Queen of my Heart

04

SOMETIMES EVEN I SURPRISED MYSELF WITH MY OCCASIONAL LUCK.

Without further ado, I answered the phone call with a muttered apology to the lads.

It was Granny, asking me where the hell I was and when was I coming home. My only thought during the whole short conversation was, Oh, finally. Now I have a reason to leave this place.

When I hung up, I told the lads what Granny and I had talked about, though I may or may not have exaggerated some things ("She's going to kill me, lads!") to make it work.

"Already?" Nicky asked in disbelief.

"But it's only 11:30," Mark said pointed out.

How hard was it to let a pathetic girl go home?

"Granny told me to come home. And I can't disappoint her. Please," I pleaded, feigning a cry. No guy can afford to be in the same room with a teary-eyed girl.

"Okay. But on one condition." Expect it from Bryan to make everything worse.

"What?"

"Leave us your number and address."

I shrugged. That might not be so bad. "Okay."

We exchanged numbers, and I also left them my address. I tried to contain my excitement at the prospect of finally leaving them as I waved goodbye and slammed the door behind me.

Leaning against the door, an involuntary sigh escaped my lips. "Thank you, Lord."

Without further ado, I walked down the hallway with a skip on my step. Like I was a sodding schoolgirl.

Just as I was taking the stairs, however, the hairs on the back of my neck stood, as if I were being watched. I looked over my shoulder only to see that the lads completely went incognito.

Cue impulsive annoyance.

"Now, what?" I demanded, crossing my arms, not even bothering to keep the scowl off of my face.

I was irritated and I hoped they saw it.

Bryan chuckled somewhat nervously. "Easy there, wild cat."

Easy your face, you liar.

"We'll drive you home," Shane said with a pointed look at my way.

"Good thing you took the stairs. Elevators aren't my thing." Nicky sighed.

I chose to ignore that last part.

"I can go home myself, guys. Plus, I don't want to ruin your schedule." And I'm tired trying to keep myself from screaming in frustration because Shane was so dense and stupid.

Bryan crossed his arms, looking all serious and businesslike. "Our schedule is to take you home."

"Come on, Juliet. It's not like we could do this everyday," Shane said as he held my hand and pulled me downstairs.

I may or may not have felt a tiny bit of butterflies in my stomach.

The car (courtesy of Nicky) ride was quiet, to say the least. Mark kept on looking at the streets we passed, Nicky was driving, Shane muttered incoherent words beside Kian, and Bryan was focused on squeezing my body fats against the window.

Just my idea of fun (sarcasm, people. Anyone?).

After a few minutes, we finally reached our destination and I almost had to shove my fist in my mouth to stop myself from swearing in relief.