Love's Complex

Chapter 4

"Well Mako and Ian have been friends since they were kids and they met Eliza when her family went on a vacation to NYC and they exchanged numbers and continued to talk. I met them when we were on a tour of the campus at Harvard, and that's also where we met Allegra. We all introduced each other to one another and we all just decided to come here instead. Weve been together ever since," Mikael ended with a wink to me and a grin.

I was surprised by the story. It sounded like something from a book or a movie, you know?

"That sounds like quite the adventure," I commented and they all chuckled or giggled, some nodding.

"If we're being honest it was a little more complicated than that but we can talk about it another time," Ian promised flashing a smile. I smiled back nodding.

"Well, let's show you around," Eliza interjects, bouncing up, her hair floating around her as she stands up. "I really hope you'll like it here."

She comes up to me and grabs my arm pulling me away from the group.

"What is with people and grabbing my arm today?" I grumble but I knew that the rest could hear me from the chuckles I heard behind us.

Looking back, I see Fayre following behind us.

We marched through the house, taking a quick glance at the three bedrooms on the second floor which included the vacant bedroom. Going down to the basement after passing the upstairs loft which they used as a library/study area, we headed down to the basement, looking at the small gym/ studio area as well as the two bedrooms that resided there. Apparently Mako and Ian share a room together and thats why there was an extra. There were three bathrooms in total, one upstairs and in the basement and a powder room on the main floor.

All of the boys rooms were in the basement and the girls slept on the second floor Eliza explained but had told us that they frequently just slept in the living room together instead.

After touring the place we went back to the group who had taken out the dinner Eliza had made for us tonight.

We found them sitting around a large table with multiple dishes in the centre. They hadn't touched the food yet as they were just talking.

"Would you guys like to stay for dinner?" Eliza asked, turning towards us. "We have plenty to share."

"Yeah, we usually make a lot of food because of how much food the boys can shove into their mouths," Allegra commented, playfully rolling her eyes.

The boys pretended to be offended and targeted the girl with small hits and glares for a bit before laughing.

"But yeah, it'd be great to learn about our possibly new roommate," Mako had chimed in right after sticking his tongue at Allegra. 

I looked at Fayre, knowing she was supposedly in charge of my schedule but she had a look of hesitation.

"I'm sorry guys but Im supposed to have a date with Orion tonight," she turned to look at me. "You can stay if you want, and I can pick you up afterwards?"

"No, its okay, we can go now if you need," I shook my head. I didn't want to interrupt their night and I had some work I that I wouldn't mind starting anyways.

"You know..." Mikael started. "We could drive you home afterwards Naila. Just stay for a while, you'll have to get used to us at some point anyways." The blonde ended with a smirk.

I was reluctant to stay with a group of strangers but Fayre insisted, wanting me to be comfortable with them and thats how I found myself sitting in the empty seat beside Mikael and Mako.

"So why did you decide to come here instead of staying in Canada?" Ian asked. "I heard there are a few good universities there."

"Well, I didnt really wanna stay in Canada to be honest. Plus the tuition at our school isn't that bad, you know?" I said stabbing a piece of food before taking a bite, not really making eye contact with the people who I know are looking at me.

"Yeah, it was the reason most of us wanted to come here instead." Mikael commented and I glanced at him. "The girls aren't that bad either though." He winks and smirks.

I feel my cheeks heating up again and I straighten my posture to make me look more confident. What is wrong with me today? And what is with these people and winking and smirking. I've lost count on how many times they've all done it, even Allegra and Eliza.

The conversation eventually turned to our familys. Eliza has the biggest immediate family with 4 siblings; twin older sisters, a younger sister and a younger brother. Mako was the eldest of three boys, Allegra was the middle child, Ian has a younger sister and Mikael is an only child.

"How about you Naila? Any siblings?" Allegra asked.

"Yeah, I have a younger sister. She actually has the same birthday as me but we're a year apart," I said chuckling.

"Wow, that mustve been horrible during birthdays," Eliza chimed in. "I know my older sisters absolutely hated it when they were in their teens."

"Yeah, I hated it so after a while I gave up on parties and just hung out with friends instead so I got that at least, and I was happy with it," I shrugged it off.

We had dessert which was a tiramisu cake that Mako baked. Apparently he can't cook at all but is an amazing baker while Eliza is the cook of the household and Allegra is the mother figure. Ian does all of the household finances and stuff whereas Mikael is the neat freak of the house surprisingly.

At the end of the night, after dessert and a lot of talking Eliza and Mikael drove me back to the apartment.

After hugging them both I entered the still empty apartment. Apparently Fayre and Orion hadn't gotten back from their date yet.

Slumping onto my bed after washing up I couldn't help but think about what Eliza and Mikael said before they left. It was nothing special, they only talked about how much they love it if I were to room with them, but it wasn't the words that caught my attention, it was more so their expression.

Instead of the polite smile a person would have when inviting a person back to their homes, it was more longingful, more hopeful like how a child asks for an adorable puppy they see in a store window. So close to begging but not wanting to get in trouble or cause a scene.

On one hand I loved this group of people and would've loved to stay with them but on the other hand, I feel as though I might just be a burden. Yes I can cook and clean, I can do my own finances, I can take care of myself but each of them contribute to the upkeep of this place and I don't know how I'd fit into that dynamic.

I guess we'll just see how it goes.

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Thank you so much for reading