50
April tore her eyes of the screen of her phone to look at a gloomy Derek, who was standing beside her and hadn't been on talking terms with her lately. She returned her eyes to her phone with a sigh and waited for him to say something but she was forced to voice out, when he didn't say a word.
"When is your silent treatment going to end?" She asked and he turned to look at her for a minute before returning his eyes to gaze blankly into space.
"Nevermind." She said. "Keep going."
"Did we break up?" He asked and she turned to him, appalled he could say such.
"What?...We didn't...Do you want us to break up?"
He finally returned his eyes and she noticed the usual glow he always had in his eyes since they were still dating was gone.
"You didn't contact me the other day."
"You didn't either." She retorted.
"I did." He replied and she rolled her eyes.
"What are you talking about? You didn't sound sincere."
"We are here." Herley's voice rang out in the distance as Derek was about to say something and April sighed in frustration before turning to see Sol and Herley approaching.
"Why are you two, coming in together?" She asked and Sol turned to glance at Herley, before returning her eyes back to April.
"We just ran into each other."
"Jennie is the only one left." Derek said.
"What about the others?"
"They already left."
"Jennie is always late." April dragged.
"Sorry. She'll get here soon." Sol replied and Herley gave Derek a nudge.
"Why is Sil apologizing?" He whispered.
"Don't ask me."
"Sol." Someone scremed and everyone's head whipped round to see her running towards them, and into the hands of Sol, who she almost knocked over.
"I guess she can only see Sol." Herley muttered, as she threw her arms around over her, despite her luggage.
"Hey, didn't you see us?" April asked and Jennie finally pulled away from Sol.
"I'm sorry, guys. I came out early but cabs weren't forthcoming."
"You always make the same excuse every time." April rolled her eyes and Sol chuckled. "But, what about Demir?"
"He's not coming." She replied and Jennie's eyes widened in shock.
"What?...Why?"
"What's your deal? Do you have a crush on him?"
"It's not like that..." Jennie started saying but stopped, to smack April on the shoulder, when her word replayed in her head. "It's not like that." She blurted.
"It seems weird, if you react like that." April teased and Jennie sighed.
"Forget it. Let's go...But, where are the others?"
"Jasmine and Chris already left." Derek replied as they turne to head towards the car park.
Demir's eyes returned to meet with Tahti's, after the introduction. He'd been at home a while earlier, looking at the recent sketches he'd made when he had seen Tahti for the first time, when a text from Derek popped into his phone. His mood had lightened up on reading the news that that Tahti would attending the workshop and the next thing he knew, he'd gotten into his new car and had driven down to Santa Barbara.
However, his mood had been ticked off, on seeing Tahti and Josh, shopping together at the market, after he'd made a stop to ask for directions.
"The weather's so nice today." Somebody was saying from behind him and Tahti tore her eyes off him to look at our course mates, who were just arriving.
"What? You said you weren't coming." April said, as she walked towards him.
"Tahti." Jennie screamed as she ran to throw her arms around her, and Demir turned to April, who still looked surprised to see him. "Change of plans." He replied and April shrugged, before walking towards Josh, plastering a smile on her face.
"Hi. I'm Tahti's friend, April Martins. It's so nice to meet you." She said and stretched out a hand for a handshake, which she took. "You're welcome."
"I'm a huge fan of your videos, too." April added and he smiled.
"I see. Thanks."
Jasmine walked over for an introduction and April went to join Tahti, where she was standing.
"I didn't know you two were close. When did you get here?"
"It's not like that. My aunt lives nearby, that's all." Tahti replied, avoiding Demir's eyes.
April turned to his whisper to Jennie. "So there was a reason she was out of touch."
"It's nothing like that." She replied with a sigh, before she turned to take in the groceries, to April's surprise.
"She's going in casually, as if it is her own home." April nudged Jennie, who rolled her eyes.
"Geez."
"I want the big room." Jasmine yelled and that seemed to have upset Jennie as she started to run into the building.
"Hey, what do you think you are doing? I should get the big room."
"Let's get some rest first." Derek said, sliding an arm over Demir's shoulder and the duo walked over to sit at the porch of the apartments.
Tahti was taking out the groceries and sorting them out when Jennie slowly trod into the kitchen, looking nervous.
"Are you okay?" She asked and Tahti raised her head to look at her.
"What do you mean?"
Jennie looked down to wiggle her fingers. "Sorry I lied to you. I thought you will say you wouldn't come if I told you Demir was coming."
"It's fine." She lowered her head, with a sigh and Jennie neared to assist with the groceries.
"But...What happened with you and Demir? You two seem to be getting along very well." Tahti's hand froze and she raised her head again. She was right. They were only getting along, because she did not know he had a girlfriend.
"Well..."
"Did he do something wrong like the last time at the station." She asked, with a roll of her eyes. "Gosh, I can totally imagine it."
"No." She replied and turned to look out through the window, where he was sitting.
"I'm the one who made a mistake...I guess he's pretty upset about that."
Jennie blinked her surprise. "I see."
Josh showed the guests the two big and available guest rooms and led them to the dining room, where everyone was quick to have a seat, before discussing if they would leave for the amusement park that morning.
Josh glanced at Demir, for a split second before turning back to the crew.
"If you tell me an hour before the time you want the barbecue, I'll get it ready."
"What are you doing later?" April asked.
"Huh?"
"I mean..." April paused, to gesture to the entire crew. "We're all Tahti's friends so come hang out with us. We are going to the amusement park."
"Well, I have to cook the food..."
"Come on. We can all be prepare it together later, so come with us." Jasmine smiled.
"You can take some photos too." Henry added. "That's right. I heard you have a YouTube channel. I bet you'll be a good photographer." April said.
He paused for a minute to consider it, before he threw her a smile.
"Hang on." He replied, before he disappeared. "Wait. Is he going to talk to Tahti?" Jasmine asked.
"Wasn't that kind of rude? You put him in a tight spot." Derek said and April turned to him.
"I was only asking him to hang out with us. What's bad about that?"
"I don't see anything wrong with that."
"Let's ask him to have barbecue with us later." Tahri was almost done with sorting out the groceries, when Josh walked into the kitchen, looking surprised when he saw her sorting them out.
"What are you doing here? I could have taken care of this."
"It's okay. I had nothing to do anyways." She replied.
"I talked to the guys and they asked me to come with them to the amusement park." "Amusement park?" She asked and noticed his uneasiness. "If you don't want to go, I'll tell them for you."
"No. I want to hang out with you."
"Alright."
The crew headed out of the house a couple of minutes later to wait for Tahti, who went to fetch her bag and Josh, who went to get his camera, after announcing he would be going with them.
"I already feel exhausted." Jennie said, with a groan.
"What are you talking about? It's just the beginning. You can't get exhausted." April replied.
"Don't worry, I'll give you a massage once we get into the car." Sol said and Jennie threw her a grateful smile.
"But, what is taking them so long?"
"Let's go first. They'll probably catch up catch up with us later." Herley said.
"Should we go?" Sol asked and April turned to Demir.
"Bring Tahti and Josh later on, okay?"
"Sure, I will. Be careful..." He replied, and the girls turned to head for the car with, which Derek had brought them with.
The car was just driving out of the compound, when Tahti, walked out of the house.
She'd gotten a change of clothes and he couldn't help but sweep his eyes over her, admiring her gorgeous she looked.
Her lush brown eyes widened in realising the guys were leaving and he sighed.
"Everyone left first."
"I see." came her subtle reply, as she slowly walked towards his car.
Demir was just getting into the driver's seat when he looked at the mirror, to see that she'd gotten into the backseat.
"Why are you sitting at the back seat?" He asked, as she pulled out the seatbelt.
"Hold on, Josh's coming."
Was that really it or was she trying to avoid every chance of a person alone when she'd with him.
"I heard you met Stella at school." He said and she turned to look out for the window.
"Yeah."
She said you were attractive and wanted to talk to you some more but you left."
"I thought she was pretty too..." She replied. Josh walked over out of the house just then, flipping over his camera, with a smile which faded on seeing him again and Demir guessed he probably didn't want to ride with him. He didn't want to as well, but they both didn't have a choice.
Josh walked over to the passenger seat and got in, slamming the door shut before Demir reversed to drive out of the building.
