No Strings Attached

6

"I'm good, thanks," I responded.

"Okay, cool. What about you, El?" She asked Elliot, and he nodded. "Okay, hang on one sec," she told him, before turning to me. "The living room is just around the corner. Naomi and Parker and Aiden are all there. I think they're playing Wii or something like that," she said. I nodded, and we parted ways, Elliot following her to what I assumed was the kitchen; I turned the corner and met everyone else in the living room.

"I'm about to own you, bitch," I heard Parker's voice cry out victoriously as I entered the room. Immediately, I saw him sitting on the ground, Wii controller in hand, next to Aiden. They were both focused on the glowing television screen in front of them.

"Lucy!" I heard Naomi's voice call from the back of the room, and I looked up to see her sitting on the couch. She patted the spot next to her. "Come here! The guys are playing Mario Kart," she told me, and I raised my eyebrows while I stood in the same spot.

"Uh, hey," I said back. At the sound of my voice, Aiden jerked his head up from the screen, to look at me. His eyes locked onto mine, as if he was surprised to see me, and I shifted uncomfortably in my shoes.

Seconds later, there was a crashing sound that came from the speakers and the familiar sound of music. Aiden quickly blinked, his eyes snapping back to the screen in front of him as he watched Mario plummet from the rainbow path to his impending doom in outerspace. "Awh, shit," he mumbled to himself as Toad, Parker's character, sped past him toward the finish line. I crossed the room and sat down next to Naomi, and together we watched them argue in front of us.

"Cool pants," Naomi remarked suddenly as the boys continued to taunt one another. I glanced down at my outfit. They were an old pair of distressed boyfriend jeans with rips on the legs, and I liked them, but I didn't think they were particularly noteworthy. She was probably just being polite.

"Thanks," I responded, before being interrupted by the guys.

Parker let out a loud laugh. "You idiot, you drove straight off," he called out as he shot over the finish line. Happy music played through the speakers as Parker tossed the controller on the couch, standing up and stretching. "Hell yeah," he crowed victoriously. "Undefeated since 2013," he pumped his fist, and Aiden raised his eyebrows.

"You're losing your edge, man," he said, a crooked half smile on his face. I could see the beginnings of a dimple appear on his cheek. "I almost had you there."

"No you didn't," Parker defended himself, shaking his head vigorously. "Because you're an idiot, and you literally drove right off the edge of the course. Come on, even you're a little better than that," he taunted, and Aiden shrugged, standing up as well and plopping on the couch behind him.

"No, I definitely could have won," he said confidently, and Parker snorted.

"Alright, so then what happened? Did you get distracted or something?"

Aiden cocked his head for a second. "Something like that," he responded.

"Well-" Parker started, but was cut off by Jane walking in with Elliot.

"Guys, can we not argue over who is better at this stupid game again?" she asked, running a hand through her hair. Elliot nodded, and they plopped down on the couch together next to Aiden.

"Look at these two love birds," Aiden teased, and I raised my eyebrows slightly.

"Come on guys, we all know she's dedicated to Will," Elliot responded, and everyone chuckled.

"Wait, are they dating?" I leaned over and whispered in Naomi's ear as they started to talk about something different.

Naomi shook her head. "No, but they flirt a ton so we like to joke about it a lot. They insist they don't have feelings for each other, though," she told me, and I nodded.