Keep Me - Carlos Sainz

three

"How do you two know each other?" Emilio spoke, confused. I hadn't mentioned mentioned meeting Carlos to anyone other than my brother. 

"I ambushed her at the airport" Carlos chuckled, smiling at me, making me blush and look away. 

"How do you two know each other?" I questioned, pointing between Carlos and Emilio.

"We met through Alejandro when we were twelve, been friends ever since" Emilio spoke, patting Carlos on the back. "Anyways, now that we're done with the introductions let's drink! Noa, what's your poison? We have vodka, tequila and rum"

"Uhh, vodka's fine" I replied, not believing my eyes still. While Emilio was making our drinks I sat down with the rest of the group, feeling Carlos' eyes burn a hole in the side of my head, making it very difficult for me to concentrate on the conversation. 

"So Noa, Emilio tells us you lived in New York. Why did you decide to move to Madrid?" Julieta said, making all the attention focus on me. 

"I guess I needed a change" I responded, trying not to get into the many reasons I actually left. "Plus I was getting tired of having my last name mispronounced" The group laughed, making me feel warm inside. I felt a sliver of hope run through my body. I was always the funny friend in my friend groups. Never the prettiest, but at least the funniest. Although I would never admit it out loud, I was tired of always being seen as comedic relief, but that was better than being seen as nothing. No matter how much I wanted to be the beautiful, confident or powerful friend, I know that will never happen. And I would much rather settle for being funny. It was a characteristic that often made people overlook the darkness. It was a characteristic that made people want to have me around. So I was glad they laughed at my stupid comment. Emilio pulled me out of my thoughts, placing a cup in front of me, sitting by my side. 

"Come on, let's be immature for a second and play Never Have I Ever so we can get to know a little about Noa here" Alejandro exclaimed, clapping his hand. Everyone cheered in agreement. "Valeria, you go first" 

"Alright" Valeria started, squinting her eyes in thought. "Never Have I Ever gotten a tattoo" 

Emilio, Daniel, Antonio and Sofia sipped their drinks, and I did too. I could feel Carlos scanning my body, probably searching for said tattoo. Julian was up next. After a few rounds, I could feel the alcohol warming me up, easing the tension and anxiety I felt from being with totally new people. It was my turn now. I didn't even have to think about my question, I already had my go-to Never Have I Ever question prepared so I wouldn't have to take a sip. 

"Never Have I Ever had a boyfriend or girlfriend" I spoke, smiling as everyone sipped their drinks. 

"Never?" Antonio asked, earning a head shake from me. I was proud I made everyone drink. Being alone and said pays off sometimes.  

"Nope" 

"How come?" Carlos said, my head snapped in his direction. I had almost forgotten he was sitting merely centimeters from me. Panic flooded my chest, but I kept my composure, trying to make the topic sound light and meaningless. 

"Men suck" I smiled sweetly, shrugging, keeping my eyes focused on his. His eyebrows raised a bit, a small smirk finding its way onto his lips. 

"Amen to that" The girls cheered and laughed, clinking their drinks. We played a few more rounds but everyone eventually got up and started dancing along to the music. I took that as an opportunity to text Cristian. I finally understood his reaction when I told him I met Carlos in the airport. The son of a bitch already knew what he was setting me up for. I love Formula 1, I watch the races when my complicated university schedule allows, which is hardly ever but I love it nonetheless. I have no favourite team, but I will follow Sebastian Vettel til the end of the world.