A/N: I was typing some of the latter part of this chapter while at the airport, in my favorite coffee shop drinking my favorite beverage. And I just wanted to share this fact: While everyone in Asia who are in the same time zone as I have (I'm in the Philippines on my way to Hong Kong for the nth time) are counting down towards 2010, I'll be up thirty thousand feet up in the air dozing off or listening to a flight attendant's nonsense blabs. Anyway, another fact: While typing this, and the reason why I typed this AN is because, across my table is a guy who has the same hairstyle as Edward Cullen. Yeah. The messy sex hair. The guy's kinda hot but not my type so yeah.
******
Heat of Summer: First Sight
Brady's POV
"What is this I hear that some chickas are coming here?" I asked Seth as soon as I felt him phase. We're the ones patrolling tonight.
"What chickas? Where? When?" Collin asked excitedly.
Seth laughed. "You guys are not allowed to hit on them. The cheerleader's gonna have your heads."
I've witnessed a time when Carrie was so pissed. And one thing for sure, I am staying on her good side. Collin seemed to be thinking the same thought.
I decided to change the subject. "Speaking of cheerleaders, how is it like being married to one?" I asked him.
"Heh. Awesome." Seth said with a smug smile. Then scenes of their escapades flooded his mind. He controlled it but not before Collin and I had a glimpse.
"We so do not wantto see that." Collin said with a crinkle of his nose.
"Yeah dude. We do not want to see you naked and doing that." I told him while digging dirt with my paw, trying to bury the images.
Seth scoffed. "I don't care if you see me guys naked and doing that. I'm trying to cover my wife's body from your eyes."
"We're not fantasizing her. You'll kill us anyway if we do that." I said lightly.
"You got that right." he said half-jokingly. He really will.
"So," Collin started. "when are the cheerleaders coming?"
"In a week." he told us.
"Do you need help?" I offered. Seth just gave me a look and I had to defend myself. "What? Just helping."
"Right." he scoffed. "But oh well, we do need another driver for the other van."
******
Carina's POV
One moment, I was sleeping. The next, I was being touched in my sensitive spots. I didn't mind though. I knew it was Seth anyway.
"Hmmm." I half-moaned, half-stirred. I opened my eyes to see him unbuttoning my top pajama. "Babe, what are you doing?" I asked him sleepily.
"Obviously, I'm getting you naked. 'Cos I already am." he answered. Oh, I could feel that. He grounded his rock hard member on my pelvis. I moaned.
I still tried to protest, though. "But babe, we've gotta be up early tomorrow."
"I promise to wake up early." he said and then proceeded to make love to me. I didn't have much protest after that.
******
Morning came and as promised, Seth woke up early. I was taking a shower when I realized I'm excited. I really am. First time I see the whole team after years. I couldn't believe it.
I'm now fixing myself in front of our full-length mirror. I smiled at what I was wearing. It was a long purple light sweater (it's summer but still a bit cold and I'm still not used to wearing tank tops alone here in La Push; however, my sweater is open) with a deep V-neck over a white tank top. I was wearing my favorite skinny jeans and my favorite heels―three-inch purple heels. It was a sign of welcome. Then something occurred to me and my second realization for the morning is that my life is full of coincidences.
At that right moment, Seth came in the room and I turned to him.
"Hey beautiful." he said and snaked his arms around my waist.
"Hey sexy." I said with a grin.
"Can't help it if I'm so hot." he retorted before leaning down and claiming my lips.
I clung my arms to his neck and kissed him back. "You know, I realized something." I murmured when our kisses ended.
"What?" he asked and loosened his hold so that he could fix his self. He just finished cleaning up our new van that he bought on a whim. Seth saw it when he came across a showroom one day. When he got home, he had this huge ass smile on his face and then showed me the papers and all stating that he just paid a down payment on the van and that the keys will be ready in a week. That was the argument for the week.
"My favorite colors are purple and white. Turns out, my old school's official colors are white, purple and gold. But the team almost always uses purple and white." I explained.
He turned to me and gave me a head-to-toe. "So that explains your outfit." he teased.
I stuck my tongue out at him. "And guess what the school mascot is."
"What?" he asked instead.
I playfully narrowed my eyes at him. "You're not going to guess, are you?" When he shot me a sheepish smile, I decided to just tell him. "Wolves. Sometimes a white wolf. Sometimes purple. Sometimes golden."
"Whoa." he said and then grinned. "We really are meant to be." While he was saying that, he once again enclosed me in his arms. Of course, we kissed again.
******
Alexis' POV
"Mom, I'm ready to go!" I shouted as soon as I got my bags outside my room and into the living room. I have one duffel bag, courtesy of school for those representing the school for sports stuff. One back pack which held my passport, wallet, a set of clothes (hey, we're gonna be traveling for at least a day and plus, what if we suddenly got stuck in an airport?) and even slippers. And my laptop bag which, duh, holds my laptop. I didn't feel wary about bringing this because I am so sure my other cheering mates are bringing their laptops, if not all.
My mom came out of the kitchen. "Be careful while you're there. Okay?" she said and hugged me. She's too used to me going out of town to compete that this US thing isn't all hugging and full of worries and all that anymore. "Did I give you your allowance yet?"
"Yeah. You gave me enough." I told her and after her hug, I slung my back pack.
"Tell Carrie I said 'hi'." My big brother reminded me. Carrie, the squad's former leader, and my brother had been classmates in high school. It really is a small world.
"Alright." I answered. "Well, I'm leaving. Wish us luck!" I announced to everyone. I didn't have to say bye to my dad. I already did that last night 'cos he's going to be at work before I even wake up in the mornings.
When I got to the airport (airport's pretty accessible, there are even shops here for those who don't even have a flight. And a cinema too!), it was only me and Ryann and a couple of guys there. By the way, Ryann's the squad leader after Carrie left.
Speaking of Carrie, I suddenly got excited. It's the first time we're gonna see her in years! Being in the team for a long time made us close to each other. She was mainly close to me and Ryann. Probably because we have a common factor―our craziness.
And we're her 'daughters'. Carrie got hyper one day (if I remember correctly, she had coffee in the morning, Neal mistakenly bought her another one and she drank it anyway, then because they have PE then, she needed something that would give her energy so she drank Nestea and had a small bar of chocolate, so when she arrived for cheering practices she was laughing and everything; I think that had been the best out of the good practices we've had with her) and she decided to call Ryann her daughter. For one thing, Ryann has the ass. I mean, I'm not a lesbian or bi, but you know, the ass. And Carrie's got one too. I think it was Cathy, one of Carrie's best friend, who pointed it out. And then just 'cos I always have a smile on my face and Carrie has that, too, someone pointed it out again and there.
But other than that fact, she had been a good friend and a good leader. Bitchy at times, but that's exactly what we need. Ryann, on the other hand, is softer than Carrie but she held her own. If she didn't, do you think we'd be here now?
"Hey, Lex." Ryann greeted me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I did the same as soon as I put my bag down. I subtly appraised what she was wearing and you wouldn't think she's a cheerleader. Black shirt with a purple fleur-de-lis design, jeans, and boots. The boots that she's wearing don't even have a heel. They're flat. Her curly hair was in a high ponytail and in her arms was her purple hoodie.
"Hey yo, Ry." I greeted back. The same could go for me. I don't look like a cheerleader. Pink sleeveless top with black details, straight jeans and pink flats. I have my black jacket in hand though.
"Hey Jay, hey Nick." I greeted the two with a high-five.
"Hey." The two said almost at the same time.
"You guys are early." I commented. Those two are usually the pain in everyone's neck, being late and troublemakers and all. Ryann had to bail them out a lot of times from detention whenever it's cheering season.
"We're excited." Jay said.
"Yeah. I heard that the former leader's hot." Nick added with a smile.
Ryann and I rolled our eyes. "She's married you know." Ryann said. Nick's and Jay's smiles faltered.
"Where did you get that news anyway?" I asked with a laugh.
"We saw some clips and pics on Facebook." Nick answered.
I shook my head and then went to sit next to Ryann.
"So let me get this straight." I started as I sat down at the seat next to her. "We're going to wait for people and for the plane for about two hours. Fly from here to San Francisco for sixteen. Stay at the airport again for an hour at the least. Then off to Seattle for two hours. And then a three hour drive to where we're staying. All in all it's 24 hours."
She grimaced. "I'm trying so hard to not think of how long we're gonna be up there in the air."
"Yeah. Let's entertain each other." I told her.
******
Ryann's POV
"Well, my grandma and abuela, we won't see each other again for a month or two." I told them before I proceeded to hug them. My mom's and dad's parents are living with us. Trying to fill in the space that mom left.
"Oh dear. You be careful, okay? I mean, we know you're used to the States but this is going to be your first time alone." My Grandma Samantha reminded me.
"Technically, I'm not alone." I teased her and she just smiled at me. She knows when I don't get it and when I do.
"Call us every time you get a chance, nieta." Abuela Soledad told me.
"Alright, I will." I then turned to look at my grandpas who, besides my dad that is, are the epitome of manliness. No wonder my grandmas fell for them.
"Should I hug you or are you too manly and old for this?" I asked them, half-teasing.
"I don't want to be a jerk so I'll let you hug me." Grandpa Leigh said and hugged me.
Without a word, Grandpa Anton joined in the hug too. "Well, take care over there."
"I will, I will." I said with a laugh.
Just then, the living room door opened and my dad stepped inside. He had night shift at the airport. Despite the exhausted face he had, he smiled.
"I thought I wasn't going to catch you here." he said.
"Oh, you caught me alright." I said with a laugh.
"I'm sure your grandparents have told you to take care and all, right?"
"Yeah."
"Have I given you your allowance?" he asked instead. "No one had asked you that, right?"
"Nope to both questions." I answered and held out a hand to get the money. My dad reached to his wallet and gave me enough money. I actually think it's more than enough but didn't say anything. You'd never know when you'd need extra money. And I plan on giving it back anyways. Or not asking allowance when I get back here if I didn't spend it.
Once the money was safely inside my wallet, I decided to joke around. "And that is the reason why I waited."
Everybody laughed.
After once again checking everything I need the most, I said good bye once more. Of course, with a hug from my dad.
Minutes later, one could see me at the airport. Sitting on the waiting area which was strategically placed near a coffee shop and near where we should check-in our luggages.
Soon enough, only with Jay and Nick arriving before her, Alex showed up in her usual jeans and flats combination look. She doesn't realize it but that's her trademark. Everyone would be in sneakers or heels, she'd still be in flats. It suits her though. She's always been one of the tall girls anyway.
About an hour later, we were complete. After checking in and going through immigration, we were able to find a spot near the boarding gates. Minutes later, the flight attendants were announcing that the plane is now ready for boarding. Hello Seattle (A/N: Sorry, couldn't resist. I was listening to Owl City's Hello Seattle while I was writing this part.), here we come!
******
(Back to) Carina's POV
"Thanks for doing this Brady." I told him as he got off the other van that we use (although quite seldom) to transport people to and from our inn in La Push.
"No problem." he said with a smile. The smile's too innocent if you're going to ask me.
"You've got another purpose, don't you?" I asked him, narrowing my eyes slightly. Seth chuckled.
"No. I only wanted to help 'cos I was bored." he answered. When I maintained the look, he confessed. "Okay fine. I was helping out but I wanted to see them first. Lucky for me, Collin's got something."
I rolled my eyes. I don't care if any of my cheerleaders have an affair as long as it does not have any effect with their practices. "You better not distract any of them." I murmured, sure that he would hear it.
Brady gave me his signature cocky smile. "Sure."
I rolled my eyes again.
"Hon," before Seth finished what he's going to say, he yawned. "how much time do we have till they arrive?"
I looked at my phone―a habit, I don't wear watches anymore since I only wear metal ones and it's cold here―and checked the time.
"You've got thirty minutes, lover boy." I told him.
"Okay. I'm just gonna go sleep." he said and climbed at the back of the van to sleep.
"Told you it was a bad idea to go at it all night." I murmured to myself. I sometimes forget that I'm around wolves so obviously the two heard. Seth just laughed while Brady shuddered.
Brady and I kept small talk while waiting for the cheerleaders. A full thirty minutes passed and we heard an announcement telling us that the flight that the people we were waiting for just landed.
I woke Seth up.
"Babe?"
Seth stirred but woke up nonetheless. "Are they here?"
"Well, their plane just landed."
"Okay." he said and went out of the van. The three of us talked while waiting for all twenty cheerleaders.
About twenty minutes after the plane landed, a group of people who were so familiar came out of the automatic sliding doors. I giddily, but trying not to, walked towards them.
"Oh my gosh! Carrie!" One of them, Tasha, said.
"Hi everyone!" I said with this smile on my face. Everyone greeted me back even though, most of them now are people who probably haven't seen me before.
"MOM!" A voice, with a dramatic tone, called out amidst the chaos.
I looked to see who it was. A girl in black hoodie and jeans and flats was smiling at me with her arms opened wide. It was Alex. "Daughter!" I said and rushed to hug her.
"Mom, you look old." she said.
I chuckled. "Is that good or bad?"
"Good of course." she said it like it's a well-known fact.
"Suck up." I said playfully and looked around. "Where's daughter number 1?"
"I'm over here," A voice at the back said. "mother."
I looked to see Ryann. "Well, come over here. I'm going to hug you, too."
Ryann chuckled but went to hug me anyway. After giving her a hug, I noticed that others couldn't suppress their curiosity and was looking behind me.
I looked back to introduce my Seth and Brady to them. Or rather, I was supposed to. The introduction was paused when I noticed Brady.
Brady was looking like―. Shit! Did he just―? Oh tell me he did not just do that.
******
Brady's POV
"Seth you have instant daughters." I told him while snickering after I heard Carrie look for her another 'daughter'.
"Shut up man." Seth said with a laugh.
I was about to retort when I heard someone with a honey-sweet voice answer Carrie's question. "I'm here."
It was like the wind brought it to me. Like her voice―signed, sealed and delivered by the wind―mixed with it and gently caressed my cheek before going in my ear.
And I couldn't help but look straight in her direction.
Clad in jeans and shirt, that was visible since her hoodie was unzipped, is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in the whole of my existence. She took my breath away just like that. Especially when she was smiling that bright smile.
She was slightly tanned, and because they're standing close enough that I could compare it, she's only slightly taller than Carrie. Her hair is curly, high cheekbones and high-bridged nose. Her lips look like they wanted to be kissed. Inviting me to just go on and press my lips on hers. And even though she's wearing a jacket, her curvy figure was still in plain sight.
I gave her a look over once more, though this time she's looking at me. When her blue-gray eyes met my dark ones, I was lost.
For the first time in my whole damn life, I felt this thrill. Turning into a werewolf for the first time didn't even compare to this. Facing off with the newborns about eight years ago never had this thrill. Facing off with the Volturi didn't even feel this way.
I could say that now. Now that I've felt the real thrill.
What's this thrill I'm talking about?
It was like you're flying up in the sky. Like you have a clear view of everything. Like you could actually see that the world is round. And the only thing holding you so you don't completely fly away is, well, her.
And in that one instant moment, in just one time our eyes met, everything faded and I could only see her. It was only me and her in this world. I knew right there and then that I belong to her. I don't own myself anymore.
Holy shit! Did I just imprint?
Seth elbowing me not so obviously answered my unspoken question. Add the fact that Carrie had this shocked look on her face.
I re-composed myself, realizing that I definitely look like an idiot. I suddenly how everyone looked like when I was a witness to how they imprinted.
Nice. Look stupid in front of the love of your life.
Did I just admit that I love her?
Carrie clearing her throat interrupted me from the―probably―biggest moment of my life. "Anyway, guys this is my Seth." I don't think she realized that she emphasized the word 'my' when introducing her husband.
A chorus of hi's and hello's were heard. Even a few girls, despite realizing that Seth's married to Carrie, didn't stop from ogling. Although I do realize that Seth despises the guys who are practically trying to undress Carrie with their eyes and Carrie hating Seth's 'fangirls'. What do you expect?
"And," Only the three of us could make out the hesitation in Carrie's voice when she turned to introduce me. "this is Brady."
"Hi." That was for everyone but my eyes remained to the girl. I didn't even notice the greetings that came from others. I could tell that she's getting conscious of it but I can't really do anything about that.
******
Ryann's POV
After the hugs and greeting from Carrie, I looked past her. That was fairly easy to do considering that she's shorter than me by a few inches.
As soon as my bluish-gray eyes met his dark orbs, I felt lost.
Like, I was sure there's some meaning as to why he's looking at me like that―I didn't miss Carrie's shocked expression. But deep inside, even though I shouldn't be, I felt good. Like his stare struck a chord in my heart that it's suddenly beating in a different pattern now.
Like everything wrong changed back to normal.
Soon though, so soon, even if I'm feeling all that, I still felt awkward. I mean, we just met!
But how can I even take my eyes off him?
The bronze skin, mostly reddish in color. The raven black hair cut in a boyish way. Those rippling muscles under the black shirt. The powerful muscled thighs which the eternally alive faded jeans didn't hide.
And the face. The chiseled face. The thin but red lips. The high-bridged nose. The high cheekbones. The beautiful dark eyes... Who knew dark could be that devastatingly beautiful?
When Carrie introduced him to us, I felt the anticipation to say his name aloud―Brady―but I stopped myself from doing the most embarrassing thing ever.
"So uhm, Brady," Carrie said, turning to him again before grabbing my arm in an oh-so-Carrie way. "this is Ryann, she'll be the one riding with you and assisting everyone who's gonna ride in that van you're gonna drive."
"What?" I asked stupidly. Was she saying something before I was brought back to reality?
"What 'what'?" Carrie asked, rather innocently as I would like to say.
"Nothing." I answered her instead. There's no winning her in that kind of game.
"Good." she then clapped her hands and turned the attention to everyone. "So the bags are going to be placed in the van where Ryann is. And then most of you guys can go get in the other van. We'll discuss everything when we get there."
When everyone was putting their stuff in, Carrie asked whether we would like to eat. I chuckled slightly at that.
"No, thank you. Everybody's full." Alex answered and then said something else which I didn't really pay attention to.
Oh wait, did I mention I was still too into his presence? Yeah, his nearness makes me warm for some reason.
"Ryann, I'm gonna be riding with Carrie." Alex told me after she had put her bag in.
"Oh sure." I told her.
Then, in a low voice, she added. "I'm gonna give you some alone time with Mr. Hot guy over there."
"What?"
"You heard me." She just had to wink after she said that, doesn't she?
"Alex!" I hissed.
In a loud voice detectable to Carrie who was far away talking to the guy and her husband, Alex said, "Oh my gosh! I'm having a brother-in-law!"
"Alex!" I shouted this time, blushing. Augh! Can you believe that? I blushed. Which was hard to do because I never blush. Never!
Alex laughed which a few joined in. Great. How am I supposed to sit with and talk to him for three hours after that scene? Nice one Alex, I thought begrudgingly.
******
"So, you've known Carrie for how long?" he asked.
We were halfway through La Push now and the people with me―eight of them; I gotta admit that Carrie's van is a big one―are sleeping. Figures this would happen after entertaining themselves non-stop on the plane.
You would wonder why I'm not sleeping with them when Alex had been talking to me non-stop for the later half of the flight. But could I really sleep when I'm being kept awake of that so-called statics of electricity that I've only felt with him?
"Uhm, I've known her since I first entered high school. Her name was starting to get famous. In fact, all her friends' names are starting to get famous what with our school being small compared to others." I told him. Did I tell him too much information?
"I'm curious, though." he started and I hummed in response. "Did it hurt when you fell down from heaven?"
I looked at him, confused. I was trying to decipher the question he just asked. Is he using a pick-up line on me? Because I swear I've read that kind of line in one of those fan pages in Facebook―the world's worst pick-up lines, or whatever it's called.
My left brow arched. And I was looking at him with amusement. My mouth opened to form a retort but it twitched at the corner until I realized I was laughing out loud.
"Fuck it Ry, we're sleeping here." A rather grumpy sound shut me up. It was Irene.
"Yeah." Came a second voice which was kinda muffled with a jacket on his face. It was Ian. The twins are outspoken most of the time. And most of those times, I appreciate it.
"Sorry." I said, looking sheepish.
I turned back to Brady, worried that he was probably put off with my reaction. As it turns out, he looked amused.
"Sorry." I told him. "It's just that, that was the funniest line I've ever heard."
"Naw, it's okay. That was to break the ice."
"So, let me ask you the same question. How long have you known Seth?" I asked him.
"I've known him almost all my life actually. Just not in our kiddy days because, you know how kids are. When they're older they think they're better so he doesn't hang with us much then. Only when we got into our teenage years that we got closer." He said the last line like it has a double meaning but since I'm tired, I dismissed it as something from my tired brain.
"Wait, so you're younger than Seth?" When he nodded, I continued asking. "By how much?"
"By almost three years. Why?" he asked, as if that was obvious.
"You guys almost looked like you're in the same age." I shrugged then murmured. "Probably the body built."
"Yeah. Many people say that."
Whoa! How did he hear that? I thought I murmured to myself only. Probably not.
I glanced at the people calmly dozing off behind me. Their soothing disposition made me sleepy. I felt my eyes drooping.
"Are we near there?" I asked him. The stress of the whole day travel across the Earth finally caught up with me. It was the kind of thing that even though I'm feeling giddy, I can't help but snooze even just a bit.
"An hour or so. You can go sleep if you want." he suggested.
"I'm so going to take you up on that offer." I told him and slumped down the seat.
I heard him chuckle before I conked out.
******
I felt someone poking me on my nose as if I'm some kind of a sea critter that had been washed ashore and people are not sure if I'm still alive or not. For a moment, I thought it was my Grandpa Leigh and was almost going to swat his hand when it dawned on me that I'm here in the States and in a van sitting next to someone who had made my heart jump.
I opened my eyes slowly. The first thing my eyes landed on was his face. The poking had stopped, too. A couple of seconds had gone when I realized that we stopped and there were people chattering outside. I even heard Alex say, "Oh, Ryann's still sleeping like she's Sleeping Beauty. I figured I'd let―what's his name? Brady? Yeah, him―wake her up."
Brady looked like he heard it as well because he looked amused. I flushed.
"Well, you are definitely awake, Ryann. Time for you to get out and help us get the bags." he said with a grin.
I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out like a kid. Instead, I did the next best thing. I snorted.
"Whatever." I said and got out. I was aware that my hair is a mess but did nothing about it. I never cared. It's gonna get messy again anyway, after I help with the bags. To my surprise, though, when I looked back, I saw the bags all out and people are already taking their bags one by one. Some are already walking towards the inn. I figured it was an inn after seeing a sign that says, 'Howling Wolf Inn'. I wonder where she got the name?
"So this is it?" I asked no one in particular, facing the inn and taking one of the bags that had been left behind.
Carrie decided to tease me. "Well I'm sorry if it's not one of those hotels with star ratings on them like you're used to having." she said with a teasing smile.
I was already five steps ahead of her when I heard her comment. I looked back. "Hey," I told her. She laughed and I just shook my head, fighting a smile, while walking towards the inn.
The inn stands out from the other houses in the area (I've kinda looked around) with its dark red and navy blue exterior paint. Somehow, the mixture touches the Native American theme. And not to mention that the nearest house to the inn is probably a hundred meters away.
From the thickness of trees behind the establishment, I assumed it's already part of the forest. Looking at my right, I saw that we were a bit higher than the beach. We're practically overlooking the beach by a bit.
The inn has a porch, wide enough for less than ten people. I guess Carrie gave them instructions already because the others are going inside and the door is wide open.
Going inside didn't feel like it's an inn at all. Except for the door at the right which has an 'Office' sign posted on it and the door across it which says 'Cafeteria'.
After that narrow hallway was an open space. Equipped with two three seater sofas and four individual matching settees, and tables here and there, it looked like a lobby to me. And that was confirmed when I saw the others who had gone in go straight here.
Not long though, Carrie walked in sans her husband and Brady. I felt an odd emptiness when I realized that he wasn't there.
"Alright, I know you guys are tired..." Carrie started and then told us that we can pick which room to go in. Two rooms have bunk beds; two rooms have two single beds―she explained that two extra beds could be put in there if we want; and one room which has a king-size bed and bigger space than others because, as Carrie had put it, 'it's for couples'. She was quick to add that, same with the ones with the single beds, we can put in a mattress or something and that that room can't have mixed gender occupants.
Apparently, Alex decided which room I will be sleeping in. She's quick to grab on the best things. Obviously, we're gonna sleep in the biggest room. Along with at least two more girls. Which I didn't catch the names.
My mind was off wandering back to Brady. It was amazing how just thinking about him sends this thrilling feeling. Like I'm being re-charged. I've heard that this is what it feels like when you like someone. Is this what I'm supposed to feel? I'm not sure, I haven't felt anything like this before.
Should I tell Carrie and Alex? Carrie would surely know what it feels like. While Alex is my best friend. Plus, I could not not tell the two people I'm closest to in this group. But could I tell them? Am I ready to confess about something even I'm not sure about? But isn't the purpose of telling them is so that I would know?
And plus, Carrie knows Brady. She could tell me whether he's a good guy. But do I really need that when somewhere inside me shouts that he is the one? And if he really is the one, wouldn't that suck that I'm only going to be here for a while?
Gah! So much to think about!
"Oof!" I muttered under my breath when Alex poked me rather harshly. I look around to see the others looking at me. Alex is giving me this annoyed-slash-weirded out look.
"I've been calling your name. You're just there, dazed." she told me in a tone that could come across as annoyed.
"Sorry. I spaced out for a minute there."
"Yeah, obviously." she scoffed. "Now go get your bags. We'll be relocating." she said the last part like some wry joke.
I did just that and followed her. It was then that I found out who we're going to share the room with. Irene and Cindy. I didn't mind though.
Alex has the key already and, probably during my dazed moments, Carrie told Alex where the room is. Turns out, it's the one farthest from the main room.
After Alex opened the door and we got amazed by how big it is compared to the others, we started unpacking our stuff. There's a closet in the corner of the room and we divided which area gets which.
It was then that Carrie came in, along with Seth and Brady who were carrying mattresses. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him.
Brady grinned. As if he heard my heart skip. Weird. But his grin somehow made me lose my focus. I realized I've been doing that a lot today. So before someone, probably Alex again, catches me going gaga, I focused myself on unpacking. It was then that I saw a gray clothing and the checkered top that pairs it. Grabbing it, I walked over to Carrie.
"Carrie,"
"Yes?" she asked.
"Here. Your school uniform." I said and handed it to her. She had this excited look when she saw it. "Yeah, you didn't tell me what set though. But Neal figured you'd want the tie so he took the winter uniform." Our winter uniform is just the long-sleeved version of the summer uniform and it has a tie. Which, when worn improperly, we look like and felt bad-ass.
" Thank you." she told me and looked over my shoulder to smirk mischievously at her husband. There's some sort of hidden meaning there and I so do not want to know. I heard a deep voice fake coughing. It looks like Brady is uncomfortable with the situation. The other girls were talking so I guess they didn't really hear what's happening.
"And," Much as I felt uncomfortable as I am now, I would feel guilty if I didn't convey Neal's message to Carrie. "Neal said, and this is the exact words from him alright?" I told her and quoted the following lines with my fingers. "'Stop being kinky, Carrie.'"
Carrie blushed at that. Seth―who by this time had walked towards his wife's side and was holding her by the waist―howled with laughter. Brady looked uncomfortable. The girls were chuckling. And I felt awkward saying those words.
"Shut up, babe. Or I won't go with the plan later." she murmured under her breath so Seth would only hear. But, unfortunately, I was still near them so I heard. And Brady—I'm really starting to get suspicious of how he's able to hear even the slightest sounds—was looking away, trying to ignore what he just heard.
"Aw." Seth said, and then kissed the top of her head.
I felt jealous with their slight PDA-ing. It makes me wonder when I'm gonna do that with Brady.
Wait.
Did I just say Brady? Damn!
"Alright, I'm gonna go check on the others and you guys rest. I'm gonna talk to you about details and stuff in about an hour or two?" she asked.
I nodded my head. "Yeah. Sounds good to me." I told her.
"Okay. Dinner's at eight. Before that, you can do whatever. We'll tell them details tomorrow." she said and walked off with her arm holding her husband's arm. I swear they're the sweetest couple ever made.
Before I even had the chance to turn my back, I heard Brady call me.
" Ryann." he said. ¡mi Dios! ¡La manera que él dijo mi nombre sonado tan atractiva!*
With an almost stammering voice, I answered, "Yes?" My heart was pounding double time. Hell! My heart had been pounding double time all this time!
He was looking down and scratching his nape, like an awkward kid asking his crush to go out with him or something. It looked cute on him. Brady being a macho man and all.
Then he sighed and looked at me. "Would you want to go on a walk with me before dinner?" he said that so fast that it took me a few seconds to understand what he said. He misread my silence. "I mean, if you're not that tired after talking with Carrie."
I blinked. Was he asking me―ME?―to walk with him before dinner if I have time? That's as close as asking me on a date! My inner me squealed in delight.
"Oh. Uhm," I tried to think of what to answer in such a short notice. Do I turn him down because I don't know how long my talk with Carrie would be which might end up short? Or do I accept his invitation in a chance that Carrie might prolong the meeting? What do I say?
"Uhm," I started again. "the thing is, I'm not sure what time we'll finish. And I don't want to keep you waiting." I told him.
"Naw, that's alright. I'm always here anyway. Hanging around. You know, just around." he said like he was babbling. He then cleared his throat. "So yeah. If you can or can't, I would know."
His grin that followed something made me think that no doubt he would surely hear about it. Hmm...
I looked at his eyes―I realized I was looking at his cheeks to avoid getting incoherent―and all my thoughts got lost. I could only smile at him. My heart thumping wildly that I was surprised I wasn't having cardiac arrest yet.
"Okay then." I told him.
"So see you around?" he asked.
"Sure." I said and closed the door after I watched him for a good distance. I turned around to see Alex, Cindy and Irene give me this shit-eating grin.
"He likes you." Alex sing-sang.
Irene chided in. "And you like him back."
"That's enough said." Cindy concluded.
I rolled my eyes at them but kept on smiling nonetheless. "Shut up you guys." I can't help but be excited about it though.
I found myself looking forward to my stay here in Washington.
******
A/N: *Those words meant: Oh my God! The way he said my name sounded so sexy! And this translation came from the website: www (dot) freetranslation (dot) com. So if it's wrong, i'm not held responsible XD
Anyway, I would totally understand if you thought that this was shitty because I totally agree with you, especially for the last part so yeah. Hope you still enjoyed reading though.
And I'm sorry if I only updated now. I think it had been more than a month since my last update but that's because―as I've said before―I am starting school already and my time's not all mine anymore. But I promise to update much faster than this.