The New Member

“I called it!” somebody whispered.
“Ugh” two other voices groaned.
“Come on, give me my 20 bucks!” the first urged.
I opened my eyes and went to turn to look at the people in the room, but was stuck in Tony’s embrace.
“What are you guys doing here?” I hissed. I didn’t want to wake up Tony. I could still feel his deep breaths exhaling against my neck.
“That’s a good good question, to which I do not know the answer.” Jaime stated.
“Well, what are you guys doing?”
“Vic, made a bet that you guys would become an item.” Jaime teased, “I guess he won.”
“What?!” I exclaimed, shooting upright in the bed. Jaime and Mike looked at me with wide eyes while Vic looked unfazed. Vic was the only one, except for Tony, who had seen me in these Pajamas.
“Oh, get over it!” I shouted at Mike and Jaime who immediately closed their open mouths
“What’s going on?” A sleepy Tony mumbled besides me while rubbing his eyes.
“These guys, apparently, made a bet about us becoming a thing.” I proclaimed as I pointed at them with with my left hand.
Vic took hold of my left hand and stared at my wrist, “What happened to you?”
I pulled my hand back and shouted, “It doesn’t matter!”
I got out of bed and and stomped towards my room. I opened the door and met the poisonous smell of paint fumes.
“Ugh, stupid paint fumes!” I slammed the door shut and walked over to the front door and left the house.

----
Tony’s POV

Vic saw Noortje’s cut and she just ran out of the room. I put my head in my hands and tried to make sense of what just happened.
“Dude, I knew you two were going to be a couple!” Vic happily chirped.
“Guys, we aren’t together in any way like that.” I sighed.
“Then what was she doing in your bed?” Mike asked.
“She was working on a painting and-”
“Stupid paint fumes!” Was screamed from the other side of the hallway.
I motioned towards to sound with my hand, “and paint fumes.”
“Shit dude, we’re sorry.” Jaime assured.
The front door banged and we all knew she had left. Vic was about to go follow her, but I stopped him, “Just let her be for now.”

The guys left the room and I was left to take a shower and change. I couldn’t stop thinking about Vic making that bet. What was it with them and bringing Noortje and I together. We’re best friends, right? I did almost kissed her during the movie, but that was only because I couldn’t help it. Oh, shit. Maybe… no, no she’s just my best friend. There’s nothing going on between us.

I went to join the others, they were all playing video games in the livingroom. I watched for a bit until they finally noticed I was there. They paused the game and turned to me.
“What happened to Noortje?” Mike blurted out.
“She left the house?” I answered.
“No, not that. Her wrist.” Vic demanded.
“Oh,” I mouthed, “She tripped when she was chasing me around the house.”
Vic eyed me up and down suspiciously before slowly nodding his head, “Now tell us the truth.”
I sighed, “Honestly? I don’t know. She says she doesn’t remember, but I’m still trying to figure out.”
“So she did this to herself?” Mike whispered.
“I never said that!” I defended.
“So she did.” Vic established.
I nodded and suddenly didn’t feel like talking anymore. I think the guys realised and they continued with their game. While they were shouting insults at each other, I was sitting in a corner in silence. I was starting to get worried about Noortje. She had been out for 5 hours, I thought she would have been back by now.
My thoughts were interrupted by my phone buzzing. It was a text from Noortje:
Best Ginger Girl Ever: Can you please come pick me up?
There was no address. I stood up grabbed my coat and walked out of the house without saying a word to the guys. The last thing I heard was Jaime asking “Hey, where are you going?”
I stepped in my car and started my journey. I knew exactly where she was.

The car tires cracked over the dirt path. I looked around to see if she was anywhere to be seen. There she stood, at the edge of the hill. She was just a silhouette created by the city in the distance. She looked up at the stars and exhaled. I turned off my car and slowly made my way towards her, coming to a halt right next to her.
“It’s bewitching, isn’t it?” I asked her.
She didn’t look away from the view and hummed in agreement. I saw her shiver and realised she was still in only a sports bra and shorts. I took of my jacket and put it over her shoulders. She snuggled into the jacket and I wrapped my arms around her. God, she was beautiful in this light. She looked so kissable and-
No, she’s just my best friend
“The mighty are followed while the weak are left behind.” She mumbled not directing it at anybody. I didn’t think I was supposed to hear that, so I didn’t reply. Instead I placed my chin on her head and looked at the illuminated city with her.

----
During the car ride home, Noortje fell asleep. She was still safely embraced by my jacket and she looked really comfortable. I softly closed the car door after I picked her up and I carried her inside the house. The guys came storming to me but I stopped them by placing my finger to my lips and pointing at Noortje. They all looked relieved and let me carry her to her bed. The paint fumes had finally left after I had opened the window. I softly placed her on the bed and tucked her in. She murmured a bit but soon continued to sleep peacefully. I looked around and saw the painting she had made. It was beautiful. I slowly picked it up and took it with me. I placed it against the wall I was planning to hang it up on and went back downstairs.

Notes

Noortje's dream becomes reality!