Refuge

Chapter 2: First Impressions

I just stand there. Like an idiot. With my mouth open and everyone staring. 

Fortunately, Miss Abby comes to my rescue, ending the awkward silence. She puts a hand on my shoulder. “Honey, this is my son Hayden, and these are his friends Dominic and Luke.”

“Um, Hi.” I look up at Hayden, his hand is still outstretched and he smiles at me. I guess reassuringly? I internally roll my eyes at myself and stick a hand out and shake his.

He smiles lightly. “Alexandria, right?”

I smile grimly. I hate when people call me Alexandria. “Just Alex.” 

He gives me an awkward smile. “Okay, Just Alex. It’s nice to meet you.”

I just nod, totally embarrassed.

One of the other boys steps forward and offers me his hand and I shake it, much quicker on the uptake this time. He has brown hair and blue eyes. Pretty cute, but nothing on Hayden. “Hi. I’m Luke.” He smiles, flashing me his pearly whites. “You’re allot prettier than I expected.”

I raise my eyebrows. “And you’re allot more blunt than I expected.”

He laughs and the other one, Dominic, takes my hand. “Just ignore the idiot. I’m Dominic, but everyone calls me Dom.” 

I laugh and shake his hand. “Well, it’s nice to meet you Dom.” 

Miss Abby smiles at me and pushes me forward a little bit, towards her son. “Hayden, can you show Alex her room?” I look behind me at her with wide eyes. She just smiles knowingly again. “Dom and Luke, you can help me prepare dinner.” Hayden looks about as upset as I feel, but his mom gives him a look. “Go. Now.”

We both sigh exasperatedly. Miss Abby walks past us and gives the other three hugs and kisses and leads them to the kitchen. Soon, it’s just Hayden and I, standing there awkwardly.

I clear my throat, over my sudden case of hormonal femininity. “Uh, my room?”

He continues to stare unflinchingly at me for another minute before shaking his head. “Yeah, come on.”

He turns around and walks up the stairs and I hurry after him. “Which room is yours?” he asks me over his shoulder.

I gape at him. “I don’t know. You’re the one who lives here.” 

He smiles at me when we reach the landing. “I meant, which color. Did my mom tell you a color?” 

“Oh! Um, yeah, your dad did actually. Blue, I think.” 

He nods and juts his chin so I can follow him. What too cool for words? He turns left and we walk across the balcony and down the long hallway, only stopping at the second last door on the left. He opens the door and walks in with me trailing. 

I raise my eyebrows. This room is as nice as my old one in Denver. The walls are a navy blue and the down comforter on the California King is white and has navy pillows. A step or two down to my right is a small sitting room with comfy looking white couches and a small table, but no TV. I walk in further and put my bag at the end of the bed. I look around some more and see my suitcases are no where to be found. I walk into the closet and see that my clothes are all hanging up and my suitcases are sitting on the top shelf. 

Point one for Gustav.

I walk back out and that’s when I realize all the bookcases lining the walls. I gasp and run up and run my fingers across the titles. I could so get used to this. Ahhh, I love books. Seriously, I’m having a book-gasm right about now.