Moving In With The Enemy

Chapter 22 ~ "Switch With Me"

"Hey, hey!" We hear and I watch Piper and her clan come crawling out of an Uber-X next to us in line. 

"No." I whisper and Abby snorts. They were all done up for an L.A night club, hair in big waves, tight sparkly dresses. 

"Hi Walker!" Piper says, cutting into the line and he shuffles away.

"You know what I found out?" I whisper and she raises her eyebrows. "They've never actually slept together."

"Really?" Abby hisses and I nod. "Wow, just seemed like the awkward tension gave that impression. And you know the rumours that follow him."

"Well.....I believe him, not the rumours." I shrug and Abby raises her eyebrows, crossing her arms with a smile. "What?"

"Look how fast you changed your mind." She teases, poking my ribs. "You like him-"

"No, I don't." I scoff, shaking my head.

"Oh admit it, as much of a brooding asshole as he is, he's hot." She whispers and I roll my eyes. "I knew it would be too much to share walls with-"

"Abby." I huff and she raises her hands. "Please stop before someone hears you." I beg and she nods, giving me an apologetic hug.

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry." She smiles.

"Hey laddies! Who's next, you're holding up the line!" The bouncer calls out to us and I turn my head. Chase, Darren and Ellis were already through the line and we were next.

"Oh sorry." Abby smiles, giving him a wink and his whole face softens. I wish I had more charm like that with people.

I hand over my ID afterwards and he studies it carefully. "What's your full name?" He asks and I sigh.

"Annika Rose Cook." I tell him, feeling irritated.

I need to go get my license retaken, since I'd lost weight my face shape had changed dramatically. I looked different on my license photo then in person, but it was far more irritating to have people always think I was using my older sister's ID or a fake just because I'd dropped some weight.

"Birthday?"

"February twentieth, two-thousand." I tell him and he nods carefully.

"Zip code?"

"Seriously?" I ask and he raises his eyebrows. "ZB4 15C." 

"You have a second piece?" He asks.

"Buddy, she's twenty-one fucking years old! Now you're holding up the line with this bullshit!" Mark yells and he remains firm, making me dig through my bag for my wallet.

"Here's my Medicaid card, my student ID and my credit card. They all have the same stuff on them, I've just lost some weight and let my hair grow out." I huff and he gives them all a quick look.

"Alright next." He says and I chew the inside of my cheek, feeling pissed off. I tuck the cards back into their spots in my wallet, feeling pissed. Like he'd wasted my time for no reason.

What an asshole.

We get inside and the guys set up a table for our rather large group of people. I sit down with Abby towards the middle of one side and I slip off my coat, still irritated with the bouncer interaction.

Then I watch Walker nearly scramble around the table to sit in the seat next to me. Weird. 

"Walker! Come sit with me silly!" Piper says across the table and he sits down next to me quickly. Mark sits on his other side and Chase sits directly across from me.

"Switch with me." I beg Abby and she snorts.

"Nope." She says with an evil smile.

I wish she knew the reason why I didn't want to be near him. She thinks it's funny to shove us into the same space but I can't handle it.

"Hey Annie, when's your thesis presentation again?" Chase asks and I smile, grateful for the distraction.

"Monday afternoon, why?"

"Well I was thinking maybe I could come watch it?" He shrugs and I furrow my eyebrows.

"Um, it's just a board presentation. There's no guests or anything and even if there were.....I'd be too nervous with you there." I admit quietly and he nods with a smile.

"Well, that's cool. I get it." He tells me and Walker's jaw tenses up. This man is so weird and moody. "You'll have to tell me how it goes."

"Yeah, of course." I assure him. "Maybe on Tuesday at study group?"

"Or I could come get you after the presentation? We could celebrate?" At this point the whole table is looking at us, watching this awkward interaction. I don't like him like that and I don't want everyone else to think I do.

"Oh my god, drool much Chase?" Piper asks and for the first time in my life I can confidently say, thank you Piper. "At least get some game if you're going to flirt with Annie like this in front of everyone."

"I'm not flirting with Annie, I'm just being nice." He tells her and I feel relieved.

Okay maybe I'm just nuts for thinking he's got a thing for me, maybe I'd read too much into his kindness.

"Something you'd know nothing about." He adds and the entire table snickers.

Chase seems to turn to Darren next to him instead for conversation now, obviously fearing anymore torment.

"Since when are you and Chase so close?" Walker mumbles.

"Since when do you care?" I retort. "I've been hanging out with Chase for months."

"Well for once, I don't think Piper's wrong." He whispers and I roll my eyes.

"I really don't care." I tell him, looking at him for the first time since we sat down and his face is riddled with shock. "You don't get a say in any of this shit, not after....." I keep my voice hushed and it doesn't seem like we're drawing any attention. "You know."

"What, Annika?" He whispers and chills run up my spine. I hated when he'd whisper like that, it wasn't fair. "After what?"

"Leave me alone." I huff. "Abby, come get a drink and let's dance." I announce, turning away from him.

"Yes! Let's do it!" She exclaims, jumping up from the table with me. 

This is going to be one interesting night.