"Knock, knock! Na na, we're here," Nova says as she opens the front door and I stand to go and meet her.
"Hey, I'm glad you guys made it here," I say going to meet them in the living room and Mekhi follows.
"Hey ladies…fellas, how is everyone doing," Mekhi says flashing his mega-watt smile at everyone.
"Hi Mekhi," Nova says and the girls follow.
"What's going on man," Zain says and the rest of the guys greet him as well.
"Wow Lena, your house is gorgeous," Susu says looking around.
"I'll show you around before we load up the cars, I forgot that you haven't been here before," I say hooking my arm through hers.
"This is your first time here," Rylie says excitedly.
"Let's give her a tour," Nova says and we're ready to take off.
"Ahem, do you want us to load the cars up then," Mekhi says after clearing his throat seeing that we're about to set off and forget them.
"Oh yeah, thank you! Could you guys load the cars while I show Susu around? We won't take long," I say with an innocent smile.
"Yes, it's no problem baby," Mekhi says and he and the guys begin grabbing boxes then heading out the door.
"Aww, Mekhi is so nice to you! I can see that he adores you," Nova says with a smile.
"Yeah, he does," I agree with her.
"Okay, let's talk and walk before the guys come back in and hear our conversation," Rylie says shaking her head.
"Oh right," I agree and pull Susu through the house showing her around while Nova and Rylie follows behind us.
When we're finished with Susu's tour of the house, we go down to help the guys finish loading the cars. I call Ben, Dad's assistant, to notify him that I'm getting ready to leave the house. The last thing I pack into Mekhi's car is my luggage for our trip. My excitement is at an all-time high as we're waiting for Ben to show up before we leave and head over to my place.
Buzz!
Buzzz!!
"Hello," I answer.
"Hello Ms. True, I'm outside the house now," Ben says in his professional voice.
"Thank you, Mr. Ben. We're heading out now," I say as I make a mad dash through the house making sure all of the lights are turned off.
"Sounds good," Ben says and ends the call.
"Okay, we can head outside," I say after my mad dash through the house slightly panting.
"Cool," Rylie says and she and Zain leads the way to the front door while Mekhi and I bring up the rear of our group.
"Are you sure that you have everything," Mekhi says to me.
"I think so," I say checking my bag one last time as we walk to the door.
"Okay," he says and squeezes my hand.
When we reach the front door, I enter the alarm code to set the alarm then quickly shut and lock the door.
"Is everything all locked up, Ms. True," Ben asks as he reaches me.
"Yes, I hope so. I'll text my parents to let them know I'm leaving and that you're here," I say shaking his hand.
"Okay, Ms. True. Have a nice trip," he says with a smile returning my handshake.
"Thank you, Mr. Ben. I hope everything goes well for you," I say and I begin walking to Mekhi's car.
"Are you ready to go," Mekhi asks as he opens the passenger door for me.
"Yes, I'm ready," I answer and get into the car.
Mekhi walks around to the driver's side, get in, and then starts the engine. He signal's to the others that he's ready to go and they all start their cars. I quickly text my parents while I still remember and the twins letting them know the house is officially empty. After waiting about two minutes, we pull off first driving slow to ensure that everyone is following behind us. We increase our speed as we travel along the road to my house; I am both nervous and excited at the prospect of having my friends over to my place.
"Hey, did you want to invite the guys over to my place? I don't want it to seem like your friends aren't welcome in my home," I ask him curiously looking over at his perfect profile.
"That's really up to you love. I don't see a need for it, if you're trying to help me feel comfortable being among your friends…I'm fine. We will see them on vacation anyway, but if it matters that much to you I can invite them over," he says after noticing the concerned look on my face.
"I just don't want anyone to feel left out. Your friend have been looking after me for the last few weeks and I consider them my friends as well," I admit.
"How about we get everything moved in at your place, then we have lunch and hang out with your friends at your place. In the evening we can let everyone go their separate ways to prepare for vacation and eventually meet back up at the diner for a late dinner or early breakfast," he says leaving me to ponder the option he has presented to me.
"That's a great idea! That way we still get some time to ourselves before heading to the airport. I'll talk it over with the girls when we're finished unloading the cars. I'm sure they won't disagree," I say after I've thought it over.
"Good, now the better question is whether we are staying at your place or going to mine," he asks with his famous half-smile.
"Well it depends on whether you need to pack or not," I answer him.
"I've already packed and I could easily have Smith and Jerry drop my luggage off at your place," he responds as we get closer to my house and I peep in the side mirror to make sure everyone is keeping up.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about your security. Will they be accompanying us at the beach," I ask him truly wanting to know the answer and how I will explain the situation to my friends.
"No, only one of them will accompany us and partner up with someone else once we reach the coast. It'll likely be Jerry to come along, don't worry he will remain incognito unless the situation absolutely causes for his direct intervention. So you won't have to say anything to your friends unless that happens. Cameron and the guys already know about the security detail, that's why we are close to one another," he says answering a few of my internal thoughts.
"So do they come from the same world as you," I ask him wanting to know a little more about his friends.
"Not exactly the same world as me with all the secrecy, but their families are known in the business world. They come from outstanding families. Cameron's family has multiple well known architect firms. They are responsible for about ten percent of the world's high rise buildings and a few tourist attracts such as concert venues, hotels, and villas as well. Owen's family has one of the biggest telecommunication companies in the country as well as being the parent company of the exclusive XRS cellphone. Nate's family is in the entertainment business, they own a network channel and have an agency under their umbrella," he says as he backs into my driveway.
"Oh wow! I had no idea they came from prestigious families! Especially Nate with his family being in the entertainment business, I would think that I may have seen him before," I say to Mekhi.
"Not everyone wants to share their family with the world. Anyway, it's how we ended up becoming friends having grown up in similar environments. Despite our parents' wishes we came to this University; unfortunately my parents are the only ones who will not accept me going there if I didn't attend a prestigious school as well. Their parents don't really care too much as long as they opted to further their education their parents were happy," Mekhi says cutting the engine to the car.
"Wow, that's good for them and I guess not so well for you huh," I say with a small smile and raised eyebrow.
"It was to chase my basketball dreams…besides I got you out of the deal so it wasn't so bad of a trade off," he says.
"Uh huh, Mr. Sweettalker. Let's go open the door and unload the cars before everyone becomes confused as to why we're here," I say unbuckling my seatbelt and moving to get out of the car.
"Yes, ma'am," he says and he prepares to get out of the car as well.
We all grab boxes and bring them to the door as I set my box down to unlock the door and turn off the alarm. The girls and I take our boxes up to my room, while the guys leave them near the stairs and continue unloading boxes. Once we reach my room, I have them place the boxes near the closet along with the others Mekhi and I moved earlier.
"Na na, your house is beautiful," Nova says looking around my room and going into the bathroom.
"It is! This room is much bigger than the one at your parent's house," Rylie says as she takes a look around as well.
"And you have so much storage space," Susu says as she looks into the closet I intend to use for my shoes.
"Yes, thank you guys! I'm grateful that my parents were able to provide this house for me. You guys already know I'm willing to share it with you if you want," I say to them.
"Let's just finish bringing the boxes up so that you can give us a full tour of the house," Nova says with a smile.
"Okay," I agree and we all leave my room.
We spend the next twenty minutes hauling the boxes from near the stairs to my room. After we catch our breath from the small workout that moving provides, I offer everyone something refreshing to drink. Thank goodness Mekhi and I stopped by the store and bought drinks before coming over the other day. When we're finished taking a break, I take everyone on a tour of the house.
"I'm nowhere near finished decorating, but it isn't too bad right now," I explain as we make our way to the living room.
"Your place is nice Lena," Devin says.
"It is," Zain, Devin's cousin agrees.
"Thank you! And thank you guys for your hard work! I was thinking about ordering some food and hanging out for a little bit then we can all go and finish getting ready for vacation," I say as Mekhi wraps his hand around my shoulder.
"Yeah, that works for me," Isaiah says.
"Same," everyone agrees.
"Okay, then what shall we get to eat," I ask and we all discuss our options before deciding on pizza, wings and bread sticks.
I order the pizza and the guys have a very heated discussion over who should pay for our meal although I offered because it was my stuff they moved. Mekhi immediately declined my offer and stepped in to pay, not ones to back down, Zain, Isaiah, and Devin fought fiercely with Mekhi. In the end they ended up splitting the payment four ways and going to the store to get more drinks, beer, and other things. While they were away the girls and I went up to my room and started sorting through the boxes, putting things away and talking our heads off. The guys return with their bags just in time for the delivery guy. Isaiah and Devin takes the bags to the kitchen while Mekhi and Zain manage the large food order from the delivery guy and tip him handsomely. At this point we are all gathered in the kitchen dividing up food and drinks and finding a place between the kitchen and dining room to settle down and eat in.
We spend hours talking, laughing, and keeping each other entertained. With the atmosphere being this good amongst the eight of us, I can only imagine how much better it'll be once all fourteen of us get together later on. I can feel that this vacation will be one that I will never forget. In the late afternoon, we all decide to go our separate ways to prepare for an epic vacation. I make sure all the lights are turned off in my house while Mekhi loads his car up with my luggage, then finally lock the door and enable the alarm before getting in the car and going to Mekhi's place.