Four by Forever

Chapter 33: Know You Better

Mitchelle’s/Sunny’s POV

“So you’re really a player then Alex?” Bree wanted to confirm.

“What? No!” Alex automatically denied the accusation. Her cheeks slightly turning pink.

“Whatever.” The three collectively uttered in disbelief as our food arrived.

We talked about anything or about Jea and sometimes I would throw in questions that are both Alex-Jea related, just to know more about the greasy hamster sitting in front of me and be subtle in doing so.

From what I’ve gathered over the conversations, Alex and Jea have known each other because their parents are friends (well, according to Alex anayway). That’s new info since Alex rarely to almost never talk about her parents.

“They’re one of the reason I had to do this. I don’t want to be on a gilded cage and be trained to be just like them.” She admitted at some point along the discussion.

How could her parents not see how amazing she is as she is? How could they force her to be something she is not? 

I could never fathom the answer to those questions as my heart aches for her.

Another thing, Jea is almost home-schooled and is the same age as Ari. She likes to play instruments, and can sing and dance. A performer. When asked why she transferred, her answer was she wanted to try what Alex is doing and that she missed her.

I don’t how to feel about that. I mean if that’s not an indirect confession then I must be crazy but who would follow a mere friend and transfer just because she misses them?

I observe Alex as Jea tell her story. I wanted to see how Alex takes this info only to find her not really minding it. Until, she caught me staring.

“Do I have something on my teeth or face?” She inquired.

“No, yes…no. I mean, I thought there was something but turned out it was just the lighting.” I stuttered.

Boy, I know I didn’t sound convincing.

She kinked a brow and eyed me curiously. Why does she have to stare back like that?

“I think it’s only fair that you truly know my friends since they’re bombarding you with too many questions. Do you know that Sunny and Bree here is in our school band?” Alex tells Jea.

“Really?! Wow.” Jea exclaimed.

“Yeah. Also, Ari here is a cheerleader. They’re the famous ones in school.” Alex continued.

“Wow…what’s your role in the band?” Jea directed to me.

“I’m actually the lead. Well, I guess since I’m the oldest.” I shyly confessed.

“No, it’s because she is the best and she really holds the group in place. I know because I’m in charge of the drums. She just takes care of us.” Bree proudly expresses.

“Yeah. They’re both great. They could do a lot of genres. Sunny is different when she is on stage that the audience goes wild or cry when she starts singing and that shows how much effort she puts in the performance. Bree can sing too aside from doing the drums and that is amazing in itself.”

Ari is humming and nodding along as she agrees to Alex’ description.

My heart swells from hearing these things coming from them. I actually haven’t thought of myself as that. We haven’t known each other for so long like I do with Maria and Breana so I take pride in hearing Alex talk about me like that.

Then Bree looks up from her food to share her sentiments for Ari. “Jea, you should watch us perform, and Ari too. You’ll be in awe when you see her dancing, flipping, flying and cheering. She handles her team too so you’ll see how great the teamwork is.”

A tinge of red creeps up Ari’s cheeks as she slows down from chewing her food. I wonder if Bree evoked the same effect in Ari as Alex does in me.

“I definitely will.” She concluded.

After finishing our lunch, Xerxes approached us again. Jea handed out a platinum Amex card to him.

“Don’t bother. I don’t really let family or soon-to-be family pay when they eat here.” He refused.

“But I promised them I’d treat them lunch and if you’re not taking it then I’m not keeping my end of the promise to them. It won’t be me treating them to lunch but you and you know I hate it when someone tries to take the credit from me. Just take it, Xerxes, please.” Jea pleaded. She tried to look more convincing by pouting cutely.

“Okay. Okay.” He reluctantly agreed as he took the card before disappearing once again.

“Is that really a platinum card?” Bree asks incredulously.

I noticed the same thing.

“Yeah.”

“Woah, just how rich are you? My parents have the gold ones and it was even hard to get.” Bree stated to no one.

“We’re rich but I really like to keep it low-key.” She answered nonchalantly.

“Just so you know, I’m up for adoption. Or you could hire me as your personal assistant or housekeeper.” Ari offered and that earned a laugh from the group.

“Yeah, Ari is a baby.” It was Bree who commented.

Alex scoffed. “I highly doubt that.”

“Feeling threatened?” Ari challenged.

“Hey, your parents will disown you for saying that and you can’t really do household chores or be ordered around.” I said as we all laugh along.

“Well, that might be true.” Ari finally conceded as Xerxes returned to our table.

“Hello ladies. Here’s your card back.” He handed out the object to its owner. We stood up to go.

“Before I forget…” Xerxes called back and we all turned back to him.

“…Tonight is going to be special. A live band will be playing, you should all come.” He finished.

Jea mused for a while before saying something. “What do you think Alex?”

“Don’t bother asking her, she’ll definitely come. She works here almost every night after all.” Xerxes said in finality as he waved a hand goodbye, winked at me then walked away. But, not before smirking to a pissed-looking Alex.

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P.S. Thank you for your patience! May I know your thoughts, dear readers? ;")