“How come Sofie is absent from school today?” Dylan directed the question at me as soon as he and Hayden installed themselves in the seats at our lunch table.
“She has come down with a fever, but I don’t think it’s that severe. If we go by her explanation, that is.” I shrugged my shoulders.
“If it isn’t serious, why is she staying at home then?” Hayden pressed,
I gave him a look that said, “If you felt a little bit ill, wouldn’t you exaggerate it just to get out of coming to school?”
Not waiting for his reply, Maddie added. “I know I would.”
I furrowed my brows in contemplation. I turned to look behind me and said, “Where is Daniel?” I caught several glimpses of him today. All of a sudden, he’s nowhere to be found; he isn’t the type to miss out on lunch.
“He went to use the restroom,” Dylan replied.
“There he is.” Maddie commented, waving at him as he advanced towards us. He took a seat opposite me with a pout on his face, looking like a lost puppy.
“What’s up?” Hayden asked him, patting his back like he was a little kid.
“School feels so boring without Sofie around.” He whined with an exaggerated look of dejection on his face, and Hayden let out a sigh.
Sofie and Daniel had gotten close, the more they mingled with us, But they were different; there was no feeling attached; they were just plain friends, and Sofie was kind of like the mother and Daniel the son.
They argue and make jokes about one another, but no one apart from them was able to attack any one of them.
Dylan rolled his eyes before replying to Daniel. “It’s just for a day, man; she will be back tomorrow. You know that, right?” I snorted.
“I have got to ask, Bree, why the hell did you buy the stew chicken? Maddie asked, referring to the food in front of me.
“They had a new menu, and it looked really appetizing, and the aroma was enticing. Imagine my shock when I tasted how horrible it was.” I made a wry face, looking down at the food in disgust.
“I wasn’t really focused on what you were getting, or I would have warned you. Dylan and I got bought on Monday, and let’s just say our reaction was just like yours. Why is school cafeteria food the worst??”Maddie eyed my food in distaste.
“Tell me about it; I’m starving. I didn’t really have breakfast this morning.” I sigh, dejected.
I saw a hand move to take the plate of stewed chicken away from my front, replacing it with a plate of fries and a half-eaten burger. My eyes travelled from the hand up to meet the person and were met with the green eyes that seemed to entice me.
“You can have mine; the fries and burger are way better than that,” he explained.
“What about you? Aren’t you hungry? You don’t need to give me your food; I can just wait till after school to get a proper meal.” I prompt.
“Don’t worry, princess, I’m not that hungry, so you can have mine. Besides, we need to get food in that tummy of yours or you will become a cranky monster.” He teased playfully.
“No matter how many times I see you guys talk civilly to each other, it still surprises me.” Dylan said it with a puzzled expression.
“I second that.” Maddie begins chugging her water.
“I guess it’s true what they say. Never say never. We always thought you two would never get along, and here we are..” Dylan pointed his middle finger between Hayden and me.
I shrugged, not saying anything, stuffing my face with fries. The conversation continued among ourselves, and we all made a mental note to visit Sofie right after school to make sure she was okay.
Maddie volunteered to drive me there and take me back home. Who was it to turn her down, so I agreed? After all, I had no car, and I didn’t feel like walking back to my house.
The bell rang, signifying the end of lunch, and we all rose up with our tray. Walking to the dirt bin and throwing away our leftover food before putting the tray back on the cafeteria counter where other trays were. We walked out of the door to the hall. I had advanced chemistry, which means I was alone since none of the crew were in an advanced class.
“I’ve got to get to class; see you after school.” With that, I rushed in the opposite direction from rushing to my next class.
After school, we drove off to Sofie’s house, which was a forty-minute ride from the school. Hayden came with his bike, Dylan picked a ride with Daniel, and I went with Maddie in conformity with our earlier agreement.
A short, gorgeous woman who shared a really uncanny resemblance with Sofie opened the door, and we exchanged our pleasantries as she ushered us in, giving Maddie and me a tight hug.
I could make out the faint sound of music being played, and on paying closer attention to it, I was able to identify my favourite Ariana Grande song, ‘position’. I mumbled, singing along to the music, even though I wasn’t that familiar with the lyrics. I just sang what I think I heard her say.
My attention was shifted when Sofie came into the living room, looking all pale and frail, unlike her perky, energetic self. She muttered out a feeble “Hi guys” and sank into the sofa with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
“Sofie Boo, I missed you. Do get well soon so that we can have a lot of fun together..” Daniel had his hand fully rested on the arm of the sofa beside Sofie.
“You are so childish, Daniel.” Sofie says, giving him a disbelieving look, but we could all see the smile trying to fight its way onto her face.
“I’m hurt; I thought we were best friends.” He replied, feigning being hurt by placing both hands on his chest, his face cast down.
“Don’t be such a baby and go get me some water in the kitchen.” Sofie ordered, and Daniel lazily moved himself from Sofie’s side. I helped point in the direction of the kitchen while he dragged himself there, occasionally turning back to throw Sofie a puppy look.
“I missed you so much. Please do get better quickly before Friday.” I said my tone honestly was empathized more on Friday, and she just laughed it off, shaking her head.
“Please do get better, Sofie.” Maddie and Dylan add, while Hayden gives her an encouraging pat on the back as a get-well-soon memo.
Sofie takes the glass of water from Daniel’s hand, drinking a great amount of it, and then sends a loving smile our way. “Thanks guys. I’m so glad you all came to see me. I know Maddie and Bree are my best friends, but I really appreciate you boys tagging along with them to see how I was.” She smiles at Hayden, Dylan, and Daniel, and they gladly reciprocate.
“It would have been nice if we had come with something, even if it was to get well soon.” Dylan told her, dejected.
“It doesn’t matter; your presence here is enough.” She replied.
We heard heavy footsteps coming downstairs. A very tall, attractive boy stood in front of us with brown, messy hair and perfect blue eyes. His muscles were big and he looked hard, with a tattoo on the left side of his hand.
He was a typical bad boy.
He took in the presence of everyone; his eyes shifted from the boys with a stoic look on his face before settling on Maddie, then moving to settle on me. We stood rooted in our spot; none of us said anything; it was like slow motion. His lips stretched into a grin, and he opened his hand wide.
“Chris.” Maddie and I let out a scream as she ran, jumping into his open arms. He spun her around for a second, then put her down. It was my turn to jump on him, and he twirled me around like he did Maddie.
My feet landed on the floor as I stepped away from him. Maddie and I had a stupid, unwavering grin on our faces.
Sofie rolled her eyes at our reaction, while the boys looked confused.
Dylan and Hayden had their fists clenched together, and I gave Hayden a puzzled look. Daniel stood with a fearful look, taking in Chris’ bulky figure, and took a loud gulp.
“It’s so nice to see you girls again.” Chris voiced out in his extremely deep, sexy voice that could make any female gush.
“It’s nice to see you too. You have grown so big and bulky.” Maddie complimented, her eyes focused on his arms.
“Yeah I have.” He ruffled her hair, bringing his gaze to mine. He looked at me like he was checking me out. “Bree, I can see you’ve gotten more beautiful.”
A blush stained my face as I shyly bit down on my lips. “Thanks.” I said very softly,
We heard a loud scoff, which caught Chris’ attention, and his eyes moved to look at the boys. He moved away from where he stood, walking to them, pulling his hand out for a handshake as he introduced himself.
“Chris, Sofie’s brother; nice to meet you.” Dylan was the first to shake his hand; he had a passive look on his face.
Well, I don’t blame him; Maddie did just jump on Chris, but he had nothing to worry about because Chris sees us as little sisters.
“Dylan, Maddie’s boyfriend,”‘ he said, emphasizing more on the boyfriend like he was trying to make a statement. Maddie rolled her eyes at this while Sofie and I tried to stifle a laugh.
“Daniel, friends of the girls,” Daniel says, shaking Chris hand before quickly stepping back like a puppy.
Hayden was the last to shake hands with Chris; his face was emotionless, making it hard to read as he stared directly at Chris.
“Hayden. ” That was all he said, but they both shook hands longer than the rest, and the grip was tight, like they were trying to show who was stronger.
I just don’t understand boys.
After Hayden stepped back, Chris gave everyone one last look, and his eyes met mine, with him sending a wink my way and blushing. I had a huge crush on him before, and a little part of me still does, like, who won’t have a crush on someone like Chris?
He was like a freaking Greek god, but my heart seems to be warming up to a fellow green-eyed boy, and I know I was starting to like him. I have no idea what to do to stop it. After all, the deal we had had no strings attached.
I was snapped out of my thoughts by Chris’s departing footstep. When he was beyond listening distance, Maddie let out a squeal. “Did you see the way Chris looked at you?” She directed the question to me.
“What do you mean?” I asked, pretending not to know what she was talking about.
“Come on, girl, he clearly has a hot spot for you. Right Sofie.” Maddie commented again.
“That’s my brother; you are talking about Maddie. As much as I find it a little gross, Maddie is right, Bree.” She observed wistfully.
“I don’t know about that.” I stole a glance at Hayden to see his reaction, but it was still the same. Emotionless. I let out a quiet sigh.
“You’ve always had a crush on him; it’s obvious he feels the same way. Sofie and I can help set you two up..” Maddie cuts in.
“Babe, it’s up to Maddie if she wants to be with him or not. Let’s leave it to her.” Dylan inserted, trying to tone down her excitement.
“Yes, Maddie, let’s let Bree decide for herself, and enough about my brother. You’ve got a sick person to take care of.” Sofie whined, pouting.
We all laughed at that. I walked to her, giving her a pat on the back, and announced brightly at Maddie, “Let’s get going; I need to be home before six.” I brought my phone out to check the time. We all decided to leave so that Sofie could rest some more.
“Good bye, Sofie.” We said at the same time,
She wanted to walk us to the door, but we told her it was okay; she didn’t have to get up. On getting outside, I wanted to talk to Hayden, but he got on his bike and drove off without a word, leaving the rest of us confused. I got into Maddie’s car as she drove off and out of Sofie’s driveway.