Right after Sil and QueenVal exchanged their byes. QueenVal exited the app, but returned once she received a notification.
"So desperate to prove himself. These kids are so cute."
She chuckled to herself, as she walked out of a store with a few shopping bags in hand.
She walked towards the open road and hailed a taxi.
"Where to?"
"Lauryn University please."
"A student eh?"
"Yeah.", she said with a forced smile, and looked down at her phone.
The driver kept talking, asking her questions and giving her advice on her school life. She acknowledged his goodwill, but she was eventually forced to put a stop to the conversation, as she disliked random chatter with none the wiser adults.
Putting on her headphones, she tapped on the messaging app icon and searched for a group chat.
Once she found it, she clicked on it and under the nickname, the awesome one, she sent out a message.
_Hey guys, I'm gonna be a bit late, so you better wait for me!_
The rowdy one _As if, you better bring your bag or purse along, 'cause ya paying if I get there before you (evil cackling.jpg)_
_The awesome one is typing…_
The odd one _Ahh I think I'm going to be late, or I might not even make it at all (╥﹏╥)_
The rowdy one _What do you mean you won't make it at all? Is there something going on?!_
The odd one _ No… it's just… there's this thesis I'm working on with my team, and I have to hand in the paper tomorrow. It's about a week's worth work to complete and months worth of progress to cover…! I'm sorry for being so lazy… (depressed emoji)_
The awesome one _Hehe, no way in h*** am I gonna let that happen (aggressive emoji)_
The rowdy one _Oh, good luck then._
_Happy Go Lucky R is typing…_
The odd one _Thanks!!_
Happy Go lucky R _ Hey, has anybody gotten there yet?_
Ronald stared at the screen with a little worry in his eyes. Then when he received no reply he felt relieved and hurriedly began to type.
_It seems as though it's going to rain so I'm thinking we should just cancel |_
But then-
The silent one _I'm here already. It's a little cold but it's bearable, where is everyone?_
The awesome one _Ooh our youngest got there first._
The odd one _He's so determined not to pay the bill! (Laughing emoji)_
The arrogant one _Is it just me or this is weird? Hey, Sil why are you so eager to go out today? Haven't you seen the weather?!_
The nice one _Hey hey, Derrick just what's wrong with you?! I thought you said you weren't mad at him anymore!?_
The arrogant one _I'm not it's just that… ahh forget it!_
Derrick turned his phone off in exasperation, then looked up at the sky.
The sun had barely set yet it was already so dark.
"Is this really the weather we should be having dinner out in? Eunice couldn't have picked a better date… "
He complained as he walked towards his car.
Once he got in, he turned his phone on and read through the messages.
The odd one _I don't mean to be a party pooper but I kinda agree, I mean have you seen that sky? It's so dark it's giving me chills._
_The nice one is typing…_
_Yeah, I agree with derrick this time. The weather's been horrible recently and we can still meet up another day right?_
The nice one _Oh no, not you too Ronald!?_
The silent one _If it's really not okay, I can go back to school and we'd meet up another time._
_The arrogant one is typing…_
The awesome one _No that's not okay, we were all looking forward to this, and I'm sure you were too, Sil. I know I said I'd be late but I can make it in about 30 minutes._
The arrogant one _Yeah, I'm sorry. I heard you took multiple sick leaves today, so I should have been more thoughtful. Don't worry unlike the others, I'll be there in 10 minutes tops!_
The nice one _ I don't know about you guys, but the restaurant's right in front of me (silly face.jpg)
The odd one _ Ahh you guys are making me feel guilty. Alright alright, I'll be there in twenty minutes. And you, Micheal! Don't you work there?! Why is the restaurant in front of you?"_
The rowdy one _Hey, Cammy are you still in the lab?_
The silent one _You know you don't have to come if you're busy, Cammy._
The nice one _Haha you caught me. I exchanged shifts with someone yesterday, so I'll be free today._
The odd one _Don't worry, I can make it. I'm tough!<(￣︶￣)>_
Happy Go Lucky R _Since everyone's determined to come out today, I'll just grab some umbrellas on my way. And Sil, I'm sorry for making you feel bad. And sorry for worrying the rest of you._
Ronald quietly typed as he stared at the chatroom in front of him with listless eyes.
The cold breeze blew and he trembled slightly from the cold, but that slight shiver he felt affirmed the bad feeling he felt.
Taking one last glance at the sky, he whispered, "I just hope everything goes well"
------
I sat, bored out of my wits, in the warm restaurant as I stared at the doors.
Micheal said he's almost here, followed by Derrick, Camila and their mutual friend whom I've never met before, but gets along well with everyone.
If I had gone to the Cosplay convention with them, then I'd be familiar with Awesome as well.
Ronald could arrive at any time, but Jackson simply said he was going to be late.
And Micheal who was supposed to have arrived is no where to be seen.
"Ugh, I really meant it when I said we could reschedule our meetup for another day."
I groaned whilst wrapping my hands around my head.
I ran my hand through my hair in frustration, and suddenly wondered how weird I looked to the passing waiters.
Chuckling slightly, I raised my head up but paused midway. Half of it was due to shock, and the other embarrassment.
Someone stood in front of me and just watched me, but the moment I looked up, they spoke.
"Oh, you weren't asleep and I didn't come at a bad time. You know I almost missed you if you hadn't been so… attractive…", A soft, yet gentle warm voice made my tired self feel reinvigorated.
I looked at him with a gaze full of questions, like when he arrived or how long he stood there, but he just smiled at me, blinding me with his unusually warm but exceptionally bright smile.
"Hello Sil, it's been a while since we last met, how are you doing?"
He asked, breaking the odd silence.
And all the questions I had on my mind disappeared, as one sentence remained in my head.
His bright smile had not only blinded me but also reminded me of something crucial.
The main reason I didn't like or want to be around him.
'Ah yes, this is one of the reasons I didn't like meeting up with this guy.'
I thought, reciprocating his goodwill with a forced smile of my own.
His easygoing and cheerful personality made me feel upset and inferior for some damn reason.
But then Michael, although similar to Ronald, was a very nice guy whom you couldn't help but want to be friends with.