The Beauty and the Inked

Nineteen: The Gang

I was indecisive whether to wear a skirt or shorts or jeans.

"Wear whatever you like," Zack's words ran in my mind. Well, it only made me more anxious. Geez. I don't know if we're going on a pub, or someone else's house. Should I ask him? No. That's stupid.

My phone vibrated and I checked to see the message.

*Almost there.

He's almost here, and I'm still dressed with only my underwear?! I snatched my grey top from the closet then wore a printed skirt. I took my black flats from under my bed. These will do. This 'hangout' with his friends is making me nervous and anxious. I let my hair dry, fortunately it was straight naturally so I let it down. I took a last glance at the mirror before running downstairs.

. . . .

"Hey, beautiful," Zack was leaning against his car.

I felt my cheeks heat from his words, I hope he didn't notice. His words were enough to heat my cheeks and drove me giddy, for heaven's sake. He was wearing a black three fourths sleeved shirt, grey acid washed jeans, and a pair of boots and a necklace dangling from his neck. For the love of god, Zack is breath-taking.

I bit my bottom lip, "Hey," I said as I stride towards him. I clasp the strap of my sling bag, feeling more and more nervous. Relax, Ysabelle. Zack won't bite.

"They're waiting, come on," he stretched out his hand, and I took it. Zack and his sweet little gestures. I've never been so happy to hold someone else's hand. Actually, I've never felt this way before. My pulse gets quicker everytime we touch. He opened the passenger door and I slid inside, watching as he half jogged towards the other side of his car.

As we drove off, the sky was beginning to get dark. I took my opportunity to admire the demigod beside me; there's a crease between his eyebrows, his focus was on the road. I'm in doubt whether what I see is real or not... His jawline was almost perfect and also his thick eye lashes. His olive skin compliments his hazel eyes. Zack's beauty is indescribable. How come people like him exist? Or does looking like this even legal? I wonder how many girls had fallen for him. He's not muscular, just average. But believe me; his overflowing beauty will strike you.

"Love what you seeing?" he asked me, a smirk on his beautiful face. I don't know which is more embarrassing: to admit that I'm watching him or to deny it even though we both know the truth.

"I'd be lying if I would say I'm not enjoying the view," I answered, trying to sound a little more confident.

I was rewarded with his shy smile. I would do everything just to see him smile like this. Zack is the most beautiful person I've ever met but I still wonder about the story under his inked skin and beautiful face. I'm still curious about him, where is his family? Does he even work? A lot of questions were running in my mind, but I'm afraid to ask. I’m afraid that I might touch a sensitive subject and he'll go rude again.

The car stopped in front of a pub, the one where I met Andrei. Oh, Andrei! I haven't heard from him since.

"Come on," Zack opened the passenger door for me. I could get used to this, be with Zack and be his pretty little girlfriend. What? Oops. I thought we were going inside the pub but we made a little walk down the street. I've notice the lack of parking space, maybe that's why he parked there. I can hear our feet in sync, scuffling against the ground.

I should've worn something better. I thought to myself as we approach a club. People were wearing a lot more presentable than I have. But Zack on my side, wearing just a shirt and jeans still looks glorious and way better than the others. Life is unfair.

He continued to walk past the people on the line, and greet the bouncer, "Hey, Trey."

Eyes were on us. I believe they're already cussing us in their mind.

"Martin," the bouncer said. His buzzed-cut hair suits him. Martin.

"Are the others in?"

"Yeah," he answered with a small nod. Trey checked me out, "Hey, sweetheart," he smiled, not a creepy one, a friendly smile. Maybe it’s because I'm with Zack and they know each other. I gave him a small smile of acknowledgement.

As we stepped inside, the smoke had already filled my lungs. The familiar feeling was slowly making its way on me. Oh, I missed Bella and Lexi. I wish they were here with me. Having one hell of a good night, but they're far away. But I'm with Zack. I hope everything will turn out so well.

"Oi, oi!" Nick approached us, "What's up, buddy?"

"Nothing, just about to chill," Zack held my hand. A lot of people were swaying their body to the beat of music. It's too crowded in this club, and I almost feel suffocated; bodies grinding each other, desperately moving against one another. But I miss this, I'm thankful that Zack took me here.

"Yssa," Nick acknowledged me, "Looking gorgeous," he winked at me. He looks so freaking adorable with his blue shirt and ripped jeans.

"Hey, Nick," I smiled. We made our way to their friends; I only recognize Henry. He was with a pretty brunette. Nick sat next to Jane, the blonde girl from the library. He has his hand on her lap. Zack let go of my hand as we slid on the empty bar stool. I was seated between Jane and Zack.

"Hey, beautiful," Henry greeted me. I'm surrounded with a group of undeniably beautiful people. The guy who’s seems to not like me was at the other side, his eyes were on me. I smiled to him but he only gave me a nod, at least he acknowledges me. He looks like a nice guy, but there's something wrong with the way he look at me that I can't point my finger to.

"Hello, love. I'm Luke," the lad who I haven't spoke before introduced himself. His cheekbones prominent, "So, I see Henry's right."

"About what?" I asked him, he got this different aura. But I like him.

"Well, he said you're pretty," he shrugged.

Henry and Nick burst into laughter, whilst Luke winked at me. Enough of the winking for tonight. Please.

"Oh, thanks?" my eyebrows shoot up in surprise. I don't know if that's a compliment or what... I gave him the most awkward smile that I could give.

"Hey, don't creep her," the brunette said, "El," she introduced herself. She's pretty, no- she's gorgeous. She was like one of those Victoria's Secret angels. Luke’s arm snaked around her waist.

“That’s Leo,” Henry pointed to the other guy.

"Yssa," I said. They gave me a drink, and I deliberately accepted it, but I thanked them though.

To be honest, I'm feeling a little out of place. The others carry on with their conversation, and I was lucky that the blonde girl from the library engaged me in a conversation.

"Hey, Ysabelle?"

"Oh, hi. You can call me Yssa," I took a sip from my drink. The alcohol pierced its way down my stomach.

"Yeah, Yssa," she tucked some of the lose strands of her curly hair behind her ear, "So, you'll be starting on Monday, right?"

I just nodded, "You'll love it there. Mr. Hidalgo is very nice," she smiled. Her voice is wonderful to hear. It's thin yet melodic.

"Hey, ladies," Nick placed his arm above Jane's shoulder, and she blushed. I can see that she was trying to hide her smile, "Tell us if you need anything, oh yeah?"

"'Kay, thanks," I answered, and then he's back conversing with the other boys.

I looked at Jane who was now grinning, "So, you and Nick?" I asked in a whispery voice.

"Oh, no. I mean, he's nice," she shrugged, "But he's my boss’ brother..." she trailed off.

"What's wrong with that?" the shock in my voice was so clear. I guess I assumed too much.

"Err... I don't think that he likes me," she started to pick on her fingers. What? It's clear to see that Nick likes her. He's very touchy, but never to other girls, just Jane.

"Are you sure? Doesn't he-"

"He kissed me once," she whispered, and I gasp at her sudden confession. She made sure that I was the only one to hear what she said; the loud music drowned her words. That's when I smell alcohol from her breath, she's a little tipsy I guess.

"And then?" I was intrigued. Nick kissed her and then what? People kiss and that's it? Not a big deal? Is that it? A shiver ran down my spine... what if...

"I don't know," Jane continued. She averted her eyes from mine, "He's nice. But he's nice to everybody."

"What do you mean to everybody?!"

"He's also nice to you," she answered me looking straight to my eyes.

"But he's not touchy," I countered.

"I don't know," she laughed, her eyes glittering from shyness.

I don't know how to explain things like these. First of all, I've never been in this kind of situation. Bella and Lexi never needed a love advice. None of us did. Second, I haven't experienced her situation. So yeah, how would I know the answer?

She shrugged. Oh great, maybe if she's a little optimistic she would get it right away. But then, it's never for me to tell.

I've spent the next couple of hours chatting with Jane. I've learned that she live alone, her parents were in the province. She's about two years working at library, and other random things about her. She's not a tofee-nosed kind of person at all. She's lovely, actually; sweet, tiny and adorable.

"How about you?" she asked me. I suddenly felt uneasy under her gaze. I never liked the thought of opening up with others. I mean like, if is it possible to be friends with somebody without telling them your story, that's definitely what I will do.

"Uhm, there's nothing interesting about me," I tell her. My hands were sweating, "I was born here but I grew up in States, but I'm back," I said with my eyes on my lap.

"Oh!" she gushes; "I've always wanted to travel there," her smile was genuine. I'm way too glad that the conversation was now about beautiful places and not about me anymore. But Jane was a bit interested in me, I guess, "So, you and Zack?"

"Hey, can I join you girls?" El asked us. Her pretty face is more captivating now that she was standing next to me. I guess she was feeling a little out of place being the only girl in the circle. I was thankful for her chipping in.

"Of course, Eleanor," Jane smiled at her.

"Thanks," El stood between me and Jane.

"So.. Yssa. You and Zack?" Jane asked again. I don't know how to answer her simple question. I'm sweating, and it was obvious. Me and Zack? I guess. We kissed once... and that's it? He's sweet...

"Oh, no of course!" El chipped in again. Eh? How would she know? But then, I only smiled at the two of them though deep inside I'm a bit unhappy with El.

That's not only weird but a little offending. My insides were battling against asking her what she means by her words or just letting it go. The rest of the night was a bit fuzzy, maybe because of the alcohol and the smoky room. The boys continued to converse with each other whilst the three of us do our own.

"I like what you're wearing," El said. She was looking at me, her long lashes were full and her brown eyes were a bit glossy.

"Oh, thanks," I smiled. Though I'm still unhappy with her a while ago, I still like her because she's too pretty and she seems nice.

"I'm glad Henry invited you. Finally, I got to meet the girl he was talking about," she said. Henry? Maybe Zack. But does that matter?

"Henry?" I asked her with a little laugh. What was he saying about me?

"Yeah. Henry. The curly womanizer," she said. Oh, so Henry invited me, "He mentioned you once. Said that you were pretty, and I guess he's right," her right eye dropped a wink at me. Too much for the winking.

"Okay..." my thoughts went wandering. What if Henry didn't ask me to come, will I even be in here? I looked up at Zack who was in discussion with the boys. But whatever, Zack brought me here, right? I turn my eyes to Henry who was laughing; his laugh is one of those adorable you can't get enough of.

"Remember when we were in LA?" Luke asked, all eyes were on him, expecting something funny, "When Henry ran into a glass door?"

All of us laughed, well not all. Henry wasn't happy that he is the centre of the joke, his cheeky smile was gone.

"Nick laughed like he was going to die then later on he walked straight to the same glass door!" Luke continued, his hand resting on Henry's shoulder.

I caught Jane hid her laughter, maybe because it was Nick's turn to look uncomfortable. Henry on the other side was laughing like an i***t.

"Eh, but how about the time Luke was called boo-bear by his mum in front of the whole class?!" Zack said. The laughter began to roar again and I saw Zack enjoying his time. The way he laughs, it was undeniably breathtaking. I can see that he enjoys the company of his friends. They were all a little drunk.

"It wasn't funny," Luke said, looking all sassy.

"Sure, mate," Nick said. They continued to go on their conversation.

"Hey," Zack rested his hand on my thigh and gave me it little squeezed, "You okay?"

I nod. I bit my bottom lip, stopping my words. I want to ask a lot of question to him, but this is not the right time and place. So I decided against it.

He tugged at my chin, freeing my lip from my teeth, "Don't," he said. I'm completely clueless to whatever that means.

"Don't what?" I asked him. My innocence lingered my voice.

He lean a little closer to my side, "Don't look at me like you're asking me to kiss you," he whispered on my ear. The feeling of his lips brushing on the shell of my ear sent shivers down my spine.

"I'm not," I said. I wasn't aware of how I stare at him, should I apologize? No. I looked around us; everyone wasn't paying attention to me and Zack. But there's Leo, looking at me. Dead in the eye. It was like he was telling me something which I can't understand...