Now I See You | ✓

Bonus: Saidi

I feel like a creep.

I always do, whenever MJ Thornton is around. I constantly find myself distracted, staring in her direction, drinking in that cheeky grin of hers.

She's sunshine and I'm drawn towards her every fucking time, no matter how much it makes my heart ache.

I'm watching her now, leaning against the wall of the kitchen, only vaguely paying attention to what my oldest friend Saori is talking about. Saori's been in my life for as long as I can remember, given that we both grew up in a small town just outside of Vancouver, and I love her to bits, but I just can't concentrate on what she's saying at all right now.

Our other oldest friend, Aubin, is no better, staring in the same direction as me, where his girlfriend Judah is standing with MJ and her two roommates, Anandi and Natalie. The four of them are giggling about something and both Aubin and I are distracted by the sound of our girls' laughs.

I mean, Aubin's distracted by his girl's laugh. I'm distracted by the laugh of the girl I really fucking like, but haven't ever really managed to get close enough to. The girl has slept in my damn bed, along with Anandi, while I slept in our old teammate Fraser's bed, and she often makes time to chat to me at parties and if she sees me on campus, but I always feel like I'm at arm's length.

And I don't have any clue how to change that. It's been a whole damn year since that night they stayed over in my room in this football house, but I've made no progress with her.

By my side, Saori huffs impatiently and swats both Aubin and I on the shoulders.

I look down at the girl next to me and wince sheepishly. "Sorry, Saori. What were you saying?"

"You're so obsessed with her, Saidi, you're almost as bad as Aubin and at least he's dating the damn girl," she complains, eyebrows creasing.

I try to refrain from rolling my eyes. I swear we have this conversation nearly every time MJ's in our vicinity, or at a party like this one, but what good does it do?

I talk to her, bask in the warmth her company brings, and then watch as she appears to treat everyone else the same way.

"I'm sorry," I murmur quietly.

My eyes drift back to the girls, though, watching as Josh, Nat's boyfriend, approaches them and distracts them from the conversation they're having.

Saori springs into action, dragging Aubin and me with her in the direction of the girls.

I see it coming from a mile away, the plan our friend has formed in her head, because she immediately grabs Anandi by the hand, muttering something in her ear. She was clearly banking on Josh and Aubin distracting Nat and Judah, which they do, leaving MJ and me standing at the side of the group, the only ones not occupied.

I can't tell if I want to shake Saori or give her a massive hug for helping me out.

Before I can even get a word out, MJ looks in my direction, her smile showing off her teeth, which are fucking adorable with that little gap in between her two front ones, and the dimples her rosy cheeks have. "Hey, Saidi. How's it going?"

Wow. Every time she says my name, I swear I get goosebumps.

"I'm good, thanks, MJ. How are you?" I reply, trying to keep my tone normal, despite the jumping jacks my heart always does around her.

Not to mention how sweaty my palms get.

She drains the last of her drink, nodding contentedly. "I'm good. Enjoying the party."

Jumping at the chance of seeing her without a drink, I jut my chin in the direction of the drink section a few feet away from us in the kitchen. "You want another drink?"