JUDE
We go to lunch, Miko and I talking about random stuff, and we realize we both love the same video game.
We eat as we chat, and I find myself lagging more, getting more relaxed with rex and miko. Andre has the funniest jokes and soon we decide to head back to the house.
Apparently, the whole of the afternoon was meant to distract me so that they can decorate the house and arrange the small party consisting of only the band members which I don't hate.
The gesture and the thought make me feel warm. I am laughing and hugging the boys when they all sneak up to surprise me as soon as we walk through the door.
"Welcome to Mars!" shouts and claps, and I am being pulled for hugs, my back getting clapped, and I feel emotional.
I think I start crying because Miko hands me his handkerchief, and I look around at the boys who are all wearing smiles and looking at me. I never thought it would be like this, ever.
I am a little overwhelmed.
"Tha- thank you guys so much," I manage to choke out before Rin pulls me in for a hug, and the rest of the members all join in for a group hug.
"Our lead singer, getting all emotional. Is this to be expected on the stage?" Rin jokes even as he kisses my temples.
"No tears, come on, we have food and drinks, although non-alcoholic," he disbands the hug and pulls me to the living room.
"Why? I thought this was a party," Rex groans as we all go sit down.
"Not your party. I don't know if Jude drinks, and to be honest, the last time we got into trouble because of how all of you were hammered, you couldn't keep your eyes open for the meeting we had the following day."
"Really? That was one time. One," Rex holds his pointy finger up. "We have grown and become better since then."
"Dude, sit down. You ain't winning this one," Zein drags him down on the couch before switching on the TV.
Rin turns to look at me. I am sandwiched between him and miko. "We didn't have much so, this is all we could afford, I hope you don't hate it."
"I could never hate it, this is my first surprise party. Thank you." I pull him in for a hug.
"aww, momma bear has a favourite son now," rex coos before sticking his tongue out to andre who only rolls his eyes and goes to sit on the other side of zein.
"We thought Andre told you about the surprise," rin kicks the boy seated on the floor, legs crossed.
"Ouch!"
"He did," I nod, and Miko laughs beside me.
"He sucks at keeping secrets. Why did you tell him?"
"I never did, we all agreed that he shouldn't be told. Zein might have told him," rex looks at zein who only shrugs.
"He was crying, I can't have him ruining my vibe."
"Anything about Andre is always ruining your mood, and he ends up getting what he wants," Rex argues, rolling his eyes.
"He is the youngest, so spoilt," rin chuckles, pulling andre between his legs.
"He isn't that young. Jude is only older than him by four months. I think he should stop acting so spoilt," rex goes on.
"Hey, I am right here. Why are you talking like I am not in the room?"
"Because you take people's stuff and rin excuses you with the youngest talk. It's annoying."
"So you are 19?" miko asks me, pulling my attention from rex and andre. They seem like they like bickering a lot.
"Yeah. How old are you?" I ask him, leaning back on the couch.
"He is 19 as well. I am 20, Zein is 20 too, Rex is 19, and Andre is the youngest at 18," Rin explains.
"I am older than miko though, don't get it twisted," rex sits up puffing his chest.
"Yeah, by three days. Dude, chill out," Zein shakes his head.
"You wish I could chill out. I know it burns you how Rin is the oldest. You would love to be the oldest one." Rex turns to him, ready to start another bickering session with the most laid-back member.
"That's your battle. I don't give a fuck about that."
"You can't curse out," andre admonishes quietly, looking at the floor, knees pressed up in his chest.
"I can do whatever I want," zein pins him with a look.
"I was just saying." Andre looks like he is ready to be swallowed by the floor.
"Okay, enough bonding. I think we have all established that we have ageism among us and issues in regard to importance. Don't make Jude run the other way now," Rin tries to salvage the evening.
We start watching a movie, talking and laughing as we stuff our faces with more takeout food. I don't think I have eaten this much before.
When zein switches to play video games, holding matches between all of us, I decide to sit on the floor, rex beside me as we take the first match.
Rex and I play against Miko and Rin, while Zein and Andre just watch us, cheering us on. Or more like Andre cheering me on.
We win by a close call, and I am laughing so hard at the slurs Rex is spewing when he narrowly misses getting bombed. I don't think I have ever had this much fun.
The first match is done, and I go back to the couch, and Zein and Miko pair up against Rex and Rin.
"Don't you want to play?" I ask Andre, who is now beside me.
"I want to dye my hair, but I don't think I can do it myself."
"Do you need help?"
"Sure!" he beams, taking my hand. "Let's go to my room. They will play until midnight. Don't worry about them."
"Just don't make mistakes, Andre. You know what happened last time," Rin calls out as we head upstairs.
"What happened last time?"
"I burnt my hair and was bald for three months," he shrugs, and I gasp, eyes wide.
"We definitely shouldn't do this then."
"It was an expired product that I used. Trust me, I am always careful after that."
Andre's room is full of neutral colours, and I think I can spend more time here. "I love your room."
"Really? Zein helped me decorate it," he answers from the bathroom.
"You and Zein are..."
"Weird, I know. He ignores me and tries to convince himself I don't exist, but," he shrugs as he brings a small basket before sitting on the floor, back against the bed. "He can't seem to get it to stick. He seeks me out when he needs something. Which is every time."
I look at the contents in there. "What color do you want?"
"I want lilac. This." he holds a small bottle up. The color is nice. "I think you will look cute in this color."
"I don't want to look cute. I want to look … sexy."
"Oh," I chuckle, as I look at his hair and his face. "If you don't want that, then lose the bangs."
"You have bangs," he points out.
"Yeah, and trust me, I am losing them as soon as possible."
"Don't. You look good in them."
"I want to try something new, something different."
"I wish I could be as good-looking as you or with your bangs. They suit you so well."
"They look good on you, too. I am sorry I said cute; I should have said, handsome." I try to cheer him up but he pushes me lightly making me fall over on my side.
"Don't tease me."
"Okay, so where do I start?" I ask him as I stand and mix the chemicals. I have never dyed anyone before, let alone my hair. But I manage just fine as Andre directs me and talks about the boys.
"So, what do you think of everyone?"
"Well," I part his hair, almost done with the whole process. "Everyone is so chill, and handsome. I am a little intimidated."
Andre laughs. "You will soon be disgusted by them soon enough. Living with guys is just too much."
"I don't know, we have our rooms; at least we aren't sharing, you know?"
"I bet you thought we would?"
"I was thinking we would. But yeah. Everyone is amazing."
"I am happy to hear that. We all love you already."
"Thank you. You are my new best friend," I tease him.
"I think we will be vying for that position with Miko."
That makes me pause. "Why?"
"You live on the same floor, and here the floor buddies hang out with each other; plus, you two are similar. I don't know; it just looks like you will click. I hope that will make him reduce the number of girls he sneaks in the house."
"Wow, I, uhh, I don't know what to say to that," I chuckle as I finish up my work. "Done. How long until you wash it off?"
"Mmh, maybe thirty minutes? Arent you going to dye yours?"
"I have never dyed before. I don't know what color to choose."
"How about blue?" he asks as he looks at the bottles remaining in the small basket.
"Maybe blonde?" I pick it up and show it to him.
"Yeah, that will look great on you." Andre's phone buzzes, and he fishes it out of his pocket. "It's zein. He needs me."
"What does he need?" I ask as we start cleaning up.
"Something about losing the game and he needs a cheerleader, I don't know."
"You guys are super close, huh?"
"I wish. But he doesn't allow anyone in like that."
"I am going to take it to my room; come find me when you are done and do my hair."
"Okay, be right back."