Let's Be Friends

Alex

"Where's Teddy?" Gray asked as an alarm went off on his phone, signaling that the boy would indeed have to go soon. Internally I wanted to beg him to stay with me, and not leave me alone with a group of people I'd just met. But of course I wouldn't do that in front of them, and especially not Alex.

"Work." Was Alex's one worded answer, he still refused to look at me or acknowledge me. I couldn't exactly understand what I'd done to upset him, but then again, it isn't unheard of for someone to ignore and dislike me without reason. Which, based on past experiences, can only give me hope that he'll come around.

Ben smiled, "Are you guys helping set up for the dance, or whatever, tomorrow evening?" He always stood confident and firm, with strong shoulders squared and a smile on his face. Ben Park was easily an admirable figure.

Gray hummed something along the lines of a response as he dug through his bag for a book, probably to be used in his tutoring session. "I want the extra credit for showing up. Decorating is easier then doing whatever else I'd have to do." He flipped over pages carefully in a spiral notebook, scanning pages of notes until he'd found just the right one. 

A chorus of agreements chimed in. It seemed that most of them were going only for the credit, since their grades weren't exactly stellar and if they all went together they could get better grades and have a good time. To the guys, this was a win-win situation for them.

I paused for a moment, mentally that is, the dance was supposed to be something of a Christmas Bash organized by students to celebrate the end of the semester and the beginning of the holidays; which the teachers completely supported and encouraged, saying it was a good way to mingle amongst peers. The entire event would be nothing good, I concluded based, mostly off of, the "Parties" thrown, unofficially, in the dorms by students. It was even worse that this event was being hosted almost entirely by one of the "more popular" sororities. 

I hadn't decided on whether or not I was going, though previously I'd aired towards not, since I didn't need the credit and would have nothing to do with the event itself.  But Gray was going and he for sure didn't need credit, he was going to hang out with them so why can't I do the same? It was in that moment I decided three things: to help out in the set up, to hang out with everyone of course, and that I would not be in attendance when it came to the party itself. Quite frankly, I can't think of anything worse then having to go to that stupid party.

"Bye." Gray hummed with a small wave before splitting from the rest of the group, I couldn't suppress a smile, knowing that he would be late since he'd decided to talk with us. I suppose it wasn't a great thing to be happy about, but the idea that he'd put off something he liked doing or needed to do for me, and his other friends, is a sweet thought that I think I'll hold on to.

"This is our stop too!" Rowan motioned for Eugene to walk with him to their classes, which I assumed were close to each other.

Gerard began heading out in the opposite direction, "Where you going Broccoli?" Ben asked with a smile.

"Work." He replied, waving and turning his back.

Ben Park laughed, turning back toward Alex and I. "What can you do?"

"We're going right?" Alex asked him, keeping his eyes anywhere but on me. His hands were shoved firmly in his pockets, as his head was high. Alex walked confidently, not like Ben Park, it was different. Ben Park walked firm with a natural confidence, as if time and time again his high rank in the hierarchy had been solidified. Alex's confidence looked forced, as if he'd half-heartedly tried to imitate Ben, eventually twisting the original feeling into something completely different.

Either way, neither seemed like someone to trifle with.

"Now hold on," Ben sighed, "Stephen, what're your plans?" He asked, seemingly oblivious to the lime green eyes that, after all this time, had finally met mine. They were cold, but not alike Gray's. Alex's glare was poisonous, a warning, and a message; as if he were saying "You're busy."