13: The Rowdy Bunch

It's been a week since all of them finally arrived and Alonah realized one thing throughout the whole time she ended up hanging out with them. No matter what it may be, she would never get used to all of their overwhelming accents and the terms they use that she would ever rarely understand. Seriously, everything is like a dream. It feels like she’s on cloud nine every time she comes face to face with her best friend’s childhood best friends. Lu doesn't seem to notice her still overwhelmed expression though. Well that, or she just chose to ignore it. And knowing Lu? It's the latter. It's always the latter. "I don't know how you ever get used to them. Seriously." Alonah said as her and Lu leaned on the comfortable couch on the latter’s humble abode. She chuckled as she put her feet up and played the movie on the screen. Currently playing on the screen is The Internship and Alonah can’t count the number of times they’ve watched this already. Somehow, it became their go to movie every time her and Lu end up having a spontaneous movie marathon. "I admit that it does take some time, but I promise you'll get used to them. Even if they are a bunch of t***s most of the time." She said as a smile played on her lips. Her mouth hung agape when she heard the words that came out of Lu’s mouth. "Are you kidding me? They looked like they were ready to kill me when they saw me with you in the airport! You want me to get used to that?" She asked, her mind reeling her back to that slightly disastrous meeting, but Lu’s laugh just ringed through my ears. "They always look like that, so don't worry. Well, aside from the fact that they could dislike you and make your life a living hell. They're pretty good at that stuff. Especially Seth and Dylan. They don't own the title of being the biggest jerk in their schools for nothing." She explained calmly as she popped a popcorn in her mouth. "Are all your friends jerks?" Her hand hovered over her mouth, fingers clasping a popcorn, before she looked at her with a mirth-filled gaze. Despite the amusement she saw brimming in Lu’s eyes, she could still see the slightly conflicted emotions in them. Lu honestly looked like she was about to rebuke her claim and say otherwise, but quickly shut her mouth as her eyebrows knitted together in deep thought. Alonah felt slightly sorry for the girl sitting beside her since she obviously doesn’t know what to say to not make her friends sound bad while sticking to the truth at the same time. When it seemed like Lu finally made up her mind, she brought her hand down back to the bowl, a slow, yet sure grin etched on her lips. "Mostly." She said. "But don't worry, they're still a nice lot. Well, not really, but you know what I mean." "How could you say that they're nice? You just told me that they could make anyone's life a living hell if they wanted to!" Alonah told her, eyebrows furrowing together. Lu let out a laugh. "If they don't like you, then yes—they can do that. It's not really that hard for them." She must have noticed the horrified look on her best friend’s face because the laugh she emitted only seemed to have been tainted by more palpable amusement. "You know, your expression right now is seriously more hilarious than the film itself."  Alonah gave the grinning girl a blank stare. "Gee, thanks for the compliment." She replied, sarcasm dripping in every word. "And thank you for the heads up by the way. It's good to know that your friends could easily make me kill myself."  Waving off the glare the former gave her, Lu had an ear-splitting grin on her face as a reply. "There's no need for your sarcasm, Ally. Besides, I'm pretty sure Xavier would protect you."  It really doesn’t help that just the thought of it and the insinuation that Xavier might possibly like her one of these days made her blush appear on her face. It only seemed to have worsened when Lu gave her a suggestive wink to back her statement and the teasing tone she used when she said those words. Honestly, Lu could really be as childish as the rest of the bumbling idiots she knows when she wants to be. Not that it’s anything’s new, but she just doesn’t show it too often that Alonah sometimes forgets her best friend is capable of such a thing. "Shut up." Alonah mumbled while Lu just laughed at her.  Ignoring the still laughing girl, she returned her attention to the television (albeit with a slight frown etched on her lips) at the same time the scene of the movie is the part where the main characters in the movie went to the bar. She let out a dreamy sigh, making Lu look at the screen that Alonah is already so deeply engrossed in. "Dylan O'Brien is so hot." She said, her eyes slightly glazed from the scene playing in front of her. "Oh definitely. That guy is so dreamy." Lu agreed with a silly grin on her face when Stuart's face appeared on the television. "I swear, if I didn't know Xavier, I would spend all of my time drooling over him." She said while Lu just laughed beside her, who is surreptitiously looking behind the couch they are currently sitting on. Of course, Alonah had no idea about what Lu just did—she’s already too far gone. "Well, it's a good thing you know me then." A voice suddenly whispered in Alonah’s ear, the voice too impossible to forget. Blood started to rush to her cheeks as she froze on her place. Her concentration and interest in the movie went down the drain the moment she registered what’s happening, especially when she realized he would hold this against her all the time. "Uh…” She stuttered and she could hear another round of laughter behind her. Oh god, this is so embarrassing. Why did he choose this time to appear? He could have done that earlier and she could have also prevented herself from saying what she said. Seriously, it could have saved from a whole lot of trouble and embarrassment. "Although, I do have to tell you. What you said just sent my heart fluttering again and again." He said and she could literally feel her cheeks becoming redder. With her mind now muddled and disturbed, the only reply she could come up with was a brilliant, “Shut up."  She heard him let out a laugh, which only made her want to crawl under a rock even more. It also doesn’t help that along with his, different laughter could be distinguished among it. Slowly turning around, she silently prayed that it wasn’t what she thought it was. But since life is a b***h, she got the opposite of that; standing there in all their glory, are Lu's childhood best friends looking at her in amusement. "That was definitely something, Ally." Xander smirked and she glared at him. He laughed as he sat on the other couch in the room, with the others following in tow. Xavier sat down beside her, a cheeky grin still plastered on his face—which she pointedly decided to not acknowledge. "So what do you think of Xavier so far, Ally?" Drake asked, a smirk playing on his lips, but a genuine expression of curiosity plastered on his face. Apparently, Drake was only sweet and innocent when it came to Lu. Alonah learned that the hard way throughout this week. What she thought was the softest guy among the group, turned out to be just as much as a ruthless and unrelenting guy as the rest of them. She won’t lie and say she expected it because she really didn’t. He just didn’t seem that way when they met at the airport. Sure, he offered a few remarks here and there when they bickered amongst themselves, but it was nothing too… asshole-y. "Well, uh…” She stuttered while they just smirked at her. She honestly felt pressured by their stares, but she just sucked it in and just blurted out whatever is currently on her mind. “He's a complete charmer. No wonder girls fall for him."  Seeing their smirks widen only made her want to take back what she said. It was a stupid thing to do anyway. Why did she even consider that idea, let alone really do it? Is she stupid or something? Well, she must be if she went through with that despite already knowing what would happen as a result. Oh god, if only the ground would just swallow her up whole already. Why does she even keep having a temporary mental block when Xavier is around? The guy isn’t all that special and they’re both genuinely just friends so what the hell is wrong with her? However, as she made a quick scan of her surroundings, she immediately knew why she’s this fidgety. Aside from the devil himself, his friends in particular seem so eager and lively when it comes to teasing the both of them (mostly her) that it always leaves her not knowing what to do. "Including you?" Ian asked with a smirk, although she could see something she can't decipher in his exterior. Honestly speaking, she was pretty surprised to see Ian here. After that little fiasco last week, she was convinced the guy would never talk to her again, especially when he seemed particularly distant to her. Their interactions weren’t like it used to be before they hung out in the park but two days later from the day that happened, he started to act like nothing ever happened. Not that she minded, but still.  And they say girls are confusing and hard to handle. "Uh…” Was her witty reply. She knows that she’s completely embarrassing herself with the way she is currently acting but she’s really finding it hard to form a coherent reply that would satisfy both her and the snickering people in front of her. When Lu noticed Ian, her attention turned to him, and her smile wavered slightly but it was enough for the others not to notice. It seemed like Ian noticed this however, since he sent Lu a fleeting look before breaking their gazes and turned his stare back to the stuttering Alonah. The girl slightly narrowed her eyes at her friend, but let it go nonetheless. There is a place and time for everything, after all. "You guys want something to eat?" Lu asked, gaining all of their attention (which Alonah became thankful for). “No!” Came Tyler’s immediate reply. “We have got to hear Ally’s answer first!” Alonah sighed in her place as she realized how short-lived her happiness has become ever since this rowdy bunch arrived. “Hear, hear!” Dylan exclaimed, gaining a high-five from the former. “Well, we’re curious about your answer too so…” Drake trailed off with a grin. “Come on.” Seth encouraged. “It’s not exactly that hard to do, Ally. All you have to do is answer a simple yes or no question.” Alonah gave the guy a scowl, which he only responded with a smirk. If there’s anyone who always manages to infuriate her as much as Xavier, that spot would most definitely go to Mr. British. She has absolutely no idea how he’s able to do that but she’s really hoping his lucky streaks would end soon. Finally, Lauren took pity on her fidgety friend. “Leave her alone, you t***s. She’s not exactly obliged to tell us her answer.” Xavier gave his cousin a pout. “You’re no fun, Lau. I was about to find out whether Ally belongs in the category she just said.” Maybe it was how he worded it or how he sounded when he said it but Alonah could feel rage slowly building up inside of her. She glared as hard as he could at the brunette, thinking that if she did it just right, it would create a whole right through his head.  That’s not possible of course, but one could hope, right? “What category?” Alonah nearly hissed. Xavier quickly looked at her in surprise, but it seemed like the others understood her reaction because at the corner of her eye, she could see them shaking their heads in an almost disappointing manner. “What do you mean? The one you just said.” Xavier replied, still looking confused as ever. She almost took pity on him. “You mean the category where your dumb bimbos and casual hookups belong?” A slow smirk spread across Xavier’s lips as he leaned back on the couch, a satisfied look plastered on his face. “Are you jealous, love?” Somehow, his response only infuriated her more. She could almost feel smoke coming out of her ears. “Why the hell would I be jealous of your fakes?” “I don’t know. You tell me.” The others shared a look as they continued to stare in silence at Xavier and Alonah’s exchange, obviously both frustrated at Xavier’s stupidity and amused by Alonah’s reaction—they really couldn’t decide which one is better. “There’s nothing to tell.” “Well obviously there is since you’re acting this way.” Alonah turned to the rest of the group. “Is he always this conceited?” A simultaneous ‘yes’ could be heard from them, ignoring the daggers that Xavier sent their way. Knowing that this would only lead to an eventual fight, Lu quickly intervened. “Alright, now how about that food we talked about, yeah?” Alonah noticed how almost all of them immediately stiffened in their places as they slowly nodded their heads in response. She doesn’t really get what’s happening, but judging by how they reacted, Lu has got every one of her friends wrapped around her fingers—excluding Lauren, who seems to have equally as much power as Lu over their friends. It both terrified and amazed her by how they could make those tough guys quiet down in an instant. If there’s anything she got from that, it’s that those two girls are a force to be reckoned with. "Alright. Ian, why don't you help me?" Lu asked and Alonah could see that she was sending him a secret message. She’s pretty sure she even saw Ian visibly tense and gulp loudly. "Okay." He replied as they both stood up. Alonah was so focused on knowing what that was about, that she didn't realize Lu already left, leaving her with her best friends which made her feel awkward all over again. Lauren opened her mouth to say something, when her phone suddenly rang in her hands. She sighed silently in relief, thanking whoever it is on the other line in  saving her from an obvious awkward moment. She smiled at them and said, "One moment."  She stood up and went further into the first hallway she could see, feeling their stares in her back. She ignored the tense feeling she got and continued on ahead without ever looking back. When she was sure that they couldn't hear her, she let her fingers on the answer button and pressed the phone against her ear. "Reese is in juvy." Kobe said before she could even say anything. "What?" She screeched and he winced from the other line. She doesn’t what she was really expecting when she saw Kobe calling, but it was certainly not this. "Yeah. We need you and Lu here." He replied and she ran a hand through her hair, trying to calm herself down as her mind raced with certain possibilities as to why Reese would even be in there. "What happened? Why is he in juvy?" She asked curiously, the worry in her voice too palpable to not be recognized. "Over speeding." He sighed. "That damn guy." "Of course." She muttered sarcastically. "But, um, not to sound rude or like I don't care, but why are you telling me this? Shouldn't you be telling Lu this?" "Lu didn't answer her phone, so I thought about calling you instead." "Oh." She said. "Well, I'll notify Lu." She hung up after that as she tried to process what she just found out. Why couldn’t the damned guy be just a law abiding citizen like everyone so he wouldn’t get into unnecessary troubles like this one? Honestly, it looks like he’s trying to bring trouble to himself even though she knows that that’s the last thing he wants. When she finally came back, she saw that Lu and Ian had already arrived and they were all laughing about something, smiling warmly when they saw her arrive.  She sat down beside Lu with an exasperated sigh, which made the latter look at her questioningly. "Reese is in juvy." She told her as she took a sip from the untouched orange juice she picked up from the table in front of her. "What?" She screeched, just like what she did earlier. "I know right?" She replied as she took in her shocked expression, which slowly morphed into frustration. Alonah could hear her best friend’s thoughts whirring inside as she thought of the possible ways she would reprimand the guy. For two people who only just made up a couple of days ago, you would think they would be walking on eggshells around each other, but no—it honestly seemed like the fight didn’t happen from the way they acted around each other. Alonah didn’t even try and bother figuring out why; she gave that up a long time ago when she figured out she would never know why those two act like that. "Wait, who's Reese?" Shawn asked. The rowdy bunch that arrived a week ago were still bound to meet both Lu and Alonah’s friends. Alonah really doesn’t know why Lu didn't introduce them to each other yet. There have been plenty of opportunities to do that but she didn’t. And knowing Lu, she probably just wanted to have her friends to herself a bit longer before they’re all hogged by their equally rambunctious friends. "One of our friends." Alonah replied as she faced him. "Oh." Came his simple reply. “Hey Lu, when are we meeting your friends, by the way?” “Soon.” Lu replied noncommittally, making the former sigh in his place as he already knew that his friend’s attention is already diverted to another.  Alonah could only look at him with pity before she returned her gaze to her best friend, who is looking at her with determination in her eyes. "What did he do to end up there anyway?" She asked, a tinge of frustration laced in her voice. "Over speeding." Alonah answered, repeating Kobe's words from earlier. She groaned and Alonah looked at her in amusement. "Guys, we'll hang out some other time, alright?" Lu asked and they nodded their heads in understanding, already knowing that it would come to this ever since they heard the situation. Even Alonah could tell that this was bound to be the result as soon as she broke the news to her.  "Thanks." Lu replied as she stood up and grabbed her jacket. The only thing the rest could do was follow her movements with their eyes. Alonah in particular looked at Lu with awe for managing to keep up with Reese’s antics. Honestly, if she were her, she would have already been so frustrated, she wouldn’t know what to do anymore. Guess that just goes to show that even if her and him ended up together, they wouldn’t have lasted anyway. They were too alike that their personalities tend to clash with each other. She’s even positive that most of their time would only be spent arguing with each other to the point that it seemed impossible. Unlike her, Lu balances out Reese’s personality. She knows that neither of them would ever admit it, but all of their friends know that’s true. “Be careful.” Alonah called out as Lu fumbled with the jacket on her hand. “Yeah.” She replied absentmindedly. “Stay here and keep my friends company, will you?” Alonah wanted to yell at the girl for putting her in such a situation, especially when all of their stares instantly zeroed in on her, huge grins plastered on their faces.  Lauren, on the other hand, merely looked at all of them with mirth shining in her eyes as she silently wondered how her newly found friend would handle the eight guys who are currently looking like they want to bombard the girl with different mind-boggling questions. Seriously, she pities Alonah for ever having to deal with them but right now, she’s got really no choice. “But I thought I’m coming with you.” Lu shook her head. “It’s fine. I can go and handle Reese by myself. Besides, this is a great opportunity for you to get to know each one of them.” Alonah could feel her heart stopping. She looked at Lu pleadingly, silently begging her to take her with her but the girl just turned a blind eye. Seeing that, Alonah scowled. “Lu.” Lu ignored the plea laced in that one word and faced Alonah questioningly instead. “Well?” Feeling trapped, Alonah sighed in her place as she replied in a dejected manner, “Alright, fine.” A small smile spread across Lu’s face. “Thanks Al.” “I know. Now leave before I bury you in your backyard.” Lu chuckled in reply and went out of the house but not before she muttered, "That stupid i***t is seriously gonna get it."  The rest of the group just looked at her in amusement, before they all returned their gazes on Alonah, who immediately stiffened in her place. With a smirk on his face, Seth said, “It seems like we’ve been given the mission to get to know you better.” “And get to know you better we shall.” Xavier added, the silent promise in his words not lost on Alonah.