The Bodyguard | 18+

Chapter 15

"So, are you dating anyone?" Maze looks over at me, drawing everyone's attention with her question.

Before I can respond, Joanna interjects, "Don't you know? She's dating Alex Cruz. Everyone knows that."

I'm taken aback. I don't remember announcing to the world that we were together. Maybe Alex spilled the beans to the media or paparazzi found us.

"How do you know that?" I ask her, narrowing my eyes.

"I saw a picture of you two online. And I mean it's obvious, the way you two go back and forth tweeting at each other," she states casually, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh, isn't he that cute guy from that one commercial?" Maze tries to recall.

"He's actually been in quite a few commercials," I explain, trying to keep my tone casual. "You'll have to be a bit more specific."

"Typical," Carter smirks, leaning back. "Blondes are usually the clueless ones."

"Shut up Carter," Brandon shoots him a glare.

"Relax, man! Just messing around," Carter chuckles, holding his hands up innocently.

"How sweet of you to defend your girlfriend," Joanna remarks, clearly enjoying the banter.

"Joanna!" Maze scolds her, and Joanna raises her hands in surrender. I can't help but chuckle at their dynamic. I wish I had friends like this.

"Ava, how long are you staying here?" Carter tries to change the subject.

"Just for the summer." I answer.

"What a shame," Joanna comments with a smile. I'm not sure whether to like her or not.

"Yeah, I guess it is," I reply, offering her a smile. For now, I'll choose to like her. But I'll be keeping a close eye on her.

"I love your shirt. Where's it from?" Maze asks, eyeing my shirt.

"Oh, this? It was a gift from my mother. It's from Prada, I think," Their eyes widen in surprise, except for Brandon's.

"Wow, um... it must be expensive," Maze nervously laughs, and I can't help but feel like I've said something wrong by the way they're all looking at me.

"You know, we're just regular people who shop at regular stores," Joanna chimes in, a hint of playful teasing, yet there's a subtle undertone of judgment that makes me feel a bit guilty.

"Well, me too." I hurriedly add, my words coming out a bit too defensively.

"I doubt that. Nothing about you is regular, I mean, come on....you have a bodyguard." Joanna laughs. "But you know what, I could easily find something like that at Ross."

"You mean like a... knock-off?" Arching my brow, I met her gaze with a pointed look.

"Maybe, or just something cheaper like from a thrift store," Maze explains matter-of-factly.

"Right, of course," I manage to respond with a nod, forcing a smile. I'm suddenly hyper-aware of the differences between me and Brandon's friends. They talk so easily about bargain finds, like it's part of their day-to-day, while I've never really had to think twice about the brand or cost of something. I shift uncomfortably in my seat as I struggle to find the right words to say.

"Where did you get your shirt?" I ask Joanna, attempting to steer the discussion away from me.

"Gucci," she replies.

"Really?" My eyebrows shoot up, relieved to hear she's also into high-end brands.

"No," she chuckles, "I got it at Old Navy." Laughter erupts from the group. I join in halfheartedly, feeling somewhat out of place. I feel my fingers fidgeting with the fabric of my shirt.