Chapter 2

"Yo, people, I have an announcement to make." A voice with a thick negro accent said from the back seat.

We were in an SUV, kindly lended to us by Yuna's well-off elder uncle for my big move. Of course, with a casual, 'dent the car and I'll dent your existence', as a goodbye.

I sat in the front seat next to Yuna, our driver for this trip, because the only other one with a license was half-drunk in the back, and though Taurus had had some lessons, he couldn't go 6 meters without clashing into something.

"From now on, you shall know me as bisexual." Tom's voice continued. He was lying facedown, taking up all the space there, and half a bottle still in his hand. "And I know this comes as a great surpri-"

"Cool, man." Taurus, Yuna's brother, cut in. His light caramel blond hair shaded his deep blue eyes which were glued to his phone. He sat behind Yuna, with his legs stretched and crossed and resting on the back of her seat.

They were identical twins, so they looked very similar, except Yuna had longer hair that reached about 5 inches beyond her shoulders.

Being around them a lot has made it easy to not get confused, but I'm pretty sure that if Taurus put on a wig, a believable voice and a responsible attitude, even their parents would be fooled.

Her hair was currently in a long ponytail and her eyes were trained on the road. "Not really a surprise. I've seen the way you've been looking at Je-" Yuna's mouth was clamped shut by a small, but firm hand.

"Shut up."

Jerry looked like a wimp. He was slim and short; precisely 5'4. He had unruly chestnut hair, his nose and mouth were both small, so his enormous brown eyes greatly overshadowed them. The boy's skin had never seen the sun, it was flawless and very fair, and he always had a hint of pink on his cheeks.

I'd say he was the cutest human I've ever known (and he'd probably throttle me for that), but his attitude totally contradicted his looks. Although he was 4 inches shorter than me, I wouldn't want to get on his bad side.

Harry Hayford did, and ended up with a bloody bite on his neck.

"What's wrong, Jeremiah? Flustered?" Tom teased from the back, turning his head to see the younger boy. His long dreadlocks were splayed on his back and the seat freely, with no black band to tie them into a ponytail as usual.

You know, I've always kind of sensed that there was something up with Tom and Jerry. The thought makes me snicker, as I remember that cartoon I've loved since childhood. I still watch it more than ordinary, but no one needs to know that, do they?

"Shut your fucking mouth, Thomas." He said through gritted teeth as he sat back in his seat behind me, huddling up and hugging his knees to his chest.

"I will if you ask politely, little mouse."

I almost 'aww' ed at how cute this was.

Suddenly, I could hear a cricket. The tense silence stretched until I heard a tiny, tiny voice squeak.

"P-please shut up," this one came as a small pleading whine from Jerry, whose face was deeply buried in his scarf.

Did I mention that the boy was also always heavily dressed? As at now, he has on a shirt, a long sleeve, a woolen sweater and a jacket. And then the scarf. He says it's something his mom brought him up with, because 'skin cancer is real'.

Like the fuck I don't know. I wouldn't be shocked if he melted one day.

Thomas chuckled softly. Taurus hummed knowingly, looking at Jerry with a sneaky smile on his face, as the boy glared daggers at him.

Yuna sensed the tense air and looked at the sleeping 19 year old in the backseat. "No bullying in my car, Tom. Big day for you, huh, Loess?"

"Your car, Yuna?"

My attention was pulled from the others to her. "Yeah, but no," I fidgeted with the audio player in the car, scrolling down the list of songs. "It's just a move, I'm still in college."

"Unfortunately. But your own house; that's the big part. It'll be like you're on your own already!"

"And if I don't want to be on my own?"

"Oh, yeah, don't worry, you can always call me for company. If I can't, I'll just send over the dummy for you to play with." She gestured at her brother.

Taurus smirked, "Of course, 'the dummy' will expect generous payment for his services."

"Yeah right,"

"Hey, can we stop for snacks on the way?" Jerry voiced. He has this crazy thing with snacks. So crazy that when he rolled his two large suitcases into his dorm and opened them, one was filled with clothing; normal. And the other was loaded with snacks. His roommate (good ol' me) asked why there were so many for just a semester, and he raised a confused eyebrow, saying it was for the week.

But that was one of a lot of things we had in common. We emulated each other in a weird way. I also planned to stack all my cabinets with chips and cookies and biscuits and a few gummy bears...

Maybe I could squeeze in a carrot, or better yet, half a carrot.

"But Chief said you were renting out a room, does that mean we can't throw parties?" Taurus asked, sitting up and looking at me.

I vaguely remembered the old man (35 years, actually, but still... ) saying some things about the rent, but I guess I was too lost in my mind to pay attention. What was I thinking about then...? Liquorish or some shit...? Whatever.

"Who said we were going to throw any parties? And yeah, so I can raise money to pay him back one day." I shrugged.

"You know, Loess, you could still just ask-"

"We've talked about this, Yuki. Let it go." Yuna warned.

Yuki was Taurus' real name. But apparently, only his sister dared call him that.

Okay, so they offered to take care of all my college expenses. All I had to do was say the word. But I insisted on other means, it didn't feel right to just get the money. I don't know if it was pride or some other stupid feeling, but I chose the hard way. At times I regret it, but I just keep in mind that I don't want to take advantage of my friends. Aren't I the sweetest.

"Okay, just saying," he rolled his eyes and sat back again.

"Don't worry, T. You'll be the first person I'll contact whenever I may be in need." I said with a wink.

He passed me a small sweet smile.

"Gas station, Yuna pull up!" Jerry yelled, practically jumping in his seat.

She did, and he was out of the car immediately after.

"It's official, Jerry's addicted. " Taurus said with a laugh.

"At least it's not a bad addiction," I also got down to get me some potato chips.

"Wait up," Taurus followed.

"Get me those shortcake things, Yuki!" Yuna shouted to him.

"Will do!"

A loud groan came from the back, "Ugh I think I'm gonna throw up,"

"Well get the fuck out! Not in my car, Thomas!"