8 - akward

                                    

                                          
The next day I was somehow still feeling like I had been ran over by a bus. The lack of sleep resulting from the haunting thoughts about how it would be to face Niko and especially Joonas again was driving me mad. 
                          
I was extremely tired, nevertheless I forced myself to put on a nice outfit and get ready. 
                          
My hair took a really long time to tame today and after I spent about half an hour trying to get them in place I got a little frustrated, so decided to wear them in a messy half-bun.
                          
I was already about to step outside when I realized I had almost forgotten to take Niko's shirt with me. I ran back into the bathroom and grabbed the black piece of fabric that was hanging over one of the towels drails to dry. Now I was ready to go.
                          
A veil of grey clowds covered the sky today and cold little drops of rain were falling down on me from above as I was walking along the side of the road, throwing a look at my phone from time to time to make sure I was heading in the right direction.
                          
I was getting closer and closer to my destination and once I walked around the corner I already spotted Niko and Joonas from afar, they weren't alone. Four other men were standing with them infront of what seemed to be a huge storage building.
                          
Only now I noticed how nervous I was getting  all of a sudden. I mentally wasn't prepared to meet the two guys again but before I could change my mind Niko spotted me and waved.
                          
"Hey, Lyra!" The sincere bright smile and the dimples appearing on the brown-haired one's face immediately calmed me down a little. 
                          
"Hey there." Niko didn't even hesitate to pull me into a long, warm hug. I enjoyed the warmth that was traveling through me while the kind one held me in his arms, his long hair slightly brushing against the skin of my shoulder.
                          
"I brought you something Niko." I said as he slowly realeased me out of his arms, a confused look appearing on his face. The confusion however disappeared quickly when I revealed that my surprise for him was his very own shirt.
                          
"Ah, my shirt." He grinned and waved it through the air like a flag. That sight was truly so amusing that I had to giggle.
                          
"Lyra these are Tommi, Olli, Aleksi, Joel and..." Niko said, pointing at each of the band members "Well I'm sure you remember this guy." He continued and looked back and forth between the two of us.
                          
"Hey guys, nice to finally meet you."
                          
Of course I remembered Joonas. Unlike him I had actually not lost all my memories from two nights ago although at some point I really wished I had. 
                          
The man with the tousled blonde hair threw an interested look in my direction. He was observing me so intensely like he was trying to connect the images he saw with something that was hiding somehwere deep in his memories but we both knew he couldn't find a connection.
                          
I looked back right into his bright blue eyes and for a moment the world stopped spinning. We were just staring at each other like two alarmed animals. No one of us was moving or saying a word.
                          
I was so deepened in my thoughts, so far from reality that I only noticed Niko and the other guys had already stepped inside, leaving Joonas and myself behind when the latter one cleared his throat.
                          
"Hey..." He stepped a little closer, his eyes filled with guilt. I took a few steps back, trying to keep the blonde-haired one at distance not only physically but also emotionally.
                          
"Hi." I brought up quietly, akwardly looking from side to side to try to avoid meeting his gaze. The whole situation was somehow really embarassing for both of us.