“Ace was looking for you. Did you not inform him of where you were going?” I whispered to Althea
“What? He was the one who asked me to fetch Daniel so I went with the driver. He must have forgotten.” she whispered back
“Have a seat. Do you know Daniel?” Nana gestured for Daniel to sit down.
“We are friends Nana since we are from the same class,” I answered
“You go ahead and eat first because I need to go and fetch some of my friends for the main road,” Althea said while holding her phone.
“Should I accompany you?” I asked
“No need, I can manage. Don’t worry,” she said tapping my arm
“Where are you going? It’s already dinner time.” Ace asked her when she passed by
“My friends aren’t familiar here so I would go and meet them at the main road. I’m afraid that they might get lost,” she explained
“Should I come with you?” he asked
“I will be fine don’t worry. You have visitors so you should focus on them. They are my friends so I should take care of them even if you’re the one who insisted on inviting them. I better go because the girls might start getting annoyed,”
“Good evening.” Jessica and May said as soon as they come
“Come and eat now since you were late.” Ace said to them
“Oh. Why are you here? I didn’t expect to see you here.” May said when she saw me.
“That is my cousin's house and they are neighbors with Ace,” I said while pointing to the house
“Where’s Althea? I thought she went to meet you.” Daniel asked
“And the ex is also here. What kind of combination is this? Did you miss her already?” Jessica teased
“Can’t the two of you let me go? I am having a hard time walking because of you two. I can walk on my own.” Althea’s annoyed voice caught our attention.
We all looked back and saw her in between Jackson and Allyson who were linking their arms and dragging her. We all know that Allyson and Jackson are way taller than Althea so she would be having a hard time keeping up with them.
“We thought you were afraid of the dark so we have to walk beside you,” Jackson said
“You are also small and we are afraid that someone might carry you when we are not looking,” Allyson said while laughing
“You are the only people who are willing to carry me. Just let me go,” she said
“I can’t believe that you three are still fighting with each other. Can’t you at least stop bickering for today?” Nana said as she came near to meet them.
“Good evening grandma.” Jackson and Allyson said
“These two gentlemen. I kept on telling you to call me Nana. Come on and have dinner since you were late.” she said
“Look at those two. After dragging me here, they would just abandon me because of food.” Althea said scowling
“Go and have dinner also. You can continue annoying each other later. Remember not to fight in front of the food because we still have a lot of visitors,” Nana said as she stroked Althea’s back
“You do know that we are not fighting with each other Nana. We are just annoying each other to the best of our ability.” Althea smiled before coming near us
“You can sit here,” Daniel said as he stood up
“I think we should transfer to the table near the bonfire because I know that it would be chaotic if we will stay here. We don’t want to be a nuisance to the people getting food.” Althea pointed to the table that was supposed to be used for a barbecue later.
“Get your food and then let us transfer there,” I said since I also know that we might be too noisy if we will stay there.
The others nodded their heads and proceeded in getting food. Most of the visitors were done eating and only a few of them are left. The others are all seated at the table but Althea and Daniel are still not there. Two seats beside me are still vacant and I don’t understand why I cannot feel at ease. I looked back and saw Althea and Daniel giggling as they discuss what food to get. I got annoyed so I transferred to the middle seat so that they would be separated if they sat down.
“Vladimir, can you come here first.” my cousin shouted when I was done eating.
“Why? What is it?” I asked
“Are you jealous?” he said
“What? Jealous? “ I looked at him in confusion
“I noticed that your mood has been changing since Daniel came. I don’t know what is between him and Althea but you should control yourself. The others might notice.” he said laughing
“What are you saying? Why would I be jealous? You’re just imagining things.” I said
“There are some marinated chicken and pork in the fridge inside if you and your friends want to barbecue something,” he said before winking
“Did you just call me to tease me?” I said
“Remember what I said,” he said before leaving me.
I scoffed after he left but I stood there for some time thinking if I am jealous. I shook my head because I know that I am just annoyed that they are spending time together and no one wants to tell the story.
“What time will you go home?” Allyson asked the others as I sat down at the table
“My mom extended my curfew till 9 or 10 since Althea invited me so I need to be home before 10,” Daniel answered
“Then shall we go home by 9:30?” Jessica asked
“I think that would be a great idea so that the driver won’t be going back and forth.” May seconded
“I guess we also need to go home by that time then Jackson,” Allyson said
I had just sat down in my seat when Daniel’s phone rang. I am in between them so I immediately noticed when they exchanged glances with Althea.
“Excuse me. I need to take this call.” Daniel said before standing up.
“There is still food left on the table there if you want some more. This will be for your barbecue and I hope you enjoy it. I won’t be able to look after you since our batchmates are here so Althea and Vladimir will attend to your needs. Thank you again for coming” Ace said
Everyone watched him and my cousin as they placed the skewered meat, hotdogs, marshmallows, and some soft drinks on the table. They left us thereafter delivering and went back to their group. Allyson and Jackson started cooking the barbecue while the girls focused on the marshmallows.
I raised an eyebrow when Althea stood up and followed Daniel who was still on his phone. I really shouldn’t mind it since it is their business but I cannot explain why I am feeling affected.
“Did they get back together or is there something going on between them?” I asked Jessica
“Who? Are you talking about Daniel and Athena?” she asked as she followed my gaze.
“Yeah. They have been acting so close to each other.” I said
“I’m not sure what happened since Althea didn’t tell us the whole story. She only told us that they fought and shouted all their misunderstanding at each other. I guess they started making up after that.” she explained
“Althea would have told us if they got back together. They are just being friendly.” May also said
“I can understand how you feel when I noticed them being so close. I think it is normal to feel confused since they have been avoiding each other for the whole school year.” Allyson said while patting my back.
“I will inform you if they got back together if you want to have another reason to tease them. You can count on me so stop being jealous,” Jessica whispered as she winked at me
“I am not jealous. Why would I be jealous?” I said
She tilted her head while smirking so I know that she doesn’t believe what I am saying. I sighed because everyone keeps on assuming that I am jealous. I know that I am not because there is no reason to be jealous.
“You said that you are not jealous but why are you pretending to clean up the table. Why are you curious about what they are talking about?” I scolded myself when I noticed that my ears are perked up.
“Is everything okay? Do you need to go home? Should I talk to your Mom? Should I go look for the driver now?” Althea asked
“Relax, why are you so anxious? Mom was just asking what time I will be home. I told her not to wait for me since I might get home late.” Daniel giggled before patting Althea on the head