The Drift that Made Us

Chapter 8

MYSTY

“It’s pretty simple… always call him master.” Rome’s words circled my mind.

“Master, I have a question,” I mumbled.

“What?” He asked.

“I have a question!” I said in an increased volume.

“Are you yelling at me, Herrera?” He asked with a death stare.

“No, Master!” I said.

“Don’t waste my time!” He shouted. He could yell, but I couldn’t. Justice, where were you?

“If you want to annoy him, ask many questions; he hates that!” Okay, game!

“But, I need to know the list of things to bring. Do I need a tent? Food? How about the clothes? What kind of clothes should I wear? Am I allowed to wear boots? Can I bring my food?” I asked. I heard snorts and chuckles from my teammates, but I didn’t stop asking questions.

“I can bring a camera, right? How about a tripod?” Irritation started to surface on his face.

“Do what you want but read the guidelines; that goes to everyone! Clear?” he gave a dismissive wave of his hand.

“Crystal clear, Master!” We all said.

“Dismiss!” He said and proceeded to sit on the bleachers. The team dispersed like ants. I was about to return to the cafeteria, but someone blocked me.

“Thorn!” He said. I looked up; it was Kiro. Why was he calling me ‘Thorn?’ Maybe, he mistook me for someone else.

“I’m Mysty!” I declared. I even pointed at myself.

“I know, but starting today, I’m calling you Thorn!” He smiled at me; confusion lingered in my mind.

“Why?” I asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? You are the thorn among us, the roses. Get it?” He said, sounding excited.

“Okay? But, isn’t it the other way around?” I said.

“I know, but Thorn suits you; you’re feisty!” He said. I was speechless because I didn’t know what to say. His enthusiasm to call me other than my name was cute and endearing.

“You blushed; what’s up?” Rome said while closing on us.

“Nothing!” Kiro said.

“Hey, do you want to come with us later?” Rome asked. Oh, I thought we were traveling tomorrow and heading to a mountain for a camping trip.

“Where are we going?” Where? Bar hopping? Group study session? How about tomorrow’s trip?

“Serenity, we’re watching the Master’s race,” Good lord! Would Uno be so ecstatic to see me if I tag along? I didn’t think so. I looked at Uno before answering. He seemed immersed in something, his eyes glued to his tablet.

“Isn’t it so awkward? I almost killed him, and now, I’m welcome to watch his race?” I said, almost in a whisper.

“Don’t worry about that! He probably moved on. So, are you coming?” Rome said. Uno wouldn’t be joyful to see me there, I was sure of that, but curiosity was taking over me.

“Reed’s prob—” Kiro smacked Toby’s arm.

“Sorry!” Toby said shortly. I smiled at him so he wouldn’t think I was affected. I was, but I would never admit that!

“Two!” Kiro yelled out of nowhere. What was their topic, and why were they yelling out numbers? I was standing there with them, and I still felt lost.

“Me too, two!” Toby also yelled. He had a mischievous smile; whatever they were discussing or debating, they were having the time of their lives.

“One!” Rome said. It was the surest thing he ever had to say.

“Are you sure?” Kiro and Toby said in chorus, obviously teasing their friend.

“One, too!” Dani exclaimed from my back. We all looked in his direction as he came closer to us.

“Where have you been?” Toby asked Dani.

“Somewhere,” he said with a smile on his face.

“Wow! That’s not vague at all!” Kiro said. My attention went with the wind when a whisper hit the air.

“Where are you transferring?” someone whispered behind my back. I almost threw my bag. Fudge! It was Uno.

“Red Drift!” I said when I faced him.

“Red D—” he stopped talking and added, “Whatever!” He walked away. Rome stood beside me.

“You’re a bad girl, huh?” He said with a playful smile. Me? A bad girl? I was a million miles away from that. When someone was a jerk around me, it triggered the tiger inside. Rawr! I smiled at him since I didn’t know how to respond.

“We’ll pick you up at 8 PM,” Rome said and decided to walk away.

“Okay!” I said, his finger waving in response.

The clock struck 30 minutes before 8 PM. I was still watching the drama about the couple who split after a long-term relationship. The female lead busied herself with work, non-stop work as time passed. She cried at night when all the lights went off.

The guy was struggling too. It turned out he was broke and sick, with no confirmation of the illness, but I thought it was terrible because why would he break it off with the woman who was good for him?

I suddenly wondered whether Reed was struggling, too. Maybe he wasn’t because he had Honey by his side! Fudge! I unexpectedly wanted a piece of brownie. Moving on wasn’t as easy as pie. Now I wanted a pie.

A car horn interrupted my train of thought. I turned off the tv and headed outside. I didn’t know; Mom was behind me until Rome greeted her.

“Good evening, po!” He used an honorific since Mom was older than him. My mother returned the greetings.

“Take care!” Mom finally said as we drove off the streets.

“So… where is Serenity located?” I asked them.

“If we tell you, it won’t be a surprise, right?” Dani said with a wink.

Minutes later, Rome parked the car in the designated parking space in front of the establishment.

“I thought, we’re watching a race?” I asked them when we reached the roof deck of Serenity.

“Mysty, races start at midnight,” Rome said.

“I see; then, why are we here this early?” I asked.

“To get to know you,” Toby answered for everyone.

Kiro added, “Yeah, we want to know more about the controversial Thorn among the roses,” So, we’re here so they could interrogate me? Was that it?

When Toby spoke, he assured me. His calm voice serenaded my ears. There was something about him that no one could resist.

While Kiro teased a lot, he broke the ice all the time. He dropped the humor when the conversation called for it.

Rome had a serious vibe. He has read many books since he quoted them when he saw fit.

Last but not least, Dani had a way with words. He smiled a lot; his charm could drop everything and run to him. His humor was on the sexy and flirty side.

I wondered how Uno was regularly. I never had a proper conversation with him, so I had yet to learn. I doubt he was the assholiest of them all on a typical day.

With these guys as friends, which by the way, were the sweetest guys ever. Even if most of the time, they didn’t let me breathe. It made me wonder if Uno was like sugar in real life.

I shook off the idea because it seemed unlikely. Uno, as an adorable human being, I couldn’t shape it.

“What if we saw Reed tonight? Can you handle it, Thorn?” Kiro asked. Yes, I could. Or probably, I couldn’t. I had no idea. I didn’t answer him.

“More like, can you handle it when he is not alone tonight, if you know what I mean?” I got it, and it shook my insides just thinking about the possibility. I had no idea how to answer that, either! I covered my face with my hands to dodge the questions altogether.

“You guys are stressing her out!” Toby scolded the two.

“If you need someone to help you make Reed crazy jealous, I’m willing to help,” Dani said and then winked.

“Bro, stop it. She can handle Reed,” Toby said and smiled at me.

When I checked my watch, it was 30 minutes before midnight.

“Hey guys, it’s Uno,” Toby said. The rest of us followed his pointing hand.

Uno climbed off his car, wearing a red and black full racing suit. He looked cool!

When Uno saw us, he waved his hand. When his eyes landed on me between Rome and Kiro, he glared. The five of us couldn’t help but exchange looks.

“No worries, he didn’t expect you to be here. That’s why he did that,” Toby explained.

“Or he hates me!” I added. I didn’t give a flying fudge if he hated me. So annoying! But it would be better if he didn’t hate me because he could make my life at the uni miserable.

We decided to climb down from the roof deck. It was now 15 minutes before midnight!

“Bro, are you ready?” Dani asked. We all stared at Uno, waiting for his response.

“I was born ready!” Uno replied with a tiny teeny smile. So, he knew how to smile but chose to be like a bitchy older adult in her menopausal stage.

“That’s the spirit! I’m 1! Still 2, huh?” Rome asked the other 3.

“You’re betting on me? What’s the wager?” Uno asked Rome and Dani since Kiro and Toby ran to a convenience store nearby. Oh, so the numbers were a bet! My head! I couldn’t even see straight; it was like the world’s spinning.

“Why are you here?” Uno asked. Me? Was he asking me? Oh, I thought he wasn’t accepting my existence. I scanned for Rome and Dani, but they were nowhere around. Guys? Did you leave me with the assholiest of them all?

“Hey!” He exclaimed when I failed to answer him.

“Why are you an as—?” I couldn’t finish the sentence because I spotted Reed from where I stood. He wasn’t alone! He’s with Honey! Honey, the same girl who orchestrated everything! How could a person even bet to play with someone’s feelings?

I looked back at Uno, who glanced at where I was looking. My eyes almost popped out when I saw them together; Honey and Reed hugged. If my heart was meat, it ground to pieces. And that was not all; they even kissed! Honey’s back was facing Uno and me.

My head was aching because of the alcohol we had consumed earlier; there was a reason alcohol wasn’t available to minors. I thought my brain was breaking when I saw Reed and Honey and their overly sweet body language.

In Korean dramas, you’ll kiss a random guy to make someone crazy jealous. And who was the nearest guy available? I just went for it and just regretted it later. I needed to get the heck out of here! I snatched the remote of the car from Uno’s hand.

I stole Uno’s Xavi because I didn’t have a choice! My rage took over, and my eyes did their job with the waterwork. I had a great night with my teammates, and they ruined it. I buckled up and went my way! Even if I consumed a bit of alcohol, what I saw, sobered me hardcore. My care for what Uno might say about my outburst was out the window.

The rearview mirror reflected that someone was following me. It was Rome’s car. Car horns blasted and warned me to stop the car, but I couldn’t.

A few yards after, the car behind me drifted and swerved in front of me. If I didn’t step on the brakes, I would fly out of the windshield like in the movies! Whoa!

The person behind the wheel exited Rome’s car, and it wasn’t the owner who followed me; it was the owner of the car I had stolen. Okay, bye, world! I might die tonight.

Uno could be one of the following: vampire, serial killer, adviser to the mafia, drug lord, gangster, grim reaper, con artist, alien, or psycho.

As long as I didn’t know which one he was, he would be all of the above.

He knocked on the driver’s seat window, but I bowed my head in embarrassment. He decided to open the passenger seat at the front door; great! Unlocked! Great thinking, Mysty! He climbed inside, and we sat silently, wrapped around both of us, until he decided to speak up.