“Who are you calling a loser?” Vander shoots back, playfully punching Terry’s arm.
Terry laughs. “I have a girlfriend. I can’t be a loser.”
“So do I.”
“Alright.” Terry grins. “We need to settle this on the basketball court.”
He dashes off with Vander following him while Nox and I look at each other amused. I’m happy, though. Terry is the type of guy who can tease someone without insulting them and is genuinely nice. Seems like Vander clicked with him.
The two of them battle it out on the basketball field, which is hilarious because they both suck at it. Not as much as I do, though. “What are you even doing?” Lion asks me while watching me how I hold the ball and eye the basketball hoop.
It’s the first time he directly interacts with me. I have a feeling he doesn’t like me much, but I can’t tell why.
“I’m trying to calculate the distance,” I say. “Combine it with my height, the current wind speed… to determine which angle to choose to throw the ball.”
“Bro,” Lion sounds amused. “You can’t play basketball that way. Did you never play with your dad?”
“No,” I say.
Lion looks at me, before turning away, flustered. “Goddess, I really am an asshole.”
“I’m not upset,” I say. “You just forgot about my situation, which is actually a pleasant change for me.”
“I can show you how to throw,” he offers. “I’m actually pretty good.”
“That would be awesome,” I say. “Never played any team sport.”
“I love sports,” Lion admits. “But I lack in other areas, like intelligence or common sense.”
I’m wondering if he is joking or not because he certainly doesn’t come off as stupid. “Then how about you show me some tricks?” I ask.
Lion gives me a thumbs up. Out of the corner of my eyes I can see Nox joining Vander and Terry. He is much better than they are, almost graceful in his movements. He is truly an interesting personality. The scar crossing his face makes it obvious he has ahistory, and he is quiet and composed most of the time, yet he was able to play his role perfectly when he and Aurelia went to retrieve the information from the hospital.
Lion interrupts me by tossing a ball at me. “Come,” he says. “Stop daydreaming.”
It’s a completely new experience for me to actually hang out with other guys and be treated as one of them, and just have fun. I never had that when growing up, which makes me cherish it now.
Chapter thirty-one
An Ex is an Ex
*ARDEN*
Acouple of hours later, the boys and I have decided it’s time to freshen up and change for the party. Vander joins me because he wants to show me his outfit. “Please tell me I look dashing,” he says, when he steps out of the bathroom. His pants and blazer are simple, but he has combined a shirt with them that has glitter elements. It’s a bolder choice than what he usually wears.
“You look fine,” I reassure him. “It’s a great fit.”
“Not too much?”
“Not at all,” I say. “A lot of people will have very extra choices today. Believe me, we will still look tame in comparison to them.”
I’ve dressed in black jeans and a metallic shirt with a simple grey vest over it. However, I still remember last year’s party and how crazy some outfits were.
“How is Léna arriving today?” I ask. “Is someone bringing her?”
“Yes, one of Emilien’s friends will attend and he will pick her up on his way,” Vander says. “Okay, I need to ask you something. I know this is weird, but I have no one else to talk to.”
“Sure, just ask me.”