Simon seemed to have bought it as he replied, "I know Stella. Being inside is a little boring. But you know we can't go out now."
"I can take care of myself. . . . . " Stella began, before she remembered the promise she had made just a few hours ago and stopped whining. "I swear! I am not setting a foot inside while the sun is not out." she added, slumping in her chair.
"You can stay out all night if you want to." Simon replied with a chuckle as Stella whipped out her mobile and started playing a game on it.
"Well. . . . you know . . . . Going out into the sun. . . . it's really just a matter of enough layering and sunscreen, if you think about it . . . . " Simon muttered after a few minutes.
Upon hearing this, Stella looked up from her phone, a mischievous grin on her face and trouble shining in her eyes.
Den literally had to pull himself free of the girls who were busy discussing whose birthday gift was better for June.
He had never found these girls interesting or fun, they were all the same. Just pretty covers with nothing interesting inside. But Den had usually found them tolerable, he would be able to hang out with them for a socially acceptable time before politely excusing himself. But today was different. Today, he felt like they were being extra annoying and extra pretensious, and wasn't sure he wouldn't have punched someone had he spend longer there.
"Den!! DEN!!!" Allen called out to him as he hurried to catch up. He had used Den as an excuse and run after him.
"Did they get more annoying in one year?" Den asked with a frustrated groan as the two began to climb up the stairs.
"Maybe, I'm not sure. Pretty sure Ella and the girls were always like this. But you're right, they seemed to have gotten a bit . . . . . " Den chuckled as Allen tried to find a word. He would have said annoying, that was perfect, but he had heard June coming over and was pretty sure she could hear them too.
"Loud." Allen settled for a word just as they rounded a corner and June came into view.
She smiled upon seeing them and said, "There's my favourite boys! What have you two been up to?"
"Favourite boys?!" Den snickered, "When did I come even remotely close to being your favourite?" "If I hang out with you anywhere other than here, you are my favourite." June replied with a lm eye roll, which led to Den bursting with laughter.
It was true, June didn't like coming back, maybe not as much as he hated it, but close enough. But she had to, at least once a year for her birthday.
It had been one of the many conditions upon which her father had let her go away from home.
"Why does she need these conditions?" Den sighed to himself, though he knew why. Not everywhere could be as stubborn as him, and as scary. And June's father was, well, strong headed, to say the least.
"Anyway, your favourite boys!" Allen said, "Were just discussing Ella and her friends' gift to you. Wanna know what it is?" he asked.