Erik, with a K

Senna's POV

After all these weeks I cannot believe this is actually happening. I wasn't sure it would all work out, especially when Peyton told me that she wouldn't help me with my costume because she didn't have the right makeup products. Luckily she changed her tune when I agreed to buy her whatever makeup she wanted as payment for her services.

So this morning instead of napping and killing this jetlag I have, we made an emergency trip to the department store. I am pretty sure I dropped more money on cosmetics today than I did when I upgraded my bed. It took me almost a full hour to drag Peyton out of the store.

Fortunately enough, my thick scarf and beanie were enough of a disguise that we managed to do the entire trip completely under the radar. I guess the news that we were home hadn't quite made it back yet since usually it was almost impossible to leave the house without finding screaming fans around every corner.

I pull Harri in tighter, determined to make our hug last as long as possible. As I feel her nuzzle into my neck, I rest my cheek on top of her head making sure not to stab myself in the eye with her crown. I breathe in deep to savour the moment. Her hair smells like a mixture of jasmine and a shiitake tone of hairspray. Lucky there are no open flames around.

"I can't believe you're actually here," she says as she draws away from me.

My body feels instantly cold at the loss of contact. I reach over and grab her hand, holding it tightly in mine on top of the bar. I take the fact that she doesn't pull away as a sign that she misses the warmth too.

"Wait you are actually here aren't you? I'm not imagining this am I?" She questions, pinching my cheek with her free hand.

"No, you're not imagining it. I'm here. In the flesh," I reassure her as I take in her face. Sure she has a fantastic amount of make on but it is powerless at hiding her beauty.

"How? Why?" She asks in disbelief.

"Well, when you told me about the fundraiser I got the idea, and then when you told me about Theo and Jazz I knew I had to come and keep your dateless ar..... artichoke, company," I explain never letting my eyes leave her face.

"Oh I am so happy to did, but I have to confess...."

She looks up at me with her grey eyes and it takes all my power not to lean across and kiss her. "Yes..." I say encouragingly.

To my surprise the words, "I didn't come here dateless," leave her mouth. I know we aren't exactly exclusive but I am still shocked at the confession.

"What do you mean?" I ask as I pull my hands away from hers.

"It's not what you think," she stresses, her eyes pleading with me to hear her out.

I consider getting up and leaving but I've come this far. "How so?" I challenge.

I try and keep my voice steady but god knows I can feel my blood pressure rising. My hands threaten to shake so I shove them in the pockets of my costume. My mind is racing. I'm not even sure why I am so angry. I've literally just met the girl. I can't be this upset with someone I've just met, can I? How can she have this much of an impact on me already?

"Theo." She squeaks out distracting me from my thoughts.

"Theo, what?" I question as I realise it's not anger I'm feeling. It's hurt.

"Theo said he felt bad for stealing Jazz as my date so he arranged for Erik Robson to be my date. I swear I didn't know until I got in the car and I would never have agreed to it," she explains in a panic.

Relief instantly washes over me. Followed by regret for getting so worked up.  Followed by the realisation that despite only just having met this girl she has me wrapped around her finger. Fruit and nut, I'm turning into Beckett I think as my heart rate returns to normal.

"And where is Erik now?" I ask.

"Rob," she says correcting me.

"You said his name was Erik?"

"It is. It's Erik with a K, but we call him Rob because his last name is Robson. It's some sports thing that I don't really understand."

"Okay, so where is Erik, with a K, now?" I ask trying my best not to sound as jealous as I feel.

She smirks at my sass, "don't know. Probably inflicting some Lacrosse story on some poor soul. I ditched him as soon as we got here so that I could go and text a certain person," she says jabbing her index finger lightly into my chest.

Well if I didn't feel like a dick before, I do now.

I grab a hold of her hand again and interlace her fingers with mine letting our hands drop down between us.

"Good to know," I say mentally envisioning Erik, with a K, being hit by a bus- Mean Girls style. I'm joking.... kind of.

"Where the hot salami have you been Madame?" Booms a voice from across the dance floor pulling us from the Erik with a K, conversation.

I turn and see a very pretty blonde girl stomping in Harri's direction. She is dressed like Sandy from Grease, except this Sandy looks pissed. A blonde Danny is following closely behind her. I guess from their costumes that I am about to come face to face with Jazz and Theo.

Sandy stops a step or so away from Harri, slamming her hand on her hip. I'm starting to think she takes her character a little too seriously. "Well, where have you been, H?" she demands.

"Err..." Harri stammers.

I watch as Jazz carefully eyes Harri before running them down her arms and spying our hands intertwined hands. She then traces her eyes up my arm until she eventually meets my eyes. "And who the French onion soup is this?"

"Yeah Harri, who is this?" The blonde Danny questions stepping up next to his Sandy. His hands balled up aggressively next to his sides.

"I leave you for all of ten minutes and you have taken up with some... some... some Mad Hatter," she rants throwing her arms in the air.

I feel Harri tense up as she stands to her feet. She lets go of my hand and places it on her hip imitating Jazz's stance. She wiggles her hand in her direction,"FIRSTY you left me for an hour not ten minutes AND SECONDLY I can look after myself which is fortunate because of point number one."

She turns just a little, moving her finger in her brothers direction, "and YOU! How dare YOU think that all of a sudden you get to act like a brother and protect me. What changed? You never cared before?!"

I've only just met the guy but he seems genuinely hurt by the accusation that he doesn't care. I sit there silently watching the whole fiasco unfold. I don't dare speak because not only is Harri holding her own I am almost certain that I can not add anything to the situation. Instead, I place my hand reassuringly on her elbow and see her visibly relax at my touch.

"What about Rob?" Theo questions.

"Pfft, Erik with a K?" I mutter under my breath. They either don't hear me or ignore the comment as Theo continues.

"Or what about that guy you're always on the phone with. You know the one with the ridiculous two lettered name?" he asks sarcastically.

"SJ?" Harri clarifies.

"Yeah him." Blonde Danny confirms.

Harri smiles, "Jazz. Theo. I want you to meet somebody," she moves her hands between us to demonstrate the connection. "This is SJ."

I watch as Jazz's jaw drops. "Holy shiitake balls, you're not some stripping sixty-five-year-old drug baron after all?" she practically screams.

"Not last time I checked," I say extending my hand for a handshake.

"If there is one thing you need to know about me it's that I'm a hugger," she says as she knocks my hand out the way. Wrapping her arms around my neck.

"The other is that I'm fiercely loyal so if you hurt my Harri,  I'll hurt you, got it?" She whispers threateningly in my ear mid-hug so that Harri can't hear.

I nod with a smirk. I can't help but think that if the roles were revered that Jax would have done the same thing. Looking at Jazz I also can't help but think that she would be his type too. She has a certain intensity which I know he'd respect and I'm pretty sure she'd do well at keeping him line. Which would be perfect because we could then double date. Although Theo does present a bit of a problem.

I look to Theo and offer him a handshake which he accepts. "Sorry for being so intense bro, we just got scared when we couldn't find her and then we find her over heae with some creepy Mad Hatter fuc—"

"Hey!" Jazz interrupts before Theo can finish the expletive.

"Sorry Jazz. Some creepy Mad Hatter feta dude," he says in continuation.

I accept his apology, "all good Theo. I have a sister myself so totally feel the urge to protect her."

"So we're all good then?" Harri asks breaking up the awkward silence which had fallen across the four of us.

"All good with me," I respond.

Jazz eyes shoot up immediately, her left brow tweaked astronomically high. "Say that again?"

"Say what?" I ask.

"Anything," she commands as her hands fly above her head.

"What do you want me to say?" I reply concerned.

Her brow drops back to the halfway point," never mind, for a second there your voice just sounded really familiar. Like really familiar."

I breathe a sigh of relief. That was close. I should have known that she would recognize my voice. Mental note, speak one octave higher around Jazz.

———-

Authors note:

Woah, was that intense!

How was that for a first meeting? And what's with Theo change in attitude?

Promise there is more Serri coming right up.

-Trudz

PS: Sorry also this is up a little late I wanted to post this a few hours ago but as you may have seen on the news there was  terrible incident in my hometown of Melbourne earlier today, and while I'm ok I was just a street away from where this occurred- usually I would be there but I had a lift instead of getting the train like I usually do (I'm considering myself lucky).

Anyway, I've just been busy reading the news and the witness statements so just wanted to say how much I appreciate you all. Now please go and hug your loved ones just because you can!