chapter 2

Zac jumped off of my bed and was the first out the door, Emmett and I following him.

"Well, speaking of the devil," Zac smiled, looking at Emmett as if he poked a bear. "It's about time, Burney," Zac spoke, sarcasm laced in his voice.

"Fucking tell me about it," Burney said, his voice high pitched. He was shorter than the other two boys with thinning brown hair and thick black rimmed glasses. He reminded me a lot of a young Stanford Blatch from 'Sex and the City'.

"I won't go into too much detail, but some bitch decided to have an epileptic fit a couple minutes before the lecture was over, it was very unexpected! I hope she's okay, we all had to be evacuated like our asses were on fire!" He spoke quickly. "So, then we couldn't leave the bitching of a room because that bitch of a professor didn't think it was okay- anyway, then the train was late and then this bitch of the bus trip took so long... and now I'm here."

"I don't think she 'decided' to have an epileptic fit, Burney," Zac laughed.

"Yeah, I know, it was just an inconvenience," he smiled at Zac and then his eyes landed on me. "OH, MY GOODNESS! She's here!" he walked up to me and gave me an impromptu hug making me tense at his touch.

"Hi, I'm Bernard, but everyone calls me Burney."

"Okay Burney, lay of the fresh meat... She's not ready for tenderising just yet," Zac said, pulling Burney away from me and gave me a sly wink with a devilish half smile.

My breath hitched in my throat and I quickly turned away from him.

"Anyway, Garden of Eden tonight?" Zac continued.

"Oh, my Goodness... Yes! Let's celebrate our new arrival," Burney replied. "Is it okay that it's Sunday, we always go Tuesday?"

"We'll make an exception for our new fresh meat. So, it's settled," Zac declared looking at both Emmett and I. "Be ready in thirty minutes or I will be very disappointed."

Zac put his hand out in the middle of all of us before lifting it up in the air before cheering, "Go Power Rangers!"

Emmett walked me back to our room as we started debated on who was which coloured Power Ranger.

"How do I dress?" I asked Emmett.

"What you're wearing now is fine."

I looked down at myself. My comfy black jeans and grey top didn't seem too appealing... or nice.

"It's not that fancy, Ali," Emmett continued, reading my thoughts.

"YES, IT IS!" Zac shouted from the kitchen making both Emmett and I smile.

As soon as I was in my new bedroom, I began looking through my drawers for some clothes to wear. I dec

Zac sat on a long purple couch in the living room, his feet propped up onto the coffee table in front of him. The remote was in his hand and he continued to channel-surf even with me watching.

Emmett had told me previously that the house was already furnished and that everything was decorated as if it was meant for an elderly lady, but I don't think I completely grasp what he said until now. In the living room, the couch was a bright shade of purple, it was strange compared to the lavish modern style of the kitchens grey marble. Every window was completely covered in floral print, I wondered why none of the boys had taken down the curtains and then wondered if they even knew how; which caused me to laugh when I imagined all the boys struggling and bickering to take them down as if they were in an old comedy commercial.

Zac looked up at me with the sound of my presence. His eyes lingered my face before his eyes drifted down to my chest before he quickly looked away.

ided on tighter black jeans that shaped my hips, along with a dark grey wash shirt with a print on the front and the chest part cut out leaving the fabric on the neck, creating a choker look. Black high heeled boots, a black leather jacket and the very limited amount of jewellery I had topped up my look. I grabbed my handbag with all my necessities in it and went into the bathroom to touch up my makeup, adding darker eyeshadow underneath my eyes and adding blush to my defined cheekbones. My hair was a complete mess, but a quick brush and some spray made my current waves more defined. I pushed what little boobs I had, snug in a tight bra and black singlet, before grabbing my handbag and exiting the bathroom and leaning against the entryway of the corridor that enters into the living room.

"Hey," he said, focussing on his task of changing the channel. I could see his sharp jaw jumping underneath his skin.

"Hey," I responded with a smile on my face.

"We ready?" Emmett jumped out from behind me and walking towards the front door. He wore a dark blue long-sleeved shirt and dark blue jeans with an almost dress jacket, with his large build and graceful walk, he made even the simplest of outfits look runway ready.

"Yeah," I said while following him.

"So much for not dressing up," I said tugging at his jacket.

"I need to make an impression on the ladies," he said which made me laugh.

Zac turned off the TV and came to stand with Emmett and I at the front door. He looked very handsome, even in just dark jeans, a white top, a blue denim jacket and black boots.

"BURNEY! Hurry up and put your face on!" Zac shouted with a smile on his face and we watched as Burney walked out of the first room in the corridor, which meant Zac's room was at the back.

"I'm here, Jesus- shut up!" Burney came up to us and gave Zac a push on the shoulder and the boys laughed.

"Okay, let's go!" Zac cheered heading towards the front door before he abruptly turned on his heels and faced me with a stone-cold face and almost whispered to me. "Also, newbie, if you don't like the food from the Garden of Eden, I'm kicking you out of the house..."

I looked from him to Emmett with shock clearly etched on my face, before I slightly relaxed, noticing the small smile creeping on Zac's' face.

"Let's go, Power Rangers!"

____

The Garden of Eden was only a couple of streets away, so we only walked, the boys talked the whole way filling in the silence.

The Garden of Eden was a small restaurant located on the corner of two streets and the sound of chattering and laughter was audible from a street away. Chairs and tables lingered out the front of the restaurant, the bright lights of the restaurant gave an almost halo like appearance. The small restaurant was made with walls of a dark brown, an almost black, along with large glass windows circling around the restaurant. A wooden sign hung over the entrance of the restaurant reading 'The Garden of Eden', written in white cursive writing, the sign was surrounded by green vines.

I almost laughed when I read the sign, thinking that Zac was only exaggerating when he was calling the restaurant the Garden of Eden.

"Argh! Isn't it beautiful?" Zac spoke when we stood at the front. I watched his eyes glisten as he looked over the restaurant with appreciation. "I want to be married and buried here, okay guys? Make my wishes come true." Making us all laugh.

"Too bad you weren't born here," Emmett said making Zac look at him in shock.

"If only!" he laughed.

Wide steps lead to the large front door, which Emmett opened for all of us and I thanked him as I walked past.

"Hey beautiful!" Zac spoke, walking up to a woman and gave her a kiss on the cheek. The small pang of jealously rose in my chest, until I noticed her swollen belly.

"What are you doing working? You should be at home with your feet propped up," Zac spoke with affection laced within his voice.

"You're too kind, Zac," she smiled at him. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, only leaving a fringe to hang on her delicate round face. She wore a dark grey uniform that was very tight around her midsection.

"What are you doing here tonight, it's not Tuesday?" She laughed.

"We're celebrating the arrival of our new roommate!" Zac declared, looking over to me which made her gaze look over towards me.

"Oh! She's stunning," she smiled at me. "Hi, I'm Tracey, I'll be your waiter tonight and probably every Tuesday for the rest of your life," she laughed again, it was a nervous laugh but one that made everyone smile around her.

"So, just the usual tonight?" She looked over at all of us.

"Yes, please!" Zac spoke, cheerfully.

"Okay, well find a table and make yourself comfortable. It should be ready in fifteen minutes, give or take," she smiled a broad smile at all of us, brushing Emmett's shoulder as she walked past to go towards the kitchen.

We found a table next to the window, large enough for the four of us. Once I sat down, I placed my handbag on the back of my chair. Zac sat in front of me, Emmett to my left and Burney to my right.

"So, you come here every Tuesday?" I asked, not to anyone in particular.

"Yep!" Zac replied almost immediately while fiddling with his napkin.

"It's the only night that we all have off." Burney responded. "It started off as a once a month type of thing, but we liked it so much that we kept coming back," he laughed.

Tracey came back then with a bottle of red wine and four red wine glasses and placed them in front of us all and we thanked her individually when she poured us a glass of wine each.

"I would like to make a toast," Zac spoke with his glass raised in the air.

"Oh no," Emmet

Tracey comes over then holding two large bowels of spaghetti and places them in front of Burney and Zac, left and then came back with two other large bowels and placed them in front of Emmett and myself.

"I put extra parmesan cheese on it for you guys, just how you like it," Tracey laughed and put her hand on Zac's shoulder.

"Thanks, Trace! You're a saint," Zac said, already picking up his cutlery.

"Enjoy guys!" Tracey said, before walking away back into the kitchen area.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait, guys..." Zac said with his hands up to the guys next to him to stop them from eating. "The newbie needs to take the first bite..."

t said making us all laugh.

Zac looked over at Emmett with a pout, but he couldn't contain it for long as a broad smile broke over his face.

"Here's to our new roommate!" We all raised our glasses together to clink in the middle with a laugh.

"Thanks." I smiled over my cup after taking a large sip.

They all turned their heads towards me, their eyes eager and waiting.

I picked my fork up slowly trying to contain a straight face as I dig into the spaghetti slowly.

"Today, please, Ali!" Zac almost groaned, which made me laugh.

As soon as I placed the forkful of spaghetti into my mouth I moaned with appreciation.

"OH MY GOD!" I almost screamed at the boys.

Zac laughed, "It's good, right?"

I spooned another forkful into my mouth.

"It's like an orgasm in my mouth!"

The boys laughed and quickly dug into their meals. I didn't realise how hungry I was until I had my first mouthful and only a moment later the plate was clear. The boys soon finished their plates after me and we laughed as we licked the plates with our fingers.

"Here... drink up," Zac said while pouring me another glass.

After my third glass of wine, I was already feeling the alcohol go to my head and we were almost done with the bottle.

"The only problem we have with having another person in the house is that the bottle goes far more quickly," Zac laughed, his words were only slightly slurred. He poured Burney and Emmett the rest of the bottle before playing with it by spinning it on its bottom by holding the mouthpiece with his index finger.

Even Zac's hands were beautiful. His thin fingers were like a pianist, the knuckles slightly protruding his clear skin. His denim jacket was folded up his arms revealing his wrists and a lavish silver watch on his left hand. His eyes were casted down looking at his hands working with the bottle, his long eyelashes casting a shadow over his cheeks. His hair was messy and falling into his eyes. He was so naturally beautiful that it almost hurt to look at him.

He snapped his head up at me, like he knew I was looking at him, and I quickly looked away, grabbing my glass of wine and taking a swig of it.

"So, Ali, what have you got planned for the week?" Burney asked, he was only on his second glass- not that I was counting.

"Umm... I start work on Tuesday, but I- uh- I might start looking for a car during the week," I mattered, trying to look anywhere but at Zac sitting in front of me.

"Emmett mentioned you've been employed somewhere nearby?" Burney continued.

"I love it when he sounds so formal," Emmett chuckled, he didn't seem like the alcohol was affecting him at all.

"Yeah, I'm working at a bar called The Bar..." I spoke. Original name, I know. It took only one application, a bar license and two weeks to meet up with the owners to get a job there.

"Oh, I know the place, it's lovely there," Burney continued with the conversation.

"It is," I said, taking another sip of wine.

"Should we get another bottle?" Zac asked, still playing with the empty bottle.

"I don't think so," Emmett said, looking between the three of us. "I think it's time to go home. It's getting late," he laughed, before standing up and going to the front register to Tracey.

I watched him pay for the meal and then turned my eyes towards Zac in front of me, who was staring back at me, but instead of looking away he maintained the eye contact. I watched his eyes lower to my chest and then back up to my face, then he coughs in his throat and then shakes his head.

"Let's go!" Emmett said when he got back to our table.

We walked home with the boys bickering against each other, while I stood to the side and laughed when one of them pushed the other hard enough, they almost fell. Aside from Emmett, we all talked in a roar of drunkenness, I could barely even walk straight, but thankfully Emmett came to my rescue and put his hand around me to keep me stable. Once we rounded the corner, we came to a stop at the front of the house when Zac came to a halt.

"We need to complete the ritual for our new roomie," Zac spoke turning toward Burney with an all-knowing look in his eyes.

Burney put his hand into his pocket and fished out a small metal key and handed it over to Zac with a small smile on his face. Zac took it from him and held the key as if it were the most delicate thing in the world and turned to me with a serious look on his face.

"I hereby declare thee, Ali uh..." he paused and looked towards Emmett.

"Scott," Emmett leaned down to whisper loudly into Zac's ear.

"I hereby declare thee, Ali Scott, to be the fourth and final roommate we shall ever have."

The two other boys had their heads casted down as if they were in a prayer, but the large smiles that spread across their face gave them away.

"You may now kiss the bride," Zac tried to contain a laugh, but a snort came out and we all joined along in a laugh. He lifted up the key in the air as if it was the bread of Christ and placed it gently into my hands.

"Thank you," I laughed.

"After you." Zac moved aside and extended his hand to direct me towards the front door. I walked up the steps to the door and realised that none of the boys followed along with me but were waiting where they were. I slid the key into the keyhole and slowly turned before the door clicked open.

A roar of cheers erupted behind me and I looked behind me to see all the boys with their hands raised and jumping, which only made me laugh more.