The food delayed a bit to arrive, Helen didn't know if took so much because she was hungry or because the kitchen chef was slow that day. Neighbor was extremely useful on the waiting matter, he told her stories and asked questions like "do you like Star Wars?". She answered that she liked but never really watched. He asked about her sexuality, and she said it was sometimes difficult to assume but that she was fine.

Octavian nodded and put his glass aside so the waiter could place the plates on the table. It was a bright beef with smashed potatoes and some greens. "When I was 7 I figured out that my dad was gay because I saw him squeezing another man's thigh. It was very strange and the image haunted me for weeks; until my mother noticed there was something wrong with me and made me repeat the vision. That same day, they divorced."

Helen chocked on her own food. "Oh gosh - cof -I am so sorry, Octavian."

"Don't be, I mean, it is not anybody's fault. I haven't seen him since but I bet he's married again with some guy. They must be old and happy by now." He smiled weekly before tasting a good part of his plate.

🚪🌜🚪

When they went outside, the beach was full. Literally, from the sand to the grass and streets, dozens of people walked and talked enjoying that end of the day. It was 6 o clock, the sun was coming down. It was very beautiful to see and hear thousands of different languages in one place. Helen heard a lot of Spanish and Octavian a lot of blablablablublipu. There were people all ages but especially teenagers, they knew how to enjoy life in a way few people could.

Suddenly they heard Octavian's name and were dragged to a huge group near the water. They were friends from high school, it seemed he had studied in a french school in Maple Ridge which explained his language fluency. It was so nice to meet new people, Helen was euphoric.

In the semi-darkness which surrounded everyone and the sea, she noticed a handsome blonde man drumming some song on a tree trunk. The man was tall and seemed so distant, reality was non existent but anyhow Helen felt attracted to him. His hair was curly like an angel's, probably had blue eyes too, but was impossible to say at the moment. Could he have studied with Octavian?

"Er... excuse me, may I sit with you?"

His eyes suddenly came back to the beach, he assented rapidly, stars erupting from his smile, which's teeth were perfectly aligned and white, a perfect example of a nice stranger. So sitting next to his memorable drumming fingers Helen was welcomed by Matthew, a guy with the most amazing way of expressing energetic words. He played jazz at a restaurant but wanted to expand horizons to the whole Vancouver, also singing in French. Yes he was colleagues with Neighbor years ago, but didn't like him very much at the time nor then.

"You are very sincere", she laughed, "wish I had the courage to be the same sometimes."

"Be it now! Do you like Octavian Gardner?"

"Well, I hate him because he remixed my entire life... But now he brought me here and is changing it again..." For Helen it was hard to realize that she had been swayed by Octavian to travel kilometers away from her house. Helen from the past would never let such things to happen.

"I like changes, changes are good."

"But how can I be sure this isn't a bad one?" She asked Matthew. A few meters away Octavian checked on his wrist-watch. Suddenly he was by their side and placed a hand on Helen's shoulder, making her jump like a cat. It was time for the concert! She moved away from his touch instantly while composing her posture. "Oh well, I was almost forgetting about it. So where are we going now?"