London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 11. Tyler

And she's cute. I noticed her yesterday at the bar, but Daniel didn't give anyone a chance. She was different. The girls around us usually act and even talk differently. Trying to figure out what's bothering me about her. On the outside she was totally harmless, smiling like that. But Keitlin was cute at first, too, and then... It's decided! We have to act before it's too late! As soon as Alex steps away with the phone, I take a moment to find out at least something about her.

I "accidentally" push her bag, which she didn't close in a hurry. Things fall out on the grass. I put it back in the bag with an affected look of guilt while studying its contents. Then a small plastic card comes to my attention - apparently, her driver's license. I study the contents of the document and become angry. This is it! Alex is about ten years older than the rest of us.

I take a quick picture of my find and throw things chaotically into the bag before she notices. Alex is so engrossed in the conversation that she doesn't even look in my direction. I have time to think about what to do with the information. So what kind of interest could a 35-year-old woman have in Dany? I wonder if he even knows her age.

Putting my thoughts aside, I start filming the game. Alex lands next to me.

- Is everything all right? - she asks.

- Definitely,-I reply with a smile. I decide to go into polite mode to get to know her.

Two familiar figures appear on the horizon. Janine smiles at me with the most charming smile. The sun plays in her red hair, making her look like an angel. My girl is the most beautiful of all. I'd like Stella who's been following her around, to get away from her. Stella dated Liam a couple of years ago, but their affair ended badly, to say the least. Since then, they never miss an opportunity to exchange mutual jokes. And when, after the first film, Stella turned her sights on Daniel, Liam could hardly control himself. Constantly spurring all her attempts towards a friend, embarrassing the whole company. And yet, Stella hasn't disappeared anywhere. She was determined to show Liam who was stronger.

She stared at Daniel like a cat at sour cream, constantly making excuses to touch him. We watched it over and over again, laughing our heads off. At the games Stella dressed like she was on the catwalk: superminis, high heels. She pulled her long black hair into a ponytail and overdid her face. And her mannerism... She was so annoying.

But Janine loved her for some reason. They'd been friends since the third grade, so she'd just put up with the way Stella was and ignored a lot of her quirks. And also because she is an angel: she always sees the good in people.

- Hi, honey, - she says, her lips pressing against mine. - Are we too late? Stella had some things to do, so we had to stay late. Who's that? - She asks in a low voice.

- It's Alex,- I answer deliberately loudly, so Stella could hear. She's staring at the field with deliberate attention, even though we all know she doesn't know anything about football. - Daniel's friend,- I finish. Stella instantly turns around and flashes her furious eyes at her opponent.

- Hi Alex, nice to meet you, I'm Janine, Tyler's girlfriend and also Dani's friend, and this is Stella,- the beautiful Janine turns on the peacemaker.

- Hi, nice to meet you too,- Alex replies. I scrutinise her reaction to Stella's arrival. Now that Stella sees her as a rival, we can safely stock up on popcorn and wait for the denouement. She'll do it all on her own, and sooner or later Alex will crack. And everything is resolved on its own. I'm a goddamn genius, after all.

The girls settle around the new girl, and I can finally get on with my business. Stella surrounds Alex with increased attention, asking more and more questions, to which she gives rather extensive answers. Janine, as always full of optimism and humanity, quickly finds a rapport with Alex, they giggle and discuss something in a half-whisper, as if they met for five minutes but a few years ago. Alex tells her about her holiday, the country and meeting us, which gets my girl all excited.

After the match is over and the boys have shaken hands, Liam and Dan rush over to us. They're still breathing fast, recovering their breath. Liam takes off his wet T-shirt, showing the girls bare torso, and he soaks his wet face with it.

- Happy victory, guys,- I congratulate my friends. - Are we going to celebrate?

- Thanks, Tyler, of course we are! - Liam replies,- Janine, hi, glad to see you. Stella, you're here, too. What happened today? The explosion at the make-up shop? Did you get half your skirt blown off in there? - He can't help himself.

- Fuck you, Liam Hale,- Stella snorts, giving him the middle finger. Their bickering is quite amusing. It's like they never got out of kindergarten. - Did you get hit in the head with a football ball again? Stupidity in the eyes has increased.

Unable to stand it, Alex starts laughing, causing a fit of laughter for everyone but Stella. To Stella, this means a declaration of war. I knew there'd be a roast.

- Shall we go? - Dan calls,- I'll drive you to your hotel and pick you up in a couple of hours. You'll come with us, won't you? - he says to Alex.

- Well, why not? Especially as it turns out you're a lot of fun,- she replies, still smiling. - I'm ready to go. Bye guys, see you tonight. - She picks up her bag and waves us goodbye.

Liam smiles his satisfied grin, savoring how turned on Stella is. Looks like we're all looking forward to tonight.