•••
I feel eyes on me, watching me, and scrutinizing me for the past few weeks. It's getting on my nerves but I always choose to just ignore them thinking they might just go away like they usually do. Like flies or insects.
I took a sip of my coffee, staring at the blank page in my laptop in front of me. As a journalist, when it comes to writing certain pieces no matter what they are, my mind will be there to come up with an on the spot perfectly written flowery work. So flowery it pukes rainbows and butterflies.
Just not today. I really want to start blaming the eyes that are watching me like a hawk. I don't even look like a criminal! I'm wearing a long longs sleeve and some shorts for pete's sake. They're looking at me like I just killed thousands of people.
Closing my eyes, I took hold of my phone in my short's pocket, scanning it briefly, I hit on the speed dial and put the phone on my ear.
By the second ring, the person finally answered.
She better be.
"Hello~"
"Whatever you idiots are pulling, stop it already. It has been weeks. Weeks!. Aren't you guys tired of playing around?" I hissed, looking directly at the blonde girl across the room who's looking back at me, a mustache on her face like it will make a proper disguise.
"Yes, I know how days, weeks, months and years work, Athens," she speaks slowly like she's talking to a child.
My grip tighten around the phone.
"Then you should know I can make your days, weeks, months and years a living hell too, Mist," with that, I ended the call and took a look sigh.
Why did I accepted that invitation to a group of people named after or related to Gods and Goddesses again? I shouldn't have. I really shouldn't have. I knew it was a bad idea when I read the group name but I came anyway.
'The Great Whirle Nae' pfft like something you write when you're high with the brownies.
I look at Mist and the others again and find them removing their disguises. I thought it was a bad idea. Was. But I come to love them, I guess despite they're quirks and they did accepted me even when I'm brutal.
I continue to watch them as they walk over where I am and sit themselves around the booth.
"Mind telling me why?" I started, genuinely curious why they started observing me these past few days. I felt like it's related to M at some point cause they always ask me about her every time they come visit at the apartment.
I knew I was right when they explain that they just want to know what happens next between M and I since apparently it has been weeks since our last encounter. That's what they know, anyways. They didn't know she's been barging in my flat at wee hours because of weird reasons.
They started piping up one by one until they're talking against each other and fighting like toddlers.
"Hey Athena, here's your cheesecake." I smiled slightly when the ruckus around me stop and shut their mouths.
I look up to find the same brunette they're blabbering about looking at us. Her hair is up in a bun with strands shaping her face and she's wearing the cafe's uniform. She might be the reason the cafe's jam packed today. I mean I'm always here and this happens only once.
"Thanks, Mulan."
M giggled and raised a brow, "Do I look Chinese to you? You sure don't want to give up already?"
"You know I dislike losing."
"I know, that's why I'm telling you to give it up, it's a win win for both of us."
"Just for you."
"You're absolutely right," She smirk at me and finally acknowledged the other people around the table ,"Guess you guys got scolded huh? So want to order now?"
Herc immediately replied and ordered. They stared at him while I smile knowing full well the poor guy got hungry with the bull they're doing.
"You- "
"You work here?"
Mist started looking she's gonna burst but cut off by Sero. Of course he got a smack on the head for it.
"Nah, I was bored so I thought I play waitress in a random cafe." M shrugged leaning on the booth, her hands still up, holding the pen and the little note pad in case someone orders.
"And how's that holding up?" I piped in looking at the window, seeing her playful reflection on it and my friends looking at us. Well, Herc trying to look normal while his stomach is growling now and then.
I hear her sigh, "Feels a little bit too real."
I chuckled and looked up at her.
I scoop up a piece of the cake she served me and held it up for her ,"Want some to cheer you up?"
"I think it's not allowed."
"So?"
"Ahh when I lose this job it'll be on you," M said before eating the piece of cake as fast as she can. I can tell on her face she's satisfied bc of it. I've learned with the times we spend together that we have the same taste when it comes to some things. Almost everything. Sweets included.
"I'm the reason you're serving right now," I replied calmly, leaning on the table and raising a brow at her. I did help her get this job.
Marie, Mona, Mindy or whatever her name is that I haven't guess yet leaned also on the table her hands on it, pushing her body slightly forward "You really just want me to be your slave."
"Hmm, debatable."
"Can I order?" I heard Venus high excited voice join in.
M continued just to hold my gaze while she replies," Sure, hun. What can I get you?"
"A cheeseburger with fries, an ice tea and a vip row of this love blooming in front of my face everyday please."
We both snapped our heads and faced the pretty chipmunk. My lips turn into a frown.
"There's no love blo-"
"I can get you that."
"M! Shut up."
The waitress sigh, a fake dreamy one,"I can never get tired of you calling me a letter."
"Ha ha."
"tHeReS nO lOvee BlOoMiNg, she said." Mist stuck her tongue out, rolling her eyes.
Okay so we might be a little bit playful with each other but that's just it.
'Huh.'
What
'Denial is a bitch.'
Stfu.
"Alright looks like everyone finally ordered," M keep away the pen and pad and smile at us," I'll be back with your meal after 30" then she walk away, not before throwing me a look I can't explain. I just know there's smugness on those eyes.
Speaking of eyes, now everyone in the table is looking at me again. Their expressions different from each other.
"What?"
"Is it just me or they're already fucking?" Persy started with her foul mouth, smirking so innocently at me. At first I thought this redheaded woman is just a bubbly one, full of innocence and rainbows, then her mouth opened and the first thing that came out of her mouth is, 'Holy shit nuggets, nice to meet you! Hey guys! It's the motherfucking Athena.' I could never been so wrong.
"You're one delusional redhead" I huffed, continuing eating the cheesecake with a little owl drawn on it. Huh. I smile a little, knowing M did it. We both love owls.
"Uhuh and you're not daydreaming about her right now."
"There's a owl drawn on my cake! I was just thinking."
"And you still don't know her name?"
"Well yeah, what's your point?"
"I didn't know you can be this stupid, Athene."
"The owl is because I like them, how can I be stupid assuming it's related to me and not to her?"
"Haven't you thought that it's related to her too?"
"..wait," I looked at all of them with a questioning gaze, "Are you saying her name is related to an owl and you know it?" So it's related to Harry Potter is the only thing I can think of. Maybe I'm really this stupid. I'm not good with names.
Mist smiled, wiggling her brows, "Since day one, dear."
"You guys are so unfair" I immediately deflated. I don't like it when other people knows something I don't. It's just in my character.
'Competitive, that's the word. Get a dictionary.'
Get your own head, Ms.Know-it-all.
"Hmm, the bet is only between you too, so there's no problem, us knowing her name."
"Such a Lovely name." Sero commented, teasingly mouthing the words so I looked away.
After that, the subject dropped and we move on to another topic, courtesy of course by Hermes, also known as Seer in our group. It makes me think how they go by their nicknames, I mean I don't see a problem using their real ones. It's just strange. Might be personal.
At the end of the day, I had a great time.
We had a great time.
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