Tyler.
"How do you want your popcorn?" I asked X. We were at the movies and while he was getting the tickets I was to get the snacks. This was supposed to be us hanging out...not a date. That evening at the park was not a date, and he said we should do it again so technically he didn't ask me out.
"Extra butter" he shrugged.
I scowled as I made my way to the long queue. Was everybody watching movies tonight?! As I waited, I couldn't help but feel a little weird. I'm just chilling with my sexy bodyguard, like friends. Were we friends? Gosh I didn't even know. Would it be better if it was a date? Okay calm down Tyler. Slowww down. I breathed in and out and moved forward to get the snacks.
When I got back, X had gotten our tickets and was standing with two people.
"Tyler!" he was grinning boyishly, waving me over. "Hey, meet Tyler. Tyler meet Marko."
I smiled at the blue eyed guy with scattered brown hair. He had this cuteness and he shook my hand warmly. "Nice to meet you, Ty," he had a surprisingly deep voice. I concluded that I liked him. And the fact that he was wearing a black hoodie, black converses and black pants on his skinny legs. Charlie would like him too. She had a kind of fetish for skinny legs.
"And meet Ava," X turned to the petite blond female with a bouncy ponytail and put his arms around her waist. She looked like a cheerleader and I focused on her face instead of his arm on her freaking waist.
"Oh my gosh, you're Indian." Those were her first words to me.
"Half actually," I forced a smile.
"Is your hair naturally wavy?" She asked.
Oh no, not this. Don't tell me I'll be watching a movie with her.
"It is," I replied.
"Must be so nice brushing it every morning," she said dreamily.
"You have no idea," I drawled out sarcastically.
What the hell was Xavier thinking? He didn't tell me he had friends. Well duh, he must have some but he didn't tell me he was bringing them along.
"Movie then?" Marko suggested.
"Yeah, let's go," X agreed.
I sat as far as Ava as possible. So it was Ava, X, Marko and I- since I didn't want to sit next to X too. I was mad at him for some unknown reason.
"So, how did you get X?" Marko asked once we were settled. The movie hadn't started yet and Ava and Xavier were happily chatting away.
"Huh?" I asked. I could smell his spearmint breath since he was chewing gum.
"As your bodyguard," he rolled his eyes.
"Oh no, dad got him for me," I answered. Nooo, I totally sounded like a spoilt rich girl. I didn't want to make the wrong impression.
"I was almost killed," I added.
"Really?" He looked interested.
"Yeah, some stalker guy and all."
He chuckled, "Well you do look stalkable."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I cried.
"Nothing nothing" he waved it aside. "So what happened to your former bodyguards?"
Obviously I had to clear this up. "No, no, I never had any. I don't live with my parents."
He quirked an eyebrow.
"I like being independent." I stated.
"Ohh," he nodded in understanding. "You're the other type of rich girls."
"What's that supposed to mean? Stop talking nonsense and pass me some gum." I said in an Indian accent. He laughed and pulled out a packet from his back pocket.
****
"Let's go eat out," Ava chirped after the movie. Oh please, I just want to go home.
"Okay, Chilli's?" X asked.
"No, I'd rather just go home. I'm tired." I groaned.
"Aw, can't you stay? For me?" Marko gave me puppy-doggie eyes and I caught X glaring. Oh well, since he completely ignored me for Ava, I could play that game too. And play it better.
"Okay, I'll stay. But only because you insist," I smiled sweetly at Marko.
I stole a sideway glance at X. He didn't look too happy but he quickly masked it with a smile.
"Great, I'm starving," Ava squealed.
We slid into the booth, Ava and X opposite Marko and I.
We all agreed on cheeseburgers and fries with soda.
"X, why don't you get it?" I asked when we were done agreeing. "Marko and I are occupied." Well it was true, we found out we both loved video games and we were making do with the one on his tab.
"Sure," he gritted his teeth.
"What's it with you both?" Marko nudged me when he left.
"He hates his job, I'm a spoilt brat, my cousin tried to poison him..." I reeled off the possibilities.
He cracked up, "Tyler, you are something!"
Ava was eager to join the conversation. "So Tyy," she dragged my name. "Do you speak Hindi?"
"Yes, I do." Can you stop speaking?
"How's the weather over th-"
"What are your hobbies?" I cut her off.
"I have a number of them." She began. "You see I love dancing..." Marko offered me a bud of his earphones and I happily accepted.
And that's how dinner was, each pair barely talking to the other.
"Can we go home now?" I asked, truly tired.
"I thought we could hang out some more?" Ava protested.
"I'll take her," Marko offered.
"Oh, yes, please" I rested on his arm.
X clenched his jaw. "Fine."
I didn't get it. I didn't get him at all. Why was he acting so angry when he was the one who brought his friends along?
"Come on," Marko led me away.
****
"Is it every day you bring a hottie home, Tyler, is it?" Charlie craned her head out of the window to catch a last glimpse of Marko driving away.
Serena simply laughed. We were in my room and she was on my bed and like Charlie, wanted to know the juicy details. "Tyler has all the luck."
I collapsed on the bed after wiping my makeup and changing into my PJs.
"Can I at least have him, or the blonde one?" Charlie begged, referring to Keenan.
"Now now Charles, face your studies. You're only here for a while." I scolded.
"What do you mean 'for a while?'" Charlie pouted.
"I'm shipping you off to India as soon as your mother sends for you," I sighed.
"Nooo," she and Reena whisper screamed simultaneously.
"I like here," Charlie whined.
"She does my nails," Reen smiled sheepishly.
"Well, stop drooling over my guys then," I told Charles.
"What makes them yours?" Charlie demanded.
"As a player in training," Serena began, "all the guys in her circle are hers."
"How is this one a player?" Charlie snickered. "Who's training her?"
"I am." Reena flicked her hair. "And I'm the best out there."
