To Anna’s greatest regret, Oliver left about twenty minutes later. He warned his charges not to drink too much, as they would have enough time in the coming months to do so, and that on the following day the meeting point of Oberstadt-Aufzug was obligatory.

Tobias sat straight down again next to Anna and cautiously felt his way towards a new conversation with her. “He’s a nice guy, the one who will be looking after us.”

Anna nodded, but did not say anything else. Why had Oliver left? Had she said something wrong? They had been having such a good conversation…

“Feel like a game of darts?”

She nodded, still deep in thought.

“Right, let’s go!” he shouted, snapping his fingers in Anna’s face. And Anna forced herself to simply put off her thoughts until the next day and instead to concentrate on the here and now.

3

“And, how did you like the dark beer punch?” Oliver asked with exaggerated high spirits to the group of semi-rested, hung-over newcomers.

“No comment!” said Tobias with a dismissive wave. Although he had not managed to persuade Anna yesterday to give him a kiss, he had been extremely close to succeeding he felt. And he knew that Anna enjoyed being in his company. Today was Saturday, tomorrow a day off. They would be able to do something together in the evening. Or was there not something already planned for this evening? Tobias was not sure any more and was jolted out of his thoughts when Constance turned up: in her perfect make-up and clothes.

Oliver, staring incredulously at her shoes, walked up to her shaking his head, pointing at her dark blue high-heeled shoes and commenting only briefly, “Those, dear Constance, are completely unsuitable!”

Most of the college students began to grin.

But Constance slowly opened her handbag, took out a pair of flat ballerina shoes, changed her footwear, high heels in her bag, bag closed again.

“Okay, you win the point!” Oliver had to admit and turned with a smile back to the others, “Are you all ready?” Yes, they were.

Anna had also been punctual and had been watching the scene with Constance with amusement. She was looking forward to the new adventures, looking forward above all to seeing Oliver again. Or was it Tobias who was responsible for her good mood? He had really used all of his charm yesterday, flattering her and bringing out the best in her. She had almost allowed him to kiss her. But there was still Oliver with his insanely deep eyes and sweet brown curls. More mature, more grown-up, more mysterious. And anyway it was clear to see that Tobias had had plenty of practice at flirting – and she certainly did not want to be one of many.

“So, this here is the so-called Oberstadtaufzug (Upper Town Lift),” explained Oliver, starting his guided tour of the town. “You will already have noticed that in Marburg everything is built up high very steeply. Everything in the direction of the castle up there. But we Hessians are also innovative and have a lift which takes us halfway up the upper town. Right, the first lift has already arrived. The first six of you can get in. Then wait for us at the top!”

Tobias and Anna were included in the first group. “Strange isn’t it, a lift outside on the street?” Anna asked in order to break the silence that one always finds in lifts.

“I have heard that there’s another one which is much cooler. I’ll show it to you afterwards!” replied Tobias.

Anna nodded thoughtfully. Tobias or Oliver? It would probably not work with Oliver anyway because he was much too correct. And on top of that, he was definitely at least ten years older than her. So, why not Tobias? And why bother with such thoughts again anyway? Just wait and see what happens, Anna! she told herself. At that moment the lift door opened and she was looking into a new world: a bright blue sky and a view that looked as if it had been taken from a book of fairytales!

“Wow!” Not only Anna, but almost everyone spontaneously uttered an expression of admiration when they got out of the lift. And so the magic could begin…

“Pace yourselves with your energy. There isn’t another break until we reach the castle up there.” Oliver went ahead, explaining the history of the origin of Marburg. He was able to put across the historical facts and figures in such an exciting way that none of the college students said a single word. Instead they hung on to his every word as they would a true storyteller. “… Ultimately, Marburg is so beautiful, so well preserved mainly because from the very beginning it was a university and academic town and there had been no reason during the war to destroy a town that did not have any industry.”

They were now walking up Wettergasse. Past many small shops, a chocolaterie, special clothes shops, past Reit’s bar-restaurant, which certainly looked as if it were somewhere where you could really celebrate in the evenings…

“Left here, do you recognise that?” asked Oliver, stopping abruptly at the fork in the road, where the left branch led to the marketplace.

Sebastian was the first to recognise the meeting point from the previous evening and shouted out enthusiastically, “It all looks even nicer in daylight! Wonderful!”

However, they now let the marketplace fulfil its function as a marketplace and continued to walk uphill. The road continued to become somewhat steeper – and that in the middle of the town. And when the end of the climb finally appeared to be in sight, Constance made no attempt to conceal her relief. She was not really all that athletic now, and yesterday she had drunk more than she really wanted to with the fraternity boys. The climb was therefore making her headache even worse.

“I’m sorry, Constance,” Oliver said, having to disappoint her. “We’re not going straight down. This way!”

Constance’s dismay when her eyes followed his arm movement was evident. The turn-off which Oliver was pointing to was a narrow, very steep path round a half left turn.

“Oh great!” Mario was heard to exclaim from the middle of the group, who had apparently also had one over the eight the evening before. “And that so early in the morning!”

But it was no use protesting. They moved on. Around the curve the narrow path opened up again into a beautiful, wider street. Stately buildings to the left and right, university facilities for physics and geography. Marvellous.

“Studying at the villa, not bad either!” was Tobias’s comment when he looked at the signs.

Oliver finally took pity on them and allowed them a short break. He also had to catch his breath. “Yes, that’s right. The whole town is a sort of campus. By the way, Marburg is famous for its Ophthalmology Department; you will certainly have already seen a few blind people. We have the largest school for the blind and eye clinic in Germany here. So please be mindful of that!”

“What else is Marburg famous for?” asked Constance, who up to now had always considered Mannheim because the business studies course there had such a good reputation.

“Do you mean courses? Medicine and chemistry, I would say. And we have a course of studies in development aid which is unique in Germany if someone wants to go in that direction. The connections with Frankfurt, where all of the embassies and the large development aid organisations have their headquarters, are quite good.”

Sebastian, who had been impressed by Lisa since the evening before, glanced at her.

“And what else Marburg is famous for,” explained Oliver, continuing his lesson, “is tradition. Just like in Münster, Heidelberg and Tübingen. It is one of the most traditional university towns. So when we now turn left here you will see the so-called fraternity houses. These are villas which for generations have been owned by student fraternities or so-called corps. That’s where they reside, meet, throw parties, receptions, live…”

Constance had sobered up in a flash, her mind racing flat-out. What was the name of the fraternity of boys yesterday evening again? They had told her a few times. Damn, she had forgotten. But now she was on tenterhooks. Perhaps she would see one of them? Her heart began to beat wildly, which was unusual for Constance. There was nobody among them who she found particularly exciting. So why the palpitations? Why was she nervously picking around on her blouse? Strange. Constance felt more uncertain than usual.

And there was the first house. “Oh my God!” Sebastian exclaimed. “Just look at the drive up to the house alone! The trees, they must be at least 200 years old. God, that is romantic!”

The first house on the right-hand side could scarcely be seen from the street. A well-maintained path wound its way through old trees, with rose beds starting on the right which suspiciously looked as if they stretched a long way. In principle it was only possible to see part of the house, or rather a piece of old wall and at the top a corner tower in the middle of the treetops. But everyone automatically imagined it was a dream villa. Anna said nothing, marvelling at the sight.

Tobias’s attention was focused mainly on the dark-green Bentley which stood in the drive. A jewel! “They must have a great life here!” he blurted out.

Constance was becoming increasingly nervous, playing with her hair, looking in her hand mirror to make sure her face and hair were as she imagined and wishing for nothing more than that someone would come out from over there and see her…

But nobody came, and Oliver walked slowly on to the next house, which was directly on the street. It was playfully adorned with some half-timber framework and above all with a lovely turret on the left. Here at least it was possible to get something of an idea of what life was like inside.

At almost every house they passed Oliver told countless stories and anecdotes about fraternity people associated with the house. And now it was not only Constance who was listening carefully – all of the others were completely absorbed in the stories, in this life from another world. Constance was already sure that her next boyfriend would definitely be a member of a student fraternity.

They were all walking in silence and deep in thought behind Oliver. The path now became not only very steep again, but also narrower and narrower. And then suddenly they were there. At the castle, right at the top.

“Who’s drinking with me?” Tobias asked the group and pulled a bottle of sparkling wine out of his rucksack together with a few plastic beakers.

Oliver smiled and shook his head slightly, “You have learned really quickly to adapt to Marburg student life!”

After a few of them had gratefully taken a sip of their sparkling wine and jointly toasted Oliver, he led the group to the main entrance side of the castle, from where they had a view over the whole of Marburg. Anna and Tobias looked into each other’s eyes slightly longer than all of the others.

Then they moved on. Past the rose garden, a small pavilion, small ruins, the many old trees. They passed a particularly beautiful church, then an enchanted little tower where the Religious Science Administration was located, next to which there was a castle-like building framed by large walls, another fraternity. They eventually ended up at the Pegasus pub above the marketplace, where Oliver had announced they would be having a break. “In 45 minutes we will continue from here. Until then you can do what you want. Drink something or explore the local surroundings. But be back here on time at 12 o’clock so we can continue!”

4

Only a handful of college students stayed at the Pegasus. The others were too curious about the town. Tobias decided to do the same as what Anna wanted to do. And she really wanted to continue exploring the area.

Sebastian had intentionally taken his good camera with him and was already making the most of it. Even now: the view from Pegasus down into the upper town was a dream. Click. The marketplace, the Hinkelstein, the town hall, next to it the narrow alleys and small-town streets straight from a picture book. Click. Click. Click. He preferred to walk around alone so that he could continue to be one with his camera. At first he turned half left from Pegasus round the corner and found himself in another square, the excavation site of a synagogue. It did not matter in which direction he looked; everywhere he saw an idyllic picture of the narrow alleys and old houses. Everywhere and on every corner a beautiful photo motif. It was if he were intoxicated. He saw the world in photo motifs and was completely in his element…

But suddenly the idyll was interrupted by voices. Not just any voices – when he listened more closely he recognised them: Tobias and Anna! He heard Tobias say something and then Anna laugh wholeheartedly. Then suddenly everything fell silent. Completely silent. Sebastian was too curious. Slowly he crept along in the direction where he believed he had heard the voices a moment earlier. One more step and a cautious look around the corner … There they were. Tobias was holding Anna firmly but gently with both arms pressed against the wall and kissing her. Click. A great photo. Neither Anna nor Tobias knew anything about it. Sebastian took another two photos, each with a different setting, and left the two lovebirds alone again with a smile on his face to stroll back to Pegasus. This would remain his secret for the time being…

On the way he changed his mind: he wanted to go back to the castle-like dwelling, that strikingly interesting fraternity house.

Once he arrived he tried to find an attractive motif. Because all he could really see was the wall. So he ran up the narrow alleyway on the right-hand edge. But it was still not possible to see very much, still only the top section of the house, which was visible over the wall. Disappointed, he was just going back down the same path when he heard a gate creaking and then some voices.

Sebastian grabbed his camera and walked back up a few steps. The gate was indeed open he could see into the courtyard: there a few boys who were stripped to the waist were having great fun playing table tennis. One of them noticed Sebastian and put his bat on the table.

“Hey, are you spying on us or are we so attractive that our pictures will be in the press?” he laughed, causing his table tennis opponents and the other two boys who were hanging around there to look across to Sebastian. “What you want to take photographs of here?”

Thank heavens Sebastian had not yet taken a photograph, but had only been carrying his camera in his hand. He certainly did not want any trouble. “Erm. Your beautiful bodies of course!” he replied, thinking that this was a cool answer. But in reality it was not.

“Say, are you gay or what?” the table tennis player countered, taking a few large strides towards Sebastian.

He was becoming rather nervous, stretching up his arms as if being threatened by a revolver, and apologised with “Sorry, sorry. That was a stupid thing to say. No, I’ve only been in Marburg since yesterday. We’re here with a group and just taking a break. I wanted to take a few pictures. And I was simply fascinated by your house, but it’s not possible to see very much because of the wall. When I heard the gate open I saw my chance! But I haven’t taken any – and I would of course have asked first.” Sebastian new himself that he was not able to hide his nervousness. He had no idea how to get out of this situation scot-free.

But from one moment to the next the facial expression of the table tennis player changed from one of hostility to friendliness. With a hand movement he guided Sebastian into the courtyard. “Come in first. If you like you can have a look around the house. Do you want a beer?”

Sebastian hesitated, did not move from the spot and was torn between scepticism and curiosity.

“Well come in and relax. We won’t bite!” He smiled at Sebastian again and waved to him again to step inside.

Sebastian looked at his watch and saw that he had another thirty minutes. There was no way he could spend them more interestingly than here.

“I’m George,” said the table tennis player, introducing himself, “my bad table tennis opponent here is called Stefan.” Stefan pretended to slap George’s face, “and the other two here with their astral bodies are Daniel and Helge.”

George appeared to be the leader. He was well built, had a strikingly masculine face and definitely beamed authority. Everyone gave Sebastian a friendly nod, but remained where they were. Until George instructed Helge to fetch some beer and glasses, so that he immediately jumped up and disappeared into the house.

“Well, then, tell me. What are you doing with a group here in September in Marburg? The semester doesn’t begin until the middle of October!”

Sebastian described the A-level course and what it involved.

“What do you want to study then?” asked George, interested.

“I really wanted to do Art, but my parents don’t approve.”

George looked at him for a moment with a raised eyebrow. “Art…” he repeated with a slightly mocking expression. “Why Art?”

Sebastian suddenly had no desire to continue the conversation. “Well, I like painting. Or I make small sculptures. Or I take photographs. I simply like nice things.”

“You can certainly twist women around your little finger with that, perhaps they would even allow you to paint them naked…” George put Sebastian out of his misery and quickly turned to Stefan. “Perhaps we should also consider that as well!”

The situation could not really become any more unpleasant now for Sebastian. But he had wanted to know. So? Grit your teeth and carry on!

Helge had brought out some beer and tankards for all five of the boys and was just filling them up. George took the full tankards off him, shared them out and gave a toast. All four of them, with the exception of Sebastian, emptied their tankards in one go.

“I see you still have quite a bit to learn about drinking, Sebastian!” laughed George, appearing to mean it seriously somehow. “But don’t worry about it today. Come on, I’ll show you our house now so that you can take your photos.”