23

I notice Miguel, Jaiwan, Laura and some guy talking to a staff member. As we get closer, I notice this unknown guy has his arm around Laura's waist as they speak to the employee.

"No, you don't understand," she calmly says. "Our friends are back there," Miguel impatiently adds. I don't hear what the employee says but I do notice how this unknown guy's arm grip tightens around Laura's waist as he pulls her closer to him.

"Eyes off her mate," he warms the employee who stands straighter and looks at Laura's guy. "The fuck do you think we're gonna steal. Do we look fucking broke to you?"

I hear Ryan chuckle next to me. He made us stand and watch the scenario unfold. Jaiwan, a guy from the basketball team, looks in our direction before turning to the others.

"Mister," he says as he adjusts the employee's tie. "Get back to work. Your service is no longer needed," he mockingly pats the employee's shoulder before turning to us with the others following suit.

"We're sorry for taking too long," Laura says as she hugs Kira.

"Don't be," Kira replies. I look at the guy that held Laura and raise my eyebrow at him.

"We haven't met," he says extending his hand. "I'm Dylan."

"Kian," I say extending my hand and shake his firmly. I feel a hand pat my shoulder and I turn to see who it belongs to.

"Hi Kian," she extends her hand. "I'm Lyha." I shake her hand and smile at her and she easily smiles back.

"Whose friends are you guys?" I ask and they look at each other. I didn't mean my question to come out like that. "What I mean is, Dylan seems close to Laura and you to Ryan and Kira." I don't know how else to rephrase my question and Lyha grins knowingly.

"We're kinda twins," she says as she glances at Dylan and folds her arms.

"Kinda?" Dylan asks, giving her a look but she waves it off.

"Anyway, Dylan is dating Laura and I came to hang out with Kira. We're all friends with her," she brushes her hair out of her face. "Not the best friends there are," she nudges Dylan and he nudges her back, "but we're getting there."

She looks behind me and I turn my head around and see Laura and Kira walking out of the shop's store room. Who allowed them in there? And Kira's hair and shirt are dry. I won't even bother asking how they did that.

"Hey Dylan," Kira heads to him and gives him a hug. He wraps his arms around her lower back and holds her tightly. I say my goodbyes to Jaiwan and Miguel. Those two have been hanging out quite often lately.

I look to my left and see Ryan whisper something in Lyha's ear as his hands are tight around her waist and her arms are around his neck. She giggles and I inwardly salute him. He deserves to be happy. He has been beating himself up and it's long overdue.

"You think you'll get along with them?" Laura appears by my side and rests her head on my shoulder.

"Yeah," I nod. "They seem pretty good to me. Mind if I keep an eye on Dylan?" She has always been like a younger sister to me and I just want the best guy for her. I want all the girls in my circle safe from douchebags.

"Not at all," she sighs happily. "You guys have a lot in common," she turns her face to look at me.

"Such as?" I ask her as I ruffle her hair.

"You both like football and play basketball. He also eats his eggs first before bacon and cuts the crusts off his bread. He snores softly and has a knack for messing with my hair," she narrows her eyes at me and I chuckle. "He'll also be attending our school."

"Can I steal her?" Dylan appears behind her and so does Kira.

"Please do," I smile as I lightly push her into him and she blushes in his arms. I look around for Ryan. We came together in my car so I wonder where he went off to.

"Lyha and Ryan already left," Dylan explains when he sees my searching expression.

"Okay, cool," I look at a zoned out Kira. I poke her side and she snaps her head to me. "Shall we go?" She nods continuously before waving at the two and walking out.

I look at my phone as I wait for Kira who went to go get her backpack from Laura's car. I notice that Ryan texted me earlier. I guess I didn't feel it vibrating in my pocket.

Ryan - Don't wait for me. I'm riding with Lyha :p

I quickly type in a reply when I see Kira approaching through the rear-view mirror.

Me - Alright. Have fun :-))

Ryan - Fingers crossed XD

I smile to myself as I put my phone in the cup holder and Kira opens the passenger door, buckling herself as she closes the door.

"So you came with Laura, Miguel with Jaiwan and Lyha with Dylan?" I ask as I drive out of the parking lot and head to the highway. I wanted to make sure we all had a way of getting home.

"And you with Ryan, yes," she says as she puts her phone on top mine. "I really hope Lyha and Ryan turn out successfully, you know?" she looks at me.

"It would be weird."

"Why?"

"Because if Lyha and Ryan become a couple and Laura and Dylan are already together, we would be the only non-couple hanging around with them."

"Don't forget Miguel and Jaiwan," she bites her inner chick. "They aren't a couple so it's okay."

"You are fine with being the only girl among the three of us when the others go on double dates?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" she smiles mischievously and I grin. I won't win this one.

"So, back there," I say as I turn into our neighbourhood. She looks at me and taps her foot. "I didn't know you were claustrophobic." She chuckles and looks out the window.

"There are more things you don't know," she says.

"Mind telling me?" I ask as I pull up in our drive way.

"In due time," her voice is playful as she unbuckles and opens her door and takes her bag. I grab my phone and she grabs hers before closing the door behind her.

When we enter the house, I feel like I just entered a bakery. The smell strongly hits my nostrils and Kira sighs contentedly as she walks next to me towards the kitchen. Mom is definitely home, I just know it. Why would she be home by 4p.m. on a weekday though?

"You bake?" I ask her.

"You breathe?" she rolls her eyes playfully and walks to the counter not even waiting for me to respond. I am glad she walked away because I'll admit I didn't have a good riposte.

"There you are," mom says as she steps out of the kitchen wearing an apron. I will never get used to her wearing aprons and doing chores. Cooking, yes. I'm used to her cooking, but she wearing an apron, never.

"Afternoon Mrs Grand," Kira hugs her.

"Hey," I greet her and she pinches my cheek.

"I don't like that," I mouth to her but she just rolls her eyes at me.

"Can I help?" Kira asks as she puts her bag on the counter stool.

"Yes please," mom chuckles as she pulls Kira by her side. I sit on the stool at the counter with my phone in my hand lightly tapping it on the marble surface.

"You just gonna sit there?" Kira asks me.

"You know it," I wink and mom hands me a bowl of washed grapes.

"Nibble on that," she says before going over to where Kira is standing. She already has an apron around her waist. My phone vibrates in my hand. I slide the screen to unlock it, but notice that it doesn't ask for a password. Weird. It maybe just didn't lock itself. I push the thought at the back of my mind and open my text messages.

Lyha - OMG I am soooo happy!! Is it legal to be this happy? :-) :-* :-J :-p :-b :-D XD .Y. :-/ B-)

Is it legal to use so many emoticons? And since when did I have Lyha's number? I'm sure Ryan must've given her mine though.

Me - What makes you 'soooo' happy?

Lyha - RYAN!!!

Thought so. I really don't know how else to respond. It's not everyday that a girl I barely know texts me telling me about how a friend of mine is making her 'soooo' happy.

Me - What did he do?

Lyha - Well, nothing. Yet. But he's so cute with the hair and jaw and smiles. Why didn't you tell me you have such a cute friend?

Me - I didn't realise he was cute.

He isn't bad looking, I agree. But cute? That's just gross to call a male friend of mine. I should probably text Ryan and ask him whether she also makes him 'soooo' happy.

Lyha - Anyway, what went on between you and Kian in the elevator?

I stare dumbly at my phone as if it would speak to me. Then it dawns on me and I inwardly cringe at the thought. "No! No, no, no!" I mutter under my breath as I close the chat and scroll down the other recent chats.

Lyha, Luka, Megan, Sierra, Ryan, Dylan, Miguel, Granny, Pops. I turn the phone around and only now do I notice the cover is dark grey while mine is usually black.