Vulpecula ✔️

Friends.

We were all sitting at the table. Harry, Edward and Sophia had gotten along well, Calla and Sebastian were talking among themselves, Kayden and Dylan were talking about some battle and Clayton was trying his best to get as much information about me as possible. Being among so many people seemed surreal and like a dream for me. Maybe if things go well, we can all be friends.

Clayton was fun but he asked too many questions. He asked me my birth date, my age, my family status, my siblings, about everything. Though so far no one knew that I was homeschooled or that I'm the daughter of some great business people who play with money. Although I'm grateful for all the capital that we have, I never really used it. At one point I was obsessed with having a part-time job, but I shut that idea immediately when I realised that for doing a part-time job I had to talk to people.

"So which high school did you attend?" Clayton asked me again.

"Why are you so curious about me?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Because you are new and we are going to be friends. So I need to know my friends." There was more to this than he was letting on but I let it slide. What could I say? Why are you lying? Who are you? Why do you want to be friends with me?

"I was homeschooled till now."

"No way." This time it was Harry who said that. "You're telling me that you've never been out of your house or had high school fun or had any friends?"

"Yeah. I was homeschooled, I don't even know why. And I didn't have any friends. But I had books and Netflix and Nutella and Oreos."

"You like Oreos?" Sophia said slowly.

"And Nuttella?" Calla said next.

"Of course. I love it." I smiled at them both. It felt good to be talking to someone about these things. Especially a girl who doesn't creep me out like Clayton.

"You're amazing. We can have girl's night and have all these snacks. I've always wanted some girlfriends. Now I got two. These guys can be boring. Especially Kayden here. He is always the buzz kill." Calla complained and eyed Kayden.

"You guys are stupid." Kayden shook his head as if disappointed in everyone. Unknowingly I giggled at him and had everyone's head turning towards me. I was told often by papa John and Joanna that I had a beautiful laugh and a beautiful voice but I never believed it. However, with the way everyone looks at me, I might just start a career in music.

"That was magical."

"Lyrical."

"Beautiful. You are."

"And I want you to know baby."

"I..I love you like a love song baby." The whole table except for Kayden yelled the line and we all burst out laughing. It was fun. I felt lighter and so much happy with these people. And to know that we all thought the same thing was just the cherry on top.

The bell rang sooner than expected and we all had to leave for the classes. I had all of my classes with this group as we all studied business. Except for my psychology class, where I was all alone. I exchanged the phone number with everyone and felt as excited as ever. This just keeps getting better.

_________

We all were walking towards the parking lot when I spotted papa John leaning against his signature grey car. I found out later that he had many grey cars because grey was Joanna's and mine favourite colour. There's nothing this man does that never fails to surprise me. He is just the ideal man and an ideal father and husband. Knowing a man like him is just a blessing.

"Wow. He is hot." Calla muttered.

"Hey! He is married and his wife is pregnant and he is my papa John." I protested, amused.

"Oh damn girl. I was hoping I had a shot." She sighed and dramatically slumped her shoulders. I laughed at her and grinned at papa John who was looking at all the guys. His eyebrows furrowed. He looked like he was assessing them. My ever so protective papa John.

We all walked towards him. For some reason, they were interested in knowing about my family and surprisingly it was Kayden's idea to meet him. Throughout the day Kayden hadn't spoken a whole sentence. His answers were either grunts or a shake of his head. His face too was set in a scowl. Seemed like he had a lot on his plate.

Also while taking his number, he looked anywhere but me. It's only normal when you talk to someone you look at them, but Kayden didn't do that. While I was speaking, and everyone was seeing me, he had his face turned in the other direction. It hurt me to be receiving the cold shoulder from him for no reason. But I couldn't dwell upon it because I had other people to be happy with.

He is just strange.

"How was your day princess?" He asked me when I hugged him.

"It was good. And I made so many friends." One by one I introduced everyone to him and he nodded at them in acknowledgement. He had his poker business face on. He hasn't ever been one to socialize. Joanna too is not one for parties or balls. It's my parent's thing, and so obviously it's not my thing. Anything my parents do, I do the opposite.

"Okay Ava, I'm going to leave. I can't take this anymore." Calla spoke with a heartbroken expression on her face. Nobody else knew what she was talking about. It was our thing. I gave her a fake sympathetic smile, with one parting glance at papa John she walked away with Sebastian following her. He likes her.

"What was that about?" Clayton asked as he looked at their retreating figures.

"Not going to tell. Girl code. Anyway, you guys gonna travel on your own?" I asked the others.

Harry and Dylan had their bullet bike with them, Kayden and Clayton had their cars, Edward was waiting for his father, who was one of the investors in the college and Sophia said she'd walk. I began protesting but Kayden cut me off. "You will catch a ride with me." His voice was so authoritative and strong leaving no room for arguments.

Sophia had wide eyes but she meekly nodded and walked away with him. She looked so tiny and scared while walking with him. So without thinking I ran towards them and pulled Kayden by his elbow.

"She is scared. Don't talk to her like that. Or raise your voice at her. I don't know what happened with her in past but I can see that she is sad and struggling. You being rude to her won't help at all. So please, talk to her nicely." I said to him in one go.

"Stop pretending to be so nice." He snapped at me.

"I wasn't pretending."

"Sure you weren't." He rolled his eyes and walked away.

I returned and received some questioning looks from Clayton and papa John but I just nodded at Clayton and he walked away while I silently sat inside the car. We were soon on the road and the ride was just silent.

Putting on a mask of happiness, I walked inside and began talking Joanna's and papa John's ears off. They listened to me and even seemed more excited for me than anyone else.

Things were finally looking forward for me and I wasn't going to let any random guy spoil it for me.