The night of the games night everyone comes straight to mine after school. The boys have organised with Zac to do a barbecue for dinner. Zac and Conroy brought meat. Tommy brought roast potatoes and Jake made mash. Seth brought a yummy salad and Luke made a cous cous salad. So dinner is sorted.
Luke begged me to let him invite Eden and I was too kind to say no. Good thing was Zac was near her suburb so he gave her a ride. She was able to get out of school early so the both of them were already at mine we got home. While the boys stand around the barbecue talking and drinking beers, us girls are getting to know Eden while we work on dessert. Unlike the boys we aren't exactly prepared, earlier in the week we decided to make it on the night. So here we are making chocolate moose and individual pavlova's. Storm is whipping the cream for the pavlova. While the rest of us scurry around doing whatever is needed. We discover that Eden is a year below us. Well in two weeks, school will be over for the rest of us. Finals were early and happened last month. Eden is honestly so beautiful and extremely funny. I can't help but take her under my wing and offer her help for her finals.
When the dessert is all done and is setting in the fridge we join the boys on the deck. The couples all pair up instantly, which makes me laugh. Jake and Rose, joined by Seth. Luke and Eden aren't as inclusive. The funny thing is that Tommy and Storm immediately start talking, I smirk at Tommy causing him to pull the finger at me. Jayda tells us she's gonna join those two because she knows that me and Zac need to talk to Conroy. She pats his back before walking away to sit on Storm's lap.
"Soo, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room, what are we going to do about your predicament?" Zac turns over the steaks that are cooking on the barbecue.
Conroy in this moment seems so young compared to Zac but in reality, Conroy is just as tough. He's been in a gang, sold drugs and badly wounded guys due to turf wars. Zac only fought. The three of us stand in silence, searching our brains for a solution. My concentration stare settles on Conroy's arm and my attention is diverted.
"Woah you have a new tattoo!" I grab Conroy's arm to get a better look. It's a lighthouse with a circular border of red hibiscuses, "what does this mean?" I inspect the artwork more.
"It's for Linny," I can see the tears threatening to escape his eyes. I also feel the tears trickling down my cheek. "I will always love her," he admits and I wrap my arms around his waist.
Linny was the sister of Xavier, little did Xavier know that Conroy joined the gang in pursuit of Linny. When Zander was telling me about her I had to hold my tongue. She may have been older than him, but they were a beautiful couple.
"This is a good symbol as to why you need to get out of the ring, you don't want anyone else you love to be killed," Zac states matter of factly. I think he's just frustrated. I don't blame him. Silence blankets us once again.
"I think I have a plan," I declare a minute later. I quickly tell them as Zac moves all the meat onto a tray.
After dinner we move into the games room. I set up bean bags in a circle last night and stocked the mini fridge with cans of beer and fizzy. There is too many of us to play games as individuals. So we break into teams of three. Tommy, Storm and Jayda, Jake, Rose and Seth, me, Zac and Conroy. Eva turned up after dinner so she joined Luke and Eden. We start by playing Settlers of Catan, it's a slow game- Jake's team wins. That couple is low key super competitive. Eva and Eden surprise me at how strategic they can be. We take a little break to have dessert. It's nice seeing Eva in a social situation where she doesn't feel like she has to hold up any reputation or anything. She can wear a tee shirt and jeans without brands.
"How are you holding up?" I wrap an arm around her waist.
"I'm actually doing alright, I've realised I need to learn how to love myself instead of relying on others to determine my value. I don't want to have that popular status anymore. People like you have much more fun. You're enjoying life and not worrying about what other people think of you. Your boyfriend likes you for you and I want that. But only when I feel that I've truly moved on. I don't want anyone to be rebound. I just wish I'd seen the brighter side earlier," she bares her heart as she serves her and myself some dessert. Zander pops into mind and I have stop myself from blurting out that I've found her a boyfriend. Instead I nod and kiss her cheek.
"I just know that life is easier to live when you spend it with people who genuinely care about you're well-being," I say as we walk back to the games room. She smiles in agreement with her mouth full of yummy dessert. Zac tugs my arm so I fall into his lap while Eva returns to her team.
The game of Twister is short lived because of sexual tension between couples, Jake and Rose bid farewell. I have a feeling this is going to become a competition of self-control. I'm extremely proud of Luke. He keeps his cool. What makes me happy is the game results in Tommy and Storm holding hands. It's a small gesture but I nearly squeal. He's done this all by himself and he's adorable. I'm proud of him. They both deserve someone who cares about them and treats them like royalty. Tommy locks gazes with me and grins. There's no sexual tension its more like they are trying so hard to impress each other.
Conroy goes to see himself out but Zac gives him a look and Jayda ropes him into a video call with Max. Seth leaves after two games of last card.
"This is not me giving in to temptation. Mum just texted me and she just needs help with the baby, Dad is at the hospital with his dad," Luke declares after another few rounds of last card. Eden snuggles into him as they stand up. She's good for him.
And then there was 2+2+2+1=7, there was seven. We decide to change it up and play wet head. I think Eva begins to feel like a fifth wheel with me and Zac and Storm and Tommy. So she gives us all a hug goodnight and runs down the road to her house.
Conroy and Jayda suddenly reemerge from the kitchen with Max still on the screen of her phone, "Max is gonna come pick us up," Jayda declares forgetting that Storm and Tommy are still here. Luckily she stops when she sees Storm's confused face.
"When did Conroy and Max become friends?" She asks and I wish I could sink into the floor. I bet Jayda does too.
Max pipes up from the screen, "Conroy has taken an interest in architecture so he got hold of me a little while ago, so I could tell him more about it." Max isn't lying he just is withholding a bit more information.
When I look at Tommy I can tell he knows we're all hiding something. But he doesn't say anything. Storm just nods because her twin IS interested in architecture so she can't question it. Max must be driving because I can hear cars in the background.
"Anyway we just thought we'd tell you, we have to pop back to mine since I need to grab some clothes and stuff. I can give you two a ride home," Conroy offers the two new love birds.
"That would be greatly appreciated, thanks man," Tommy stands up before offering Storm his hand to pull her up.
A few minutes later they've all left and the house is quiet, "and then there were two," Zac kisses my shoulder.
YOU ARE READING
Hunters And Foxes
Teen FictionPenelope's dad died 2 years ago. And she finally has got her life sorted. She's left the popular crowd and is comfortable where she is. Knowing now that friendliness is far more important than popularity. It's been nearly a year since Zac's brother...
