Chasing Endless Sunsets

Chapter 07

"Hi!" I waved at Xavi who was already wearing his beach outfit - dark blue swim shorts, white sleeveless tee, shades, and white havaianas.

"Hey!" He removed his shades and smiled widely at me. He combed his soft wavy brown hair with his fingers to fix it.

Clara's right. He's handsome. And very charming too. And he definitely looks hot in his outfit today.

"Happy birthday!" I gave him the box I was carrying. "Well, belated!" I corrected myself.

"You didn't have to."

"It's fine. I was actually baking and cooking last night so it's not really much of a trouble," I said.

His eyes grew wide and his cheeks dimpled. "Wow. You baked this?" he asked and opened the box to take a peek.

I nodded and smiled.

"This looks divine! I can't wait to try," he said excitedly. "Come. I'll introduce you to my friends." He motioned for me to go with him.

We walked to the table where his friends were chilling right now and preparing the bbq. Buti nalang konti lang sila. I honestly didn't know what made me say yes when I don't really hang out with people I don't know. I always felt awkward around people I didn't know.

"Guys, this is Kayla," he began. "Kayla, these are my friends - Jack, Anika, Haley, Spencer, Paige, Cooper." He introduced everyone and all of them waved and smiled at me.

I smiled at them. Xavi turned his head to me and furrowed his brows then his lips stretched into a small smile.

"Jack and Haley are Filipinos. Spencer, Paige, Cooper, and Anika are all Australians," he whispered.

I nodded at him.

"Hi Kayla! Nice to meet you. Kamusta?" Jack offered his hand. He looked at Xavi and laughed.

"Nice to meet you." I shook his hand and smiled at him.

"Come join us here, Kayla." Anika smiled at me and invited me to join them at the table.

Xavi beamed at me before I sat on the bench and mingled with his friends. There was so much food - meat, seafood, veggies, sides, and drinks, and they were already drinking and preparing to grill.

"Do you want a drink?" Spencer asked. "Wine, juice, soda, beer or water?"

"Soda, please. Thanks!" I smiled at him.

Spencer gave me a can of soda and stood up to join Xavi, Cooper, and Jack in grilling all the food.

"Should we join them and help?" I asked.

"No need." Haley smiled. "Those guys always tell us they'll take care of it when we offer to help and would tell us to just chill."

"That's really nice of them." I smiled back. "Are you all in the same year in uni?"

"Yup, 4th year so we're graduating soon." It was Paige who spoke this time. "But our courses are different. The guys, and Haley, they're all taking up Finance. Anika and I are taking up Economics. How about you?" She sipped from her wine.

"3rd year. But I'm not really studying here. Just in an exchange program for a year then going back home after."

We continued talking about different things while waiting for the guys to finish. They told me that most of them love to go hiking. Si Xavi wasn't really a fan daw but would also join them. And the girls loved shopping and eating out. They even invited me to join them next time if I wanted to. Nalaman ko rin na 'yun original group of friends was the guys and Haley. Sila Anika and Paige folded into the group when they started dating Jack and Cooper during their sophomore year. Then Spencer and Haley eventually dated too.