Chapter Text
What am I doing here? I asked myself for the hundredth time, but I still couldn’t come up with the answer. I sit on the bench, Stella’s dress clinging to my skin, as I watch the track. I was looking for Riven, but there was no way I would find him because they had helmets over their heads.
“Quick summary, if one rider seems a little bit arrogant or violent, it's Riven.” Stella says, staying straight ahead
“Really?”
“Yes, he is very competitive.” Bloom adds next to me
“Do you know why?” I ask, interested in her answer
“Not really. He's always been like that. We just decided to accept him as he is.” She shrugs, and then she points ahead “See those two that are neck to neck in the front?”
My eyes immediately looked at where she was pointing, and indeed, there were two riders in the front. One tire was in front but the other guy immediately caught up. The second guy sped up, but the other didn't let him have the advantage.
“Those two are Sky and Riven.” Stella says “Riven's testosterone can't accept Sky winning and Sky can't accept losing.” She was looking at her perfectly manicured nails “Guys.” she scoffs, and rolls her eyes
“Is it always that intense?” I ask, wondering how their friend group works
If Sky and Riven are always at each other's throat, how can they work as a group? Wouldn't it slowly become toxic? Isn't it hard always picking sides and listening to them argue and hurt each other?
“No, it's not. They have a healthy rivalry going on.” Bloom's eyes were still fixed on Sky and Riven
“So you don't pick sides?” I blink a few times, taken aback by her statement
“There are no sides because they're both stupid.” Stella chimes in
Someone on the track lifts their head up and looks at our side of the bleachers. My heart stops because I could swear they were looking at me. He looked back, but that moment was enough to distract him because someone else slid next to them. A girl in front of me stood up and blocked my view completely.
I tried to look around her but it was impossible because she was jumping and clapping. I touched her shoulder, but she just brushed me off.
“Oh hell no. Sit your ass down, bitch or I'll throw you off.” Stella yells at her and the girl sits down immediately
That was just enough time for me to see someone sliding over the finish line and the guy that was next to him moments before wasn't lying on the grass, clutching his chest. The winner takes his helmet off and I was welcomed by a beautiful pair of brown eyes. Riven was grinning ear to ear. My eyes slide back to the guy on the grass. He was being lifted onto the gurney, as paramedics stood by his side. Did Riven throw him off?
“Riven won.” I breath out
“Did you even question that?” Bloom laughs a little
I didn't have time to answer her because Stella wanted food so we walked off the bleachers. I waited for her to decide what she wanted and then I walked off to one of the stands. The line was very long, so I pulled my phone out and scrolled a bit. The line hasn't moved for a while which was annoying. Why is taking someone that long to decide what they want? I peeked around and there was a person in the front who was just scanning the menu, with no care in the world.
I felt a slight tap on my shoulder. Annoyed, I turned around just to see girls standing behind me, Bloom looking slightly worried. Her eyes kept darting around us, like she was expecting to see someone.
“Nabu's gonna keep you company. We have to go to the toilet.” Stella says quickly, way too quickly
Her eyes had an edge to them, which made me uneasy. Stella was never this worried. We knew each other for more than 5 years and she was always easy going and she made a joke out of every situation. It's weird seeing her scared.
“Is everything okay? You both look worried.” My throat was tight
“Everything is fine.” Nabu walked to me, his demeanor relaxed
“Were you here the whole time?” I ask him
“I always come and support guys.”
“We'll be quick. I promise.” With that, they turned around and speed walked away into the crowd
“Were you alone? Why weren't you sitting with us?”
“I was, but I had a special seat because I came before the race to prepare whoever is racing that day.” He smiles a bit “Usually, that means keeping Riven in check.”
“Why do you need to keep him in check?” My voice sounded deeper, like it wasn't mine
The line moved, and I stepped forward instinctively, never taking my eyes off of Nabu. He was just so easy to talk to. His voice was smooth, and measured, like he spends his whole life just talking.
“He is just impulsive. That's the only way I can explain it.” He smirks
“He is complicated, is what you want to say.” I smile
“Yes,” he laughs. “ He is complicated. Not in a bad way, but also not in a good way.”
“So Riven invented a new version of complicated.”
Nabu just laughed at my statement. Even his laugh was regal. He was probably a prince or duke in past life. That's the only explanation for the way he carries himself. No one is this well spoken and well mannered unless they were trained to be.
“Do you want something to eat?” I ask him, now that I was closer to stands
“I'll just have a cup of coffee, thank you.”
“You're welcome.” I turn to cute girl working in the front and I order coffee for Nabu and food for Stella
“Is that all?” The girl asks
“Yes, thank you.”
“That would be 30.54.”
I hand her the 50 and tell her to keep the change. Nabu and I walk to tables and chairs reserved for hungry crowds. We find a free spot and Nabu pulls the chair for me. He waited for me to sit before he himself sat down across from me.
“I hope I don't bother you.” I tell him honestly
“Of course you don't. Why would you even say that?” he leans forward, putting his elbow on the table in front of us
“You probably want to celebrate with Riven. Instead, you're stuck babysitting me.” I laugh a little “I don't know what is taking them so long.”
“First of all, I'm not stuck with you. I love meeting new people and making friends. Secondly, they're probably looking for us. I'm sure they'll be here soon.”
I nod, not convinced. Blooma and Stella had looked worried and now it's taking them too long to find us. People are slowly leaving so it shouldn't take them this long to come and find us. Also, where are the guys? There is no way Nabu didn't text them or call them to tell them where he is. I doubt they went home.
I hope they didn't. I want to spend more time with them. They look like an interesting friend group. The way they all function so well while being so different is fascinating to me. I also have to see how Sky and Riven spend time together, taking their rivalry into consideration.
“Do you have anyone, Musa?” His voice drags me back from my thoughts
“What?” My cheeks flush
“Do you have a boyfriend?” His eyes bore into mine
“No, why do you ask?”
“Because I saw the way Riven looked at you when you were in our apartment.” His voice was soft, like he was nostalgic
“What do you mean by that?” My throat closes
“I think he's attracted to you.” He says simply, taking a sip from his coffee
“We just talked once. How can he be attracted to me?”
I'm not someone who believes in love at first sight. I think that's just bullshit. You can't be madly in love with someone just by looking at them. Take Romeo and Julia, for example. Their supposed love caused the death of so many people, including themselves. Loving someone comes from knowing them. It's one thing to think someone is pretty, but it's completely different to claim you're in love with them after one glance.
“I don't know either, I just know he is. That's why I don't want him to get disappointed.”
“Well, I don't have anyone so you can be at peace.”
He just nods, and I look down at my lemonade. The ice inside the cup was melting from the blazing sun. I wondered what was going through his head. Did he invite me today as a date? Or as a friend? If he wanted a date, where is he then? Why isn't he here?
“Hey, guys.” Someone's flat voice said behind me
I turned around to see Brandon and Stella walking hand in hand. Riven, in all his glory, was walking behind them. Brandon and Riven were in their regular clothes, their gear ditched somewhere. Riven was wearing a plain grey T-shirt and faded, blue jeans. Brandon, however, was wearing a plaid shirt and black jeans. I looked around, but there was no trace of Bloom.
“Where is Bloom?” My voice was strained, panic settling in my stomach
“She is with Sky.” Stella says, slumping next to me
“They will be here soon.” Bradon says, sitting down in between Stella and Nabu
“I can't wait to leave.” Riven grumbles next to me
“Why are you so grumpy? You just won.” I smile at him
His face softens a bit when he looks at me. There was a nasty bruise on his cheek and my eyes zero on her. Where did he get it? Did he get in a fight?
“What happened to you?” My hand itched to touch his face
“Some guy got pissed about losing and he hit me. It's nothing important. It will go away. It doesn't even hurt.”
“Are you sure?” I told my head to the side, trying to get better look at it
“Here.” He takes my hand and presses my point finger to his bruise
His face didn't give anything away, no pain or discomfort. He was telling the truth. His brown eyes were so hypnotizing, and pretty. I could spend hours looking at them and never get bored. The way his lips slightly part had me in shambles. God, how can someone be this pretty?
“Get a room.” Stella gags, and I realize I was still holding his face
My hand immediately drops and I look away, embarrassment creeping into my face. God, what is happening to me? Did he put some voodoo magic on me? Because that is the only explanation for the way I was feeling.
“So, did you talk about anything interesting?” Stella asks
“Not really. Just general stuff.” Nabu says
“Boring.” she adds, and I laugh at her
“Oh Stella.”
“What? It is true. You guys are boring.”
“I would say the opposite. Nabu is a really easy person to talk to.” I comment
“I am?”
“Absolutely. I can see us being really good friends. ”
“Well, I'm glad to hear that.” He smiles at me
“There are Sky and Bloom.” Brandon says and looks behind me
I turn around to see said pair talking about something. I would say the talk was heated because Bloom was moving her hands around, like she was explaining something.
“Are they arguing again?” I asked, a bit worried that they'll kill each other if they continue like this
“No, I think something else is happening.” Riven says, his voice nonchalant
“Okay, so I shouldn't be afraid they'll kill each other?”
“They probably will, just not today.” Brandon jokes
“Now that we're all here, should we go to our apartment? We have alcohol and board games.” Riven asks, looking at me
“Sure, I don't see why not.”