Intertwined

I Owe You: Part Two

Inside, Evelyn was getting worried. And so was Asher.

"What's taking her so long?" Evelyn wondered aloud.

Mara shrugged, just as clueless as Eve. "I'm not sure.."

"I hope she's okay..." Asher added.

Eve turned around once more and sighed with relief. "Ah, there she is"

As the girl's name was mentioned, Rose was making her way to the group, smiling a little as she saw them, or more precisely, as she saw Asher, who sighed out of relief and smiled back at her.

"Did you find him?" Evelyn questioned Rose. Everyone on the table turned to the latter in anticipation.

"Yeah. I did" Rose replied as she sat back down.

"....What was he doing?..." Eve asked again, and again, everyone looked at Rose for answers.

"Just sitting there..."

"What did he say to you?"

"Just small talk, mostly"

"Did he...mention us?"

"A bit before I left"

"What did he say about us?"

"Just that you were probably worried about us and blah blah blah"

"Oh...I see"

After that, the group sorta sat back down and talked among themselves. Mike chatted with Mara, Eve chatted with Jordi and Asher chatted with Rose until it was time to go back to class.

At the end of the day, Rose, Mike, Mara, Eve, Jordi and Asher were walking outside together. None of them was saying anything, they were just staying close like friends would while trying not to make it awkward.

After a little more silence, Asher spoke up. "I should probably be heading back to my house"

Mike looked at Asher, puzzled. "Why the hurry, Ash?"

"Gotta make my house presentable for my guests" He said with a confident smirk.

Mike started giggling as he remembered today's announcement. "Okay, tough cookie. Good luck with that"

Eve smiled a bit to herself at them.

"Thanks." He gave Mike some good old-fashioned finger guns.

"I thought you were the fist bump guy?" Mike teased his friend, still giggling.

"Guess it was time to change it up" Asher laughed a little.

"Essential bit to be a host. You gotta evolve. Very well then, we won't hold you much longer. See ya tomorrow, Ash" Mike waved at the other boy.

Asher waved back and then waved at the others, shooting a small wink at Rose before running off. Rose slightly blushed.

"Okay then, it's just the five of us walking home today" Mike remarked as he started leaving. His words made Evelyn look behind her. She was thinking about one missing friend of theirs.

How does Matthew get home without us seeing him?

The girl's expression saddened quite a bit.

Mara side hugged Eve and whispered to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah....I'm just thinking about...you know who..."

"Oh.. I see"

"I don't understand how he can just turn...invisible that quick"

"It's a skill some people have"

"Why would they have that as a skill?" Eve frowned deeply.

"To avoid social interaction, to go unseen in a large crowd, etc etc"

Eve lowered her head and let out a breath.

"I'm sure he's fine Eve"

"I know. I just wish he would be fine when he's with us"

"I know Eve... He will be.. One day"

"Thanks Mara...You're a true friend" Evelyn finally smiled a bit at the petite girl beside her.

"No problem" She smiled a little back.

Rose overheard the two. She sighed a bit and walked over to them. "Hey guys.."