Influence | A EIGHT

I'd experienced another stroke of luck as I got an early sighting of Shaun first thing Monday morning while heading to registration.

He was accompanied by two other boys but actually approached me to start a conversation. It seemed we were moving up from being merely geography acquaintances and I did my best to hide my excitement.

He talked about what he'd done over the weekend and then I did the same but of course, left out the whole unexpected visit. I hadn't even mentioned it to Ashton or Liam yet because I was having too much confusing thoughts on it all.

Our discussion moved along and not that I was counting every second (okay, I slightly was) but it had succeeded the length of our previous ones when Shaun received a rather vehement shoulder bump from a boy passing by.

"Watch it." Shaun snapped. It was the first time I'd heard his gentle voice take that kind of tone.

"Chill, mate. It was just an accident," said the boy. Yet the plain smirk did nothing but amplify that it was deliberate.

Shaun scoffed. "Yeah, right."

"Fine, be a twat about it. That's nothing new." Mr. Deliberate rolled his eyes and then they landed me. His grin stretched. "Well let me at least say you've improved your standards. Bravo. Nice buns,” he said in regards to my hairdo.

“Um, thanks.”

“I bet the ones at the back are even better.” His leering gaze raked over to my lower behind.

"Piss off, Hess." Shaun scowled. "She doesn't want your filthy hands anywhere near her."

"When did you become an expert on what girls want?" He retorted with a snide tilted head. Those bold blue eyes spared me one last glance with a wink and continued down the corridor.

The deep look of contempt was still vivid on Shaun's face for a few seconds as he watched the strange bloke descend and he tore his gaze, shaking his head. "Sorry about him, Stevie."

"It's okay," I replied, even if I didn't have a clue on what on earth had just happened.

"Don't mind anything he says, he flirts at any girl in sight."

I paused at that moment. Flirt? That rude guy was flirting at me? Jesus. It was slightly disappointing... or perhaps it differed between boys. What would Shaun flirting be like? I wondered.

Shaun misinterpreted my sudden silence in a different context. "N-Not that you're just any girl. I'm sure tons of guys would make a pass but, I mean—"

"It's alright. I get what you mean," I assured him.

Relief eased the tension on his shoulders as he exhaled while I took a mental note of how adorable he was when flustered. "Okay, good. It's just... that guy only has one intention when it comes to girls. I don't want you getting tangled up by him."

I smiled, sheepish. "Understood. Is um, there any more to it?"

"Mmm?"

"I got the hint that you share some kind of history with him.”

Shaun averted his gaze. "Yeah, I'd just rather not talk about it. Sorry."

"It's fine," I said.

"I should um, get going now. See you later?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

Our record breaking conversation ceased there and I watched longingly as he departed. Admittedly, I was disappointed he was keeping the issue with that Hess person private but I was sure he had his reasons. I could respect that. I wasn't someone he knew too well yet. However, I kept optimistic at the fact he was being protective over me. That meant something, right?

"Well, he seems nice."

The unwarned voice had me quizzical as to where it sprouted from. I peered behind me to see a particular face blemished by spots and shrieked. "Archie! What the heck! Were you spying on me?"

"No, I just happened to be passing by and didn't want to intrude on your little moment." He adjusted his hold on his backpack straps. "You totally fancy him, don't you?"

A dumb smile betrayed any attempts to deny it. "Yeah, so?"

"Oh, it's fine. I'm just quite intrigued by it. I'd guessed you'd be all over the Aces especially since you get more access to them as a part of Coeus. But I see not every female members share the same motives. I think I'll add this to the database."

At his aim to walk by, I blocked his path. "Hang on, what do you mean every female member? Are you talking about Amina?"

"Last time I checked, you're the only two females,” Archie replied.

"You're saying that Amina is into The Aces?"

"Yes, but mostly Garren Adler in particular."

I shot him a dubious look. "Um, I think you might want to check again." Perhaps Liam was right in advising the boy to try Specsavers.

"I'm not mistaken, Stevie," Archie insisted. "Amina Pahlavi is very cool and collective so she's not as obvious about it like the majority of the girls but I assure you, she's a fully devoted Garren-ite."

I blinked. "Garren-what now?"

"It's the name the members of his online fan page call themselves."

"Fan page?" I echoed, incredulous. "Okay, seriously Archie are you just taking a piss right now?"

Archie sighed, fishing out his phone. "Look, if you don't believe me then I'll send you the link to the website."

It under a minute, there was a ping from my phone to alert me of a message. I peered at the words of the web address, slowly raising my eyes back to Archie. "... You cannot be serious."

"Oh, I'm dead serious. Read it and weep." Those were his parting words as he shuffled along to his reg classroom.

I took another look at the link then shook my head, stuffing my phone away.

**

I popped in to the clubhouse in between my morning periods that day to return a book and if I happened to run into Callahan in the process, then it was purely coincidental. That was how I was going to justify the course of actions I was away to carry out. I'd been mulling over it since Saturday and maybe it was Poirot's influence causing me to poke my head around where it wasn't necessary. If so, then I needed confirmation in order for it to stop.

Although, I was going out on a limb in hoping Callahan would be able to provide me answers. I hardly knew the man but he'd been one out of the many attendants I'd encountered who didn't seem so robotic or cold. We'd exchange greetings naturally and once he'd even cracked a joke. So I felt more accustomed to his presence and I trusted he wouldn't question if I asked him certain enquiries. I only hoped my crazy theory would soon be diminished.

Involuntarily, I tensed when the door was opened by a female attendant who had the captain beside her. He didn't seem to notice my reaction though and greeted me with his trademark smile. "Oh, hi Stevie."

"Hi,” I replied. "Off to the garden?"

"Yeah. Thought I'd get some fresh air. You?"

"Library."

He nodded. "Great. Glad to see you're exerting yourself in the club provisions."

"Well, there's a lot of good reads," I replied.

I noticed the attendant slightly shift in her posture and with an expression of restlessness. Clearly, she wanted our conversation to hurry up to be done with so she could close the door.

"Um, I'll be going now."

"Hang on, wait." Michael stopped me. "I am aware that you weren't very eager to join Coeus and I know there are some members that can make it quite a hard place to be in."

"... You mean like, Garren?"

"No. Okay, yes," he admitted.

No matter how subtle he tried to be, it was more than obvious who he was referring to as there was only one person Michael would worry might deter me from being in the club. I suspected this topic was evoked by the dispute that occurred at the brief club meeting earlier on.

Comic Relief was hosting a game show to feature secondary schools competing in a series of quizzes all in the spirit of the upcoming Red Nose Day. It sounded great and entertaining to all except Garren Adler. He refused to attend and Michael didn't take it lightly this time. He threatened Garren that if he didn't participate, he'd be suspended from the club for a month.

Garren snapped. There was a lot of cursing and shouting then he stormed out after unnecessarily shoving poor Andrew to the floor irrespective of the fact he hadn't been in the way.

"I know you've probably heard the rumours of previous members resigning due to Garren," Michael began.

"Yeah, but those are just rumours right?"

Michael pursed his lips. "No, not exactly."

My eyes widened. "He really drove out six members?"

"Not all six. Three were Year Eleven's and got acceptances or offers to universities so they didn't want to bother postponing for a year. Then the others... " Michael rubbed his temples. "There was constant complaints about Garren's attitude and they'd lash out at me because they felt I was favouring Garren. They were always rebelling like being absent to meetings or ignoring my instructions, making the atmosphere hostile and tense. Eventually, they threatened to resign if I didn't kick out Garren. I refused because he was at least contributing to the club so... yeah."

"Wow..." I frowned. "I had no idea that something like that happened. I'm so sorry you were put in that kind of a position."

Michael coolly shrugged. "Everything can't always be easy but I didn't want to make decisions only to satisfy people who place personal feelings before what's best for the club. Garren can be unbelievably difficult but no one should be deprived from being a part of what they love. So I sincerely hope you can overlook those things and stay in Coeus."

"... Of course." I flashed him a reassuring smile.

It had been an unexpected talk but it cleared up some foggy thoughts in my head. I felt grateful to be in a club with such an open-minded leader. I was beginning to consider aborting my theory as Michael wheeled forward and swerved to proceeded down the slated path, when the Garfield keychain on his backpack strapped to him slipped during the turn.

"Captain, hang on. Your keychain..." I started for the toy as it rolled along the cement grounding.

It halted under Michael's footplate and I crouched down to seize the item. Then as my eyes lifted, they took notice of something very peculiar. I hadn't realised I was staring wordlessly until Michael called out to me.

"Stevie? You okay?"

"Uh, yeah. Fine. Good." I hastily rose to my feet and handed him the keychain.

"Thanks." Michael smiled.

I couldn't even look him in the eyes as I nodded then disappeared into the large domain, allowing the attendant to end her long await. I snuck one last look at the captain before the door sealed.

Navigating the busy passageways of the dinning hall during rush hour was a torturous ordeal. Shoulders bashing, constantly evading tipping desserts or hot drinks held by uncoordinated kids because a replacement was not affordable if a stain wouldn’t wash out.

Besides The Aces, this was the first downside in joining a club. It meant leaving later than the general student body and stuck catching lunch during the hazardous period with the rest of the late comers.

I wondered how I would get used to this everyday as I reached the table my friends were occupied. My new schedule meant they were stuck changing their own. I tried to insist I was fine not meeting up but I was kidding myself in thinking those two would be fine letting me sit alone.

It was apparently, social suicide to be caught committing such an act. I wasn’t ready to confess that through my early school days, I was a repeated offender and we agreed to have our lunches together later.

Recently though, I'd discovered they'd be engrossed in conversation and once I'd appear, I'd sense a shift in the mood. As if they had altered the topic. I'd tell myself to disregard it because I had no idea how to tackle a scenario such as that.

Thankfully, that odd feeling didn't surface that day when I located the two. I had enough on my mind as it was. All at once, an arm slid along my shoulder and I turned my gaze to lock onto gorgeous, dark brown eyes.

"Hey," Amina greeted.

Getting used to her presence, I didn’t freeze up anymore and casually returned the greeting. “Hey.”

"How do you like your pizza? Spicy? Cheesy or lots of meat?"

Her random seeming question had me delayed. "Uh, any is fine. Why?"

"Me and my mates are heading out to eat. I was wondering if you'd wanna come along."

My mouth hung. "Y-Y-You want me to come?"

Still had to work on the stutter part.

"Yeah, sure. I don't feel like we get enough girl bonding time in that male dominated clubhouse," She stated. "Not to mention with Garren making it extremely toxic with that fit he had today." Amina shook her head in disapproval. "Stuck-up brat."

At hearing that, I was more than confident to throw it in Archie's face how wrong he had her. "Yeah, he is," I mumbled.

Amina's smile widened. "So, you in or what?"

I bit my lip. "Um..." My eyes shifted back to the table where my friends had now seen me and were shooting me quizzical stares.

"It's okay if you've got other plans."

"No, no." I shook my head. "I mean, it's not exactly like that. Can I just talk to my friends to let them know?"

Amina nodded. "Sure."

Her hand gently patted my shoulder as if a cue for me to resume. I was speedily making a beeline to Liam and Ashton who looked very eager at what I had to say.

"So, what was that about?" Liam was first to prompt.

"Amina invited me to go eat out with her mates."

The pair turned to each other with raised brows then back at me, hands over their lips in a dramatic fashion.

"Oh my, is our dear Stevie being asked out on a date?" chirped Ashton.

"It appears so," replied Liam.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. So do you guys mind...?"

"'Course not. Go ahead," Ashton answered. "I'll sustain myself with Liam's bland company."

"And I'll continue to keep Ashton from looking like the loner she is."

That earned him a punch in the arm and now that I had been granted permission, I was all ready to turn round. Only for a hand to cuff my elbow to interfere.

The brawny figure of Ben McCoy towered over me as he grinned. "Sup."

I was too taken aback in surprise at his materialisation by my side that I didn't answer straight away. Liam and Ashton appeared to be in the same state as me while Ben spoke to them. "I'm gonna borrow Stevie for a bit, you mind? Great."

Without any further ado, Ben hauled me away from my friends who just watched in befuddlement. Numerous other pairs of eyes grew attracted to the sight of the Ace member casually pulling me by hand through the area.

Although this time, people were automatically moving out of his way, ensuing a very tame walk to the upper platform of the canteen. I'd know of this particular spot The Aces were known to frequently dine at. Thinking over it, I hadn’t thought it was bizarre they managed to claim such a great spot when designated to rush hour period. Until now.

There definitely had to be some underhanded trick behind it.

Garren was sat with arms crossed while Will was eyeing me with an amused smile. "Hey, Stevie."

"Uh, hi,” I said out of politeness.

It wasn’t awkward to be near their dark haired leader after what went down on the weekend. Though, the exposure had me recalling moments where odd and unexplainable feelings were flowing inside me.

Will leaned on his elbows with that naturally born graceful manner of his. "So is it true?"

My brows knitted. "Is what true?"

"That you reconsidered being an Ace."

"Go ahead and tell the prick, since for some reason my word isn't legitimate enough," Garren demanded.

I darted between the two boys and answered. "I did not say I would reconsider. I said, I would try getting to know each other as club associates."

"See? Same difference," Garren proclaimed.

"It is?" inquired Ben.

"Um, no," I notified him. "No, it's not."

"You hesitated, that means it's a yes," Garren argued back.

Will rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair. "I knew it."

"How is that any different than reconsidering?" Garren pressed.

"I should never have said anything," I muttered. Why had I even let him have that leeway? What on earth was going on in my head?

"Well how long do you plan to stand there? Sit," Garren ordered.

Ben pulled out a chair beside him for me to occupy like a gentleman, as if he hadn't dragged me forcefully just a moment ago.

"But I'm—"

"Just for a bit, Stevie,” Will cut me off. "Humour us." A pleading look in his gaze and he was no doubt doing those doe eyes on purpose.

It shouldn't have been anything worth contemplating— downright wavering on. Except, I was. Feeling the weight of spectating peers and the three most influential boys in my year, my legs succumbed. I settled down in the offered seat.

Before I could even start questioning my own illogical decision, I surveyed the lower platform.

Liam and Ashton looked gobsmacked yet all I could respond with was a tentative shrug. It would be classified as lacking but it expressed my emotions better than any sentence because I had no clue what I'd say afterwards.

Then I peered to Amina.

Her gaze was chilling. Frankly, frightening. Those beautiful brown eyes of hers were slit to a menacing glower that made goosebumps shoot along my skin. It seemed so unreal and when I blinked, the next thing I saw was the back view of Amina storming out of the premises, friends following suit.