Alonah absolutely has no idea what to think or what to react. Everything was just a surprise for the past few days that she can’t even keep up with it anymore. One happening just keeps popping up right and left, it’s making her feel dizzy.
She slowly turned around, her heart beating loudly against her chest, finally seeing eye to eye with the person that she wasn't expecting to see. Needless to say, they aren't really here to fetch Lu's uncle, but two of her childhood best friends instead.
Despite that fact being already established between her, Lauren and Lu, she still can’t help but feel surprised by the sight she saw. It’s not everyday after all that she finally gets to meet in person the guy she only talks to through Skype.
She couldn’t help but think about why Lu keeps on tricking her to do things—and why she also lets herself get tricked. If she asked nicely, she would have gone with her. Well, she did but she just said that they would fetch her uncle to surprise her.
But she doesn’t take surprises that well and she probably never will.
"Holy f**k, why is he here? Lu, what the actual hell? You could've just told me that they were the ones we're picking up and not your uncle who clearly isn't here." She glared at her best friend, who is merely eyeing her with amusement, Lauren and Xavier doing the same. looked around to see them looking at me with amusement.
“I think we already established that earlier.” Lu replied.
“Come on, Ally. You saw me, right?” Lauren chorused, making the girl in question look at her.
“Well yeah, but seeing it with my own eyes is a different story all together.” Alonah mumbled, looking away when the two girls sent her a smirk.
But when her eyes landed on Xavier, who was smirking as she returned her stare, she felt herself freaking out again. "Holy s**t, he's here! f**k, he's here, in front of me."
Lu was the first one who let out a laugh. "That's a whole lot swearing out there, Al." Lu remarked after her short laughing fit.
“You’re really that surprised, huh?” Xavier questioned, making Alonah think back once again to the time she first talked to him and he asked her a similar question.
Now that was an experience she would never forget.
Lauren moved in front of Alonah and rested her hands on the latter’s shoulders, her smirk now replaced by a grin. “Just calm down. He’s not going to bite—although you probably already knew that.”
“No, I don’t actually.” Alonah replied. “It’s different when it’s already in person.”
“Not really.” She heard Lu say from near Xavier. “You’re just a really fidgety person.”
She sent her best friend a glare and was about to say a retort, when the presence she felt behind her made itself known to the foursome, who are currently exchanging words.
"Lu, stop harassing the girl. Can't you see she's already made a fool out of herself?" An unfamiliar deep voice asked, making her turn around and averting her gaze from Lu to the person who spoke.
From what she saw, the guy wasn’t that bad to the eyes. Quite frankly, he's hot. He's lean with amazing biceps, and he is quite tall too. He has dark gray eyes, and a brown-reddish hair that he clearly didn't put much effort on, seeing as it was disheveled but it still looked oddly good on him.
Alonah blinked her eyes at him a couple times, still surprised by his sudden appearance. In return, the guy merely regarded her with indifference. Honestly, she didn’t know what to feel when she saw that, but she also knew that that isn’t important right now.
As she was just processing his presence, five more guys walked in, some of them looking bored, some looking quite excited, and some was just, well, they looked like they absolutely didn't care.
Honestly, they all look like f*****g gods. It was hard not to stare, to be quite frank. How Lu was able to make friends with such hot guys and not feel anything at all, she has no idea.
"Hey Lu!" A very cheery voice greeted, making the four boys groan or either grunt in their place.
The one who spoke frowned at the four boys. "You lads are no fun."
It was only then that Alonah noticed how he has an Australian accent. She hasn’t really met that many Aussies in her lifetime, but it really is a joy to listen to them talk.
"It's still early, mate so shut your trap." Another voice spoke, but this time, it was a British guy.
That made Alonah feel weak at her knees. She doesn’t know what’s with British people, but she always has that weakness for such people. Their accent has always been attractive to her for as long as she could remember. Sure, her best friend has that too but it’s different when it’s from a guy.
It’s like music to the ears.
"Yeah, not everyone is as cheery as you in the mornings." Another voice muttered, but it has an Irish accent, just like Lauren and Xavier.
"Just let him be. You know how he is." Another Australian guy spoke with an 'let's-just-go-home-I-don't-care-about-this-s**t' look.
By now, everyone's attention is on the last guy who hasn’t uttered a single word. Not to mention, he looks extremely bored too. When he noticed all the stares he got, he blinked his eyes a couple of times until he realized something.
"Oh, you want me to join in their stupid bickering too? Well, no thanks, I'm not interested." He said with an Australian accent while Lu just rolled her eyes at him.
Alonah, on the other hand, felt like a complete intruder. She feels like this exchange should be made just between them, without her as a spectator. Besides, she already has an idea who these people are and she honestly can’t believe that she fell for her best friend’s trap yet again.
Lu walked towards the five boys with a grin and just from that, Alonah could already see how happy she was by the sight in front of her.
“Well, even if it's a cheery expression, at least it came from Lu." She heard the British guy say and she had to suppress a grin to come out of her face.
He might seem like an unfriendly guy, but she just finds it so sweet how he’s willing to tolerate a cheerful greeting as long as it came from Lu. They’re not only hot, but sweet too.
Seriously, where did her best friend find such guys?
"Who is that girl anyway?" The second Aussie guy asked as he looked at Alonah, making her squirm uncomfortably in her place. She doesn't really mind the stares but there's really just something about his stare that makes her want to crawl under a rock and hide there for all eternity.
Almost like they rehearsed it, all of them simultaneously turned to gaze at her. She looked at anywhere but them, feeling how intense their stare is that she feels like she would melt if she’s under it any longer.
Instinctively, she looked at her side for some sort of support and familiar feeling. She didn’t really regret her decision either. Lauren was giving her a happy smile (which she found reassuring), while Xavier was just smirking at her—she found that oddly reassuring too. As a reply, she only glared at him, making him let out a low chuckle in his place.
"My best friend." Lu replied, while looking at the Aussie guy who asked. At this, Alonah’s attention is already back to the six guys who are still eyeing her with unfathomable expressions on their face.
The Aussie guy who asked looked at her skeptically while she just avoided his gaze. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Irish guy, who was situated beside him, nudging him, making the Aussie guy glare at the Irish guy.
God, Lu should really introduce her to these guys already so that she would know their names because calling them by their accent is pretty weird.
"Anyway, this is Drake." Lu said as she pointed at the cheery Aussie guy. He offered her a small smile and a small wave.
Well, at least one of them is friendly and nice.
"This is Seth." Lu pointed to the British guy beside Drake while he just looked at her with a blank stare.
Alonah could really tell it’s going to be hard interacting with the guy because just one look from him and you could already practically see the words ‘stay away’ written on his forehead. Seriously, that’s the type of vibe he’s giving and she would be more than happy to steer clear from a very fast rejection of her soon-to-be offered friendship.
"This is Xander." She pointed at the Irish dude beside Seth who was looking like he absolutely couldn't care less.
Seeing that, she didn’t have any problem identifying who’s the rude one of the bunch. Well, it’s not like she deeply cares either, but getting along with them just seemed like the right thing to do—and for Lu’s sake. There’s absolutely no way she’s going to be the reason for her best friend’s constant distress.
"This is Tyler." It was the second Aussie guy who looked at me skeptically, who still is regarding her with the same one.
Honestly, the guy is so weird.
"Last but not least, this is Dylan." It was the last Aussie guy who spoke and he was just looking at her with something she couldn't decipher. Not like that stare is any different from the one she received from the others, but oh well.
And seriously, what’s up with the looks they're giving her? They look like they're ready to interrogate her with every fiber of their being.
"Wait, what about me?" The guy with dark gray eyes asked, making Lu's eyes widened.
“Just forget him!” Seth chorused, the blank look still plastered on his face, but a hint of a smirk could be seen on his lips.
The last guy glared at him. “If someone should be forgotten here, it should be you.”
“But I wasn’t and you were.” Came Seth’s immediate retaliation.
“Someone haul his arse back to London.” Xander said, making the last guy’s glare transfer to him.
“Seriously,” He spoke, his British accent filling Alonah’s ears. “Why are you all hell bent on ridding me of my happiness?"
“What happiness?” Dylan asked, a yawn escaping his lips. “You have none.”
“Oi! I do have happiness.” He replied with a frown still etched on his lips.
“Enlighten us then.” Drake smirked at the last guy. “And you can’t say it’s seeing Lu because we all feel that way."
Alonah had to physically prevent herself from cooing at how adorable Drake is. As tall and intimidating he looks, she just finds it so cute how he becomes all soft when it comes to Lu. That’s the second time he’s done that today and she honestly can’t help but look forward to what other things he would do.
“Bloody bugger.” The guy mumbled. “That’s more than enough reason to be happy, ain’t it?”
“It is, but give us your own.” This time, it was Tyler who spoke.
“Why can’t that be my own?”
Tyler let out an exasperated sigh as he looked at his friend like he was just some random, annoying thing he picked up on the street. “Because it’s a mutual happiness, you moron.”
Oddly enough, the scene unfolding before her eyes reminded her of her own friends. They would bicker and goad each other to the brink of madness but at the end of the day, they’re bond is still as tight as a knit. She doesn’t really have to wonder whether it’s like that with the group in front of her because she already knows it is. After all, they wouldn’t be friends for this long if their bond isn’t that tight.
“Fine. Then I guess it’s because I can now tease you lot more.”
Five simultaneous scoffs invaded Alonah’s hearing. “That’s hardly a reason.”
“You know,” Lauren spoke up, gaining all of their attention. “You would think that because this is the first time we’ve seen each other in person for so long, you would get along better than the last.”
“Oh please. This interaction wouldn’t be normal without this.” Seth replied.
“And also, it would be hard to break a habit.” Xander said.
Lu sighed as she thought about how her perfect plan of introducing their good sides (which is hardly visible to anyone) to Alonah just went down the drain just like that. Of course, right from the get-go, she already knew it would be very unlikely to be successful, but she was still hopeful.
Turns out that hope was all for naught.
“Honestly, can you not bicker this early in the morning?” She asked, eyeing each guy.
“Well, if you hadn’t forgotten me…” The last guy trailed off, knowing that Lu would get what he meant.
"Sorry, I forgot." Lu mumbled while the guy just frowned at her, making a chuckle to escape her lips. She turned her attention back to her stiff-looking best friend. “This is Shawn, by the way."
Alonah smiled at the guy and she was genuinely surprised when he returned her smile. The others just seemed so against giving her that, she just assumed he would do the same.
She finds it really sad how she can be surprised that someone is treating her kindly.
"And you are?" Seth asked her in an absolutely bored tone, as he yawned in the process.
That startled Alonah. She certainly wasn’t expecting him to talk to her since his stares radiated anything but kindness, yet she couldn’t detect any malice in his voice; he just seemed genuinely curious about who she is.
Lauren rolled her eyes at him. "Way to be completely rude." She remarked, while he just gave her a blank stare.
"Look who's talking." He rolled his eyes. "Like you aren't a b***h to people you just meet." He retorted, making Lauren glare at him.
"Can't you lot just be nice for once?" Xavier asked while crossing his arms.
“And here comes another one who absolutely has no right to say those words.” Dylan replied, unperturbed by the glare the former sent his way.
“Well, you aren’t exactly any better.” Came Xavier’s retort.
“None of us is any better.” Shawn chorused. “All of us are assholes and we know it.”
“As true as that is, I’d still put my bet on Xav for the Best Asshole award.” The boredom on Xander’s face only seemed to grow. “Anyone care to refute my claim?”
Xavier glared at him. "Watch it, Xander. I might tell her if you don't watch your trap."
Ignoring Xavier’s words and knowing he’s all talk, Tyler raised his arm a bit as he said, “I vote Seth for the Best Asshole award. After all, you are the most suitable candidate to receive that award.”
That instantly garnered a deathly stare from the guy in question. “How am I the best candidate for that?”
“Do you really need to ask that?” Tyler replied. “Seriously, how can you not see yourself as the best asshole?”
“Because I’m not. It’s that simple.”
“No, you’re just in denial.” Drake gave Seth a grin right after, ignoring how the latter is radiating off a vibe that he would definitely strangle the guy if he doesn’t shut up.
If Alonah’s feeling of being an intruder earlier was dimmed slightly, well that feeling only intensified now. She really feels like she should be anywhere but here, where the reunited friends could enjoy their time together without a strange onlooker—in this case, Alonah Charm.
If she had to guess, she’s pretty sure they all feel uncomfortable and unsettled seeing her there, especially when she’s even barely said a word to any of them. Not to mention she didn’t notice her eyes were carefully scrutinizing each guy until she was able to realize it herself when she could feel Shawn giving her a weird look.
Needless to say, she looked at anywhere but them after that.
As Alonah continued observing the guys’ current interaction, she shifted uncomfortable in her place, silently praying in her mind that they would go now. She already feels awkward as it is; there’s no need to add to that.
Lu seemed to notice this and she went towards her fidgety best friend with a sheepish smile plastered on her face. The latter noticed this and returned the smile she received, albeit a bit more reserved and hesitant. "Are they always like this?" Alonah whispered, making the girl beside her emit a soft laughter.
"Yeah, don't worry. It's nothing serious. You'll get used to it." She replied, but the former only looked at her unsurely. After all, the chances of her getting used to their banters that seem like they want to cut each other's throats is 0.11111 to non-existent.
But then again, she did get used to her friends being like that (which she deemed impossible at that time), so she won’t exactly be surprised if by some sort of miracle, she does get used to the mischievous bunch bickering in front of her.
"Seriously, who is that chick?" Dylan asked as their attention turned back to Alonah, who instantly eyed Lu sharply upon hearing her friend’s question. And Lu being Lu, only laughed at Alonah’s expression, no doubt enjoying the girl’s current discomfort.
"Yeah, and why is she hanging with us?" Xander asked with raised eyebrow.
It was an innocent question. Although, Alonah can still quite grasp the slight accusation laced in his voice.
Suddenly, Xavier came near her and threw his arms around her, taking the girl by surprise and unable to move in her place.
There are a lot of things Alonah expected to do during their first meeting (e.g. smirking sadistically at her, teasing her and the like), but what he just did was certainly not one of those.
"This, my dear friends, is Alonah Charm." He said, a sly smirk present on his lips. Finally, getting a hold of herself, she raised an eyebrow at him and shrugged his arm off of her.
At that, Alonah noticed different reactions all at once—changes she wasn’t expecting to see.
Xander's lips tugged at the side of his mouth, Seth looked at her with a sly grin, Tyler gave the couple a lopsided smile, Dylan gave them a sluggish smirk, Drake grinned widely while Shawn just smiled knowingly at Xavier.
Honestly, it was too much to bear for Alonah to follow through with that.
"That's why you're not an asshole to her, and why Lauren isn't a bitch." Tyler stated bluntly.
Xavier only rolled his eyes at his friend as the six boys went towards her with something she couldn't quite decipher. Instinctively, she moved a bit closer to Xavier but silently cursed herself right after when she noticed what she did. She’s just thankful Xavier didn’t say anything and just let her be.
Besides, he already seemed to get the idea that she was that intimidated by his friends. Then again, with how they all look, he can’t really blame her for feeling that way.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Alonah." Dylan said as he kissed her hand.
Alonah raised her eyebrow at his sudden change of attitude. Noticing this, he just shrugged his shoulders as a reply and dropped her hand right after.
“Funny how you instantly changed when you knew who she was.” Lauren stated, eyeing Dylan with a smirk on her face.
The guy gave her a scowl. “Shut up, Lau. I’m not exactly the only one who is going through a slight attitude change.”
“Kind of too late to retract your bad behavior earlier, don’t you think?” Lu questioned, laughing when her six friends simultaneously glared at her.
“It’s the thought that counts.” Drake replied.
“That still doesn’t change the fact though that you were all basically eyeing her badly.” Xavier grinned. “While I, on the other hand, have been on my best behavior.”
At that, Alonah couldn’t help but let out a scoff. “Oh please. You’re the most pretentious of them all.”
Tyler chuckled as he crossed his arms against his chest, his eyes eyeing both Alonah and Xavier in amusement. “Ain’t he?”
“That’s already a known fact after all.” Shawn said. “I’m just glad Alonah was able to see that.”
“She sniffed it out instantly the first time they talked.” Lu replied, ignoring the daggers that Xavier is sending her way.
Everyone (minus Xavier) chuckled at Lu’s reply. As much as they all enjoyed their reunion, one of them has still yet to ask the one thing they’ve been dying to know.
“Hey, where’s Ian?”
Lu and Alonah instantly shared a look after that, both of them trying to figure out what to say to them without really explaining why the guy in question isn’t here at the moment.
The thing is, they did invite him to go with them to the airport, especially since Ian already knew the real reason. However, he declined for two reasons: 1) he didn’t know what to say to Alonah when they met and 2) he can’t face Xavier because of what he did.
Of course, the second reason was only known by Lu. As a result, the girl ended up scolding her friend, who only hung his head in shame and sat there stiffly as he took in all the words Lu threw at him.
Feeling the expectant stares coming from the people around them, Lu let out a scoff and said, “Do you even need to ask? The guy couldn’t be bothered to be disturbed from his sleep.”
Xander sighed. “You would think he’d be excited to see us again.”
“Don’t be dramatic.” Seth replied. “We all know Ian is never one to wake up when he doesn’t want to.”
"Alright, enough with that. Let's go." Lu said as she went towards them, Lauren in tow behind her.
The boys just chuckled as they followed the two girls out. Along the way, Alonah didn't notice Xavier was already beside her. When she looked at him, he was already looking at her with a big grin on his lips.
"I still can't get over the fact that I'm finally meeting you." He said while she just laughed.
"Right back at you."
Aksara