|A FAMILY OF FRIENDS|

CHPATER 2:

Buzzzz, buzzzz

I almost jumped out of my skin; I'd forgotten I left my phone on the table, amplifying its vibrations in the silent room. Picking it up, I realised it was already past 8pm in the evening. I groaned out load. Had I really been sitting here that long? I wondered to myself. But the horrible stiffness of my ass already gave me the answer.

I was supposed to be meeting the gang for dinner tonight, God knows how long it took us to finally find a date and time that suited everyone.

I glanced at the mess of papers in front of me and decided then I'd just have to finish the rest off at home.

I quickly gathered the finished pieces of documents and ran across to Kat's office.

"There is no way I'm missing this catch up" I mumbled to myself. To hell I wasn't!

I hurridly texted the group saying I was making my way, grabbed my car keys and practically skipped out the front door.

I dashed my bag and the last few papers into the back seat of my Audi, jumped into the seat and raced to the meeting place. "Whew at least I didn't get caught by no camera's" I sighed "I'm sure I was well over the limit at times" I smirked to myself.

"MIIIIIAAAAAAAA" ….

I looked over my shoulder as I hopped out my car.

"You're still in your work clothes?" …. Maya raised an eyebrow as she came over to greet me. Before I could get a word out, Maya was already strangling me with her hug.

I tried to get out of her grip, as I knew exactly what she was going to attempt to do next.

I froze.

Her hand had already found its way to my ass and was in the process of giving it a firm one handed squeeze. BUT, I had already planned my next move and gave her breasts a firm squeeze back.

She squealed … clearly NOT expecting me to do such lewd things to her, especially in public. I smiled my; I total won that round smile at her, while wiggling my eyebrows for effect.

"Ladies, please refrain from indecent behaviour in public" Yoshi spoke airily. We both whipped round to look at him.

Yoshi hadn't changed much all the year's I've known him. He had such a clean-cut appearance. Auburn hair pulled in a small ponytail, glasses, neatly shaped box cut beard. He always dressed semi-casual, always, no matter the occasion. He was the sense and sensibility of the group, our anchor if you will, he was the safe house. Period.

"Aww, c'mon man, are you really telling me this isn't even piquing your interest? Slightly?" Joked Adam, while he draped an arm over Yoshi's shoulder.

Yoshi's response was the side eye.

Adam was the joker of the group; he was the complete opposite of Yoshi, he opted to wear jeans, trainers and a loose t-shirt with some slogan across it. His platinum blonde hair was swept back.

I saw them as ying and yang. In an odd way, they complemented each other.

Yoshi worked as an IT specialist, and a graphic designer in his spare time. Pretty much explains his clean-cut appearance and airy attitude. Adam on the other hand was a free-lance journalist. I mean what else was there to say to that. He always considered himself as a petal floating in the breeze. He hated being restricted to a typical job. I kinda envied him sometimes.

"I didn't realise we were eating air for our dinner" came Maya's voice. We all laughed as we walked into the restaurant.

Maya was doing her medical residency at one of the hospitals in the city. She was always passionate about helping others, so it was only logical she chose to go down that path.

We were shown to corner table and we took our seats, Maya and me on one side and the two boys on the other. Maya reached into her bag and pulled out a hairband, swept her jet-black hair into a loose bun and continued to scrutinize us with her hazel eyes. If you didn't know any better it was the perfect excuse to freak out a little. It was as if she perfected the 'Doctor eyes' while working.

She seemed to have been satisfied with the boy's appearance, so she directed her gaze to me. I saw her eyes narrow slightly and internally sighed. The boy's almost gave a sympathetic look my way, I saw Maya's lips moving but I blocked out most of her speech as our food came towards our table.

"…. I just dont understand why you always overwork yourself Mia, I'm sure it isn't for lack of organisation"

I hummed in response, as I laid the napkin across my legs and picked my fork and knife ready to tuck in.

"Its that stupid woman isn't, she's making you overwork …. Right!" exclaimed Maya. I meet her hazel gaze with my emerald one.

I really didn't need to say anything. Our monthly meetings were full of our work woes and what we would love to do if we had the guts or opportunity. Well, it was actually mostly Maya and I bitching. The guys rarely had anything negative to say other than a late deadline that was lumped onto them.

"You know I can … you know … make something, to eh…." Maya's voice lowered, but her eyes glinted at something else entirely.

My mind raced, I mean, I knew Maya could theoretically make such things, but I'd never dreamed she'd even go about suggesting it.

I opened my mouth to respond.

"Don't you dare! Suggest such things Maya. You're a Doctor damnit" Yoshi hissed at us.

"So what!" Maya, Adam I hissed back together simultaneously.

"This conversation isn't happening" Yoshi said with finality in his voice.

"If Mia is suffering at work, she has the option to leave …. Don't you? .. Mia?"

I nodded mutely at him, while fiddling with my fingers on my lap.

" Sooooo …. " Adam broke the tension

Maya felt her phone buzz and was quick to pull it out in case she had an urgent call from work.

'We shall discuss this further between us, if need be' the message read.

I picked up my glass of mojito and sipped, a small smile gracing my lips.

I mean … I would never put Maya in that sort of position over a job. Never. But it was good to know she would go that far for me.

I sat back and watched the other 3 discussing potential holiday plans, we all knew would probably never happen anytime soon. Organising monthly meet ups was a hassle.

We certainly looked an odd bunch. We all looked like we somehow managed to be pulled together from the four corners of the earth. Some might even assume we all met at uni and stayed friends ever since.

It almost made me laugh how much further from the truth that was.

All I knew was I would go the ends of the earth for those three. Every single time.

They were my only family. We were each other's only family.

Growing up in an orphanage was hard enough.

I was just glad we managed to stick together.

"Hey bubblegum, stop daydreaming. We love you too" Adam cut into my musing.

"Actually only Maya proved that so far" I pointed out.

"Excuse me missy, I did agree with you guys remember?"

We all burst into fits of laughter. It was truly relaxing to be able to chill like this, with my little family of friends.

A/N: Don't you all love it when you have those few ride or die friends? They truly are the best J, especially those that scheme such things LOL