Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

I've Got No One?

Hunter's POV

I waited outside the Arsenal girl's hotel after Alexia had dropped me off, they were running late but it wasn't particularly surprising seeing as the squad seemed to all work on different clocks; somehow every single one always being late. I'd sat down on one of the benches outside, just admiring the skies of blue and the tranquility of the clouds; Barcelona was undeniably a beautiful city.  

As I turned back, looking at the hotel's doors, I saw someone from the squad walk out though they seemed a little lost as they pulled up their sunglasses, looking for me, I assumed.

"Jill!" I called, waving her over to me.

Jill heard her name, searching the rather quiet street for me until she finally caught sight of me, a smile instantly appearing on her face. She strode over to me, taking a seat besides me on the bench, "Everyone's late," she laughed, always sounding so bright.

"Does anyone own a bloody watch?" I joked, "You'll have to get used to it, this happens every time."

"I guess we'll always just have to talk as we wait on them," Jill's head had turned towards me a long time ago, not scared to stare.

I chuckled, shaking my head, "Don't count on me. I'm only on time cause Alexia dropped me off and hates people being late."
It's true, Alexia had hurried me out of the door telling me that I'd hold everyone up; she'd always been like it but I knew being so organized was a reason for her success. 

Jill threw out her arms, acting outraged but she couldn't wipe the grin from her face, "So I've got no one?"

"You've got no one," I nodded, filling her in to the disappointing fact.

Already, I was feeling better and I think being around someone as happy and lively as Jill was perfect right now. Her laughter was infection and her smile spread like the plague, Jill's energy was so refreshing.
I'd always found myself drawn to happy people. Perhaps it's because we look for things in others that we long for ourselves, just to torture our minds a little more. I did envy their effortless, genuine smiles but I'd rather stand near the sun than in my own fire alone.

"Eh, it's alright," Jill looked to the city, seeming at peace as she sighed, "I don't mind the quiet."

I now looked at the view, "It is a beautiful city," I agreed.

"Yeah," Jill breathed, I glanced towards her to find her eyes already resting on my face. Her eyes were so readable and it felt like they couldn't lie even if they tried; I liked that, the safety which hid in the dark green was touching. "Do you ever miss it?"

"No," I answered immediately, "I guess I miss aspects of it but I'd never come back full time."

Jill seemed intrigued, trying to find the answers in my eyes as if she were reading a book, "Why?"

Why. It was a three letter word which had a million answers to it, many of which I feared to even think about myself, scared that my mind would slip down those roads and end up in the battlefields. 

"Arsenal's my home now," I told her, stating the simplest of answers. 

"Forever?" Jill asked, tilting her head. 

I shrugged, "I don't know but I'd hope so."

Jill nodded, "It's nice you found your place."
She was right, finding your place was a nice concept, only I realized I'd never truly find my place because I'd never find peace. Wherever I ran to, there'd be some remnants of it all.

"Hopefully Arsenal will be yours too," I replied, still caught in my thoughts. 

Suddenly Jill changed the concept, catching me completely off guard, "How is Alexia?" Jill questioned, like something had been genuinely wrong.

I furrowed my eyebrows slightly, "She's fine last time I checked."

"Oh that's good," Jill nodded, "I'm glad she's feeling better."

"When was she feeling bad?" I questioned, only growing more and more lost. I often had very little common sense but I now wondered if I'd lost all of my sense, this didn't strike a single of my memories.

A laugh escaped Jill's mouth, her face questioning if I was being serious, "When you and Mapi were looking after her last night."

I went to shake my head but then realized it had probably been used as a cover story for the real situation which occurred behind tightly locked doors, "Ohh," I now nodded, pretending to have a sudden spark in my memory, "It must have been the drinks, I forgot for a second. She's fine now though, I think they're joining us for dinner."

Jill narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, her expressions always seemed to be so obvious, right now she was trying to decide if I was lying or not. 

Thankfully, the universe decided to work in my favor for once, as I felt a pair of arms wrap around my back, I was startled for a second but looked back to see Leah, followed by the rest of the squad.

"What time do you call this?" I questioned, laughing as Leah continued hugging me, swaying from side to side.

"Says you!" Lisa Evans chuckled, "You're normally the last here."

"It's cause Alexia dropped her off," Katie nodded, acting all cool because they were on a first name basis, "She's good with time and all that," now she'd gone a step too far, the cool act backfiring. 

"Are you okay?" Leah whispered, her words anxious.

I nodded, "I'm great."

Leah stepped back, questioning me slightly as she stared at my face, "Okay, good," she wasn't convinced but knew not to ask anything more with all the girls here.

"So," Kim sighed, "Where are we heading first?"

I stood up, seeing as I knew the city, I'd been appointed tour guide. 

"Great," Manu sighed, resting her hands on her hips, acting as if a great tragedy had just occurred, "Hunter's in charge, we're all going to die."

Katie clapped, "Guys appreciate these moments, they might be our last," she pretended to sob as she joined in with the joke. 

A few other members of the team threw in little comments and some even prayed.

"Oh come on guys," I groaned, rolling my eyes at their dramatics, "I know this place like the back of my hand."

"Once you got lost in your own garden," Beth stated, challenging my entire point.

"That's not true!" I argued.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Jill watching this all unfold, a smile lingering on her lips as her eyes darted around from player to player, questioning why she'd ever joined a team this dramatic and crazy.

"I must say I agree with Beth," Danielle admitted sheepishly, "I was there too."

I huffed, "Do you guys want to go anywhere or not?"

Leah laughed, laying her arm around my shoulders, "Lead the way captain."

I heard a disgruntled disagreement from Kim, "I'm not giving away the title that easily!"