5

I stood by the door uninterestedly, hoping that they would take the hint to leave but that didn’t work as they took it as an entrance into my apartment and quickly, they were sprawled all over my couch watching my rerun of Friends, laughing helplessly.

Deep breaths Wren, deep breaths.

I cleared my throat as a means to get their attention which worked as they all turned to me “Can you at least tell me why you are in my house? Let alone at this time of night?”

“Cheer up” Snarky British boy replied.

“I can’t when I have five boys in my house at one thirty in the morning” I grunted.

“Lighten up Wren” Boy number 3 said.

“I’m not even going to ask you not to call me that. It’s only fair that I call you with numbers” I said dismissively.

“Good, considering what happened today we just wanted to talk to you” Mr.’s A’s son said with taunting smile, his dimples evident.

I sighed “Fine I will only do that just because I was wrong so don’t overdo it”

“We are also sorry for bringing up the whole friends’ issue, we didn’t know it was a touchy su- “

“It was not a touchy subject” I sighed, running my hands through my hair and continued.

I can’t believe I’m going to say this.

“I just never had one okay? The only person worthy of it is my cousin and even still, I’m real shitty to him okay. It’s not so easy for me” My voice brittle, heavy with emotion.

All five boys didn’t seem to be fazed at my words or they were doing a good job sealing their emotions as no sign of pity was shown and to be honest, I was slightly happy for that.

“We figured. That’s why we want to offer you something” British boy said.

“You can call it a proposition” Boy number 5 piped in.

“Or you can call it an offer of a lifetime” Boy number 4 chimed in earning an eye roll from me.

“So exactly what are you saying?” I asked hesitantly.

“Let’s take you to the fun side of town called friendship” Boy Number 2 responded.

“A town with no rules on the basis of love, where friends become family. It really is that easy” Boy number 3 finished.

I bit my lip as I took their words in. I felt like my worst nightmare was finally going to hunt me in the back. But as much as I hate the idea of friendship, I need to do it for dad, as it was his dying wish.

“Will it make you leave?” I questioned and they nodded

“I can’t believe I’m saying this but yeah, sure let’s see how it works” I said and all their expectant faces broke to a smile.

We did it! Snarky is ours baby” Boy number 4 shouted like he had just won a prize and I immediately hit his arm, scolding him for shouting while a four-year-old was sleeping.

After an hour of watching Friends, the boys decided to call it a night and boy was I glad. I wasn’t getting used to being in a confined space with people for so long.

Just before they stepped out, British boy turned to face me saying “You don’t know our names neither did you bother to ask”

“Baby steps. For now, I’ll stick with British, Prick, Blue, Terrible flirt and Too muscular” I said pointing to them according to their numbers as they exited my house.

“What th-” someone began to say but I shut the door in their faces and let out a sigh of relief as I plopped down on the couch but stopped when I heard a text alert from my phone.

Unknown: No Snarky, its Chris, Jaxx, Henry, Harlan and Matteo.

I scoffed in disbelief as I threw the phone on the counter and relaxed myself on the couch.

For Dad.