While looking outside the window, the boys were having their boy talk which I couldn't really relate to, so I just kept staring out the window the whole time, until our orders arrived. I looked down at the food served on the table, and my mouth slowly began to water.
Yum. Mango Float and Mango Milkshake. Everything mango. Who doesn't like mango, anyway?
I grabbed my fork, took a big chunk of the float, and stuffed it into my mouth. When I looked up at the boys, I noticed all of them were staring at me.
I swallowed the mango like nothing happened, then spoke up. "Sorry." I laughed awkwardly.
"You've got something on your face," Ryan said with a smile, handing me a tissue.
But before I could grab it, James snatched it and said, "Here, let me wipe it for you—OW!" Ryan slapped the back of James' head and snatched the tissue back from him before handing it to me again.
"Ignore him," Ryan muttered. "He's always like that."
"Just trying to shoot my shot," James grinned, only to get slapped again.
"Stop," he groaned, leaning back on the soft, comfy chair while I wiped my face.
"You better chill there, Elise," Twan chuckled. "You don't wanna be choking on food, do you?"
"Oh, that's fine. I can just give her CPR," James added.
Ryan tried to slap him again, but this time James managed to dodge it.
I chuckled and said, "I don't mind choking... just not on food."
All five of them froze and stared at me. WHO SAID THAT? Must've been the wind.
"AYO—" James burst out laughing.
"Looks like we're starting to see the real Elise here," Ryan teased.
Well, shit.
"Just kidding," I replied, laughing it off.
I glanced at Travis—still buried in his book, sipping coffee in silence—and then at Minho, who was busy scrolling on his phone. The other three were chatting among themselves again.
As I looked at them, a small smile tugged at my lips. Maybe spending ten months with these guys won't be so bad after all. They seem fun. And... kinda nice to be around.
With that, I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my stomach. "Ugh... I'm so full."
The others were still doing their own thing. I stood up from the table and stretched a bit.
I kinda felt sitting can be tiring, so I excused myself to go outside the cafe to somehow catch some fresh air.
"I'm just gonna go outside for a bit," I said.
"Yeah, sure," someone replied.
The air outside the café was cool and crisp—just the way I liked it. Not too hot, not too cold. This was my second time in Sendai. My first was way back when I was a kid. I used to collect cherry blossoms, thinking they were the prettiest things ever.
Now... I just stand under the trees and admire them. Man, I miss my childhood.
Speaking of childhood, I suddenly remembered my old friends. I pulled out my phone and made a video call to our group chat. After a few rings, someone picked up. It was Laureen. She was munching on a slice of pizza.
"Hi!" She grinned from ear to ear.
"Hey, bitch. I said hi," she repeated.
"Hello, Jade," I said calmly with a smirk. Jade is Laureen's childhood crush.
Laureen narrowed her eyes and groaned. "Okay, bye." She left the call.
Yeah right. I smirked again and waited. "Three..."
"Two..."
"One..."
And like clockwork, she rejoined the call. "Ohh, I thought you said bye," I teased.
"I would, but the fam's here." She flipped the camera, showing the rest of my old crew practicing with their instruments.
"Band practice?" I asked.
"Yep. Actually kinda busy right now, the audition's in two days and we just started. I might have to end the call here. Sorry."
"It's all good. Byee."
And just like that, she hung up. Dang. I forgot to tell her I go to an all-boys school now. She'd lose her mind. She's a total yaoi freak.
After a few more minutes of peace and fresh air, I decided to head back inside since it was starting to get dark.
When I opened the door and stepped inside, the boys were already standing near the entrance. I blinked in confusion.
"Oh, Elise. We're actually gonna leave now. The dorm curfew's at 9:00 p.m.," Ryan said.
I looked at my watch—it was only 6:00 p.m. What the hell? Is my watch broken or something?
I just nodded silently and asked, "So... where to?"
"Back to the dorm, obviously," Travis replied as he brushed past me, both hands shoved in his pockets.
"Already?" Minho scoffed. "Weren't we gonna go somewhere?"
"To buy some good shit?" Travis asked.
"Exactly."
"You know when you smoke, you end up with a dry mouth?" Travis said, not stopping.
"We don't do it often, chill," Minho replied.
"Feelings of dizziness?"
"Only sometimes. Jeez, you're no fun—"
"There's a greater potential for an allergic reaction."
"Yeah, whatever. You don't have to come. Just go back to the dorm and read your precious books." Travis was about to fire back, but Ryan cut in.
"Enough, both of you," he snapped. Then he looked at me. "The bar's not a place for girls like you, so I recommend going back with Travis and Twan." Bar? I thought they were just gonna get "good shit."
"What?" Twan bellowed. "But I wanna go too!"
"How many times do we have to tell you you're too young?" Ryan responded.
"We're just a year apart! And I'm not even a minor."
Ryan gave Twan a slight glare, finally shutting him up. They really act like kids sometimes. I glanced at James. He was silent the entire time—clearly not getting involved. Honestly, I didn't want to either.
"Alright, let's go. Travis, Twan—take care of Elise," Ryan said before walking off with Minho and James. Ryan turned back one last time to wave at me.
I waved back, then turned toward the other two. Travis had already started walking ahead. Twan frowned, watching the three of them disappear. "Anyways." He brushed his hair back with his fingers, then looked at me. "Let's go."
I didn't say anything. He was already walking after Travis. Damn, they're fast. I hurried to catch up.
"You're so slow," Twan chuckled when I finally caught up to them.
"Can't help it. You guys have long legs."
Twan laughed softly, and then... silence again.
Awkward...