Mismatched Compatibility (7)

Dana:

“Come on in,” Aaron offered, waving us inside.

Aaron led Ethan and I to the living room where I spotted Luke sitting on one of the armchairs. He greeted me with a smile and a nod.

I gladly returned it. It seemed like Ethan's friends were very friendly – a quality that he appeared to lack.

“You're back early,” commented Luke, after Ethan took a seat beside me on the couch while Aaron sat on the recliner near the fireplace.

Ethan grunted. “Dad just showed me off.”

Oh, so that was the reason why he was such in a bad mood earlier. Now that I thought about it, Mr. Tyler did like to boast when I met him this morning. But based on my keen observation, it was more of an honest and friendly boast, not the kind you would roll your eyes on.

“Since when did you complain about that?” asked Aaron, raising an eyebrow.

“Since I realized how tiring it was,” he sighed. “It's actually better if they went back to ignoring me. Ever since I entered college . . .” He trailed off and shook his head. He reached out a right hand and grabbed what appeared to be a beer on the low glass table that we surrounded.

I now only noticed that the table was full of snacks and refreshments. The food that laid in front of me were all full of carbs. Too bad.

“Come on, man,” snorted Aaron. “They were just shocked that you're capable enough to actually enter college,” he added, laughing.

“Yeah, who would've thought?” chuckled Luke.

“Hey,” reprimanded Ethan playfully. “College was awesome.”

Aaron and Luke stopped laughing.

“It was,” agreed Aaron, nodding thoughtfully.

Luke shrugged. “It was all right.”

“So, Dana,” mentioned Aaron, making me instantly look at him. “Are you a college grad, too?”

“No, actually,” I answered a-matter-of-factly. “I'm only a senior this coming fall.”

“Which university?” asked Luke.

“Yale,” I replied, with a little pride.

The three boys whistled.

I couldn't blame them. Yale University was an Ivy League school. It wasn't that easy to be able to be accepted there – at least, some people find it difficult. But it was rather easy for me, with my GPA and family status to back me up.

“How about you guys?” I queried eagerly.

“University of Kansas,” grinned Aaron.

My eyebrows raised. “Wow. That's pretty far from here.”

“I was with my girl.” He shrugged. “No worries.”

Awe. How sweet.

“High school sweethearts?” I guessed, fighting the urge to hide my giddiness.

He considered it. “You could say that.”

I smiled warmly at him before turning my attention to Luke.

“And you, Luke?”

“Duke University,” answered Luke. “But my girlfriend went to NYU.”

I nodded in understanding. So that must be why college was only 'all right' to him. He had a long distance relationship. That must be quite hard.

I then looked at Ethan.

“Georgetown,” he simply said, after drinking from his bottle of beer.

“Would you like something to drink?” Luke asked me.

He probably noticed that I was eyeing Ethan's beer. But it wasn't because I was parched. It was because I couldn't believe he finished a bottle with one shot.

I shook my head at Luke. “No, thank you.”

“You sure? I could get you a juice or something.”

“Yes, I'm sure,” I told him, smiling politely.

Why couldn't Ethan be this nice? It was odd how his personality was completely different from Luke and Aaron's. And they all looked like they were the best of friends.

However, the more I observed them . . . It looked like Aaron was the median among the three boys. Ethan was the extrovert of the group, while Luke was the introvert. It amazed me how they could get along so well.

“Hey, Allie just texted,” announced Luke, looking at his phone. “They're on their way here from the venue for tomorrow's event.”

“Allie, in short for Alyson, the bubbly girl?” I couldn't help but ask.

Luke grinned childishly. “Yep. She's with his” (pointed to Aaron) “fiancée.”

Before I could show my excitement on meeting the lucky bride, Ethan growled.

“Shit,” he murmured. “Evans is coming over?” he asked his friends.

“Soon to be Mrs. Ford,” corrected Aaron. “And it's been years, dude. Can't you both get along?”

“No fcking way,” said Ethan indignantly. “She sent a homeless guy after me once. And she licked my palm like a freaking deranged person when I put my hand to cover her mouth to stop her from interrupting you in declaring your love that time in senior year.”

This girl did all of that to Ethan? Hmm. I suddenly found myself admiring this girl for her guts and creativity.

“First of all,” began Aaron seriously, “I wasn't declaring my love. I only ordered everyone at school to leave her alone. Second, don't call her crazy. Only I get to do that. Third, get over it. You sound like a girl.”

Aaron looked quite bossy just now. And from what he said, it was as though he called the shots when they were in high school. Honestly, who could order the whole student body around like he was the king of popularity?

. . .

My eyes slowly landed on Aaron.

He used to be the most popular guy during their years in high school? I didn't expect that. I bet Ethan and Luke were known, too.

“It's been four years, man,” reminded Luke.

Ethan looked at him in disbelief. “She sent a homeless dude after me, telling him a lie that I stole his cat!”

I've decided.

I like this Evans girl.

Ding! Dong!

“Speaking of the she-devil,” muttered Ethan.

Aaron stopped walking to give him a look. Ethan frowned, looked away, and pouted like a child. Luke only shook his head, looking amused. With that, Aaron headed to the front door.

My mouth slightly dropped open in shock as I stared at Ethan.

I – I don't quite believe it.

Ethan Tyler, the pompous jerk who seemed as if he didn't respect anyone, got told off by this boy-next-door type of guy. And he didn't even retorted.

Amazing.

“Hello, everyone!”

Three heads, including mine, turned toward the direction of the voice. A grinning Hispanic-looking girl entered the room and went straight to Luke to give him a brief kiss. Next to enter was Aaron, and on his side was a really pretty dark-haired girl. But unlike the dark-haired Aaron, the girl had brown eyes instead of bluish-green.

“Hey, Luke,” said the girl, who smiled and nodded to Luke. After her eyes spotted Ethan, something changed in her facial expression. “Tyler,” she nodded, without the smile.

“Evans.” Ethan returned the curt nod. “You're looking more and more human over the years. Ditched the glasses for good, huh?”

“Yeah, shame your face still looks deformed.”

Ethan smirked. “Tell that to the girls who scream my name at night.”

To all our surprise, she gasped loudly.

“Ethan Tyler!” she exclaimed, her facial expression was full of concern. “You know you shouldn't take advantage of drunk girls! They couldn't see clearly. Oh, I feel sorry for them.”

Aaron, Luke, and the girl named Alyson burst out laughing.

Even I laughed.

I was starting to respect this girl. She didn't put up with his rudeness. I wondered what happened between them that they got on each other's nerves like that.

On the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan open his mouth to say something. Aaron saw it too, for he gave Ethan another look. Ethan rolled his eyes and closed his mouth.

“Oh, Daniella Howard!”

I jumped in startle at the yell of my name. My head turned to look at Alyson, who was beaming at me.

“Hello!”

“Hi, Allie,” I greeted her with a smile.

For a moment, she reminded me of my old self. I was once that innocent-looking and fragile. She looked really kind. She also looked like the type of friend who didn't judge anyone.

Yes, I quite remembered my old self.

“Hi, I'm Dakota,” said the girl who was fighting with Ethan just moments ago. “I'm this jock's fiancée,” she added, smiling as she pointed to Aaron.

Awe. They looked rather cute.

My smile turned wider. “Please do call me 'Dana'. I'm . . .”

Hold on. Who am I in this picture?

“A long story,” finished Ethan for me, sounding bored.

“We've got time,” shrugged Dakota, not acknowledging Ethan. Then, she winked at Alyson. “Don't we, Allie?”

“Yup,” agreed Alyson cheerfully.

“Er,” I mumbled, unsure on where to start.

Dakota must have noticed my hesitation because she clapped her hands once.

“Girl talk,” she declared. She came to me and gently pulled me up by the hand. “You're coming with us, if you don't mind.”

“Yo, where the hell do you think you're taking her?” demanded Ethan, standing up and moving toward us.

“None of your drippy nosy business, Tyler,” said Dakota, waving him away. “Shoo!”

I had to admit, I was a little glad that Ethan appeared to care about me enough to worry about where Dakota and Alyson were taking me – even though I was quite sure they weren't going to do anything horrible to me.

“'Shoo' your face,” countered Ethan. “She is my business.”

I completely ignored the fluttery things in my stomach after hearing him say that.

“Why, is she your girlfriend?” challenged Dakota, putting her free hand on her hip while one of her eyebrows lifted up.

Hmm. I'm rather curious on what Ethan will say about that.

Ethan took a deep breath, and closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his expression looked calm but serious.

“Look, just take care of her.”

We were all taken aback at his sudden change of mood.

If it was possible, he looked even more handsome than he was before. He looked quite mature than he was minutes ago. There was an aura of 'no nonsense' that he carried well. He appeared very intimidating that even I was left questioning my own authority.

And as much as I loathed to admit it, I was truthfully turned on.

“Ah, I see.”

My eyes looked around and saw the other two boys smiling in amusement. Dakota and Alyson stared at them questioningly.

“Badass Ethan is in our midst,” explained Aaron dramatically.

“Oh,” said Dakota and Alyson in unison.

I still had no clue about what they were talking about. Alyson saw my confused expression and whispered, “Ethan turns really mature and serious when he drinks alcohol – Oh, and awesome. Definitely more awesome.”

I frowned. “Really?”

Alyson nodded.

Then, I remembered Ethan and Luke's conversation yesterday about Ethan's good deeds whenever he was drunk.

How odd . . . but interesting.

“All right,” sighed Dakota. “Allie and I won't turn her into a cyborg anymore.”

I froze, staring at her.

She laughed out lout at my expression.

“I was kidding,” she chuckled. “Come on. Let's roll,” she added, making a move to leave with me and Alyson behind her.

“You just got here.” Aaron pouted at Dakota, causing her to laugh again.

“Don't worry, A. I won't go too far.”

He grinned and kissed her on the forehead. “I love you, D.”

Just then, I distinctly heard Ethan cough, “Whipped.” To which, Luke turned and grinned at Ethan's direction.

“Ugh,” muttered Dakota. “You're too sappy.”

“Just say it, nerd.”

“Fine.” She rolled her eyes, but smiled all the same. “I love you too, jock.”

Oh, I just couldn't take it anymore!

I giggled – as in, giggled like a girly girl who watched too much romantic films. Then again, maybe I have watched too much romantic comedy films.

“I'm sorry,” I mumbled, when they all looked at me oddly. “You're both just incredibly cute together.”

Luke chuckled at my remark, while I heard Ethan mutter, “What the hell is cute with that?”

“You're just jealous, man,” Aaron told him, as he watched Ethan return comfortably to his place on the couch.

“I'm happy with my free and single life, thank you very much,” he replied, raising his second bottle of beer as though saying 'Cheers!'.

Strange, but I felt a rush of disappoint go through me. I didn't understand what got me to feel this way . . . All right, that was an absolute lie. I perfectly knew what made me feel this way. I just didn't want to dwell more on it.

To my surprise, the person who was the reason for my sudden abnormal feelings caught my eye. And I couldn't find myself to look away from his blue eyes. They were piercing through mine, as though he could see the whole me.

“Don't miss me so much, princess,” he smirked.

All the unusual feelings disintegrated as soon as I saw his infamous smile.

“What's there to miss?” I said, mocking innocence.

“Do you really want me to say it out loud?” he wondered.

Of course, I knew he meant the kiss. But I didn't want the information to come from him. He would make it some sort of a sexual thing, which was undoubtedly not the case. So I racked my brain for something to scare him with when – Aha!

I smiled sweetly at him. “Only if you don't want me to say your name out loud,” I threatened him pointedly.

He seemed to get it, because he sucked in his breath.

Yes, Ethan Xavier. I observed how you almost squirmed in panic when Cher mentioned your full name in front of me last night. I didn't know then how it would turn out quite useful for me.

I sighed in relief when I felt Dakota grab my hand.

“Mark my words, princess,” he called after me.

I looked over my shoulder – huge mistake! I saw him smiling confidently, determination clear in his eyes.

“One of these days, we're going to have the birds and the bees.”

Luke and Aaron stared at him, dumbfounded.

However, that only left me with one word in mind.

What?!

_________________________________________

BOOM!

I know I suck at updating. But it's definitely worth the wait, ain't it? ;)

Can I just say HOW CUTE the picture is?! >>

Can't believe half of you guys answered Aaron in my last question. Well, I understand that you're loyal to him because he was introduced first. We'll see. I'll ask again in the final chapter (which will be in a long time). Stay tuned! :D xx

Btw, I noticed I haven't been dedicating chapters lately. So... If YOU want to make a VIDEO TRAILER or POSTER for Mismatched Compatibility or just this chapter, you are welcome to do so. I'd be happy to DEDICATE A CHAPTER to you. :)

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