A/N) Hello, my wonderful readers! Undecided13 here with another one of her stories! This one originally started out as a one/two-shot for my other series (which, btw, you should totally check out), but it got way to long. I mean, it's already for chapters! So, with help from some of my readers, I decided to make it its own story! I hope you all enjoy!
No one
Well, looks like my predictions came true.
Ahem.
Allow me to elaborate.
After Keefe confessed his feelings to Sophie, Fitz was heartbroken. After he got over it, he asked out Linh, and they-along with Keefe and Sophie-are now a happy couple. I thought i might had a chance with Biana, but Tam asked her out before i could, and now, here i am.
All alone.
With no one.
But, what i had kinda wanted to happen was Fitz getting to Sophie first, leaving Keefe with no one, and then Tam and Biana would become a thing-as much as i liked Biana-and then i would ask out Linh, because i kinda like her too.
But nope.
I have this thing called Hopeless Crushes Syndrom.
Symptoms: Being me.
It's been about three months since everyone got together. Three months of me being by myself. But during those three months, i got to know Marella a little better, and i think I'm starting to grow feelings for her. But you know what happened?
SHE WENT WITH JENSI.
See?
Hopeless.
"What's wrong, Dex?" Sophie asked me, making me realize i had sighed out loud.
"What? Oh, nothing," i said quickly. I forced on a smile as i looked at all my friends, feeling like such a third wheel. Or is it seventh? You see, we're all gonna sneak out to the Forbidden Cities, just for the fun of it, ya know? And while they all tell me that it's a we're-only-friends-today thing, i just know that one of these obnoxiously cute couples is gonna sneak away from the rest of us and go make out.
How wonderful.
"Hey, Foster," Keefe said to Sophie, apparently sticking to the whole friends-only thing. Ever since they started dating, he started calling her Sophie or Soph. "What's the place we're going to called again?"
"Philadelphia," she answered. "It's in North America. U.S.A."
"Oh, cool," i said. "I'll get to see some more human technology." I gave Sophie a teasing smile and she glared in returned, but it quickly dissolved into a smile.
"Human's have some pretty smart tech, Dex," She told me. "I'm sure we could find some sort of AT&T shop to go to for you to look at some stuff."
"At&T?"
She shook her head dismissively. "Human thing. Nevermind." She stood and looked around at the others. "We should get going."
"And i expect you all back within the hour," Sandor said from the shadows. The bodyguards knew about our little escapade, and, after a lot of convincing, they finally consented in letting us go.
"Aw, come on, Gigantor," Keefe whined. "Two hours."
"An hour and a half," Ro settled for them. "No later than that." She glared at each of us until we nodded. She nodded approvingly as Sandor grumbled about how his job was impossible these days. It was a little risky to go to the Forbidden Cities without our bodyguards, but the Neverseen had been mostly taken care of-that and the fact that it would be super hard to disguise four gobins and an ogre princess. At least we actually went shopping for human clothes that actually looked good on us.
"Sophie's right," Fitz agreed, standing as well, along with Linh, who sat next to him. "We should get going before any of our parents find out about this." Everyone glanced towards the door, just to make sure that we were parent-free. Fitz took out the pathfinder he "borrowed" from his dad's office that went to the Forbidden Cities. We made our way outside and quietly snuck out to the gates. After they opened and we were on the other side, we created a chain and leaped away.
…
Alright. I had an hour to myself. And hour to explore the city. I mean, i did it all the time, and it was the best hour of my day. Life at home tended to be hectic, and this hour to myself was my escape from my life there. Out here in Phili, i was a different Hazel. I was City Hazel. The real me, without any home problems to keep me back.
I hopped on my bike and peddled down the streets to as close to the center of the city as i could. So many people, just going about their daily lives; some were tourists, others were walking their dogs. Some, like me, were riding around on their bikes. It was a clear, sunny autumn day, perfect weather, in my opinion. I had on a large black sweater and legging, along with some Uggs. Perfect outfit. Comfy and simple.
I steered my bike onto the sidewalk and got of, walking it to a bike rack and locking it in place. Then i turned around and smiled when i saw the famous restaurant known for its Phili cheesesteaks. They were delicious. I went inside, not surprised at how packed it was, but it was empty enough that there was room for me.
"Hey, Hazel," the waitress at the podium said when she saw me. "How ya doin', girl?" She was a pretty black girl who was a junior in college, working here part nearly everyday, and whenever i came, she would always serve me. We became great friends, and i always admired her for her pleasant personality and pretty looks.
"I'm good," i said, coming up to the podium as she grabbed a menu for me and led me to an empty booth. "What about you, Trix?" Her real name was Trixie. I sat down in the booth as she sighed.
"College is college," she told me, taking out her notepad from her black apron. But she smiled at me as she looked up. "But life is still good. At least i'm actually in college, so, yeah."
I returned her smile. "Always so positive." i shook my head teasingly.
"Well, how's school for you?" She asked as a three loud highschool boys were seated in a booth to my left. One glanced at me, and then he tapped his buddy's arm, which made that one look at me, and then the last one caught on and looked at me. I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, ya know, being a freshie isn't the funnest thing in the world," i said. She asked if i wanted my usual before adding, "it's gonna get easier."
"Thanks, Trix," i said.
"No prob," she smiled and took my menu before walking away.
"Don't forget the extra jalapenos!" i called after her. I heard her laugh and wave a hand dismissively. I shook my head again and laughed. Then i took out my phone and kept myself busy until the food came. Luckily for me, i always came around the time Trixie went on her break, so i never had to eat alone.
"You don't ever wanna do something better with the time you have on break," i asked, "rather than spending it with someone like me?"
"Someone like you?" she repeated. "Hazel, if by someone like you, you mean one of the prettiest girls this side of Pennsylvania, the funniest girls i've ever met, and someone who doesn't let personal things get in the way of her fun, then yes, of course Imma spend my break with you." My cheeks turned warm.
"Trix," i started, but she interrupted me.
"Ah ah ah," she held up a manicured finger. "Don't even think about giving me the old, 'But, Trix, I'm not that pretty at all.'" i frowned at her exaggerated mimick of my voice.
"My voice is not that high and you know it," i protested. "And i really am not that pretty."
"Girl, have you ever looked in a mirror?"
"Well, yeah . . ." I mean, everyone i've ever met always tells me how pretty i am, and it's not even like I'm trying! I had wavy reddish-brown hair, hazel-my parents think their so funny-eyes, and light olive skin. Nothing special.
Trixie sighed and shook her head at me. "I don't know why i even try anymore." She stood and took my now empty plate and cup.
"Thanks, Trix," i said with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be back with the check." And she walked off. I leaned back in my seat, and as i did, i saw those other boys keep glancing at me. Apparently, i was pretty enough for a lot of boys to ask for my Snapchat or Instagram, or my phone number. I always say no, if it's someone i didn't know. If it was someone from school? Maybe.
"Here you go, Hon," Trixie said, handing me the check. I handed her twenty bucks.
"I gotta get outta here," i said, standing up. "Keep the change. Thanks, Trix." i held out my hand for a fist bump, but she pulled me in for a hug instead. I groaned.
"Oh, lighten up," she told me, smiling again. "Have a good day."
"Yeah, you too," i mumbled, and then i hurried out of there. I was unlocking my bike, when i heard a deep voice say from behind me, "Hey, what's your name?"
…
"Whoa, humans have really upped their game when it comes to cell phones," Sophie said as she gawked at the tech in the AT&T store. I brushed my hand over one of their pieces, my senses tingling when i felt the buzz of energy inside it.
"Samsung Galaxy S9?" Sophie thought aloud as she tapped on the screen. "Wow."
"Can i help you all with anything?" A large man with a burly beard asked me as he glanced at the rest of my friends. (am i the only one who noticed that elves don't grow out their beards?)
"Nah, i think we're okay," Keefe answered for me in perfect English. Yeah, we knew how to speak English fluently. We've been learning for a while, and it's really easy, actually.
"Okay," the man said. "But if you need anything, don't be afraid to ask."
"Thanks," i said, and he walked away. I glared at Keefe. He held his hands up in mock surrender.
"What if i actually wanted to ask him something?" i hissed.
"I knew you did, and if you started, you would never stop," Keefe countered. I rolled my eyes. The bell at the door of the store rang and in rushed Fitz and Linh, hand in hand. I just knew someone was gonna sneak away. I internally gagged.
"Guys," Fitz said to us in English-we had a strict rule for this trip for speaking English only. It would help us blend in. He was panting for breath, and i couldn't help but wonder if it was because of the assumed make out session he had with Linh, or if it was because he ran back in here. I was hoping for the latter.
"There's this girl," he started, but Keefe interrupted.
"Fitz, you're not supposed to stay stuff like that in front of your girlfriend," he clicked his tongue. "Even if we are just friends today. Although, i have a feeling you two failed the challenge?" he raised a teasing eyebrow, which made Linh and Fitz turn pink.
"That's not the point!" Fitz said. "This girl, i think she's in trouble. We need to help her."
…
"Guys, seriously, leave me alone," I said as they somehow managed to back me into the alleyway between the restaurant and the AT&T shop next door.
"We just wanna have a little fun," the oldest, who was probably sixteen, told me as my back hit the wall.
"Yeah, well that ain't happening," i told him, my voice steady. "I suck the fun out of everything. So leave me alone." The boys shared a look with each other, but they didn't leave. The other two boys looked between fourteen and fifteen.
"Give us your number," the one in the middle said.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because i don't know any of you."
"Well, we could get to know each other a little better," the oldest said. Without warning, he grabbed my hand and yanked me towards him, making me crash into his chest. His hand grabbed my waist in a way that went way over my boundaries. And then something clicked.
I stomped on his toes as hard as humanly possible, making him howl in pain and release me. When one of the other boys tried grab me, i gave him my hardest uppercut, sending him flying backwards and into the wall. I spun around to see the last boy staring at me with wide eyes.
"You wanna turn?" i asked through gritted teeth as i shook out my fist. He shook his head vigorously and he rushed to help his buddies out. When i flinched towards them, they took off running. I kept my fists up for a few more seconds, glad that no one came to investigate. I relaxed and sat against the wall, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Hey, are you okay?" i heard a girl's voice ask from somewhere in the alleyway. I looked to my right to see seven teenagers around my age coming towards me.
Oh no.
…
She just . . . and then those guys . . . she took on three dudes by herself!
And she wasn't an elf! And she didn't have a Sucker Punch! I mean, did you see how hard she punched that guy?
Wow.
"Hey, are you okay?" Sophie asked after the girl relaxed a bit. She immediately went back to the defensive side. Sophie held out her hands. "Don't worry! We're not gonna hurt you!"
"Yeah, we were actually gonna see if you needed any help," Keefe added. "But, as we can all see, you definitely don't . . ."
The girl relaxed a bit, and she stared at us with her big, hazel eyes. She was actually really pretty, for a human-and i get how wrong that sounds, but it's true! She had wavy reddish-brown hair and soft-looking skin. She was really cute.
Gosh, what the heck was i thinking?! Don't go getting another hopeless crush, Dex. Especially one for a human! Was i crazy? I was crazy. To have feelings for a human i literally just met? Oh my goodness, what was happening to me?
…
The strawberry blond one was cute. The rest seemed to be taken. Not that i cared. This is a one time thing. I would most likely never meet these unusually good looking people ever again.
"Thanks, i'm okay," i mumbled, shaking out my fist again.
"You punched that guy so hard," the strawberry blond boy told me.
"You were seriously brave," a boy with dark hair teal eyes sai-wait, what the heck? Teal eyes?! What kind of human being had teal eyes?
"Those boys were being total jerks," the girl with teal eyes-okay, what the heck is going on here?-told me. "I would have done the same thing." By now, i was freaking out a little bit.
"Guys, we should get going," the girl standing next to the boy with teal eyes said quietly. His arm was wrapped around her protectively. The others nodded.
"We're glad you're okay," the blonde girl told me. "Stay safe." She nodded to her friends, and as quickly as they came, they left through the other end of the alleyway. I was very confused as to what had just happened. How were they so good looking? And what was with those accents? Were they tourists?
My thoughts were interrupted when i turned around to go get my bike and ride home.
"Hey, wait," i heard a vaguely familiar voice call out behind me. I turned around to see the strawberry blond boy standing a few feet behind me, this time, alone. He looked down at his shoes-a pair of the nicest Nikes i have ever seen.
"Dude, nice shoes," i told him. He looked up.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, thanks." He mumbled. "I'm Dex, by the way."
I smiled. "Hazel." i held out my hand for a fist bump, and he took his hand out of his pocket to return it. I don't know why i was talking to him. I guess there wa just this feeling in me that he was actually a good guy. And i probably wasn't gonna see him ever again, so who cared?
"You're not from around here, are you?" i asked him. He shook his head. "How long are you staying?"
"I'm, uh, not completely sure," he answered.
"Huh. Well, maybe i could show you around sometime," i suggested. "There's a whole lotta good stuff here in Phili. You got a phone?"
"No, not on me, at least."
I laughed. "What kind of normal human being walks around without their cell phone?" He smiled, and when he did, these two little perfect dimples showed up on his cheeks, making him look adorable. Hold on, why was i thinking about this? And wait. Did i just ask him out on a date? What the heck has gotten into me?
"Who said anything about me being human?" he teased.
I laughed again as i said, "Well, you definitely don't look human. I meant that as a good thing," i added quickly. Awkward silence.
"So, are you free tomorrow?" i asked after a while.
"Uh, yeah, i think so."
"Around one o'clock sound good?"
He nodded. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow, then." His smile made my heart pick up speed.
"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow."
And we went our separate ways.
A/N) What a way to start us off, huh? Well, I hope you all enjoyed! Since the other chapters are already written, they should be coming up shortly. Thank you so much for reading! Please leave a review, and check out my other stories, too. You can see them on my profile. All you gotta do is click on the word Undecided13 next to the title of this story, and BOOM! you get to read my profile and see the stories I've written! I'll leave you to think about that.
Peace out, m'peeps.