I return home after a long practice.My whole body is aching and I am sure to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

"Hi Mom and Dad."I say when i see them sitting on the couch deep in conversation.Mom turns to face me a worried look sprawled over her face. 

"Hi honey,how was your day?"Mom asks. 

"Exhausting."I sigh and sit on the floor.I bob my head up and notice the tense environment."What is the matter?"I question sitting upright,legs crisscrossed.

"Do you know what is up with El.He seems down today.He never acts like this.My mom bursts out in a frantic way.

"Shalayna,He will be alright.Don't worry yourself too much." Dad puts a soothing hand on my mom's back and she leans into his embrace.He then turns to me,"El has locked himself in his room after he returned from the basement.He refuses to talk or eat anything.That's odd."Dad explains.

"I have no idea,why he is behaving like that.I will talk to him."I say and run to his room.

I try my best to analyse all the reasons but couldn't find a fitting one.

'Could it be?'My subconscious tried to reason.No.That call was a week ago.It mustn't be that.I pushed the thought to the back of my mind.

I slowly turned the knob to El's room and padded in closing it behind me."Mom...I am not hungry.I just want to sleep."El murmurs,his voice low.He sits staring at the beige blue walls in his room,his back at me.

I sit beside him quietly and he turns his head wildly."Veah"He exclaims all of a sudden throwing his arms around me."I tried calling you.Why don't you ever check your phone?"

I knit my brows in confusion and stare at him with concern."Junior,Are you okay?"I ask him and he turns back to staring the wall letting out a dramatic sigh.

After a minute of silence,he speaks,"The man.He called.Again." I stilled at his words."What-what'd he say?"I fumble to form sentences.

"He said he wants to meet me.He knows where we live,Veah.He even addressed me as El Torris."He shivers remembering the call."I tried looking up the number but there is no information related to it,it is just registered with the name Darcy Mathews."He explains waving his hands along.

"El.I think we should inform mom and dad about this."I say quietly.He shakes his head rapidly and looks at me with pleading golden brown eyes.

"No.No.We can't.You know mom gets so mad when we mention interacting with strangers.It a really bad idea Veah."El blabbers. 

"Okay.Okay.But i am scared."I say.

"I am too.We'll figure something out Senior."El mutters under his breath hugging me sideways.

........

The beautiful rays of the morning sun peek through my blinds.I wake up to the chirping of birds and the soothing calmness of the morning.I sit in my bed smiling to myself.

Ah! What a peaceful Sunday morning.

That is exactly how my mornings are not like.Specially Sunday Mornings.

This Sunday was no exception. I snap my eyes open when I hear metal music blasting from downstairs.

It is fucking 7 am on a Sunday morning!!

I groan loudly holding my pillow against my ears.But even the pillow couldn't stop the noise.

I pick myself up from my bed and enter the bathroom. While brushing my teeth I look at my reflection in the mirror.My hair messy as always and wearing blue shorts and El's large t-shirt,which I probably stole from him.

Rubbing my eyes,I head downstairs. At the end,I miss a step.Losing my balance I fall on the ground face first.

I close my eyes and lay still on the floor.I might sleep here. I feel commotion around me and I turn around opening one eye slightly to look around.

My brown eyes meet with a pair of green eyes staring right back at me.

"Did she faint?" I hear Jayden's voice accompanied by Sus's voice.
"Don't talk foolish like Luke.Didn't you see her roll around?"

"Hey!"I hear Luke yell.

"Why are you lying on the floor ?" The green eyes hold a amused look as Davien stares at me,his hair falling on his eyes from under his hood.

"Because it is comfortable and I am sleepy."I say casually.

"NEVEAH EVE TORRIS,Get up from the floor now!"My mom's voice booms in the hall.

I stand up all of a sudden as mom walks in and all the music and the noise caused by my friends dies down.

"Good Morning mom!"I say and mock salute.

"Morning Veah,morning kids"Mom walks in with her phone in her hand just ending a call.

"Morning." Everyone replies monotonously.

"Veah did you arrange your bed?"She asks me as always.

And as usual I forgot yet again. "Mom,what is the use of making my bed when I have to sleep again?"I shrug.

Mom shakes her head at me as I rush into the kitchen. My eyes fall on the plate of French toast kept on the counter.

I reach over the counter just about to take a toast when Mom's hand slaps mine.

I give her a bewildered look."Why do you have to eat when you are eventually gonna poop"Mom fired back and Gaby guffaws,leaning back and falling off the couch.

I huff and trot back to my room to arrange my bed. When I am finished I admire the bed for a little while and praise myself at the absence of crests on my perfect bed.

At once I feel a presence behind me. "Your middle name is Eve."Davien questions out of nowhere.

"As if you didn't knew.You literally call me Eve."I scoff opening my closet to pull out my clothes.

"I didn't. I called you Eve because your name Neveah has a 'eve' in it."He replies pulling his hoodie further before siting on the beanbag in the corner.

"Oh.Well I don't like it.Ray."I fire back.

"Wait..How?Sydney told you my middle name.Didn't she? ."He sighs throwing his hands dramatically.

I  smirk at him."Now if you will excuse me I am off to take a shower."I say pushing past him.

"Well you look great in those as well."He smirks yet again eyeing my shorts that barely cover my thighs.

My cheeks get heated and I throw him a dirty look and rush past him into the shower.

......

"In your face.looser!"Vani screams her mouth full, when I walk downstairs.Jayden picks another grape bringing it to his mouth and sighs giving up.

"Again?"I ask to no one in particular.

If you haven't guessed they are having a food contest yet again. This time their victim were Grapes.

 "You cheated."Jayden speaks while chewing."You picked all the small grapes Vani. Not fair!"Jayden mutters and Luke pats his back.

"Just agree to her.You aren't gonna win an argument over her anyway."Sus says in a bored tone without looking up from her phone.

Vani jumps up and down when Lou finally declares Vani's win by two grapes.Jayden looks like a lost puppy as he sits there swearing profanities under his breath.

"Where is Syd?"I ask looking around the room.

"I called her.She is on the way. Also she has invited over her friend." Lou answers me as Vani throws her legs in his lap typing rapidly on her phone.

I nod but Gaby smirks evilly at Lou."You are calling someone,huh? That's new."

Lou rubs the back of his neck,his cheeks heated.

Just then I notice El sitting on the carpeted floor. Next to him sits Davien,El's MacBook in Davien's hand. "Whoa"I mutter under my breath.

That thing is like a baby to El. He doesn't even let me touch it. And he lets Davien use it?
I am offended.

The doorbell rings. I walk up to the door opening it to reveal Sydney accompanied by.. Theo?

Before I could utter something Theo engulfs me in a bear hug,lifting me off the ground."Amica!"

"Theo.."My voice comes out muffled."You guys have met before?"Davien asks surprised.

Theo finally places me on the ground."Yes.W met in the library Lauren works at."Theo answers grinning.

"Well.Err.Daniel,meet the rest of the group."Sydney walks over and sits between Lou and Vani.

Everyone waves over Daniel and a few of them muster a "Hi."Vani greets a hey without looking up from her phone.

We sit down discussing our plans.This is what happened every Sunday.We'd crasha t someone's place.Mostly mine or Lou's and choose something to do turn by turn.

"It was Lou's turn."Jayden points a accusing finger when I ask about the plan.

"No.Two weeks back I suggested the haunted house."Lou denies.

"And almost got us killed."Luke adds.

"Soy un soltero pringle."Vani shouts all of a sudden.

"Me no comprendo."Gaby says almost instantly.

"What even-" I start when Theo exclaims."Yo también!"

All of us stare at them in confusion when Davien speaks."She means she is single as a pringle and he said me too."

"Oh."All of us mutter in understanding.

"So does that mean we all are single?"Luke asks.

"Except Gaby."Jayden interuppts his gaze lingering over her.

"Um..I may have broken up with Mike?"Gaby shoots a sheepish smile.

"Really?"Jayden asks excited.

Syd raises an eyebrow at him and Gaby looks at him obviously confused of his excitement.

"Yes!I hated that dim-wit.Anyways I think we are distracted from the plan."Vani rescues Jayden giving him a quick thumbs up.

"Let's go to the water park."Theo exclaims and I and Syd nod in agreement.

"Yeah right.So that this prick can enjoy me witnessing my death encounter."Davien huffs.

"Wow.He is back to cussing and passing rremarkFrom phase 4 to phase 1 in a week.What socery is this ?"Theo exclaims loudly.

Davien rolls his eyes and Sus announces."So off to the water park!"

I turn to Davien showcasing my puppy eyes at him."Fine.But just this one time."He sighs giving in.

.........

El parks in the lot of the water park.I and Vani walk out as Luke's car and a Theo's jeep pulls up.

We all pile out and head inside.
"Woohoo.Let's go!"El yells running off towards a slide.

"Race to the water slide over there?"Syd states jumping over Lou.

"Alright,Losers buy lunch for everyone."Sus says climbing on Luke's back.

"Come on Ella."Jayden yells and they join the others.

"Well that leaves us."Vani says looking over Davien and Theo.She ponders for a while and joins Theo.

Davien raises an eyebrow at me and I jump over his back.I snake my hands around his neck making sure his hood doesn't falls off in the process.

Whatever the reason,if he doesn't like pulling his hood down.I wouldn't wanna do that.

He places his hands gently on my thighs and looks at me from the side silently asking for permission.I nod and he holds my legs to his back securing my position.

"We are so gonna win"Theo grins running off with others.

"In your dreams."I yell as Davien runs close after him.

Gaby and Jayden trail off with us.I hear Gaby's laugh and turn around to see Jayden smile wide.

Just ahead of us were Luke and Sus."Faster dumb head."Sus yells and Luke groans.

"Ray,head a little ahead."I whisper to Davien.He trails faster and I lean forward slightly pushing Sus.

Luke looses his balance and falls on the green grass.

I see Syd,Lou and Theo and Vani up ahead.
"Alright Eve.Hold tight."Davien says in a deep,low voice,his accent clearer.

I wrap my arms tightly around him.He jolts off running faster and we approach them in no time.

We finish off the race in second position.Theo and Vani high five each other on the victory.

Jayden and Gaby approach laughing,their eyes never leaving each other's.A whining Sus and Luke trail close behind them.

"Heck yeah."Vani fist pumps the air."Yeah yeah whatever cheaters."Sus  says and walks off to a ride.

.......

I,Davien,Vani,El and Theo meet the others as we sit down with our food.

We all are exhausted from the rides,Theo was excitedly pulling us to.

"Let's go to that one once we finish eating." Theo says in excitement pointing to a large slide.

"Definitely not.You have already dragged us to it atleast three times."Davien says picking up a fry from my plate.

I slap off his hand but he picks yet another one stuffing it in his mouth.

Everyone on the table is eating and laughing when my gaze land over Sydney who is silent,her food untouched gazing off somewhere.

I wonder what occured upon her.She was happy and all smiles this morning.

I usher Davien to look over her and he shrugs "I have no idea."He whispers against my ear.I nod at him and walk over to Sydney's side of the table.

She doesn't respond to my presence.I squint my eyes over to where she is looking and watch her eyes lingering over a blonde guy,his eyes twinkling and arms wrapped around a short heighted brunette.The guy tucks a Lily in her hair and the girl pecks the guy's lips.

"Syd?"I tap Sydney's shoulder gently and she turns to me. Her face drained off of joy and her eyes dull and tired.

She forces a smile on her face and says in fake enthusiasm."What's up Veah?"

"You know that guy?"I drop my voice to a whisper so only she can hear me.

She hesitates for a moment but finally speaks."I used to.."She looks over one more time."..When he was mine."She finishes,shaking her head as if trying to erase the memories.

I squeeze her shoulder,signalling her to continue unsure of what to say.

"After days when I see him with a flower in his hand wearing the same,glowing smile on his face.I was happy.But I knew both of them were not for me."Syd trails off.

I don't know what happened between them.But whatever it was,it wasn't happy. I didn't like seeing the Sydney who was looked so jolly,sarcastic and full of life sitting around sad and lifeless.

She suddenly turns to me smiling."Ah I got carried off.Theo,I will join you to that ride."She says to Theo and he and El stands happily walking off to the large water slide.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Hola Amigos !

Long time no see..*smiles sheepishly*

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