Celestial: Fallen

Chapter 16- New Faces, Old Bonds

After pouring out my feelings to Nick last night, I felt oddly unsettled. Early this morning, I decided to go for a run at the nearest park. I planned to spend an hour or two just running around and clearing my mind.

Lately, I've felt like I haven't been thinking for myself. For the past few months, I've let myself be carried along by others—Josh or Nick usually deciding what I should do. It's as if my brain cells have gone on vacation! How do I revive them?

I figured a cup of coffee might help.

So, I headed to the café I'd spotted across the park.

I ordered a macchiato and a sandwich and found a seat in the far corner of the café. As I settled in, I heard a commotion near the counter. A group of girls was giggling and whispering. I tried to ignore it, but then I noticed a group of people standing in front of the counter, ordering.

I rested my chin on my hand and took a sip of my coffee. The group looked familiar—they were the same people I'd seen around campus.

Hmm... they're all quite good-looking, especially that guy.

I smiled a little at the thought, but then our eyes met. His gray eyes were the most expressive I'd ever seen, and he looked at me with a hint of annoyance.

Why?

It was as if he could hear my thoughts. He raised an eyebrow and gave me a smirk before turning his back.

"Weird," I muttered to myself and continued with my breakfast.

Before I knew it, the group was moving to a table right in front of mine. I tried to ignore them again, but it was a losing battle.

There were five of them—two girls and three boys. I could hear one of the girls giggling and teasing the guy with the gray eyes. I forced myself to focus on my food, relieved that his back was turned to me.

I took my last bite and swallowed quickly. As I prepared to leave, one of the girls, the one who had been giggling, locked eyes with me. She lifted her cup of coffee in a sort of toast.

I immediately looked away and started gathering my things, but she stood up and approached me.

"Hello!" she greeted cheerfully.

I remained poker-faced as she flashed a bright smile.

"Hmmm... I'm Brigit, and you are?" she asked, her accent catching my attention.

I heard a muffled sound, like someone suppressing a laugh.

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Arwen," I said, offering my right hand for a handshake.

"Oh, mo chara! Na pléisiúir file." (my friend, the pleasure's all mine) she said, stretching her arms to hug me.

Eh? What language is that?

"Irish," she explained with a smile.

"Would you like to join us for breakfast?" she asked, gently tugging me toward their table. I found myself allowing her to lead me to face the four gorgeous people seated there.

I smiled awkwardly.

"Hello, why don't you join us?" the blond guy said. I remembered him as the one who had smiled at me earlier.

"Manners," said the girl beside him, "You need to introduce yourself first, moron." She hissed at the blond guy.

"Oh, right. Sorry, I'm Roisin," he introduced himself with a smile.

"Thanks, but I'm done with mine. I'm Arwen," I said again, looking at the others. As I spoke, the gray-eyed guy stood up and walked away.

"Oh, sorry about that. He's usually like this. He's my brother, Diarmid," Brigit said, following my gaze. I shook my head, signaling that it was okay.