7 We've Got to Stop Meeting Like This

Destiny

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As the rest of their group rapidly approached our conversational one, Seth and Jason turn in acknowledgement, greeting each one of them in a fit of handshakes, and fist bumps.

Since before junior year, the four of them have always had each other's back. They proved that point a dozen times. They seemed just as close starting off in elementary, leading to exactly how they are right now.

However, no friendship is perfect and every now and then, you could feel the tension between the boys. Most likely frustrated with each other for stupid childish reasons, but everyone knows not to get in their way when they're in their intimidating states.

Funny, the group seemed a tiny bit larger than before.

Come to think of it, they were always fussing about meeting their "after school playmates" during our younger years.

Anyone with a soul can feel the strong bond radiating off the group, so why mention such an irrelevant memory? Well, by the feels of it, I'm guessing the people who caused the slight enlargement are those "after school playmates."

What can I say?

I'm an assumer.

No, let me rephrase that.

I'm an observer.

"Who are the new guys?" Saffron whispers flirtatiously, eyeing the group in front of us.

Royal jerked his head back and much to my discomfort, thank God only he heard that.

"What? I'm just curious."

To make sense of what she was going on about, I stopped studying their sudden change in size, group-wise, and started to really use my eyes.

I scan the group slowly, expecting to see some new faces only to catch sight of the hooded figure that bumped into me yesterday.

Well, then.

At this moment I would've probably considered him as "decent-looking" but because of what took place yesterday, I honestly couldn't care less.

Standing next to him, was who I'm assuming is his brother. He had dirty blonde hair, whereas his own appeared to be a mix of light and dark. Either way, both of them were blessed with stunning ocean eyes and a hint of green. They both had tall, lean, and muscular frames, but the hooded figure towered over him just a couple inches more. With shockingly similar features, they still looked completely incomparable.

Rolling his eyes, Royal brought his attention back to the group of now completed friends.

"Ladies? This is Sean and Kordell Davis. Sean and Kordell? Meet Saffron Hayes, Destiny Alders, and you guys already know Royal," Jason proudly introduces.

Did he have to include our last names? People could get a load of information from that.

"It's good to see you guys," Royal reminisces, pulling them into that handshake half-hug thing that guys do.

"You didn't tell me you knew supermodels," Saffron screeched excitedly.

Oh, God.

Shifting my attention back towards who I now know as, Sean Davis, I finally take the time to examine his features.

I was drawn to the same, strange vibe I felt from him yesterday which got me wondering, does anyone else know? Is it not obvious that he's hurting? Or am I beyond crazy to think that I can feel what— understand what he's feeling? There's so much more than just pain, but a sense of guilt? Do these so-called best friends of his or even much so his brother, know?

Hell, I do.

And I don't even know the damn guy.

"Yeah. She remembers me," Sean clarifies, snapping me back to reality. I look up in his direction only to be met with his eye capturing gaze.

And with that, he made his way towards the turn I've been dying to get to.

Great. Now everyone is staring at me. Thanks a lot, Davis.

After the echoing sound of heartbeats and the tornado of whirling thoughts, I finally decided to break the silence.

"Yes?!" I hollered, breaking the eye contact.

Seth jerks his free hand up in surrender, shielding his donut in attempts to protect it. I must've startled the guys because of their sudden reflexes.

On the other hand, Saffron just stared at them amused and I couldn't help but let out a small giggle.

"You've already met?" River interrogated.

"Yeah, I'd like to know about that too." Royal continued, crossing his arms over his chest.

"And me." Saffron second.

Since Junior year, there has been absolutely no secrets between the three of us. Whether it was about drama at home, school, or another person. We know everything there is to know about each other, and I would never want anyone to know me as much as these two idiots do. I wouldn't give them up for anything.

Saffron threw a wink my way, not for reasons you might be thinking, but because she knew I'd tell her anyway when it was only just the two of us.

Girl things.

Except, I've already mentioned him while we were on our way to see Mrs. knight. Only then, I had no knowledge of the guy's name. On the bright side, I guess it'll just be easier and quicker for me to catch her up.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

Saved by the bell.

"Forget it, guys." Are they forgetting that I just met him yesterday?

Before anyone could add anything else I turned away leaving Saffron and Royal behind, completely ignoring the fact that they were supposed to walk me.

I let myself remember the route to my first class. The faster I get there, the quicker I can avoid more situations like this one. I'd also be able to avoid a late to my very first class, simultaneously receiving no attention from anyone at all.

That sounds, just about perfect to me.

Rushing past the very first ongoing classes, I stressfully look for mine, praying to God my perfect plan was still possible.

234, 236, 238, I'm almost there.

240, 242, 24 —

I fall backwards feeling the air from my chest get knocked right out of me, landing as if I was forced to take a sudden seat on the solid, cold, and numbing ground.

Ouch, I think to myself while rubbing my head. Well, that was major déjà vu. I continue to rub my head assuming I bumped into a wall.

"At least you were looking up this time," an all too familiar voice says. "You have a thing for floors?" he laughs.

Ha, ha, ha.

Very funny.

I look up knowing all too well who that voice was coming from. As expected the one and only, Sean Davis, was standing straight and tall right in front of me.

"Actually, yeah I do. I can never seem to take my feet off it," I sarcastically remarked.

I look down, completely forgetting that I'm seated on the floor, and use my hands to push myself back up.

Thanks for the help.

"We've got to stop meeting like this," I say dusting myself off.

"Like what?" he smirks.

"Like I'm about to get knocked into a concussion."

Gosh does he take anything seriously? If I had a dollar for every sarcastic comment he shot back at me, I'd have all the sushi in the world. No, I take that back, if I had a dollar for every time he knocked me into my death, I'd have more than just sushi.

"Would you stop making that face?"

"Only if you show me my way to class. We have first period together," he smiles, pointing at his schedule like a child.

What?

"And how do you know that?" I cross my arms. "Stalker."

"I saw your schedule," he shrugs out of boredom.

Well, that's great. Not only am I holding on to my perfect plan, which seems to be slipping away by the way. I get to waltz into class with this guy.

So much for no attention.

• • • • • •

"Destiny Alders late on her very first day? Destiny late to class? Now that's something we don't see every day."

"I'm sorry, Miss."

After saying my apologies I walk towards the only pair of desks that weren't already occupied.

I could feel the daggers, being shot at the back of my head, analyzing my every move.

Amazing.

I might get really nervous but it never shows. I've mastered the art of hiding that little feeling and everyone seems to be fooled by it but damn it, I am nervous. Teacher's right. I'm never late. Ever.

"You must be, Sean Davis," our teacher says adoringly.

"One and only."

Sean leans his back against the whiteboard, placing his hands on the edge of the steel, and waited for the teacher to continue speaking.

Nothing.

English teacher here just stood there and drooled. Talk about obsessed, isn't this woman married?

Mentally face-palming myself, I decided to help by letting out a little "ahem."

Well, that didn't work, she didn't even move. Sean seemed to notice what I was trying to do because he leaned his body against the frame of the whiteboard, moved his eyes towards the centre of the room and spoke.

"Alright, if you're expecting me to tell you some great shit about my life and where I came from, you'll just waste everyone's time." He met my gaze. "I'll just take my seat."

Each pair of desks he passed, girls batted their eyelashes and practically begged for his attention. They had the same sickening expression our teacher did. Pathetic. Even those who were taken seemed to have no problem eye-doing him in front of their boyfriends.

With everything going on around him, he seemed to make no acknowledgment of it. He kept his gaze locked on mine 'till he pulled out the seat beside me, and took his seat.

Breaking the silence I finally spoke. "Rude." Was all I could muster out.

He lowered his gaze to meet mine and scoffed. "I came here to learn, Alders, not to delight everyone with my life stories."

Okay then.

Noted.

"And could you control your heartbeat? I know you're nervous but damn, we didn't run a marathon."

What?

Well so much for what I thought I already mastered.

• • • • • •

Thanks for reading!