PHANA'S POV
Beam, Kit and I are having dinner with some of our Medical Faculty friends from last year. We've gathered together to talk about our upcoming classes for this semester and the professors who'll teach them. Having an idea of what you'll face when you walk into the classrooms on that first day, is a big help.
After about two hours our other friends left, but we three lingered at the table discussing what we'd learned. Once we'd gone over everything a couple times and finally felt prepared, I speak up, "I think we're as ready as we can be for now. We got a lot of useful information tonight."
Kit and Beam exchange a strange look then Beam asks cryptically, "Speaking of useful information, Ai'Pha, what's the going rate for highly desired pieces of intel?" Beam's smirk tells me he's been waiting for an opening all night to share something he knows.
His asking about a price is not good news for me, so I play it off. "Highly desired, huh? How highly? You don't have the best reputation for gathering good info Ai'Beam." I mock him with a smile.
"Oh, I think you might want to know this, Ai'Pha." Kit chimes in, helping Beam out. "You've been talking about wanting intelligence on this person quite diligently for a few days now and today your friend over there was blessed to literally stumble across him. You know, if you'd gone shopping with us you might have gotten lucky instead."
Ignoring Kit's jab, I focus on the rest of his words and realize they can only mean one thing. Jerking my eyes back to Beam's amused face and leaning my arms across the table, I ask, "You saw Yo today?" I'm trying to maintain my cool, so my friends don't tease me, but I know my excitement is leaking through.
"Maybe..." Beam says to torment me. "Like I said it, depends on what you're willing to pay."
Sighing in defeat and relaxing back into my chair, I respond, "Tell me what you want?" Whatever it is, I'm sure my allowance can cover it.
He knows he has me as his eyes spark in calculation. "Oh, it's easy, don't stress so much. I'll trade you the info I found out for one favor to be called in at a future date with no right of refusal."
Damn, that was specific. He really thought about this. Is his info worth it? Honestly does it really matter? He's one of my best friends, so I'd probably do whatever favor he's going to ask of me in the future anyway without this promise. It's not like I'm losing anything by agreeing.
"Alright, I agree. What did you find out?"
"It's just a couple things, but they could be important to you. I saw him at the bookstore earlier and I was able to speak with him for a few minutes alone before his friends came and took him away." He pauses for a few seconds to think, "He likes manga and pink milk. He was shopping for One Piece issues when I found him, and his friends had that drink ready for him when he left the bookstore." He stops again.
"That better not be all, Asshole." I threaten.
"No, that's not all." He says scornfully, "But this piece is just a guess." He pauses as he weighs his words, "I think he might be someone important."
"Why?" Thinking back, he didn't seem to give off an 'I'm important' vibe. He was apologetic and sincere when he bumped into me, so why would Beam assume that?
"Not because of anything he did. It's because of his friends. He was with five," he holds his hand up and wiggles his finger for effect, "of the guys from the dining hall video and they seemed pretty protective of him. One of them was saying something about how they were going to get in trouble if it was found out they left him alone to look around the bookstore. Soooo...."
"Soooo???" It takes a couple seconds for what he's implying to sink in, "You think he has a pack of hounds watching over him?" I ask a little stunned. Everyone knows packs are always five members, but to have a pack assigned to him means either his family is rich and powerful or they're important to the crown.
"Didn't you say one of them growled at you?" Kit asks, speculating.
"Yeah, he did. But it never occurred to me he might be a hound." I admit thoughtfully, a little daunted now. If he has a pack with him, it changes the way I can approach him. My family isn't on the best of terms with the crown. Wait a minute... "But, Forth said they were just average kids when we met him for drinks a few nights ago."
"Yeah. He did, but either he doesn't know or he's keeping secrets." Beam muses. "Either way we need to get to the bottom of this, so maybe we need to corner Forth. He must know more than he's admitting too."
It's quiet for a few minutes, as we all think. Then Kit speaks up, "Well, Ai'Pha, you have to admit his information is at least interesting. Maybe not what you wanted to hear, but interesting."
"Yes. It definitely gives me something to think about, but I was hoping for more. Like what faculty he attends or his full name." I tell them trying not to feel let down.
"Sorry, I didn't get his full name, I didn't know you wanted that." Beam jokes. "But... I did get which faculty he'll be attending."
Can I strangle him? "Why didn't you start with that!?"
"Because that's the best piece of solid info I got, since it'll allow you to find him easily."
"Well!" I demand, getting antsy. "Which faculty is it?"
The bastard pauses for dramatic effect while drumming his fingers on the table before finally announcing it, "Science."
"Ai'Pha," Kit calls my name and I turn to face him, "what's the deal with this kid? Why are you so intent on knowing more about him and seeing him again?"
That's a good question. One I don't know the answer to yet or maybe don't want to admit the answer to yet. It's too soon. "I'm not sure. I just find him interesting."
"Interesting or cute?" Beam taunts me as he adds his two cents to mine and Kit's conversation. "Because I have to admit he was awfully cute when he was in my arms this afternoon."
"WHAT!" I roar rising to my feet.
Beam busts out laughing, not intimidated at all. "Wow, that's quite a reaction for someone you just find interesting, Ai'Pha." He replies with a smug smirk plastered on his face.
People are looking at us, but I don't care. Damn Incubus! "Explain, Beam. Now." I furiously snap.
He looks me over, assessing how serious I am, then clarifies. "Geez! Relax. He didn't notice me when I walked up to him, so he was startled when I said hello. He almost fell, and I simply steadied him."
"That's it?" I clarify.
"Yes, that's it. Shit, we were in the bookstore, Ai'Pha. It's not like I attacked and fed off him in public." He complains.
Blowing out the breath I was holding, I sink back down into my chair and stare at the table. Argh, what was that all about? I know I totally blew the whole thing out of proportion but listening to Beam say he was touching Yo completely pisses me off. It takes me a minute to get my shit back together, but once I'm calm I look up to find Kit and Beam both smirking at me. Again. Great, just great.
"Look, it's not like what you're thinking. I simply want to find him to apologize for how I acted the other day." I state firmly trying to convince all of us of my intentions. Too bad it doesn't work.
"Sure. We believe you, Ai'Pha. Right, Kitty? You believe him, don't you?" Beam proclaims childishly while Kit just smiles knowingly.
Silence reigns over us for a few minutes, until Beam speaks up again, "Who's up for heading over to the bar?"
"Me." After that outburst I need a drink before calling it a night.
"Good. Someone is meeting me there later, so we can hang out together till then." He lets us know.
"Well, I'm not going." Kit announces, causing us to look at him. He always goes with us. "I'm going to prowl around for a bit, then go home to rest. I still have things to do tomorrow to get ready for school on Monday and I don't want to be tired while doing them."
"If you're shifting, be careful, Kitty." Beam warns, his voice sounding a little worried.
"Yeah, Ai'Kit. People are going to notice a two-tailed cat. So, take care to stay in the shadows." I remind him.
"Quit worrying. You're both acting like old aunties." He assures us, then gives a little wave and heads out of the restaurant.
Once he's gone, Beam and I trade looks before he asks, "Think he'll be ok?"
"Of course. This isn't his first time after all." I reassure him, but I'm a little worried too.
"Come on, let's head to the bar. I need a drink." He tells me as we both rise and exit the restaurant.
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"Are you sure that's all you remember." I ask Beam for the third time. I gave up trying to act cool about two drinks ago. Beam knows me better than that anyway.
"Argh! How many times do I have to tell you. Yes! That's it. It was fast. I only talked to him for like two minutes."
He's frustrated with me asking for more details about his encounter with Yo, but I can't seem to help myself. Taking a sip of my drink to stall, I decide to give him a few moments to call down. Just as I feel it's safe to maybe bring the subject up again, I see Beam's interest suddenly focus across the room.
"Well, well, well. Speak of the devil and he'll appear." He utters cryptically.
"What are you talking about?" I ask looking at him as I try to decipher his words.
"Ai'Pha, I'm about to do you a huge favor. Why? Because even though you can be a self-centered ass sometimes, you're still one of my best friends."
"Wow. Thanks a lot Jerk. And really? A huge favor?" I ask, scoffing at him.
"Yes. Plus, I truthfully want to see the stupid look on your face when you realize what's happening." He says smirking as he stands up and starts yelling. "N'Yo! Hey, N'Yo! Over here!"
Yo? What the Fuck? If Beam is joking right now, it's not funny. Turning and looking towards the front doors, I freeze as my eyes land on the person we've been discussing.
"Alright, they're coming over here. Here's your perfect chance to apologize, Ai'Pha." Beam states sarcastically but quietly, leaning close to my ear. Then he warns, "He's also with that group again, all five of them. See how they're acting, looking around and scoping out the place. I'm telling you, they're a pack, so be careful."
Watching them walk over, I have to agree with Beam for once. The guys he's with are behaving like protection more than friends. As they approach us I notice all five boys move closer and closer to Yo, so that he's walking with them in a semicircle flanked around him. Their group makes quite an intimidating sight.
They also gather more than a bit of attention from the other bar patrons as they make their way across the room, and it's plain to see that the reactions to them are mixed. Most naturally lean away or step back out of their way unconsciously, but some are staring with more than a bit of interest.
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A/N:
Hi peeps! How is everyone tonight? I hope well!
How are you liking the story so far?? Aren't the boys funny together?
Next Chapter: Yo & Pha meet again
See ya on Saturday!!!
04.19.2018 7:58 pm US CST