Mike is the first to strike up a conversation once we’re standing outside the cinema. “So what are we seeing tonight? Green Lantern, Captain America and Rise of the Planet of the Apes are showing.”
“I’m in the mood for some action, but Captain America didn’t look that good from trailers.” Cameron replies.
"Well I’m in the mood for Ryan Reynolds.” I add and smile.
“Agreed!” Meg, Renee and Nyla say in sync.
“Hey, two of you have boyfriends here. Besides, we’re hotter than Ryan Reynolds.” Mike and Isaac flex their muscles and send us girls into a flow of laughter.
“Oh baby, please. You’re hot, but this is Ryan Reynolds. You have no chance.” Nyla jokes with Mike.
“Ouch Nyla, give the guy a break, he’s still at the Bieber stage of life.” Cameron teases.
“Dude, like you can talk! Do you WANT me to tell everyone here what you did last-”
“NO! No need to continue this conversation. Nyla give him a break, he’s just upset because I inherited the looks in the family.” He laughs.
“DUDE, SHUT UP!” Mike turns and lifts his arm to hit Cameron, but I interrupt.
“Wait, you guys are brothers?” They look nothing alike.
“We’re half-brothers, or step brothers, whichever. We have the same dad who I lived with after my mother died, and who Mike decided to live with once he met Nyla.” Cameron leans over to whisper just loud enough for Mike to hear. “He’s whipped.” A cheeky grin comes over his face as he glances at Mike in the corner of his eye.
“That’s it Cam!” Mike steps forward to hit Cameron.
“Mike!” Isaac catches his arm just in time. “Don’t you even think about it cause you know I’ll step in you’ll both be in trouble.” He has a smirk on his face, knowing he could take them both without breaking a sweat. “So anyway, looks like Rise of the Planet of the Apes it is.”
“Ah, I don’t think so babe!” Meg snaps.
“We’re not going to see something you guys will actually be interesting in or worse drooling over. It defeats the purpose of coming all the way here.”
Megan crosses her arms and raises eyebrows at Isaac. “Oh yeah, a whole fifteen minute drive!”
“Hey,” Nay raises her hands in the air, “We’re single, and we’re allowed to drool.” She said pointing between herself and I. “Nyla and Meg are allowed to look, they just can’t touch. Not that we can anyway but you get my point.”
“She has a good point!” Nyla adds.
In the end, we lost. The boys got their way and we saw Rise of the Planet of the Apes. It was good and I quite enjoy it, but we weren’t going to tell the guys that. Instead we agreed dinner was all on them. Since they walked away to discuss dinner options, we grew eager to find out what is on the menu.
“Oh it’s a treat for you girls tonight!” Mike laughs.
“Yes, you’re dinner is going to very special and we put a lot of thought and love into it, you know since we’re paying and all.” Isaac joins in on the cockiness in Mike’s voice. This is getting interesting.
“The special dinner for you tonight is” Cameron pauses, “either…” he pauses again, “KFC or McDonalds- your choice ladies.” He winks at us while the other guys start laughing. I notice that Noah just smiles as our mouths drop at their choice.
“KFC or McDonald’s, really guys?” Meg states. She seems to be legitimately shocked.
“You can’t be serious?” Nyla adds.
“Well yes, but you see babe because we’re paying it will be the most thoughtful KFC or McDonald’s you’ve ever had.” Isaac claims Meg under his arm before kissing the back of her head. “Come on babe, please?” He whispers. She smiles and we come close to thinking he’s got her.
“Yeah, not going to happen!” She smiles as we applaud her for the sake of it.
We end up dining in at a Nandos restaurant for dinner. I don’t even realise at first that Nyla, Cameron, Renee and Mike have gone off somewhere until I lift my head to see Noah across from me and Isaac adjacent to him with Meg under his arm.
“Dude,” Isaac nudges Noah, who has been staring at the salt for the last ten minutes, “what is up with you tonight? You’re so quiet.” He says it with so much sincerity.
“I.” He stops to look at me briefly before directing himself back to Isaac. “I’m just tired from yesterday’s game.” He half smiles. I just observe him the whole time, trying so hard to figure him out.
He’s seriously upset about something... but what?
“Are you guys are all on the team?” I ask Isaac, even though Noah has already told me.
“Yeah we are. Mike only joined this season, but the three of us have been playing together since we were in the under 7s league.”
“That’s pretty cool.” That is all I think to say.
I watch as Megan and Isaac begin to draw back out of conversation. Noah and I sit awkwardly for a moment. Even if I am mad, doesn’t mean he doesn’t still make my heart skip a beat, or take my breath away.
“So, how have you been?” His walls are up. Now that’s a Noah I knew of but didn’t know.
It takes me off guard slightly. “I’ve been alright I guess.” I mutter. “And you?”
“I’ve been good, very good.” He smiles and it stirs inside me.
“Of course you have.” I utter softly. I sound hurt and… weak. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
“I’m sorry. I really am. Look, I want to make it up to you. Renee mentioned you were staying in a hotel the next few nights. Come stay with me. It will give us a chance to sort things out once and for all.”
“I don’t think so.” I say shaking my head. “I’m not coming to stay with you for three nights. No way!”
“It’s either that, or I’ll be knocking on your door until you let me in. I’m not going to let this go Mi.”
I breathe out heavily. I want to break down crying, but I have to be strong. “Fine, you’re place.” I grit through my teeth as everyone starts to come back. “Now smile and pretend we’re friends again so I don’t get a hundred questions to answer later.” He smiles at me sincerely just like I asked. His eyes gaze right into mine and I can tell his smile is genuine. I smile back, but I can imagine my smile is a lot less warming. Renee catches the brief smile and flicks her finger between Noah and I before passing thumbs up. I nod my head and smile even though I know this what I what I’ve agreed to is so stupid.
