ecstasy. || jeffmads (DISCONTINUED)

|chapter 4|

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Sitting alone, I looked at the time. 3pm. They were waiting for me. I had to go. But I didn't want to go. I didn't want to see them. Any of them. Not even the one I hadn't met yet. But I couldn't slack. I'd signed up for this, and running from my problems wouldn't get me anywhere. Therefore, I stood up, closing my book. While walking, I thought of what I'd say. Should I even say anything? What if speaking at all just made matters worse?

Pull yourself together, James.

I told myself, even though that seemed impossible at this point in time. But it was too late to keep debating now, I was almost there. I looked ahead, there they were at the same table. I counted them, One, two, three... then pointed at myself, ...four.

There were still only four of us. That's one less thing to worry about. I tried to encourage myself. I took a deep breath and walked ahead. They all turned to look at me.
"Hey James!" the British girl yelled, that glint in her right eye. It was like she was always excited.
"Glad you could make it. We thought we might be becoming a threesome." she mentioned, looking at the other two and winking.

I figured that was a sexual innuendo in the way the three of them laughed.
"Why don't you take a seat?"
I did so, sitting next to Dolley who had her laptop open again. Her and Aaron seemed absolutely fine. As if nothing had ever happened. But it could've easily been a cover up. I knew too much about those.

But no. Something told me they really were fine. They seemed like the type, anyway. The... positive, letting go type. I didn't think about it too much, though. Theodosia began speaking.
"Okay, so I said I'd speak to Thommy yesterday. I did, and he said he liked the second idea too. So that's three to two and the one we're going to be doing. But, see, its going to be a bit complicated because-"
She spoke so fast. I cut her off,
"Hold on,"
She stopped and turned her attention to me.
"Yeah?"

"I just want to ask again about this Thomas guy. Where is he again?"
She hesitated for a split second, but I still caught it.
"He couldn't make it today. Buuuut from what he told me yesterday, he'll definitely be here tomorrow."
"Is he, like... okay?" I asked, nearly regretting that question the moment it left my mouth. But Theodosia nodded with content.
"Oh, he's fine! Just tryna sort some stuff out. No worries."

I wasn't worried, just curious. I still nodded, however, letting her continue speaking. I noticed Aaron look at Dolley as we listened to Theodosia. I could tell by their faces that there was a story. Probably concerning me and the way I was asking about Thomas. But it didn't give off bad vibes as such, it seemed like more of a light bulb moment. It was difficult to tell exactly what it meant, but I didn't feel the need to worry about it too much.

Once Theodosia was finished with her dictation, she sat down and we began discussing our plan. We all threw in ideas, the other three slipping in jokes here and there. I began to understand how their minds worked. They were all smart, but acted stupid sometimes. They would joke around at times, but when it was time to be serious, they would put their minds to it.

If someone had a good idea, they would write it down. And if someone had a not so good idea, they wouldn't mock, scorn or call that person out for saying something as stupid as they did. Instead they'd discuss it and think twice, and tell that person that maybe something else should be added on top of that.

No one ever seemed bored or uninterested. It was a good trait to have, especially for working in a group. They worked well together. Good teamwork. I found myself thinking, over and over again. And it really was good teamwork. They supported one another. Not at all like what I was used to.

4pm came quite soon. Theodosia made her mini speech as we packed up.
"Nice work today, guys. I think we're doing pretty well. But let's not jinx it, huh." She laughed, the other two laughing along. I got the impression that they'd had some bad luck before.
"So we meet again tomorrow? Same time, same place."
We all nodded in agreement.
"Great stuff." She said, putting on a smile.

I thought I'd be walking to the bus stop with Dolley again, but she seemed to be in a rush.
"I've gotta go, y'all. Safe trips home. See ya tomorrow." She said as she rushed off. We all waved goodbye.
"Oh, James," Theodosia began, pausing and looking at Aaron,
"Go ahead, I'll join you soon, just gotta talk to James quickly."
Aaron nodded and went off.

We stood there face to face. Theodosia smiled at me,
"Thanks for being here, James. Are you having fun? We really enjoy your company. You should stick around. You know, come chill with us and all that jazz. It'll be fun. We're very accepting people. You seem quiet. But that's okay, like I said, accepting. Also, I need your phone number. Do you have a phone? I just wanna add you to our group chat for the project, that's all."
She spoke so much.
"Thanks. And, uh, I'll think about it. Also, yes, I do have a phone. Here, let me give you my number."
She nodded and took out a pen, writing the digits on her palm. It was only then that I realized she was left handed.
"Alright, thanks. Expect to be added by tonight. Safe trip, bye!" she yelled as she ran after Aaron.

I just stood there, thinking. I did enjoy working with them. They were tolerable and seemed non-judgmental. Unlike a majority of the people in this school. Sure, they did gossip a little. But don't we all?

Aaron was gentle and kind-hearted. He always tried to keep the team at high spirits. He never shot down someone else's idea.

Theodosia, although talkative, made sure the group was always at the top of their game. She encouraged everyone to keep bringing in ideas and made sure they were always motivated. She didn't scrap anything anyone said.

Dolley was just great in general. She was sweet and helpful, and never raised her voice, even when she was frustrated. She was almost like the mother of the group, always checking to see if everyone was okay. She was understanding, and made everyone feel listened to. She was also really cute.

I soon began walking. My head was down as usual, and so I didn't see where I was going. I bumped into someone for the second time that day.
"Whoops!" he yelled, so loudly it gave me a bit of a fright. I looked up to see a tall kid. He was light brown with brown eyes and his hair tied in a man bun. I noticed a tiny replica of the French flag painted on his left cheek. I recognized him from my physics class. Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis De Lafayette. He was one of the smart ones. Trilingual. Fluent in both French and English, and a bit of Italian. I envied him slightly, but he was alright all the same.

He smiled at me, his pure white teeth sparkling.
"Sorry, mon ami. I didn't mean to walk into you."
His accent was frankly quite hypnotizing, to say the least. I felt my face heat up slightly. He was so handsome.
"Oh, um, that's okay. I should've been looking where I was going." I was surprised I managed to make a proper sentence. He let out a small laugh. Oh geez. It was a nice laugh.

"Don't be silly. What's your name? I think I've seen you before, actually. You are James Madison, non?"
Oh gosh. He knew who I was. But I paused, remembering the kind of person that he was. He probably knew everyone in the school, including the teachers. They were probably all attracted to him. I know I was.
"Y- um, yeah. James."
I was beginning to stammer. I took a deep breath.

"Well, James~," he began, saying my name with an exaggerated French accent. Why the hell did he do that?
"It's nice to meet you. I'm off to swimming practice. Wanna come?" he proposed, winking. Oh hell. Now I was imagining him shirtless with drops of water trickling down his probably muscular chest. Why was he such a tease? I stopped myself from becoming more hopeless by shaking my head.
"Thanks so mu- um, thanks so much for your offer. But, um, I've gotta, um, I've gotta get, uh, home."
"Aw, okay. C'est bien. Later then?"
I nodded,
"Yeah, uh, later."

He gave a single nod and strode off. I exhaled. I was surprised I didn't have a nose bleed right there in front of him. That would've been more than awkward. I shook my thoughts off, continuing on my way.

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A/N: Hey everyone - my apologies for going quiet - I've been pretty busy. Hope y'all enjoying the story so far ;^^ See ya later! ♥

~ T xx