"You can invite your brothers too... it'll be fun," I offered, but Zai didn't seem convinced.
Even so, he took out his phone and invited them after I sent him the address.
The name of the bar was White Rabbit. It felt a bit fortuitous.
"You made it!" Lisa shouted, running over to hug me before grabbing my wrist and pulling me into a crowd of people.
"This is Sarai and Adam, and over here are Derrick and Cliff."
They all waved as she introduced them, and I waved back.
"I'm Snowe," I said, glancing around for Zai. He was standing alone at the bar, possibly ordering a drink.
"We've heard so much about you," Sarai said enthusiastically.
"Is it true you're engaged to Zaikel?!"
I turned my eyes away from him to look at her and replied, "We're... actually legally married, but the wedding is set for next year..." I explained.
"Oh my God, no one's been talking about him lately, but like, two years ago he was super famous! A lot of people were saying he was with Vanessa Porter—you know, the actress from A Day to Remember?" she inquired.
"I haven't seen many movies," I admitted... not any that are less than a century old, at least.
"Do you know if it's true?" she whispered.
"He... never talks about other relationships with me."
Lisa and Sarai exchanged excited looks at my response.
"Okay, enough gossiping," Derrick interjected.
"Wait! Is that your engagement ring? The ruby is so clear... this is actually the first time I've seen one up close. Why a ruby, though? You didn't want a diamond?" Sarai asked, examining it.
"Rubies are... more sentimental for us," I answered.
I guess they were trying to get to know me, but it felt too much like an investigation.
"Oh, I see. It must be nice dating someone who's kind of famous!" she added. That's when Zai, Valin, and Raijian finally joined us.
As Zai sat down, he handed me a drink. Colorful, with sugar and lime around the rim.
"Thank you..." I said, taking a sip. "Mmm! It's sweet."
Zai pecked my cheek and leaned in to whisper, "Be careful, I added drops of Bane... you might actually get drunk."
Usually, our bodies purify alcohol and toxins too fast to get intoxicated, but Bane, a poison developed on Afaria, weakens that ability. Though it was originally a weapon, it became popular to use small bits of it at Infaniyan parties.
"I appreciate the warning..." I replied, taking another sip.
"You're Raijian, right?" Sarai asked.
RJ nodded, drinking straight from the bottle in his hand.
"I didn't know you and Zai were close outside work too," she commented.
"Let's change the subject," RJ said, sliding into the booth beside her.
"You already know my name, but... what's yours?" his voice lowered, and his expression softened.
She gulped, jaw dropping.
Seconds passed in silence until Adam answered for her.
"She's Sarai. And I'm Adam."
RJ frowned and shot a glare in Adam's direction.
"Did I ask you?" he snapped.
Adam scowled back at him.
I forgot how prickly he can be.
"Oh! This is my brother-in-law, Valin! He's a bit shy, so... be nice," I said, addressing Lisa since I was most comfortable with her.
"Aww, he's cute! His face is like a girl's," Lisa commented.
Valin scrunched his face at that, so I moved to his side so I could whisper to him,
"This is your chance to mingle. Don't curse, don't yell... and don't bring up math, yet," I warned.
He pouted and looked at me, then back to Lisa, before grumpily muttering,
"Hey..."
Lisa stepped forward.
"Aww, even your voice is cute! How old are you?"
Even though Zai and I are technically nineteen, our Earth IDs say twenty-four to better match our appearance and make life on Earth a little simpler. Valin's says twenty-one.
"I'm 18," he admitted.
He told her his real age?!
"You're... really pretty. Thank you for talking to me," he added, shyly.
Lisa blushed slightly from his bluntness.
I feel so bad for him...
His social awkwardness was showing.
"Can I hug you?" she asked.
Wait?
Is she not put off by him?
Does she have a thing for younger guys?
"Yes, please," he replied with open arms.
She squeezed him tight.
"I like him! Can I take him home with me?" she asked.
I looked at Zai, who was leaning against the table, sipping his drink. He shrugged indifferently, but I had some qualms.
What if Valin does something awful to Lisa, or,
the more likely scenario,
says something incredibly insensitive?
The song changed, and Lisa bounced to her feet.
"Ooo! I love this song! Snowe, come dance with me!" she said, grabbing my hand before I had time to reply.
Zai quickly took my drink from me so it wouldn't spill.
Lisa and I moved into the middle of the bar, and she started dancing, smiling at me and urging me to join her.
It felt like forever since I danced like this... though technically it had only been about six months. I got caught up in the rhythm, moving from muscle memory. Soon, I heard the others cheering us on.
After three songs, Lisa was sweating but grinning like she had the time of her life.
"I need a breather," she mumbled as she sat back down.
Valin moved into the seat beside her.
He looked slightly bashful, and I couldn't hear the conversation; she looked to be genuinely enjoying his company.
I still worried he might say something thoughtless, but I couldn't hold his hand through all his interactions.
I just hope he doesn't make things awkward for me at work.
Zai walked over to replace her as my dance partner.
"Did you miss me?" I asked, swaying to the beat in front of him. Zai smirked and placed his hands on my waist.
"Of course, I missed you. We've been apart for ten whole minutes," he teased, perfectly matching my movements. I stared at him.
"You're good," I complimented.
He smirked with his eyes never leaving mine.
It was nerve-racking.
I started this, but all this eye contact was wearing me down
My heart feels like it's ready to burst.
"I'm good at a lot of things," he replied with confidence.
He's right... I've yet to find something he isn't good at.
Except, maybe, self-control.
We danced for two more songs until Lisa called me over.
Zai looked disappointed, but I was relieved.
All the close contact with Zai had my mind going places it shouldn't in public.
"Do you know how to play poker?" she asked.
I answered no, so she explained the basics and pulled out a deck.
We played a few rounds.
RJ stuck close to Sarai, who was suddenly speechless but giggled at everything he said.
Valin somehow won every game.
A small amount of money was bet, and Valin gave all the winnings to Lisa.
"For me? Are you sure?" she asked, and he nodded.
He looked stiff, so it seems like he's holding back whatever crazy thing he wanted to say.
She kissed his cheek.
Valin's face went pale. He blinked at her for several seconds, then he immediately stood up and ran outside.
Despite the loud music, we all heard him scream:
"YES!"
I sighed, shaking my head. He's so dramatic.
I buried my face in my hands as I glanced over at Lisa, but she looked pleased.
I went to get another drink.
Zai walked with me, and when we returned, RJ and Sarai were gone.
Valin was back, with Lisa rubbing his head like he was a puppy and asking him questions.
"I think I should go," Adam said suddenly.
He hadn't spoken much, but went quiet after RJ arrived.
"So Snowe, how do you like working with Lisa?" Derrick asked, cutting his eyes in Lisa's direction.
The corner of his lip twitched, and his brow furrowed slightly.
"I like it. She's talented and fun to work with," I replied honestly.
Zai grabbed my hand under the table. I jumped, and as he intertwined our fingers, I stiffened.
I gazed over at him. He was now drinking only water and playing a game on his phone with his free hand, acting completely innocent after sending my mind into the gutters.
"Your hair is so soft! Do you always cut it like this?" Lisa asked Valin.
"It used to be longer, but I got tired of everyone mistaking me for a girl," he answered.
She giggled, clearly enjoying his awkward charm.
"What? You're cute, but... you're also very handsome. You get more attractive the longer I look at you," she cooed.
His face turned as red as his hair.
"Sooo, how are you so good at poker? Do you gamble often?" she inquired.
Valin's eyes lit up. This is a topic he's excited to share, so it's definitely a math thing... but he remembered my advice, bit his lip, and stayed silent.
"Yeah, she can't sing, but she's always been good at writing music... we're old friends," Derrick said to me, eyeing the obviously drunk Lisa, who was still fawning over my little brother.
"Ooh! Do you have diamonds tattooed on your neck?" Lisa asked.
Valin proudly stood and took off his shirt. Even sober, he doesn't understand how inappropriate that is. He was well-built like his brothers, though stockier... maybe because he's shorter.
I think this was the first time I really saw him as a man, not a kid.
"They're overlapping Kepler–Poinsot polyhedra!" he exclaimed excitedly.
A series of 3D star-like shapes ran up his right arm to his jawline, scattered across his back like an explosion or splash. I've never seen Valin so energetic.
Why is it upsetting?
"Wow..." Lisa whispered, eyes locked on his chest, clearly not hearing a word of his explanation.
Her gaze traveled down his body, and she chugged the rest of her drink.
"Val! Shirt!" I called.
That seemed to clue him in, and he got dressed again.
Lisa doesn't seem bothered, and shouldn't I want him to get along with people?
No... she's only okay with this because she's drunk and her friends are probably uncomfortable, so I'm not wrong for being upset.
"It's getting late," Derrick said, clearly ready to leave. Lisa wasn't listening.
"Is it hot in here to anyone else?" she asked, fanning herself.
"I need to cool off," she muttered, eyes set on Valin.
"It's actually cold. You're probably sick. You should go home," Valin said sadly.
She's better off being blunt with him... he doesn't do subtle.
Derrick got up without saying anything and left.
"Can I come home with you?" Lisa asked, smiling at Val.
Something like realization flickered behind his gaze.
His expression turned serious and mildly erotic, then he leaned in with a mischievous grin and said,
"Only on one condition—"
That's when I smacked his back and dragged him out by the ear.
"Believe me, you don't want to hear what he says next. We're leaving! Good night!" I shouted.
Lisa frowned as she watched us go.
Valin complained loudly as Zai followed us out.
Lisa is human—and my friend.
I can't let her get preyed on.
I've grown fond of the three I live with, but I know that to an Afarion, humans are just an easy meal.
Who knows what Valin might do unsupervised?
So really... I'm just looking out for her.