I woke up to the sounds coming from the living room. I groaned and threw the covers off me. I peaked around the corner at whoever was talking. I was surprised to see Lukas, with almost childlike giddiness, chatting with Dylan and Caleb. How did those two get in here anyway?
"I was so obsessed with it, I begged my parents to take me there."
I leaned on the wall, listening to him. I couldn't help the smile from materializing. His hair was a nest of curls and I honestly loved the untamable look of it. My clothes somehow looked better on him. But was starting to suspect this is the case with everything he wears. That's just not fair.
"Did you read the books?" Caleb asked him.
"Of course I did? A few times actually."
"What do you like more? Books or movies?" continued Dylan.
"I like the first movie better than the book, the second book is definitely superior, but NOTHING surpasses the movie Return of the King."
Oh, so they were talking about Lord of the rings. I didn't realize how caught up I was in staring at Lukas until Dylan called my name.
"Az! Aron!"
"Uh?"
All three were staring at me.
"Good morning," said Caleb.
"Good morning. What are you guys doing?"
"I just met your friends and...why didn't you tell me one is a New Zealander?"
"That literally would never come up in our regular conversations."
"You never talk about me?" asked Dylan with faked offendedness.
I rolled my eyes and came to her. She hugged me tightly.
"How was home?"
"Very warm."
"Who let you guys in?"
"Margo," all three of them said at the same time.
"She needed to go to the office," clarified Dylan.
"Well," started Lukas "It was fun meeting you guys, but I need to go."
Both Caleb and Dylan made a disappointed sound.
"Don't cry for me. We may see each other again. If the fate allows it."
"Dramatic," I commented under my breath, while Dylan chuckled.
"Your clothes are still in my wardrobe."
"Thanks."
He went into my room and came back two minutes later dressed in his own things again. He tossed me mine.
"Thank you," we held eye contact for a second, but he broke it by turning to Cal and Dylan.
"See you guys around. Bye,"
And with that, he was out the door.
I sat on the couch.
"He is fun," said Caleb and plopped himself beside me.
"And lovely," added Dylan, "wasn't he supposed to be like some big bad villain of your life?"
"Well, I-I don't think he is anymore."
"That is a shocking revelation."
Caleb snickered at her.
"You know, you guys could totally do Aragorn and Legolas for the next Halloween."
"What?!" I gaped at Cal.
"Oh, yeah, I can see it. He has the hair and you have the whole pale skin, blue eyes..."
"Immortality?"
"...pretty face going on."
I shook my head and smiled.
"He would probably be on board," added Caleb
"He would LOVE it," agreed Dylan.
"Ok, guys, seriously, this is ridiculous. That would never happen, I mean we could hardly be called friends."
They looked at each other. Both with knowing looks.
"What now?"
"It's just really hard to take what you just said seriously when we just saw him spending the night here in your clothes."
I couldn't stop myself from blushing slightly. It's just because of the wording they used. Spending the night. He did technically, but you know...God, I need to pull my head out of my ass. I am usually not easily flustered, but well...it was Lukas.
"He is also way cuter than I thought he would be."
I groaned. Everyone seems to be just unable to not voice that particular opinion.
"Yeah, I've heard."
"Don't be jealous Az, you are still the prettiest flower around."
"Thank you, Dylan."
She ruffled my hair.
"So," Caleb started "Tristan gave me four tickets for his game tonight."
"Who is he playing?"
"Bulgaria. It's a friendly game, but he asked if we wanted to come. And, you know, cheer for him."
I've actually been waiting to be invited to one of the games, so I agreed immediately.
"Vanessa will probably love to go too."
"Yeah, I know. For her is the second ticket. I still have one left. Dylan?"
"No, sorry love. I have a date."
"Ooooo," we both made a teasing sound.
"Yes, ˝oooooo˝ indeed. It's been too long."
This was when Vanessa came out of her room, with a lion mane for hair.
"Oh, we have guests I see. Hi kiwi, how was the Hobbit-land?"
Dylan gave her an amused smile: "Perfect. But I kind of missed you guys."
I gave her another side hug.
"Dylan be careful, you are getting co-dependant. Look what happened to Caleb," Vanessa shouted from the kitchen. She must be making herself a cup of coffee.
"It's true you know. They ruined me. I used to have inspirations in life," said Caleb, staring wistfully into nothing.
Dylan laughed. Her smile as sunny as always.
"Van, Tris invited us to his game tonight."
"We are going right?!"
I stood up and went to the kitchen because I really didn't feel like yelling.
"Of course we are going."
I sat across from her and took half of her toast. She grimaced.
"Shut up."
Her eyes narrowed.
"I'll make you another one."
"When is the game?"
"At eight I think."
"Who else is going?"
"Cal, me, you and we have another spare ticket."
"Dylan?"
"A date. We could ask Charlie though."
"She is not really into sports."
"Right."
we stayed quiet for a second. Thinking.
"We could sell it."
I gave her a disapproving look.
"We are not selling it. It's rude."
She huffed: "Fine. What about Margo?"
"Margo? Are you kidding?"
"She likes volleyball. And they probably got over that stupid fight anyway."
I laughed. If their interaction from the airport is to go by, they definitely didn't.
"Alright I'll ask her, but don't be surprised if she says no."
X
"Ok, yeah sure, I can go."
"What? Resno?"
(What? Seriously?)
I could hear her sigh over the phone.
"Yes, seriously. I'll be in the office the whole day, so pick me up before the match."
"But you do know Tristan is playing right?"
"Do you want me to say no?"
"No, I'm just surprised. But that's great, I'm proud of you..."
"And I am going to support America, not the egoist with the fakest red hair to ever faked."
Support America? She doesn't even want to celebrate the 4th of July.
"Ok, I'm taking back my compliment. We'll pick you up ob pol osmih."
(.....We'll pick you up at half-past seven.)
"Alright."