HOW ABOUT PASSING OUT FROM EITHER THE GUY NEXT TO ME OR HUNGER?

JUDE

It's hard to think of something to say.

The whole drive, I have been thinking of what to say and how to warm up to the guys and form a connection with them.

I know I met them barely an hour ago, but these are the people supposed to like me enough to accept Me.

Andre must have noticed how tense I am, wringing my hands on my lap because he pats me on the arm from where we were seated in the back seat.

"Are you okay?"

His question halts the conversation going on in the front seats, zein and Rex now listening in.

"I am," I force a smile even though I am so nervous I can puke my guts out. "just a little tired. I will be okay."

"you look so nervous, I hope you know that you have nothing to fear from us," and he goes on as he looks at me with worried eyes.

I can feel Zein, who is driving, looking at me through the rearview mirror. I can only nod, hoping Andre believes me.

"Are we that scary?" Rex chuckles, looking at Zein, who only shakes his head.

Zein makes eye contact with me briefly through the small mirror. "rin is … rin. He thinks you will take his place now that you are here. He is not like that normally."

"Normally? I have never seen him like that. But he was probably just hungry," Rex shrugs, agreeing with Zein.

"I am not here to take his place," I look at Andre, who suddenly takes my hand.

"my god, you are so adorable," he gushes.

"Andre, jeez, don't start," Rex shudders, reaching his hand to slap Andre off me.

I am confused, wondering if my brain is tired or if I am so dumb that I seem to not be getting the subtle meanings in their words. Rex said another thing while I was in the interview room… something about another one goes.

"is there something wrong?" I ask, not able to keep concern from my words.

"he gets like this, soon, he will pinch your cheeks because that's what he does when he finds someone adorable or cute," Zein explains.

"Oh."

"I am sorry, you just have very expressive eyes. But I know you aren't taking anyone's place. He just meant that Rin is a little insecure now that you are here because of Miko."

That makes me frown a little. "why?"

Judging from the looks Andre is given by Rex and Zein, he only shrugs, smiling before shaking his head. "nothing. Hey, we are here let's get some food."

The car pulls up to a small alleyway street, almost hidden, and the guys start getting out as soon as Zein parks.

I follow suit, forgetting the weird tension as I look around the street. Tall buildings hover on both sides, and I see a plain grey door at the side of the building we are facing.

"Come," Andre takes my hand as we walk through the door.

I don't mind the physical touch he is giving me, appreciating it because it makes me less anxious.

I don't know what I was expecting, but it isn't the cozy vibe inside the restaurant. It has a home feel, from the booths to the animal rugs on the floor. There is no one in here except two people seated by the far booth overlooking the city.

"There they are," zein walks towards the booth, and that's when I finally recognize the two. Miko and Rin are already seated side by side and seem to be having a conversation before they see us and wave.

"how come no one is here?" Rex asks as he slides in by the window. Zein sits next to him, followed by Andre.

"come here," Miko pats the space next to him.

For some weird reason, my heart thumps in my chest, contemplating if I should sit there, but when I see I am the center of attention, the longer I take, I sit down. I can't help but think of what Andre has revealed not minutes ago.

One side of the booth can fit up to four people, and I take that to put space between Miko and me.

"I am hungry, and we had to wait for you. Why did you take so long?" rin asks as he looks at Zein.

"traffic, and what's with you today?"

"Nothing," he grumbles as he picks a menu.

"Are you scared of me or something?" miko leans in towards me, and I immediately flinch, sitting up. I look at the others, who are now talking between themselves.

"No- no."

"Why are you so far away then? You can't even look at me." hi scent envelops me, and I start finding it hard to breathe. This is the first time I am seeing him without his sunglasses.

"leave the boy alone, Miko," Andre finally notices our conversation and comes to the rescue. "do you want to switch places?" Andre asks me.

"he is fine where he is, mind your business," Miko sits back, his hand falling on the back of the booth behind me.

It's unfair how good-looking he is. Those black phoenix eyes on you ...

"don't bully him, or I will kick your ass," Zein says even as he holds his hand up, probably to call a waiter.

"What did you do to them? They are all defending you, and I haven't done anything," Miko asks me, and I can only look down and look over the laminated menu.

"I don't know what I want to eat," Rin complains as he tugs on Miko's shirt. "choose for me again."

The others laugh, and I look at Rin, wondering what is going on.

"you never know what to eat, why am I surprised?" Rex shakes his head.

"And you are always hungry," Andre joins in.

"Hey! At least I don't ask you. Otherwise, I will be stuck with bad food choices," Rin smile, looking at the taller boy, zein.

"you two act like an old couple, and it's gross," zein rolls his eyes, and everyone laughs as if catching on an inner joke.

"what will you have today, boys?" a man wearing a chef hat and an apron stands by the table, and the boys smile, bowing as they greet him.

"the usual, but make it a larger portioning. We have hungry gremlins and an additional one," Rex speaks up, and the man looks over at me.

"it's spicy food, do you like it?"

"yes," I smile at him, and he nods in satisfaction before leaving.

"what do you normally eat here?" I look at Andre, who is on my opposite.

"ramen hot pot."

"It's so delicious, you will love it," Rex winks at me, and I laugh, shifting in my seat.

The tension that was around me slowly starts to seep away, and I exhale, leaning at the back of the booth.

"How is your first day taking you?"

I am startled when Miko speaks, and I have to pretend that I didn't. His chuckle makes me know he noticed. But thankfully, only Andre and him noticed.

"It's okay," I bite my inner cheek.

"did the company take all your stuff in the house, or did you get there first before coming to us?" Andre asks me.

"they took it; I came here directly from the airport."

"Where are you from?" zein asks me as all boys now focus on me.

"California."