A/N I've started off with Ace and the Cobras appearing to be okay, not too terrible. This is mainly because, I think they'd put up a good outward appearance to newer people, before showing their true colours. No one had actually said if they think this is all right, so I'd love to hear someone's thoughts. Pretty please? :)
Chapter 2: A Familiar Feeling
I was already beginning to regret my impulsive actions. I was pretty sure I just stuck like a sore thumb in the midst of this specific group. They accepted me pretty easily, however, when Ace offered me a seat – they did not ask and he did not offer an explanation. Luckily enough for me, seeing as I didn't really have a reason for accepting.... except to spite my mum of course. (Well, I was attempting to annoy her...big difference)
They animatedly began talking after a glance at me and a measured look from Ace, as though there had never been a break in the flow of things.
"Anyway Ace, what do you have in mind?" Eyeball piped up, a gleam in his eye. I idly wondered who these boys were and what they had done to offend this gang so.
Ace was watching me intently; I blushed under his gaze.
"We're the Cobras, by the way." Another boy, Billy, I was informed, proudly announced.
"Cobras?" I wondered if I should ask the obvious question.....well, might as well, "as in the snake?"
Ace eyed me, wondering if I was being deliberately patronising or if I meant the question, he certainly wasn't one to miss things.
Eyeball, quite oblivious to this, seemed pleased to get the opportunity to gloat,
"Yeah the snake! One of the most deadly snakes ever!"
I smiled, they were fun and all but they really weren't that smart.
"Something amusing?" Ace lifted an eyebrow. I immediately turned red,
"Oh no..."
"Come on, what is it?" They all stared at me expectantly.
I swallowed hard, "Oh nothing, it's just, well the cobra is quite a bit more harmless, in comparison, to say, an anaconda."
They all just blinked at me, with the exception of Ace; well I guess someone has to have a head.
Everyone waited for Ace's response, if he okayed it, it was fine, and if not...well I wouldn't be sticking around, even if what I had said wasn't that big a deal.
He surveyed the atmosphere, enjoying this....power, I guess that is the only word attributed to the way the other boys behaved, hell, I didn't even know all their names. I suddenly had the overwhelming feeling I wanted out of this tight knit little group, back to my own, familiar friends. The thing was, I soon discovered, once chosen, they didn't just "let go" of you.
I had sealed my fate just by accepting the offer, I was stuck with them, whether I liked it or not. Brilliant.
Ace decided he was in an easygoing mood, "it doesn't matter, the Cobras are what we've always been and it's what we'll stay."
They all nodded and began talking about nothing in particular. I let a breath out, jeez, all that over a name? It really wasn't such a big deal.
After a long time of sitting and....more sitting. The Cobras stood up, following the lead from Ace,
"C'mon boys time to go." They obediently moved to the exit after throwing some money down on the table. I dithered, was I supposed to follow?
Ace, sensing my hesitation, called back, "hey Alice, you coming or not?"
I glanced at my mum, who was still in deep conversation with the same man. Ace walked back over and snaked an arm around my waist, I didn't shake him off, although I wasn't sure about this imitate action with someone I had met roughly an hour ago. He lent in close to my ear,
"That's old Harry; he's got quite a rep with the ladies. Come with us, she's busy."
Sure enough, Harry whispered something to her and she giggled, rather loudly I might add. I was starting to get irritated, we'd been here five minutes and shed already had forgotten about me. Her whole "mummsie" act had lasted for all but three seconds.
Ace began to propel me along with him, earning me envious looks from the neighbouring tables. When we passed mum's table, I maliciously lent in and said,
"I'm going out Mum. Cya later." She barely glanced up, however got the fright of her life, when Harry yelped, "MUM?"
This was just so familiar, I've moved repeatedly for the past four years of my life, mum would move in with some new boyfriend, they'd break up, and we'd pack our bags to some now city, only now she'd taken it a step further by moving to another continent. I liked to call all the boyfriends "Bob," it was just too darn difficult to remember every individual name.
I giggled silently to myself; she'd had that coming, besides why was I such a secret? Ace looked at me with a new admiration, perhaps he was beginning to realise I wasn't just some fluffy airhead of a girl.
I sure hoped so; I wasn't going to be treated like some bimbo. Once out in the parking lot, I looked at the rows of cars, wondering which was his.
He helpfully pointed at the car filled with Cobras. I mentally slapped myself, I wasn't an airhead, but I was certainly acting like one! They tooted the horn repeatedly,
"Get on with it Ace! Do her and finish it!" Well that confirmed my theory, Ace was a player.
I was about to shout some obscenity back at them but Ace quelled them with one look. He certainly exercised whatever power he held.
He strode over to his car, "all right assholes, get the hell out of here." To make his point clear he pulled the car door open and yanked one out. It was Billy, he sullenly rubbed his neck, "yeah, yeah, if a chick is so much more important than us..."
Once they had all departed, Ace pulled the door open for me again, which had been slammed shut by the last Cobra.
I graciously accepted his offer but was beginning to question the ease I had handled the situation with, one minute I didn't want anything to do with him, the next I was accepting rides? I think it was his charm, he had it in spades, but I knew he could turn nasty easily....but I did kind of like him.....
I sat on the cushioned seats of the vehicle, it was a nice car, I had to admit. I didn't know much about them but I certainly liked this one. It was crimson red, (which happens to be my favourite colour) with a retractable hood. I won't embarrass myself any further, by trying to describe something I know absolutely zilch about.
As I pulled the door shut, it slammed slightly, I looked up warily, I had the tiniest suspicion he was the type who worshipped cars. He too slammed his door and I thought then "ah it's okay, he did it too."
"Don't slam the door!" I looked at his face, wondering if he was joking. He had a deadly serious expression but a smile was hinting to break at the corner of his mouth.
"You slammed your door!" I grinned at him.
"Well, it's my car, babe."
I bristled, "you know as well as I do, my name ain't "babe."" I was working to keep my tone light, it may not bother some people but I really hated being called pet names, I was not a pig called "babe" and nor did I resemble a chicken, in reference to "hen." And half the time it's used by guys who can't remember girls' names, because they date so many....well, I suppose that did fit the description I got of Ace. I was unquestionably getting the impression if you looked up "popular" (as in girl popular) or "neighbourhood bully" you'd find a picture of Ace under the caption.
But anyway, let's not go down that route.
He started the car then looked at me questionably, "where you staying?"
Oh dear, I couldn't remember the address, I gestured vaguely to the east, "Oh over there, just drop me off at the corner."
He vehemently shook his head, "oh no, it's too dangerous with those jocks lurking."
So now I needed a bodyguard? "So you're what? My bodyguard?"
He carefully studied me, gauging my reaction,
"Yeah, we Cobras, we like to look after our own."
I gaped at him, "I've known you for about five minutes!"
He started the car, "so? I like you; I think you'll fit in well."
Well, my concerns about making friends had certainly just flown right out the window.
"So what do you say? Up for hanging out with us?"
I thought about it, if things turned out badly, well I'd just leave them to their selves...although I had a sneaky feeling, once joined, you don't get out.
I realised then that Ace was still waiting for a response, "Sure, I guess it could be fun..." My voice didn't sound at all convinced.
I cleared my throat, "would you mind telling me what that was about back there?"
Ace's expression instantly hardened.
I hoped fervently that I wouldn't regret this decision.
