"Alright boys, let's get our gaming on!" Xavier exclaims, fist bumping his right hand into the air with a silly grin on his lips.
The three of them grab a drink from the fridge with Shay also grabbing two bags of chips off the counter to bring these into the living area. When Logan notices I have not grabbed myself a drink or snack, he turns on his heal to walk back to the fridge. When he joins us, he hands me a bottle of soda with a grin, and a look that tells me not to argue with him. Taking the bottle carefully with an appreciative smile, and a soft 'thanks.'
"Okay, what are we playing first?" Xavier asks, gesturing over the available games, and they eventually decide on a game.
They get the game started, and I settle on the couch on the end closest to the wall, and watch the three of them play. After their second round, they do not start a third round, or change the game to a different game.
Xavier focuses on his attention on my while holding out his controller toward me; "Do you wanna turn, Braelin?"
"N-no thanks," I quietly answer, shaking my head as I tug on figures in nervousness.
Xavier and Shay frown at me then at Logan who says; "Braelin has never played video games before."
The other two focus on me with surprised expressions, and Shay asks; "Really? Well, would you llike to learn how to play? We do not mind teaching you."
Shaking my head as I chew on my lower lip; "U-uh, no thanks, though. I am happy just watching you guys play."
"Okay, we will not push this, but if you change your mind, say something," Shay says, and I tentativly nod in agreement.
They play for anout hour, chatting as they play, and I watch them in silence, and enjoying myself as I nurse my drink. I cannot remember the last time I had a sugery drink like this. I know I have to pee, and I am getting a little hungry.
When they finish their current game, they stand, stretching their arms over their heads, Logan asking; "Is anyone else getting hungry? If so, I am thinking we should order pizzas."
This is my cue to head to the cafe somehow as they agree to order four large pepperoni pizzas from the nearby pizza place that delivers to the dorms.
"I, uh, need to call my mama," I nervously say while standing from the couch to leave. "I will be back after I talk to her."
Logan frowns at me like he knows why I really am leaving, and thankfully he does not call me out on this. I have a feeling he will though later.
"I will not be back to eat, so eat without me, and please do not order for me, okay?" I say with a slight nervousness in my voice.
Shay and Xavier frown at me while Logan stares at me, and Xavier bluntly asks; "Are you really calling your mom, or are you eating in the cafe?"
Biting my lower lip harshly, thinking I might draw blood as I stare at him while mumbling; "Um, yes?"
"Why?" Shay asks, and he seems genuinly confused with his head tilted to the right slightly.
"Because he feels bad for not having money to put in on what we are eating and drinking," Xavier answers for me, and damn him for being observent.
Ducking my head in shame while I nod softly at Xavier's words. A pair of white Nike shoes stop at the tip of my shoes, so our shoes are toe to toe in my line of vision. I am brought into a tight hug by the person, and my guess is Logan, but the person does not smell like his cologene. Picking my head up slightly, and find myself being hugged by Shay. Tucking my face into his neck, and wrap my arms around his lean, muscular waist.
"You smell really good, Shay," I mumble into his neck as I inhale his scent into my lungs.
"Thanks," Shay lowly laughs as he squeezes my waist tighter for a second. "So, will you please stay to eat with us? Please do not feel bad, guilty or ashamed. We do not want you to pay for any of this now, or in the future. We want to help take care of you because you are our friend."
Sniffling softly into his neck as I try to hold back the tears at his kind words. Tightening my arms around his waist as I nod against him in agreement.
"Thanks," I mumble before taking a step back to wipe at my eyes with my fingertips with a wet chuckle. "Can I please use someone's phone to call mama?"
"Sure," Logan answers, pulling his cell from his back right pocket, and holds it out toward me with a tiny smile.
Smiling at him, I take the phone from him to dial mama's work number, and wait for someone to answer; "Hi, thanks for calling Debbie's. How can I help you?"
"Hi, can I speak with Paisly, please?" I soflty ask.
"Sure, who is calling?" the woman replies, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
"Her son, Braelin," I murmur, chewing on my lower lip.
"Sure honey, hang on a second, okay?" the lady replies, and I mumble out an 'okay.' "Paisly, your son is on the phone!"
"Brae?" mama asks, sounding breathless, yet excited.
"Hi mama. How are you? How is work?" I murmur with a content smile.
"Work is good, and I am better now that I am talking to you," she cheerfully says, making my smile grow. "How are you? What have you been doing?"
"I am good. I, uh, made three awesome friends," I say before telling her everything else.
