Eden’s POV:
My phone vibrated in my pocket and I sighed before taking it out. It was Violeta. We’d exchanged numbers last week, but this was really the first time she directly texted me.
“She’s inviting us to a party,” I said to Sterling without taking my eyes off of my phone. “Violeta.”
Sterling’s POV:
“A party? Hm… That could be good. We could meet more people, make more friends,” I mused as I walked over to her. Resting my chin on her shoulder, I wrapped my arms around her waist and looked at the screen of her phone. “I’d go if you want to.”
Eden’s POV:
I didn’t. I didn’t want to go to a party. They were loud, and annoying and dangerous.
“We can go then,” I said instead, biting on my lower lip as I typed my response to Violeta.
EDEN: Sterling and I accept. Thank you for inviting us.
“Is that all right?” I looked up at him, straining my neck to look at him in the eyes. “It doesn’t sound weird?”
Sterling’s POV:
I hummed as I skimmed it again. “No, it was fine. I mean, it maybe could have sounded a little less professional since she’s a friend, but I know you’re working on that,” I said softly, kissing her cheek.
Violeta glanced down at the screen, the ding interrupting her troubles train of thought, the star of which was Gray.
VIOLETA: Great, does seven work for u? My roommate says it shouldn’t get too loud or anything
Eden’s POV:
I smiled brightly at Sterling before my phone vibrated again. I looked down on my screen, almost rubbing my eyes before remembering I was wearing lenses.
EDEN: You don’t need to worry about us making noise. Seven is fine for us.
VIOLETA: Sounds great, see you there.
Relieved that Eden had actually bothered to reply, she set her phone down and approached the sketch she had begun that morning. This would look nice in watercolour…
Eden’s POV:
I set my phone aside and turned around, wrapping my arms around my boyfriend and pressing a kiss on his lips.
“Since we’re free right now…” I murmured. “You wanna call Luke and Lee?”
Gray’s POV:
“Hey, I’m going to work,” I called out to my sister. “You wanna come with? You can bring your homework and the likes.”
Aria came out of the room, her bag thrown over her shoulders. She still looked upset, but I was glad she was doing better.
“Hey, cheer up! Amanda would fix up some delicious desserts for you,” I ruffled her hair and finally, she cracked a smile.
Aria looked exactly like me—except her skin tone was lighter than mine. From what I can remember, I got my skin tone from our mother while Aria got hers from our father. If she didn’t look so young—and if she wasn’t twelve—we would have been mistaken for twins.
Anyway, before long, I arrived at my part time job at a cafe. The manager, Amanda, was a big goof and it was just my luck that I landed a job in Crocodile’s Cave. It was a rather silly name for a cafe, but now that I’ve known Amanda as a person… it perfectly describes how she is, the name I mean.
I hoped I wouldn’t run into anyone I knew.
Sterling’s POV:
I smiled softly down at Eden when she turned to face me. When she kissed me, I tugged her closer and back into a quick kiss when she pulled away.
“I’m proud of you, babe,” I told her with a light laugh. “And, sure. Should we sit on the couch?”
(Agh, shoot… I’ll change my post. Hold on.
Edit: fixed it.)
(Agh, shoot… I’ll change my post. Hold on.
Edit: fixed it.)
:o All righty.
Eden’s POV:
I made a show of being excited, clapping my hands at the compliment. I probably looked weird, but then again, I was mostly weird around Sterling.
“I’m glad you are,” I laughed, walking over to the couch. When Sterling sat down, I took my seat on his lap, turning to the side and resting my head on his chest as I FaceTimed my brother.
Sterling’s POV:
I chuckled at her excitement. I was sure she wasn’t really as excited as she made it look, but I was glad she was happy, nonetheless.
When we sat down, I wrapped my arms around her to make sure she wouldn’t fall. And just because I enjoyed embracing my amazing girlfriend.
Eden’s POV:
A few minutes later, Lucas answered the call. His face lighted up upon seeing me.
“E!” He exclaimed. “Lil sis, how are you? Is Sterling taking good care of you?”
“I’m good,” I answered softly with a chuckle. Of course he would ask me that. “He’s taking care of me spectacularly, but you can interrogate him yourself.”
I raised the phone in the air to make sure Sterling was visible properly. Lucas’s lips twisted into another of his smiles.
“Yo, man,” he greeted cheerfully. “You doin’ good? Eden isn’t making things hard for you, is she? Even if she is, you are treating her like a queen, aren’t you?”
Sterling’s POV:
I smiled back at him, nodding in greeting. Ashley’s head popped up over his shoulder, and I chuckled at the sight.
“Hey, guys. Yeah, she’s been great. It’s nice having her here with me,” I said, turning to look at her softly. “She can be difficult at times, but that’s just Eden, right?” I chuckled again at my joking before continuing, “I’ve been treating her as a queen deserves, of course. What about you two? How have you been?”
Eden’s POV:
I glared at Sterling’s comment.
“I am not difficult to deal with,” I muttered under my breath. “Very funny, you two.”
Lucas merely laughed.
“Ash and I have been great,” he replied, tossing an arm around my best friend’s shoulder and pulling her closer. I waved at her. “We do miss you, though, E. I can’t wait for holidays. And I suppose that includes you, too, Sterling. You are, after all, a part of our group now.”
“Unfortunately,” I deadpanned. “I do not miss you.”
Sterling’s POV:
Ashley grinned and waved back at Eden, leaning into her boyfriend’s side. She certainly looked happy, though I could tell there was a bit of weariness there. I wonder what that was about… Maybe she had been up late studying or something.
I grinned and kissed Eden’s cheek. “Sure you aren’t, honey,” I teased her softly, nuzzling her before looking back at the camera. “She totally misses you, don’t worry. I suppose our families will also be looking forward to having us. And the joint get-togethers that are sure to happen over the holidays.”
Eden’s POV:
I rolled my eyes at Sterling as he teased me.
“Why would I miss someone who was constantly a pain in my back?” I retorted, shifting, my arm starting to hurt from holding the phone high. “And right, of course. It would give dad a reason to keep contact with Mr. Ainsley, wouldn’t it, Luke?”
Lucas laughed at my earlier comment, choosing not to respond. Good choice, big brother.
“Right. I think Dad’s pleased you’re dating his son, though,” Lucas commented thoughtfully. “He took this one in very nicely. Sterling, you’re very lucky. Dad’s extremely protective of Eden.”
Sterling’s POV:
I gently took the phone from Eden so she wouldn’t have to hold it up any more. “Well, I’m glad I’ve passed his test. And he can be assured that I wouldn’t dare to hurt his daughter. Anything I do is with her consent.”
(I just had an amazing idea! I’ll tell you in the PM, Callie.)
Eden’s POV:
I got comfortable on Sterling’s lap, shifting a little before setting my head back on his chest.
I looked at Ashley while my brother and Sterling talked, and I noticed the tire in her face. She looked really happy, but there was a glimmer of stress and weariness on her features. She didn’t glow as much as she did before.
“Lucas, you’re treating Ashley right, aren’t you?” I interrupted their talk, my voice serious. “She’s my best friend. Treat her nicely. If not, you’ll always have to sleep with one eye open.”
Lucas laughed nervously.
“I mean… I hope I’m making her happy,” he said with a nervous chuckle.
Sterling’s POV:
Ashley blushed a bit, chuckling with him. “Yeah, he is… We’re very happy together. He’s been great, and I love living here with him,” she assured us softly as she glanced up at Lucas with an almost overly-happy look that made me wonder if there wasn’t something going on between them. What were they getting up to her there?
Eden’s POV:
I nodded, satisfied before crossing my arms.
“Well, Sterling here has made it his mission to not let me live in peace,” I sighed dramatically. “He drives me crazy…”
Sterling’s POV:
“Hey! I have not. Well, not entirely…” I muttered, sticking my tongue out at her.
Eden’s POV:
“You both have absolutely no idea how much he drives me crazy,” I insisted, causing Lucas to laugh and shoot me a suggestive look. I immediately shot him a glare in return. “It’s not funny!”
Sterling’s POV:
I chuckled and turned my attention back to Eden. “Would you like me to drive you crazy right now? Because I certainly could,” I teased.