forever strangers

2- we meet again

Today was my first day back in New York. I had been running all over the world. For instance, I went to Italy to visit my parents. It was a warzone. I had not planned to tell my parents about my visit so as to surprise them. The moment they caught a glimpse of my face, they started jumping around and crying with joy. After they had cooled down, my mother held my face and inspected it clearly while muttering curse words under her breath. My dad was in shock and kept jumping around like a rabbit. Sadly, I couldn't stay at Italy for long, as I was only there for a modelling campaign. After Italy, I went on to other countries with my bestfriend, Emilia. I had a lot of fun, to say the least.

"Hey, woman. You have reached your destination get out of your daydream," my cab driver said in a rather curt tone. Energetic Evelina would've snapped and thrown hands, but I just got off a 7-hour flight, so I just muttered a quiet apology before slapping a twenty dollar bill in his hand and stepping out of the cab.

I would be living with Emilia for a while. She had mentioned that she lived with a lot of people and they were like one big family. So, I was very excited to meet them and join their family. Just kidding. I do not like socialising, but they might be an exception as what I've heard from Emilia, they have treated her really well. Whoever makes my bestfriend happy, makes me happy. And whoever Emilia likes, I like too.

Taking a quick glance at the address em sent me, I matched the address on the humongous house before ringing the doorbell. Oh my fucking gwack. This house is huge.

Within seconds, Em's eager face popped out from inside the house. She squealed and pulled me into a tight hug between mumbling something incoherent like a "I miffed you fo much". I smiled and patted her shoulder lightly. I missed her too. Em and I went way back all the way from kindergarten. Sadly, we went to different high schools and eventually got separated. I used to bully her and steal her colour pencils. But I don't know what happened, one day we just randomly started a random conversation and became best friends. Anyways, I was a dick in kindergarten, still kinda am but slightly better. Right? I don't know.

Before I knew it, Em pushes me into her house before looking me up and down her brows scrunched together in displeasure.

"Girl, you know I love you but what are you doing wearing that in New York? You look stunning but this just isn't your vibe," she commented as her hands moved around frantically as she studied me outfit. I groaned. Did I mention Em was a total fashionista and loved to construct outfits for me against my will? I felt her eyes roam around my body before she grinned and mouthed "bingo". Pushing me into her closet, She whipped out a few outfits from the drawer before throwing them at me and sashaying out.

As I looked down at the outfits em had very rudely picked out for me, I could not help but admit the outfit looked pretty good.

She had thrown me a tight red crop top with the words "I'm famous but nobody knows it" printed on it. She paired it will a maxi skirt and some jewellery.

Smoothing my hands on the maxi skirt, I made my way outside to find Em.

I found her sitting on a stool in what I presumed was the kitchen. I had to admit Emilia was fucking gorgeous. I liked her, not like a weirdo or romantic way, but in a bestfriend way. I kinda of looked up to her. She was sweet, caring, funny. The best best-friend a girl could ask for. I mean, she even let me live with her free of charge!

"Girl finally you're here I thought you died in the closest! Jokes, jokes," she said as she pulled me towards the front door.

"I'll give you a tour of the house now, all the housemates are home so we can drop by and say hi," she told me, while jumping up and down and pulling me behind her by my arm.

Emilia showed me around the house and it's facilities. And when I say the house was huge. I meant it was HUGE. There was a swimming pool with a diving board and rock sculptures. With a beautiful tulip garden in the backyard. Fairy lights hung from every crack and crevice of the house. The house was very well kept and not to mention felt very homey. There were bean bags and cushions draped with brown blankets and huge windows with a balcony.

She had showed me everywhere but the rooms, and I was getting nervous. I hoped my new roomates would like me.

After what seemed like an eternity of touring the house, it finally came to the bedrooms. She showed me mine, which looked exactly like how I designed it, then she showed me one of my roommates. Her name was "Maria" and was the mother of my other roommate. She was a badass and I could tell we were best friends instantly.

After that she introduced me to my last roommate.

She knocked thrice on the door before a rumble was heard and the door thrown open. In front of me stood an awfully familiar face, with his dark stubble and his grey stony eyes I could barely recognise him, but I did, I just couldn't place my finger on it. Who was this man? And why was he so awfully handsome? And by the way his brows were scrunched together in concentration, he probably was wondering the same thing too.

The tension in the air was palpable and both of us stared each other down in concentration and confusion. Just then, Emilia broke down silence and cleared her throat.

I studied his outlooks more closely, squinting my eyes. Then, realisation hit me like a tidal wave. Damien. That's it, he's Damien! Despite me somewhat recognising him, he looked nothing like what he did before. He used to be first of all very short, with braces and a nerdy expression on his face. I used to make fun of him for it, not because he looked terribly bad but because we were academic rivals and he was always in the first while I was in the second. But now? Fuck. He looked great, the total opposite of when he was younger. He got his braces removed and shot up. He looked very handsome.

Just at that moment, Damien's mouth dropped open with a 'pop' sound. He must have recognised me too as he looked shock, and I'm pretty sure my face mirrored his. Then, the unthinkable happened. Damien smiled, a devastatingly handsome smile.

"Welcome to our home, Evelina. I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here, especially with the great company you would be having," he smirked.

I opened my mouth to answer but Emilia beat me to it.

"Girl, you guys know eachother? How? That's so cool!" She squealed as she looked in between us back and forth.

"Yes, we go way back," he replied his gaze burning holes into my body.

Gosh help me.

Authors Note:
Word count: 1295
How did you guys feel about this chapter? I'm sorry if it's short, but it's just the introduction and I promise I will write more in the next chapter, or at least attempt to! Once again, comment some constructive criticism so that I can improve! Thank you all <3

- spicychickenburrito