Not good for you

08;

"Finally! I started to worry that you drove into the ocean," Leigh exclaimed as I opened the door and exited.

It was around noon when we got to the address Leigh had sent us. The weather was still hot, and the sun was still blinding us. When I turned around, I didn't even acknowledge the house at first.

The house was dark brown, with a small balcony at the front. A few lamps adorned the stone yard that led up to the entrance. It brought back memories of my home, but unlike there, I'll spend time with friends instead of an immature mother. This place already radiated a much better vibe.

"I wasn't that lucky," Seeley teased, and I tried to swap his cap off his head.

"You wish," I narrowed my eyes as he walked over to the trunk of his car.

When he opened it, I stepped next to him, already reaching my arm to my bag when he gently pushed it aside.

"I got it," he said without looking at me.

"Thanks," I stepped away and watched him grab my stuff. Emilia gave me a questioning look, and I shrugged before walking up to them. I didn't want to think more of a kind gesture.

"And I would have thought I'd be the one who would take ages to get here." Leigh smiled as we walked to the entrance.

"My mother might have had a little chit-chat with Seeley when he arrived," I said, lowering my tone. Leigh's eyes widened.

"I thought she would be working by now!"

I pressed my lips together and stopped in front of the wooden door.

"She will be," I added. "In the afternoon."

Leigh groaned and ran her fingers through her colorful hair.

"I wanted to pick you up, I swear," she tried to explain herself with a painful expression. I knew that she would have come for me, there was no need for any explanation.

"Yeah, right." I teased her, and she nudged my arm.

"I really did," she defended herself. "I guess our mothers are a wrack this day."

"Most likely," I agreed as Seeley walked up the stairs to join the boys, who were already drinking cold beers. Knowing them, they probably brought them from home.

"I've heard there was an accident," Casen started, crossing his legs. "It was two cars slamming into each other and being a train or something."

"Yes, it happened a few miles ahead of us," I nodded.

"I hate traffic jams." Austin agreed and grabbed his beer.

"How fucking empathic you are," I said, turning to him while he was sipping from his beer.

"I am," Austin said, spreading his arms. "Don't you see how empathic I am for you two?"

"We don't," Seeley joined our conversation.

"It's not my problem that you are incapable of noticing a friend expressing his sorry for you," Austin said dramatically.

"You might consider attending a séance to improve your people skills." I slapped his shoulder, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Artists don't need things like that," he pointed his finger at me.

"Define artist for me, please."

"Have you not seen my paintings, lady?" he asked, leaning forward. "I am a goddamn successor of da Vinci."

I rolled my eyes and laughed at his choice of words. Austin did have talent when it came to art, but I never missed a chance to get under his skin like that.