WOW so sorry... I haven't updated this in forever!!!!! Took a little break from nox haha, well, here's an extra long update to appease you all!
I instantly recognized him as Keith. “Hi, Keith,” I said, not sure what was happening.
Damian stared at Keith with a wide mouth. “What are you doin’ here? You’re supposed to be talkin’ to fans! And doin’...promo stuff. You know. Why are you here?”
“We’re all here,” Keith said, waving his hand behind him.
I looked around Keith’s tall body to see even more people that I had never seen before in my life. I counted three guys and two girls. I shook my head in disbelief. “I came out here... to do... what is going on?” I demanded, turning to Damian. “Did you set this up?”
He looked as shocked as I felt. “I have no idea what... Cam, what is goin’ on?”
The person who I assumed to be Cam took off his glasses and smiled. “Well, Keith mentioned that you were going somewhere with this girl named... the cryin’ girl, to say it as he did. And I wanted to come see what this crying girl looked like.” He surveyed me for a moment. “You don’t look like you’re crying.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t cry all the time.”
The redhead next to Cam grinned. “I like your attitude.” She seemed to think for a moment. “Oh, yes. Damian, we actually came because we needed to do a little shopping and because this mall was convenient.”
“To spy on you,” another boy spoke up with an Irish accent.
“Conor,” Damian groaned. “All right, very funny, but it’s over. Hannah, take everyone home.”
“Why me?” the redhead asked.
“Because you’re the most responsible one,” Damian said.
“Thanks,” said the girl with black hair.
“Lindsay...” Damian groaned. “You know what I mean! Now just... please leave us in peace.”
“Well, I need to do my shopping,” said Hannah. “I’ll see you later.” She grabbed Cam by the sleeve and started pulling him away.
“Why do I have to come?” he asked.
“Cameron,” she said quietly, “You have to come because I need you to tell me what people want for Christmas. And birthdays. You know.” She smiled sweetly and walked off, Cam/Cameron following behind.
Damian looked pleadingly at the others. The remaining mystery man shook his head. “Sorry, Damo.” Oh, Irish accent. Had to be Neil. “We’re stayin’ here. At least, until we eat.”
“Is that all you want?” Damian asked, slightly surprised. “I guess... let’s eat!”
“Great, I’m hungry,” Conor said.
Everyone started laughing. “Conor, you’re always hungry,” Keith said.
Everyone immediately turned their heads from Conor to Keith. “Really?” Neil asked. “You had to say that? You’re t’e one who’s always hungry.”
Keith grinned. “I know that.”
I rolled my eyes in amusement and turned around, surveying the food court again. I marched resolutely to the pizza place and sensed everybody following close behind. I stopped and Keith ran into me. I gave him a look and kept walking.
I bought my pizza and walked to a table quietly and calmly. I didn’t bother waiting for everybody else. I just took a bite. I ate my pizza slowly, savoring it. Finally, I turned to look at them. What are they doing? I rolled my eyes when I stared at the scene facing me. They were all fighting over the last piece of pizza. Except Lindsay, who actually seemed mature. She went to the Chinese food place.
Someone tapped me on my shoulder and I jumped again, fully expecting to find a random person who I had never seen before. I turned around with a death glare on my face before I broke into a huge smile and jumped up, hugging the person in front of me.
“Tress,” the person sighed. “It’s been...so long.”
“Hey, Lily,” I said, pulling back and smiling at her. “You look different.”
“I got my hair highlighted,” she said, smiling.
With a pink and purple streak. Her smile faded as she studied my face. “I am so sorry, Tressa.”
I shrugged and willed myself to stay under control. “It’s fine, Lily.”
“No, it’s really not.”
“It is!” I snapped.
She sighed. “Look, we all miss Michael. We really do. I just want you to know that he’s still living on, in our hearts and our minds.”
I swallowed hard. “Thanks.”
She gave a small smile. “Looks like a bunch of people are waiting for you.”
I turned to find that everybody had worked out the food issue. “Hello.”
“Who’s your friend?” Conor asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Do all Irish people do that?” I asked.
“Do what?” He looked very confused.
“Raise your eyebrow. Like this.” I raised my eyebrow and laughed.
He shrugged. “Damo and I do it. But we’re cousins, you know.”
“No, I didn’t.” We had a mini-stare down right there.
After a long pause, Conor asked again, “So, who’s your friend?”
“Oh, Lily, this is...” I paused. “Damian, Conor, Lindsay, Keith, and Neil. They’re... well, Damian and Keith, in a way, are friends of mine. Hopefully I’ll get to be friends with the others, too.” I smiled at the thought.
Lily looked at all of them and smiled. “Hi. How are you friends with...” Her voice trailed off as she glanced at Keith. “I, I mean, how are you friends with Tress?”
“Caught her cryin’ in the street, this lad did,” Keith said, lightly shoving Damian.
“Oh, are we talking like Yoda now?” Lily asked.
Keith shrugged. “It’s an Irish thing.”
“Uh huh.” Lily smiled. “Um, may I join you?”
“Sure,” Conor said. “Havin’ a party here.”
Lindsay held out her hand. “Lindsay.” She smiled and I noticed what beautiful, white teeth she had. “I love your hair.”
Lily shot a smug look at me before sitting. “Thank you.”
PS if you've read this... don't say anything