This is more of an exposition chapter, to introduce the characters. Why not have fun in the process?
Disclaimer: I only own the main characters in this story series.
"Pandora."
Ugh, who was that? She was just having the best dream...
"Pandoraaa."
Her ears twitched in recognition that time. What was Scarlet wanting this late? She knew they we're still in sort of a honeymoon phase, but damn it, she needed her beauty sleep.
"...hhng... What, Scarlet?"
"They're here."
Pandora shot up at that. Had she actually carried it out? How did she do that in 20 minutes?!
Scarlet laughed at Pandora's expression. As if she knew what Pandora was thinking, she answered.
"You slept through your alarm. It's been two hours."
"Wha- Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You looked cute, so I just shut it off for you and prepared the snacks and stuff."
Pandora's cheeks flushed at that. She quickly composed herself and kissed Scarlet sweetly. "How can I stay mad at you? I'll go get ready while you keep them occupied."
Scarlet nodded, her blue eyes sparkling warmly, and walked out the door. Pandora smiled after her, watching her fiancé happily waltz through the door. What a waste, that she was only like that in private.
Pandora planted her feet on the floor and got up, still drunken from sleep. She walked into the bathroom with her change of clothes at hand, making sure not to embarrass herself in front of her childhood friends.
After shutting the door, Pandora eyed herself in the mirror. Aside from the... bruises on her neck and collarbone, she was looking good for having just gotten out of bed. Her auburn hair wasn't messy, nor were her green eyes outlined in dark circles like usual. In fact her soft skin remained, for the most part, unblemished. She settled for a quick shower, got dressed, and strolled out to the living room to meet the guests.
"Hi." Pandora could recognize that blunt voice anywhere. The first one in the group, Ivy, flashed a small smirk at her when they made eye contact. Though her face was stiff, Pandora could always see right through her.
"Nice to see you too, Ivy."
Genuine friendliness sparked in her friend's gray eyes, and she abashedly brushed her side-swept blue hair to the side.
"Hey now, don't forget us."
The flamboyant voice came from none other than Joey, the most fabulous guy any of the bunch had ever met. From the way he looked, no one would even suspect how gay he actually was... well, until he spoke. At his side was his husband of two years, Aiko, a rather shy, small and quiet Asian man with brains Pandora swore could rival Einstein's. He waved timidly at the other couple, smiling softly.
" 'Sup losers?"
Unsurprisingly, that had come from two people at once: Maven and Darrian. The two were most definitely the clowns of the group; they never were really serious. Maven was a quirky, short and stocky girl with jet-black hair and glasses framing brown eyes, while Darrian had the classic scene kid look going for him, but it suited him well.
Anyone would have suspected he was straight just by looking at him.
Then he spoke.
Then anyone would realize he was really straight.
"Soo, the gang's all here!" Scarlet emerged from the kitchen, seemingly playing Jenga with the bags of chips and bottles of soda she was holding.
"Oh hold on, let me get some of that."
Pandora and Scarlet may not have noticed, but everyone else sure did: they were absolutely the cutest couple, and no one really knew exactly why they were. Maybe because they'd just gotten engaged? Maybe because they'd been dating since middle school?
Perhaps.
Or perhaps it was the scars on Pandora's neck that she was trying - and failing - to conceal with a scarf.
How cute.
A/N: Pretty simple exposition chapter but I had to get the descriptions out of the way. Reviews are appreciated! I'll get on with this as soon as possible.
I respond to reviews by the way, including requests. Love you all!
