Shirley scoffed. "I'd have to be out of my mind to date someone like Dexter!"
"What about you two? Anything going on?"
The group chatted casually as they made their way toward the buffet restaurant.
Shirley was incredibly curious about everyone's love lives.
Claire was the first to state that she was an engaged woman, focusing solely on her college studies without any distractions.
Sophia and Grant exchanged a loaded glance.
The two of them were definitely hiding something.
Shirley narrowed her eyes at them. "Don't tell me you both found someone."
While Sophia was still hesitating, Grant boldly grabbed her hand. "That's right, we're together!"
Claire choked on her saliva, coughing into her fist.
Shirley's eyes went wide. "I was asking if you guys were dating other people, I didn't expect you to keep it in the friend group!"
"It's been a whole semester, and you kept it completely under wraps!"
Claire teased them as well. "Even I didn't know. When did you two fall for each other?"
This time, Sophia took the initiative to speak. "Over the New Year holiday, we went on a road trip and ran into a couple of street punks."
Claire and Shirley stared at Sophia, asking in unison, "What kind of punk would dare mess with you?"
They must have had a death wish!
"Pfft-" Sophia burst out laughing. "They didn't mess with me, they went after Grant!"
"Hahaha—" Claire and Shirley couldn't hold back their laughter either.
Even Dexter chuckled, looking Grant up and down.
His sister's classmate was indeed good-looking, but he had a very delicate, gentle vibe that made him look like an easy target.
If some guys tried to pick on him, it actually made perfect sense.
Grant's ears burned red, and he wished the floor would swallow him whole.
As luck would have it, they were in an elevator with three strangers.
The three strangers gave Grant a thorough look, clearly struggling to stifle their own amusement.
"Alright, alright, stop laughing!"
Grant's face was completely flushed.
What a nightmare. He knew they shouldn't have told anyone about this.
Sophia didn't care about her
boyfriend's embarrassment. "I beat
the crap out of those two putet
he probably felt pretty safe with me."
"That is absolutely not it!" Grant quickly shot back. "I just love Sophia's personality."
"Didn't you used to say she was like a tomboy?" Claire reminded him.
Before Sophia could even glare at him, Grant vehemently denied it.
"I just think she's delightfully authentic!"
They bantered for a few more minutes before reaching the restaurant.
Grant was dispatched to wait in line while the rest of them sat outside, nibbling on snacks.
Claire tried to pay, but Grant and Sophia teamed up to stop her.
"Let Grant handle the bill for this one. Consider it a treat from both of us."
Well, with Sophia phrasing it like that, everyone exchanged a knowing smile.
Claire and Shirley decided not to fight them for the check.
"Grant stole our Sophia away, so it's only right that he pays!"
They ate and chatted for about two hours.
They still hadn't run out of things to talk about.
Since they were completely stuffed, the group headed out for a walk.
It wasn't until ten o'clock that they reluctantly called it a night.
Shirley chased after Claire, insisting on going back to her place for a sleepover.
Claire happily agreed.
As a result, a pitiful Dexter was left to head home alone.
Yes, he had to catch a cab all by himself!
He watched his sister and cousin stroll away without a care in the World
filled with impotent ranet
Have a little heart, you two
Shirley crashed at Claire's place, keeping her up with endless chatter
until they finally fell asleep at
midnight.
The next day, both of them slept in.