The Sweet Nothings || ✓

'I HAVE WAITED TOO LONG TO MEET YOU.'

Lana bent down to tie up her shoe laces. And coming up, she readjusted the straps of her backpack. It felt heavy. As if it was adding on to the burden that was already on Lana's shoulders.

But Lana was convinced that she had to do this. If not for herself then for her friends.

It wasn't Lana's plan. And the group that she once called 'Constants', wasn't exactly the same anymore. But for today, she was escaping. Running away from her past and her present and if possible, her future too. The trip that was planned was to set everyone free from their own demons. To try to relish in just the friendship that these seven friends shared.

Lana knew to thank God well for his effort to keep Lana happy in small ways. Like the football matches Macy would still force her to come to. And the pictures Melissa kept clicking, capturing Lana in the most beautiful ways. And the letters Lana would help Jake write to his ex's to get rid of them. Then the simple discussions about books with Emma.
And of course her two best friends, who she had nearly abandoned in the last months.

No. It wasn't Lana's intention to hurt them. She was trying to stir them clear from the bullshit that she had got her into. But it seemed inevitable. And now that all of them had joined the gang. All Lana's efforts to shut them out were futile.

She really missed these people.

And at that moment, a lone tear threatened to escape the lines of her eyes. But she cleared her head and hastily brushed off the tear.

All seven of them stood outside her mansion, ready to get into the cars and jeeps that were lined up.
Lana looked down at her watch and noticed they were already running late.

"Move your ass guys!! We are getting late!" She screamed.
Six pairs of eyes turned towards her, all shining with amusement.
She looked back at them, eyes questioning. To this, Jake chuckled.

"WHAT?!" Lana screamed. "What's so funny?!"

Levi passed her a soft look and said, "Nothing. We all thought that the 'punctuality-freak' Lana had died somewhere down the time. But I guess we were wrong."

"Yeah whatever." Lana said and moved towards the jeep.

"Get in the car buddies!! We are going to have fun?!?" She said and everyone moved to their vehicles.

There were taking a jeep and a car.
Sarah, Levi and Lana sat in the jeep while Macy, Melissa, Emma and Jake sat in the Red Bentley. And then they went off.

The plan was to go to the nearby carnival and then watch the movie at the open air theatre there. Lana was worried that something might spoil this day, but she told herself to be positive.

The ride was silent until Sarah chose to break the silence.
"So guys. What's up?" She asked, faking the enthusiasm in her voice.

Three of them knew that this wasn't working. No way can a conversation be struck between the three of them.
Not after the danger Lana had put Sarah's mother in, last year. Not after Lana had seen Levi transform after Maia's disappearence.

But Lana went along anyway.

"Nothing really. Just gang stuff. You tell Levi, what are you doing nowadays. I haven't seen you much. Except of maybe the times you are trying to go down south on Hannah." She said. .

Lana knew she had hit a cord because she saw Levi clench and unclench his fist. She knew not to do this. But she couldn't help it.

"Oh. Nothing much. Just usual teenage things. I have been. You know, just 'here'." He said with a shrug.