Chapter 2: A Familiar Feeling
I was already beginning to regret my impulsive actions. ! was pretty sure I just stuck like a sore thumb in the midst of this specific group. They accepted me pretty easily, however, when Ace offered me a seat - they did not ask and he did not offer an explanation. Luckily enough for me, seeing as I didn't really have a reason for accepting.... except to spite my mum of course.
They animatedly began talking after a glance at me and a measured look from Ace, as though there had never been a break in the flow of things.
"Anyway Ace, what do you have in mind?" Eyeball piped up, a gleam in his eye. I idly wondered who these boys were and what they had done to offend this gang so.
Ace was watching me intently; I blushed under his gaze.
"We're the Cobras, by the way." Another boy, Billy, I was informed, proudly announced.
"Cobras?" I wondered if I should ask the obvious question.....well, might as well, "as in the snake?"
Ace eyed me, wondering if I was being deliberately patronising or if I meant the question, he certainly wasn't one to miss things.
Eyeball, quite oblivious to this, seemed pleased to get the opportunity to gloat,
"Yeah the snake! One of the most deadly snakes ever!"
I smiled, they were fun and all but they really weren't that smart.
"Something amusing?" Ace lifted an eyebrow. I immediately turned red,
"Oh no..."
"Come on, what is it?" They all stared at me expectantly.
I swallowed hard, "Oh nothing, it's just, well the cobra is quite a bit more harmless, in comparison, to say, an anaconda."
They all just blinked at me, with the exception of Ace; well I guess someone has to have a head.
Everyone waited for Ace's response, if he okayed it, it was fine, and if not...well I wouldn't be sticking around, even if what I had said wasn't that big a deal.
He surveyed the atmosphere, enjoying this....power, I guess that is the only word attributed to the way the other boys behaved, hell, I didn't even know all their names. I suddenly had the overwhelming feeling I wanted out of this tight knit little group, back to my own, familiar friends. The thing was, I soon discovered, once chosen, they didn't just "let go" of you.
I had sealed my fate just by accepting the offer, I was stuck with them, whether I liked it or not. Brilliant.
Ace decided he was in an easygoing mood, "it doesn't matter, the Cobras is what we've always been and it's what we'll stay."
They all nodded and began talking about nothing in particular. I let a breath out, jeez, all that over a name? It really wasn't such a big deal.
After a long time of sitting and....more sitting. The Cobras stood up, following the lead from Ace,
"C'mon boys time to go." They obediently moved to the exit after throwing some money down on the table. I dithered, was I supposed to follow?
Ace, sensing my hesitation, called back, "hey Alice, you coming or not?"
I glanced at my mum, who was still in deep conversation with the same man. Ace walked back over and snaked an arm around my waist, I didn't shake him off, although I wasn't sure about this imitate action with someone I had met roughly an hour ago. He lent in close to my ear,
"That's old Harry; he's got quite a rep with the ladies. Come with us, she's busy."
Sure enough, Harry whispered something to her and she giggled, rather loudly I might add. I was starting to get irritated, we'd been here five minutes and shed already had forgotten about me. Her whole "mummsie" act had lasted for all but three seconds.
