In the Shadows

V

 "So Luca" Al said "how many girls have thrown themselves at you until now?"

Luca chocked on the sip of water he had just swallowed from his bottle and I softly patted his back as I sat down beside him.

"Don't be hard on him Alastair" Jemima was still in scolding mode.

"Uh... I've felt ogled quite a lot throughout the morning but-"

"I've outshined him for the day" I sighed as I moved my hand around.

Most of the people on the cafeteria were trying to subtly look at our table – and failing miserably may I add – and were ushering words to each other and from table to table all around us.

"Alec don't-" Al warned him but was cut short and ignored once again.

"Don't you have anything better to do than-" Alec raised his voice to make himself over the chattering noise but I quickly kicked him under the table.

He hissed in pain and I felt a bit of satisfaction run through my veins.

"I was trying to help" he said through clenched teeth as he narrowed his eyes at me.

"If you think that attracting more attention to us is the way to go, then you're fucking delusional"

"So Luca, you're a handsome fella..." Al changed drastically changed the topic and looked pretty smug when we finally paid attention to him "has any lady caught your eye just yet?"

"Well, I-"

"Because you see Luca" Al put both elbows on the table and leaning towards Luca as if he was about to make a big revelation "we don't get new faces too often so it's only natural the ladies go a bit crazy"

"I know, Annie told-"

"Oi! Don't throw me in the same bag as them desperate girls you-"

"Let him talk!" Jem slammed her fist against the table and we all jumped.

"So you play for the other team?" Alec fixated his eyes on me.

"Why would you assume that?" I looked straight into his blue orbs and frowned.

This guy... I know Alastair said he wasn't bad but I am having a really hard time believing him.

"Don't know" Alec shrugged.

"Luca is indeed handsome" I said before taking a long sip from my remaining – now cold – coffee "but he's not my type; no offense"

"None taken" Luca said in a strangled voice faking hurt.

"What would be your ty-"

"How's Lara doing?" Jem intervened.

"I wouldn't know nor do I care about her" Alec raised his right hand "do you see an engagement ring?"

I choked on a spoonful of soup and started to cough like a mad woman as Luca patted my back.

"You're single?!" Al said out loud and Alec smacked the back of his head.

"It was supposed to be a low profile issue dumbass! Not that I care but you know my parents" Alec seem mildly annoyed "I'm pretty sure Lara was fucking one of her Dutch friends anyways and I was tired of her jealousy tantrums"

"And you pretend that I'll believe you've been loyal to her this whole time?" Alastair asked.

Alec smacked his head again.

"What did your parents say?" Jem asked.

"That's why I'm here and not in the States, Jem" Alec sighed.