down in hollywood // braeden lemasters

six : bet

You & the guys slide into the corner booth at a local diner. The walk from the venue was just like old times. Twenty minutes of reminiscing over memories & resurrections of old inside jokes almost made it seem like the four years apart never existed. Almost.

As you lean back on the red leather padding, a waitress with a matching red apron & dark features approach the table. While Cole & Dylan order & the waitress scribbles down notes on her pad, Braeden scoots closer to you.

"I bet five dollars i can get your order right, even after all this time." He challenges you.

You lift your head to look at his humourless face. "Is that so?" You scrunch your face while you think, "You're on."

You shake hands & he leans back, satisfied. The waitress turns to you & Braeden starts ordering. Your eyes widen as he explains your favourite meal but you smirk when he makes one fatal mistake.

When the waitress walks away, the three guys slowly turn their heads to you with anticipation. You put on your poker face & sigh deeply but just before Braeden starts celebrating, you smile.

Grinning to yourself, you narrow your eyes at his confused face. "Unlike you, i don't like my fries curly."

Next to you, Dylan & Cole high five across the table, laughing. Braeden exaggerates his disgrace; head falling onto the table & his fist banging on it. Accepting defeat, he reaches into his wallet & throws a five dollar bill in front of you. You carefully pick it up & neatly fold it, emphasising your pride before shoving it into your back pocket.

You feel so close to these strangers & think back to the first time you met Braeden's other best friends.

———————————————————————

"Come on, Braeden, pick up." You whisper to yourself as the phone rings next to your ear.

You sigh with relief as the other side of the line picks up. "B-dog's special service! He gives, you receive. 100% of wives recommend." That was not Braeden.

"Give it here, Dyl." You hear your best friend's voice in the background as you smile slightly. "What's up, Y/N?"

"Sorry, i was just wondering if you wanted to hang out but don't worry if you've got company."

"Woahhh you made an appointment without your supervisor? We're running a business here, Braeden!" The voice you heard a moment ago is followed by a laugh from a different part of the room.

"Shut up guys!" You hear Braeden shout, "Uh yeah of course, as long as you don't mind hanging with these idiots."

"Shouldn't be hard, i'm with you all the time." You reply & Braeden chuckles on the other end.

When you arrive at his house, you greet Michelle & make your way to Braeden's room. Music is blaring through the door & it completely overwhelms you as you cautiously open it.

The music stops suddenly & three guys look up at you. Two new faces greet you with smiles & introduce themselves. Cole, with hair almost to his shoulders leans over a small drum kit in the corner of the room.

"What did you think of my opening?" Dylan smirked at you, playing a short melody on the keyboard.

You shrug your shoulders in response & make you way to the bed, "I could've done better."

"That's extremely true." Braeden nods his head in agreement, his hand lightly strumming his guitar.

"I like her." Cole speaks out from the corner.

Dylan pouts playfully & leans against the wall, arms crossed. "I believe this is the start of a beautiful friendship."

& it was.