Until We Fall (A Before You Exit Fanfic)

CHAPTER 6

The week flew by way too fast. It's already the 28th of May, the day that the guys will arrive. Connor texted me when they are about to board the plane and he also texted me a few hours after that they have already arrived. Bianca arrived yesterday and she slept over at my house so we can pick up the guys today together.

"Aren't you excited to see them?" Bianca practically squealed as we drove near the airport.

I have my eyes focused outside the car window, just watching the trees and buildings pass by.

I looked at her for a while and smiled. "I am. It's just, I'm not ready to leave tomorrow, you know?" I said, looking back out. "You only arrived yesterday, and the guys will only arrive today. I want to spend more time with you guys." I said, lowering my voice.

I saw her smile from the corner of my eyes. "We'll make the most out of this day."

We arrived at the airport a few minutes after and we immediately drove to the pickup area because we both received a text from Connor saying they are already waiting outside. I saw them standing a few meters away with their luggage so I pointed to them and Bianca immediately drove to their direction.

We stopped directly in front of them which caused them to look at each other with confused look on their faces. I was about to go out and greet Connor who is in front of the passenger side door but Bianca beat me to it.

"Connor! Riley! Toby! Heeeey!" Bianca said as she sprint from her side towards the boys. I saw her give Connor a hug immediately and he hugged her back.

As they were hugging I walked out of the car and approached the other guys. "Hey!" they all said in unison once they see me.

I waved at them. "So I see you've lost your leather jackets, huh?" I said, smiling at them before giving each of them a hug. By the time I reach Thomas, I see Connor look at me from the corner of my eye.

I stayed in the middle of Braiden and Thomas as I look at Connor and Bianca. I smiled and waved at him.

"Let's go?" Bianca said, motioning them towards their car.

"Yeah." Riley said and they all followed Bianca, putting all their bags at the back of her car. I sat in front again, Connor, Braiden and Riley in the middle while Toby and Thomas are at the back. Good thing Bianca's car is big enough to fit 5 guys and 2 girls.

We immediately drove off once everyone was settled in. "So, what do you guys have planned for us?" Connor asked, leaning his head in the middle of Bianca and I.

We both smiled at him. "Uhm, we could go have lunch first and then we can stop by my house so you guys can change and then we can go to the beach in Tempe?" I asked, wondering if the plan is okay for them. I saw them look at each other on the rear-view mirror.

"We can change at our hotel so we don't intrude at your place." Riley said, looking back at me in the mirror. "We're staying at the Clarendon's." He added.

I nodded. "You guys won't intrude. Clarendon's at the other side of Phoenix. My house is actually nearer so it's okay." I said.

"Hm, okay." He replied.

We talked about how everyone has been and from time to time Connor and I shared a few glances at each other, sometimes we would look at each other and smile while sometimes when he looks at me, I flash my attention towards Bianca or the other guys.

We ate lunch fast because it's already 2pm. We drove to my house and I immediately let them in, feeling glad no one else is at home.

"Uhm. You can all change in my room?" I asked, motioning them upstairs to follow Bianca and I. "We'll just change at my brother's." I added.

They all looked at each other first before following us upstairs. They stopped a few times, looking at the photo frames hanging near the staircase.

"I didn't know you're Filipino." Braiden said, pointing at a picture.

I looked back and saw the others raise their eyebrows. I smiled and looked at the picture Braiden's pointing at. It's a photo of my brother and I when I was 4 years old, the last time we visited my family in the Philippines. I figured Braiden saw the note at the bottom, "Philippines, 2000."

"Yeah, my parents are both Filipinos, but I grew up here. That was the last time we visited the PH." I said.

"We went there last year." Toby said, smiling at me.

I smiled back. "It's beautiful there, isn't it?" I asked, looking at them.

"Very." Connor replied, looking straight at me.

I bit my lip and motioned them to follow me. "It's here." I said, opening the door. We all entered and I immediately fixed some of my things, removing papers and pens scattered around my desk, bed, etc. It's a bit crowded having all of us here.

I grabbed my backpack from my closet and stuffed a few things in there that I would need for our beach trip. I see the guys looking at the photos in my room while Bianca explained to them the photos. Most of them were pictures of the both of us anyway while the others are taken from the hospital, together with my co-interns.

"You look so cute!" Toby said, looking at Bianca and I. I looked at the picture they're looking at and it's the one where Bianca and I had a sleepover, wearing our onesies.

I shook my head. "That was taken the day before Bianca left for New York." I said, putting my arm around her.

She smiled at me. "Anyway, let's change!" She said, walking with me towards the door.

I stopped before closing the door behind me. "Sorry if it's a mess, I was working on a few things before leaving earlier so there are like, papers scattered around." I explained, pointing at the mess I left.

"No worries!" Braiden said, kneeling down to get something from his bag.

Connor walked towards me and leaned on the door frame, with his face a few inches away from mine. "We'll try not to make your room even messier." He said, flashing me with a smile.

I smiled back and we stayed there, staring at each other's eyes for a few seconds before Bianca broke us up.

"Alex?" She asked, pointing at my brother's room.

I smiled at her and looked at Connor who is smiling at me as well.

I walked away, hearing the door shut before we enter my brother's room to change.