She nodded, smiling slightly. “Is it that hard to remember the names of the girls he brings back?”
Moira let out a burst of laughter and even Ryan couldn’t hold back the small smile. “No, that’s not it. We’ve heard a lot about you and I wanted to make sure I got your name right.”
“That and Gary has never brought someone back before.” Moira smirked at him before going back to her game.
Ryan grinned, unable to resist but decided it would be best to disappear before Gary got annoyed at being laughed at. “I’ll go get some drinks.”
“See? Told you. Responsible host, isn’t he?” Moira winced slightly as Ryan ruffled her hair as he walked passed, shaking her head to get it out of her eyes again with a frustrated grumble.
Kay smiled awkwardly as the last member of their group Liam wandered up to her, not entirely sure how to react to him just yet. “Hi?”
Liam grinned at her, alleviating any uncomfortable atmosphere. “Gary’s told us all about you-”
“Only good things I hope.” Kay grinned, teasing, though she almost regretted it when he took a step closer.”
“Of course! He only ever said good things. I hope you stay around- if you like us that is. You sound like a nice person-” He paused as Ryan called for him in the kitchen.
“Go on, Kay’s not going to have disappeared by the time you get back.” Gary grinned, shaking his head at the obvious dilemma in the other’s head.
“K.” Liam grinned before running off to follow the shouting.
Kay walked slowly into the room, looking around curiously as she did so. “So, what is this place anyway? You said it was your hideaway but…” She gave a soft grimace of distaste at the old place. “It’s not exactly appealing is it?”
Gary shrugged behind her, leaning against the doorframe. “Maybe not, but it’s our place and a place no one would come looking for us.”
“Looking for you?” Kay tilted her head, confused and suddenly alert.
“He might not have told you but we all come from rich families. You know the ‘follow the rules and join the family business’ types.” Kay turned as Moira spoke, one hand up in a flourish to accentuate her words. “So this place is kind of…where no one would think to come looking for us. Our getaway area I guess.”
Kay nodded. “Huh, I can see that.” She looked around again, a soft smirk on her face. “Who would think rich boys – and girls would ever be in a place like this.” Her smirk widened slightly at the glare she got from Gary but she feigned ignorance and sauntered over to glance over Moira’s shoulder at whatever she was playing. Her eyes widened. “That isn’t out for a while yet, how did you get this?”
Moira looked up at her, with a small chuckle. “How do you think? Money does wonders after all…you want a copy?”
Kay frowned at the admittance. “No it’s fine, I think I can wait.”
The other girl shrugged. “If you say so.”
Kay turned her observations from the room to its occupants, noting how the two fit together on the seat; how Moira settled back down and without a hint of complaint the guy beneath her shifted to be more comfortable. She quirked an eyebrow, her inquisitiveness getting the better of her. “You two an item or something?”
Moira’s face scrunched up at the mere thought. “Uh, No. We’re just friends, have been since we were born or something like that. If you want the lovebirds of the group, they’re in there.” She jerked her head back, motioning towards the door the other two had gone through.
Kay leant backwards to peek through the doorway, smiling as she saw the two on the other side goofing around. They had most definitely forgotten about whatever it was they were actually supposed to be doing, not that it seemed anyone minded at all.
“Though if you do ever meet anyone else we know, which is doubtful, don’t say anything about that.”
Kay tilted her head slightly, her smile shifting. “Why?”
“No one else knows, and it would be hard for them to tell their parents especially as Liam’s are trying to marry him off to some girl so that they can bring the companies together.”
“Ahh…that’s sad.” Kay looked back through the doorway, feeling sorry for the couple. “But they’re going to have to say something at some point, right?”
Moira shrugged. “Yeah, we know but when they do is up to them, isn’t it?”
“Of course.” Kay smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring manner as even the ever quiet James seemed to watch her for the correct answer. She shuffled her way back across the room as the pair seemed to accept this answer and went back to lounging.
Gary looked up as she came close, trying to act nonchalant about everything. “So what do you think? I mean, I know it is a bit run down and all…” He pretended to be insulted by her earlier words, sniffing sadly.
Kay laughed brightly. “Yeah, maybe it is. But the company more than makes up for that.”
Gary brightened at those words. “You think so?”
Kay nodded. “You’ve got some good friends here.” She smirked, unable to hold back a snarky comment. “But the five of you even contemplating you could be some intimidating gang is beyond me.” She cracked up at his indignant look and the small grumble from the couch behind her.
Chapter: 4. Silence
Sound doesn’t penetrate mirrors. If you are directly in front of one then lip reading may be possible. But even then there may be a mistranslation across the surface.
Therefore an act may look like the same scene is being played out, but the conversation might be entirely different.
Though these conversations and interactions may inevitably lead to the same destination.
Kay frowned as she entered ‘the base’ as she’d decided to call it not long after her first visit. Moira had come to pick her up from work today, which was unusual to say the least. The girl had shrugged nonchalantly though with a ‘thing’s had come up unexpectedly’ so she hadn’t argued. She’d slowly begun to get used to coming here after work, a thing she’d never expected to happen. She’d never expected the invitation to last further than that first day, never thought they’d actually accept her enough that Gary had once again arrived, this time when she finished work, the following day and every day thereafter to pick her up and take her to see them, if only for an hour or so some days. It wasn’t just up to them though; they’d made it clear on that first day that if she wanted to leave she could and she wouldn’t have to deal with them again but by that point she was intrigued by their lives. The excitement rubbing off on her as she slowly got to know the other members of the Stormchasers over the passing weeks.
She looked around as Moira walked past her and nodded, smiling knowingly as she went over to her usual place on the sofa where, as per usual, she found the comfiest seat on James. Kay had decided Moira was one step ahead of the boys at all time, not that they had any inclining of this. She liked to get her own way, not that Kay could blame her; her ideas, though reckless, were usually innovative and when questioned she’d have already thought steps ahead of them to counteract their arguments. In those cases she would concede if the others pointed out something she hadn’t thought of but if it was a usual matter, like one of the other guys testing her patience, she could usually be found putting those inventive skills into pranking them mercilessly instead. Not that Kay had seen too much of this side of her yet but she had been told about a few pranks that had made her crack up. Her laughter growing at the disgruntled faces of the other members as she giggled, obviously agreeing with Moira that it was a suitable punishment.
Her eyes trailed next over James who caught her gaze and nodded at her from his seat as he shifted over slightly for Moira before looking down once again at whatever he was reading. James was the quiet one of the group; the one that seemed like he was slightly out of focus most of the time, which had at first confused Kay, considering he was meant to be their leader. But over the weeks it had become apparent that he was actually listening and observing instead of in
teracting and so probably knew a lot more than he let on on a normal basis. Watching them plan a mission as they called it had drawn a conclusion to this suspicion when the group turned as one to him to check his input on the 20 minute discussion they’d been having. He’d made it clear that he’d taken all their points into account before weighing up his options and coming up with a plan that incorporated them. Kay smiled, he didn’t only pay attention to the situations but came up with a compromise to suit everyone. It had also helped that he’d shocked her by warming up to her a bit on her second visit and remembered enough to spark up a semblance of a conversation even with only a word or two exchanged between them the first time they’d met.
Kay turned, walking towards the kitchen, having nothing better to do and smiled as she came across Liam. Liam was like a breath of fresh air whenever she saw him, always happy to chat about anything and everything. He seemed like he could bounce back from anything and his smile was infectious.
Liam turned as he heard footsteps, his normal grin seeming slightly strained which alerted her that something was wrong instantly. “Hey, you. How you been?”
“You saw me literally yesterday.” Kay rolled her eyes in good humour before she frowned at the lack of response. It took a second for her to notice she hadn’t seen Ryan or Gary yet and wondered whether that had anything to do with the way Liam was acting. Wondered whether there was more to why Moira had picked her up, with a small nervous pit in her stomach. “Umm, where are-?” She didn’t have time to continue before a loud thud echoed from upstairs, along with what sounded like raised voices but she couldn’t make out what was being said. She raised an eyebrow, the nervous pit disappearing. “Never mind. I’ll hazard a guess they’re upstairs.”
There was a chuckle behind her the front room and kitchen close enough to talk from room to room from. Moira grinned cattishly from the sofa. “It’s harder to hear an argument when it’s upstairs. Ryan thought they should have some privacy for this particular one apparently.”
Kay hummed thoughtfully. “An argument about what exactly?” The room went almost static with the sudden tense quiet which made her freeze in realisation. “I’ll take this silence as they’re arguing either has something to do with me or it’s something they don’t want me to hear...that about cover it?”
“Hmm?” Moira tried to act like she had no idea what she was on about. A feigned innocence settled around the three of them that she wasn’t buying.
She scowled as no one actually agreed or contradicted her, still deciding it was best to stay in this awkward limbo. “Fine, either way there’s only one thing to do.” She walked over to the stairs before they could register what she was up to, deciding that if they were talking about her, she had a right to know. She snuck up quietly, wincing at even the smallest noise the stairs made under her before slipping silently next to the doorframe.
“I can’t believe you’re honestly thinking about doing this.” Kay could hear the angry exasperation in Ryan’s voice as he snapped, though he had obviously calmed down enough from whatever Gary had told him to no longer be shouting. That or he’d realised they might be able to hear him downstairs, his voice quiet and waspish.
“Well, I have thought about it. I think it’s a good plan.” Gary sounded defensive and sulky at the way the other was acting, like he hadn’t expected this reaction.
“You’re making a mistake, involving her in thi-” Ryan stopped as Liam called from downstairs, much to Kay’s annoyance as she knew he’d done it purely to cut her eavesdropping short. “We’ll talk about this later, Gary.”
“No, we won’t. I’m going to tell everyone else now, we don’t have much time and you know that.” Gary opened the door to find Kay trying to make a hasty retreat downstairs and pretend, unsuccessfully, that she hadn’t been listening in. Gary blinked for a few seconds before giving her a smug knowing look, obviously unperturbed by the turn of events. “How long have you been standing out here, Kay?” He saw Ryan stiffen out of the corner of his eye as he walked through the door.
Kay shrugged, hoping she didn’t look too guilty. “Not long, only a few minutes. I got worried when I heard shouting, that’s all.” She looked over Gary’s shoulder at Ryan as if concerned for them but just eager to make it appear she hadn’t heard anything that had been mentioned. “Is everything OK?”
Gary sighed as Ryan walked past him without saying a word, just a poignant look. “Yeah, everything will be fine.”
~~~~
“So, where’re the other two hiding?” Kay looked around the living area of the hideout when it was clear two of their number were missing. She’d been confused since Moira turned up at her work but she hadn’t felt the need to ask, assuming there must be a reason for it. It wasn’t like she minded spending time with Moira or the other two; she got along with them great and was hoping that she was slowly getting to know them better with all the time she’d spent visiting them. She nodded at James in greeting before making her way to the kitchen area, smiling to herself as she heard more than saw Moira flop against him.
“Hey.” Liam grinned at her from the kitchen though his eyes kept drifting towards the stairs behind her in obvious annoyed curiosity.
Kay raised an eyebrow at the action. “I was going to ask where Ryan and Gary were again but I’m guessing they’re upstairs?”
Liam nodded before shrugging and going back to washing up, sniffing in an offended manner. “Gary asked Ryan for a word about something.” He pouted slightly. “I wanna know what they’re up to but he said he only wanted to talk to Ryan about whatever it was.”
Kay grinned mischievously. “Well then. Should I go find out?” She darted up the stairs hearing a quiet whine behind her from Liam as he tried unsuccessfully to get her to come back down as well as an amused ‘go for it’ from Moira. She snuck up softly and headed down the first corridor as silently as possible, listening intently. She paused triumphantly at a door as she heard voices coming from inside.
“Are you sure about this?” Ryan’s voice sounded intrigued and a tad disbelieving.
Kay froze as she heard a shuffling sound, thinking it was one of them coming towards the door. She gave a relieved exhale when it appeared to be just one of them fidgeting. There was a hint of embarrassment in Gary’s voice when he replied. “Yeah, I’m sure. You don’t think it’s a good idea then?”
“No, no, I think it’s a great idea.”
Kay tilted her head, her head buzzing with speculations about what they could be talking about before zoning back in with a wince as she moved her foot and made a floorboard groan loudly. She looked up sheepishly as the door opened, knowing she’d been caught red-handed.
“How long have you been there?”
Kay giggled guiltily, her hands fidgeting nervously in front of her. “Not long enough to know what you’re talking about unfortunately.” She shrugged, knowing that telling the truth was probably better in this situation, even if it bugged her. “Liam was curious, I took the initiative.” Her grin faltered as Ryan stiffened and walk straight past her. “Don’t be too hard on him, it wasn’t his fault he couldn’t stop me.”
Gary sighed endearingly after his friend. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. Ryan’s too nice to actually get mad at him. He’ll just scold him for almost ruining it.”
“Ruining it?” Kay narrowed her eyes at him when he didn’t respond. “So…do I get to know what that was all about?” She trailed after him as he walked down the stairs.
“You’ll find out soon enough, don’t worry.” He smirked, ignoring the rest of her questions.
The differing conversations can also have an adverse effect on the atmosphere surrounding it.
A picture can paint a thousand words.
But not all of them are necessarily correct.
The time seemed to trickle past slowly as the four people who weren’t privy to the private conversation waited for one of them to actually tell them what had happened. They had tried to slip away from it, the conversatio
ns drifting back and forth but each always ended in a pregnant pause as they waited for someone else to fill the void.
The six of them ended up sat in the main living area of the hideout, most of them curiously glancing at Gary who was fidgeting restlessly. He would look up every so often as if he was ready before thinking better of it and shaking his head, glancing away again. Only Ryan was looking impassive throughout all this though he was trying to keep a smile off of his face as far as the others could tell.
“Gary, can you please just tell us what’s going on?” Kay sighed as she sat on the floor, her back against the sofa, flicking through a magazine that she’d found in the hopes it would curb her curiosity. It had failed miserably. She tried not to grin as Liam’s face lit up or as Moira’s eyes flicked over to Gary again even though she was pretending, unsuccessfully, to be more interested in her game again like the first time they’d met.
Gary opened his mouth as if to answer before closing it again with a snap. He turned to James as if trying to stall for time, his smile forced. “Hey, James, do you still have those tickets?”
James frowned before reaching over for his bag and pulling out what Kay could only assume were the tickets Gary was talking about though they looked much more like high class invitations to her. “These?”
Moira snorted as Gary nodded, looking unimpressed at the tickets. “I don’t know why they still give us those; it’s not like they don’t know who we are and that we’ll be going regardless.”
“It’s so we can bring guests.” Gary spoke in a rush as if scared he might back out if he didn’t say it fast enough.
“Oh.” The simultaneous answer from Liam, whose eyes lit up again in understanding and Moira, who smirked as well, made Kay frown.
“Am I missing something here?” She thought she understood but playing clueless, she thought, might give her more answers more quickly. “What are the invitations for?”
Mirror Land Page 3