Bad Habit

c h a p t e r 12: Nandos

        It's been weeks since the funeral. I haven’t really been myself lately. I stopped talking in class and stopped raising my hand for questions. I could care less about school at the moment, but I can't just skip.

        I walked to the black gates that led me my way home, with my head drooping down at my vans, when I heard my name being called out. “Elli!” It was a deep voice. “Hey kid, want a ride?” I turned at a ninety-degree angle to see Calum and Michael in their upscale limousine. “You shouldn't go around asking that.” I laughed as I opened the car doors.

        “Yeah, yeah.” Calum laughed. “To Nandos, Jimmy!” Michael called out to the butler driving. “You didn't even ask if I needed to go home,” I said. “Oh do you need to go home?” Michael questioned. I started, “Well I-” Calum interrupted, “Great! We're playing a gig there, so you'll get to hear Luke sing. And don't forget about my majestic voice and mad bassist skills.” He had the biggest smile plastered on his face. “I don't have a choice, do I?” I groaned. “Is Kyla and Tessa going to be there?” I said smirking his way. “Yeah,” he blushed, fiddling with his bracelets.

  Jimmy drove us for another few minutes as the boys and I chatted about the band.

“So Ashton's the newbie in the group?” I asked.

“Yeah, but it's been awhile since he joined. We just like to bother him with the name-calling.” Michael said, trying to hide his laughter.

“We have arrived to your destination, Mr. Hood.”

“Jimmy, I told you so many times to call my Cal, or King Of The Hood,” He said, stepping out of the vehicle.

        “I apologize King Of The Hood.” Jimmy said, grabbing the instruments out of the trunk. We laughed and Calum high-fived his butler. “Thanks Jim.” Calum said as we walked to the back entrance.

         There were lots of cars in the lot, including Luke's. We entered, and walked to the stage area. “Okay Ell, go to the bar. Tess and Ky should be waiting for you.” Michael said, opening his guitar case. “Okay, good luck guys.” I smiled and walked to the bar.

        Luke, Ashton, Tessa, and Kyla surrounded the table. “There she is!” Ashton yelled, as people began to stare. “Sit, please.” He patted the chair in between himself and Luke. “Why aren't you guys getting ready backstage?” I asked him, as I sat down. Ashton ignored me, and began talking to Kyla. “Oh, just waiting for the one important person to show up,” Luke smiled down to me, secretly placing his hand on my thigh closest to him. “Oh well Mikey just got here, he's waiting for you guys backstage.” I smiled up at him. “Luke and Ashton, stop flirting and get your asses up here.” We hear over the mic, then seeing Calum and Michael standing on the stage.

        “See you after the show,” Luke said, looking down at me, as he stood up from the bar stool, a bit too close to my face. My heart was beating so fast, I swear he could hear it. He was still lingering there, breaths calm and warm, as mine were fast and uneasy. “Have fun,” I smiled, biting my lip, as he stared at my action. He revealed a smile that showed off his dimples then turned on his heel to follow Ashton.

        “Never in my whole life have I felt like a fifth wheel, until just now.” Tessa laughed. “Well if Cal were here, you guys would be making out instead of flirting.” Kyla giggled, taking a sip of her drink. “Imagine poor Mikey, seventh wheel.” I laughed. “Yeah that kid needs a girlfriend.” Kyla agreed. “I don't think he's ever had one, he's more of a one-night-stand sort of guy.” Tessa laughed, stirring her soda with her straw. “He'll eventually find someone.” I said nodding.