She finally arrived with the dude.
Why does he look familiar, like really familiar?
"Clary, this is Jordan." She said, with the biggest smile I've ever seen on her face. She must really like his company to introduce him to me, " Jordan, meet Clary, my friend." she introduced him, gesturing towards me with her hands.
He stretched out his hand and I took it in a firm handshake.
"Hi, I'm Clary." I could see he was sizing me up by the way he was looking at me, I wasn't worried because I was doing the same.
He let go of my hand and gave me a million-dollar smile, "Nice to meet you. I've only just met Summer here," smiling over me to Summer, "but she's mentioned your name...about five times." he said, furrowing his brows, "I just had to meet this person. And it seems you're everything she said you are, you too must be very close."
For a first impression, he's good! The way he maintains eye contact when he speaks. His deep and smooth voice, how in the world does he make it sound so demanding of attention. I'm sure he's into co-operating business or Law. Because for the first time in my life, I have no witty remark in my mind to give, usually, there's something about a person I just met that sends me into a train of thought.
Oh. I'm doing it again.
"Yes, we very good friends," I said.
Summer looked like she just came back from a blush Fest, though she's clay skinned, I could tell, most people can't but I can.
"Is that so." He was looking at me funny. What are you looking at?
I followed his eyes, he wasn't looking at me but behind me, at Eden.
Eden just had to ask me a question right now, "Hey Clarissa, do you think you can look for Jordan for me?" He asked, not even looking at me, his concentration is to die for.
"Yeah sure," I answered.
Wait. That name. Jordan. No wonder he looks familiar. He looks like a bigger, more manlier version of Eden, the only difference between them are their eyes. Eden's honey brown but Jordan is moss green. You could get lost in those eyes especially when he's making eye contact with he always does when he's talking. No wonder Summer couldn't stop smiling.
Jordan is Eden's brother. Same midnight hair, same brown skin.
"No worries bro, I've found her." He said chuckling.
That caught Eden's attention because he turned around like The Flash, carrying the smell of oregano with him.
"Jordan!!" He said his face lighted up immediately. It left me wondering the kind of relationship the two have.
Jordan sat down after pulling out a seat for Summer, "How's work bro?"
Eden turned his attention to the steaks on the grill, "Work's good and I'm enjoying the party. Thanks for the setup."
"Ahh, it's nothing besides Matt wouldn't give it to anyone else but you," Jordan said, filling up a plate.
Summer just sat fumbling with her shirt. Geez, girl! Get a grip of yourself- see what I did there.
I'm so funny.
"So you're the infamous Clarissa. Everyone has been talking about you." He said, after stuffing his mouth a few times.
I managed an awkward smile, "Well, I wouldn't say that, but I am... Clary."
"Good because I know two people now who think you're a great person, make that three. At least I'm not disappointed. You could truly be all they say you are," He said, giving me a stern look.
God, why am I so tense?
Am I sweating? I think I am. Who wouldn't sweat under his intense gaze?
Glancing over to Eden and summer, they look so at peace in his presence.
So it's just me.
Calm down Clarissa, Jordan already likes you.
How can you tell?
First of all, you do know who you are talking to. I know all. He liked you the minute Eden said you were helping him out with his studies and may I say he's improving, all-round and Jordan sees that
Fine. I believe you.
After a few deep breaths, I realized that the conversation was flowing without me, I must have zoned out.
Summer is really having a good time, I'm glad I brought her. She was really becoming to a bit pale but she's brighter now, smiling and laughing.
Eden is just enjoying his brother's company.
"... That's why Marvel cinematic universe is the best, don't you agree with me, Clary?" Summer asked suddenly.
"Y-yeah, I love MCU so much, I live for that stuff," I said trying to regain my composure.
"Eden, can you believe what these girls are saying. I'm offended." Jordan said looking at Eden with a serious expression expecting approval form him.
"C'mon I wanna side with you on this one bro but... You and I know that I love both DCEU and MCU. And I'm not picking anything side." Eden said, drying his hands. It looks like he's done for the day.
"It's two against one, Jordie. Let's agree to disagree." Summer said smugly to Jordan.
Since when did Jordan turn to Jordie. Summer must really like him or she's extremely comfortable with herself right now.
We talked on and on about random stuff, from movies to football to fashion to culture. Eventually, Matt joined the party.
"I'm telling you, in other parts of the world it's not a trend to wear clothes that show too much skin. Do your research and you'll see I'm right." I said vehemently, this discussion just got even more interesting.
"I'm not doubting you, Clary. I'm just asking when did the infiltration of their culture and beliefs start from?"
Matt asked. Matt and I have been at it for a while now.
"Um... let me think...since the US was proclaimed World Power. The country with the title influences a lot of countries because everyone is trying to imitate them." I responded as cooly as I could while my butt was on fire, not literally...but you know what I mean.
"True but the US wasn't always a country filled with half-dressed people. Where did it all go wrong?" Jordan mused, putting all of us into thought too.
"Probably when people started yielding to the demands of their flesh." Summer mumbles loud enough for us all to hear.
"I agree with you on that one, we can't possibly trace the time in history when everything started falling apart. But what we do know is who is responsible for it." Matt piped in.
"The question is why did God let the devil have free rein to manipulate with humans," Eden asked.
"That my dear is the question we've been answering for centuries. It's all part of his eternal plan." I said smiling inwardly at God. He's a wise ancient father, that's what he is.
"It seems the party's over," Matt said standing up and looking around,
"better start cleaning up this place before mom gets back from work."
"I'll help," Jordan says standing up too.
"Do you guys need a hand? Cos I've got two," Summer said, smiling as she raises her hands in the air.
They just smiled at her.
"Do you wanna join the cleanup crew in the house?" Matt asked, turning his eyes in my direction.
"No thanks, I'm gonna help Eden clean up here," I replied, pursing my lips.
"Sure." He said walking off to Jordan and summer who was already in another discussion, "Luke!!" He called after the birthday day boy.
Poor Luke, he came stumbled towards his brother in a hurry probably thinking there's a problem or something. I couldn't help but smile.
"What's funny?" Eden asked, he already cleaned up the table and he's packaging the leftovers.
I joined him, "Nothing." I replied picking up a turkey sandwich and putting it in one of those plastic plates.
We worked in that comfortable silence that's associated with Eden.
It's like we get each other so much we don't need to talk to be in tune with each other.
We cleaned up and joined the others in the fight against the messy house.
After a while, I'm chilling on the couch when my phone buzzed. It's a text from my mom asking when we'll be home.
"Hey, what's up?" Summer said, as dropped her body on the couch almost pushing me over.
I smack her arm as she laughs knowing exactly what she did.
"It's my mom, she wants to know when we're coming home," I said.
"We could head home now." Summer said with a poker face.
What's she thinking about, that she's trying to hide.
"If it's alright with you. This is enough socializing for a week, I need to go home and recharge." I said stretching as I got up.
"Hey guys, we wanna head home." Summer said as we walked into the foyer.
"Great to have you guys over," Matt said clasping his hands.
"Happy birthday Luke." I hugged the life out of the sixteen-year-old boy.
"Clary!! I'm sixteen now. Don't hug me like that, people are gonna think we're dating."
He whispered the last part.
I smile back at him and ruffles his hair, "I'm still older than you by two years, besides let the world think you're taken. The better for you." I winked.
He smiled too.
"Clary, Jordan offered to drive us home." Summer said with an overdose of happiness in her voice.
"That's great. At least we don't have to worry about calling an Uber."
We made our way outside of Jordan's black Toyota Camry. How much does he earn to afford such a car?
"I know what you're thinking." He said, running his hands to his already dishevelled hair and smiling sheepishly.
"I saved for years to buy this car and my job requires me constantly driving to Illinois and Chicago, so I need a car, a very good one."
Question answered. We got in and gave him our address.
Jordan and summer talked the entire way home. I only contributed a little but other than that, I kept to myself. I wasn't joking when I said I was tired.
Jordan and summer exchanged numbers as he dropped her off, with a smile and a hug we set off to her door.
"I really appreciate what you're doing," Jordan said pulling me out of my thoughts, "for Eden, it means a lot to me to see my brother excited about his exams again, after the..." he trailed off.
"It's okay, you don't have to tell me what happened. Eden will when the time is right."
"You're so thoughtful. I see why people like you so much," he said smiling.
"Thank you Jordan," I said stepping out of the car parked in front of my house.
"You know what, maybe you and Eden should come over for dinner sometime. I'll check with my parents."
"Thanks for the offer, we'll be delighted to have dinner with you and your family," Jordan said.
"Bye."
"I guess I'll see you around," He said as he zoomed off.
*****
"Hey, Brennan, why didn't you tell us you were dating someone. I would have given you dating advice." Ronnie said, walking to my bookshelf.
We just finished dinner with Eden, Jordan, Sam, Brennan... Basically everyone- my parents are quite the hosts. And now Ronnie, Brennan and I are lounging in my room. The rest are either downstairs or in the backyard.
"I didn't even know when I started falling in love with Aaron. He just kinda happened." Brennan says taking a seat by me on the balcony with Age of the Predator, Book Two of the Time Riders series.
"Well I think he's cute, just what you need, perfectly built for you--"
"We get it, Ron Bun, don't go any further, before you analyze everything." Brennan says, "Come," patting the spot next to her, "come sit and tell me about your last endeavour with my brother. I'm in need of some dirt on his shiny white shirt."
"It's okay, I'm good," Ronnie says suddenly turning a shade of pink.
"Okay, Clary any news?" Brennan says turning her attention to me.
"No, nothing I know off," I said, smiling quizzically trying to defend my friend. Probably a bet they made.
"Fine." she groans, "how about them?" pointing to Jordan and summer in the yard.
"I don't know what's going on with those two, but I know when two people are in love. They haven't understood the subtle signs, summer hasn't let herself fall in love after The Max issue, but here she is falling unknowingly for Eden's brother. And Jordan... Well, I don't know about him, but from what I gathered he doesn't know he's smitten either. Eden said Jordan thinks she's smart, funny, doesn't back down in an argument, not afraid to stand up for what is right, well basically everything we know and love about summer, but he says it with much ---"
"Adoration and longing in his eyes, that one is able to see the fire of pure passion igniting in his soul, burning away his inhibitions with the quick ravaging of love. Yeah, I get the feeling." Brennan says, shocking the words out of me.
"Wow Bren, did you just use a dictionary on me?" I asked trying to grasp the intensity of the meaning of what she just said.
She smiles at me, "No dear, not really. Sometimes when I can't explain the way I feel towards Aaron, I turn to dictionaries and the internet, to find words to explain the hormonal brew in my system."
"Gee Bren!, way to take the fun out of love."
"The pleasure is all mine. But... There is no feeling that can be compared to love, it's the most splendid cloud nine feelings in the world. I can't wait for you to fall in love too."
Brennan is the older sister I never had. So hearing these words from my usual uptight lawyer sister was enough to help me choke on my spit.
She laughed at me for a while, watching me as I fight for my life with spittle.
We each had a book in hand so we dived in, grateful for each others company.
"Rapunzel!! Tell Juliet that Romeo is waiting for her by Old Folks fountain, just off her father's land." Eden said from below.
Ever since we became friends. He's more relaxed, more jovial, more himself, not a young boy burdened with undue stress.
I looked down from my balcony to Eden kneeling before me with one knee.
"Tell Romeo --I mean Sam that Ronnie and I are in no mood to play games. Besides I don't think Old Folks Fountain was even in the book," I said playing with a cluster of Wisteria.
Sam appears not a moment later,
"You're no fun, Clary." He said pouting his lips.
"If you wanna hang, come on up, my room is nice and cosy." I offer.
"Yeah boys, come on up." Brennan beckons.
Sam's face conforms into a creeped out expression, "No thanks, if Brennan is calling too, then I better stay down here."
"Oh c'mon Sammy, it would be fun. You're not afraid I'll win, are you?"
"Of course not, I'm not afraid of you."
"Yeah." she nods condescendingly,
"Keep telling yourself that."
"C'mon dude it would be fun." Eden cajoled, "Besides we could watch a movie or something. And Ronnie's there too."
"That's the point... Sam whispered into Eden's ear while Eden's mouth turns into an 'O'.
"We'll be right up!" Eden said laughing, meanwhile, a thrashing Sam is being dragged into the house.
Brennan tuts and scoffs, "Boys."
Here's another chapter!
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Toinpre.