Murr glanced at me with a confused look "where you expecting someone?" I shook my head "No I don't think so"
Joe rose from the table "I'll get it" he moaned as he strutted off in a very feminine swagger. "Well hello you two" he greeted our mystery visitors like a Brooklyn house wife "to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Relax Joseph we're not here to see you, we've come to welcome Murrs new roommate" a soft voice spoke
A new voice butted in loud and obnoxious "and from what we've heard she's a pretty fine and young piece of...." There was a silence in the room I looked at Brian and he at me then to Murr staring open mouthed. Joe slapped him on the back "Speechless are we Q, young Margaret here is our new family member"
I smiled at these words but felt I had to correct Joe "it's just Maggie not Margaret"
"Bet you feel pretty stupid now" Sal muttered to Brian.
Brian just scowled at his friend before taking a seat beside me "Heyy pretty lady" he grinned "you still haven't called me for that drink"
I gave a dramatic eye roll "seriously dude it's been 4 hours, you need to chill your thirst" this got a laugh from the guys as I collected the plates and made my way to the kitchen area. While the guys gathered on the sofas to watch some sports channel I hadn't really got into it much since living here so I sneaked off to my room and decided I'd treat myself to a bath.
I lay under the mountain of bubbles I'd poured in and watched the steam rise to the ceiling as I listened to the guys joking and laughing outside each one so different it took me a while to identify those Joes was loud Murrs was high pitched Brains was loud and deep and Sals was plain contagious one of those laughs that would make you laugh along.
The guys hadn't left by the time I emerged from the bathroom wrapping my wet curls up in a towel hat so I settled on some grey track bottoms or "sweatpants" as they were called here matched with a baby blue vest top. I poured a few chips and dips into a bowl and cooked some popcorn and brought it over to the guys taking a seat on the floor beside Sals feet I stared out the window at all the city lights glowing like a million fireflies "beautiful isn't it?" Sal asked me softly
"Breath-taking" I agreed "no stars though back home you could see every star outlined in the sky and even the odd comet or two"
Sal looked amazed "whoa that sounds beautiful, I love seeing stars but like ya said not many here" the conversation trailed off after that not an awkward silence just a comfortable one.
Brian got to his feet and motioned to my empty wineglass "A refill my lady?" I eyed him with a cheeky grin "I'd love one Q thanks but you gotta stop calling me your lady, Maggie Thorne is nobodies lady" Qs grin grew wider "you mean the delightfully lovely Miss Thorne is not a reserved woman? Hey Joe you should get her set up with Larry" this sentence prompted all four guys to erupt into a loud cheer of "LARRY!"
"Who's Larry?" I whispered to Sal
"Yeah Joe who is Larry?"
Joe gave a shrug as he threw a handful of popcorn into his mouth "Larry is Larry"
I finished my glass of wine and got to my feet "well guys it was nice meeting you properly but I got work in the morning so I'm gonna get some sleep" Joe gave me yet another signature bear hug and Brian then pulled me in for one too but held on a little longer than most hugs usually last it was warm and safe I could feel the butterflies in my stomach again. I decided that to save myself embarrassment I would pull away first.
"Hey that should be one of your skits hug a stranger for the longest" the guys all looked at each other and simultaneously started taking notes. "We'll try to keep the noise down Maggie, Goodnight" Murr said sweetly.
I was asleep in minuets listening to the traffic on the street below and the guys soothing laughter.
S4WiJ<*~;AN6