"Looks who's finally here," my mom sang cheerfully as she walked into the dining room first.

"Finally," I heard a familiar voice said.

Declan instantly growled at the sound, but I tugged his sleeve for him to keep quiet. He stopped, but his gaze hardened now. I walked into the dining room next, meeting Raymond's eyes first. He wore a blue varsity jacket over a white shirt with some band I don't recognize. He was slumping in his chair, having his long legs spread out, showing his black jeans that ended with some black converse.

He smirked, hanging an arm over the back of a chair. "I was starting to think you were never going to-" Raymond suddenly choked when he saw who walked in, nearly falling out of his seat.

My dad and Raymond's parents who were having a conversation paused. Curious of what got Raymond so choked up, they looked up to us.

I smiled, innocently. "Raymond, I think you know my friends. Bennett, Declan and Jordan."

None of them acknowledged Raymond's existence who stared at them with his mouth ajar.

"Raymond dear," Mrs. Meyers scolded. "Don't do that, it's quite rude to treat Naomi's friends like that."

He closed his mouth and his cheeks flushed. "Yes mother."

Declan snorted to himself, saying nothing. Jordan looked at me and mocked Raymond by mouthing, 'yes mother.' Bennett didn't do anything. He was just looking around the room, taking in his surroundings.

My dad got from his seat and cleared his throat. "Naomi's friends," he said, unsurely, "please, take a seat."

I looked at the table and instantly saw a problem. The dining room table can only fit for eight and there were nine of us. The table had three chairs on either length of the table, while there were chairs at the ends. My dad sat at one end of the table, since the host always sat at the end as a tradition we did. My mom sat at the right hand of my dad, Raymond was two chairs away from her. Raymond's dad was at my dad's left side with his wife to his left. But then I noticed that at one side of the table, my dad must have brought another chair for one of us to seat.

The guys looked up to me. I looked back at them. This was the only thing we didn't think of. We didn't think of who will sit where. Don't panic, I told myself and sat down right opposite of Raymond. I want to sit as far away from him as possible for once, unlike the many times we were forced to sit next to each other. Jordan sat between my mom and Raymond, probably wanting to give a good impression on my mom and put Raymond in check. Bennett sat at the end of the table, right across from my dad. And Declan sat at Bennett's right hand, next to me.

If no one got what I just said, which I'm pretty sure no one did, I'll put it more simply. There are nine chairs on a rectangular table. There is one chair at each end of the table, four on one side and three at the other. My dad sat at one end of the table while Bennett sat at the other end. At the four-chair side to the left of my dad, there were Raymond's dad, Raymond's mom, me then Declan. At the three-chair side, there was my mom, Jordan then Raymond.

Got it? Good.

Everyone awkwardly looked at one another. The parents looked at the guys, the guys looked at the parents and Raymond. Raymond was looking at the guys. I was looked at everyone. And my mom was just plain happy.

She clapped her hands together. "Let's get dinner started, shall we?"

Bennett cleared his throat and stood up from his seat. "Let me help you, Ms- I mean, Marisa."

"Isn't he such a gentleman?" My mom sighed. "Of course you can, sweetie, just follow me to the kitchen."

She got up from her seat and walked through the door towards the kitchen. Bennett silently got up from his seat and followed right behind her. In seconds, my mom came out the kitchen holding the main course of the duck with the sauce I told her to make. Bennett walked back into the room with trays of dishes on his arms. He looked like one of those professional waiters who could carry a bunch of tray at the same time with only two hands. On his right arm, he had the beef casserole, dinner rolls, and salad. At the other arm were a whole pile of the plates and eating utensils.

Bennett casually placed the plates of food one by one at the middle of the table. His face held no emotion, it was just calm. As if he did this many times before and isn't worried at all for accidentally spilling to food or tripping on his feet. When he was done, he put the plates in front of us with the eating utensils at a blink of an eye. Before I could process what just happened, Bennett was already back at his seat.

My dad picked up the knife and started to carve the duck. "This duck looks delicious, I can't wait to-"

He was suddenly cut off when my mom slapped his hand away.

"What did you do that for?" My dad practically whined.

"We have to say grace," my mom scolded at him.

My dad frowned at this then sighed. "Of course, everyone... join hands."

My face paled. I forgot about this part of the dinner too. I'm on a bit of a roll here. The memories of Raymond and I being forced to hold hands as we said grace. The times he always ate food as everyone closed their eyes and then blame me for doing it. My fists clenched at the memory.

A hand appeared in front of me. I looked up to see it was Declan's. He looked a bit flustered doing this, but determined. I took his hand with my left while Raymond's mom took my other hand. Declan took Bennett's hand, but not as willingly as he did with me. He muttered something to himself on how stupid he feels right now. Everyone else began to clasp hands together for grace. Everyone except Jordan, Raymond, and Bennett.

Jordan looked at me, and I could easily knew what he was saying. This is some kind of joke right?

My mom answered this for him as she took Jordan's hand as her other hand held my dad's. "And when he means everyone, he means everyone. I know you boys don't like the hand holding, but just work with it."

Raymond, Bennett, Jordan and Declan looked at each for what seemed to be a long time. Finally they begrudging gave in and held out each other's hands. It would have been funny if I wasn't more scared. Jordan and Bennett held Raymond's hands while giving him death glares. Raymond seemed to shrink in fear under their glares, and looked down at the table to avoid their terrifying gazes. When Jordan and Bennett want to be scary, they can be scary.

My mom turned to Jordan. "Jordan, may you do the honors of saying grace?"

Jordan's eyes that were glaring at Raymond suddenly brightened, a smile being plastered on his face. "Why, I'll be honored, Marisa."

Everyone automatically closed their eyes. Jordan cleared his throat before saying grace.

"To the big guy upstairs..." Jordan began with a smile in his voice, "We know that without a doubt, this food will be blessed as we pig out."

We all chuckled at his rhyming grace, and simultaneously opened our eyes. Everyone started to dig in to the delicious food my mom prepared for us, pigging out as Jordan put it. My dad carved the duck like he wanted to in the first place, while everyone scooped the beef casserole, salad and grabbed dinner rolls for themselves. Every man for himself for getting the food while it lasted. The guys were enjoying the food, stacking their plates with the food.

"This is awesome!" Jordan exclaimed, taking another bite of his food.

Declan groaned as he ate his dinner roll. "How did you cook this so well?"

Bennett smiled at my mom. "This is very delicious, Marisa."

My mom blushed and waved the guys off. "You three are so sweet! Naomi, where did you get them?"

Finally, something I was expecting. I swallowed what I was eating and said, "They're from my school. They're new to this school, so I decided to give than a tour and we just became friends."

"Really?" My mom said, suddenly turning to Raymond. "Are you friends with them too, Raymond?"

The four of us, Bennett, Jordan, Declan and I narrowed our eyes at him. If he even thought of messing this, he won't live to see the next day. Raymond must be smarter than he looks, because he got the message.

Raymond pushed his food with his fork, not bothering to look up. "I've seen them around, but we never really talked," he mumbled.

"Raymond dear, don't play with your food, Marisa worked very hard to make this," his mom scolded.

His cheeks brightened. "Yes, mother."

Raymond's mom looked at my mom. "Marisa, this really is a delicious dinner. I doubt I'll ever be able to top this."

My mom's smiled widened, her eyes sparkling.

"But that doesn't mean I won't try," she added with a wink.

"Oh, don't worry, Celia," my mom assured her. "I'm sure you'll find a way to top this. One way or another."

Their husbands shook their heads. Then they explained to the guys.

"Celia and Marisa have always been like this." My dad told them.

Raymond's dad, Philip, continued, "It's perfectly normal for them to be this competitive."

"I remember back in college how competitive they always were." My dad reminded Raymond's.

"Oh right!" He said. "Remember how they would always race each other in track?"

"Or during the mid-terms?" He asked. "When they both turned in their tests in a tie in all of their classes?"

"And how about the time they-?"

"Enough with the past memories already!" My mom scolded to the two of them. "That's all in the past now, no need to embarrass us in front of the kids."

"Yes," Raymond's mom agreed. "The only thing we're competitive now is who can cook the best dinner and the bet that Raymond and Naomi will be together."

Raymond and I choked on our food at the same time. We quickly grabbed our glasses of water and chugged it down.

Jordan smiled nervously. "Can you repeat that, please?"

"The only thing we're competitive now is who can cook the best dinner," his mom repeated.

"No, the other thing."

"Oh!" She said, getting it. "You mean, the bet that Raymond and Naomi will be together?"

"Yeah, that's it."

Now all three of their eyes were on me. I started to see what it was like to be Raymond right now. Getting on their bad side wasn't the best thing in the world. The adults weren't paying attention to us, but were continuing their lively conversation of high school memories.

"Since when were you and Raymond were a thing?" Jordan hissed at me.

"Never!" The both of us answered, then turning to glare at one another.

"Then what is with the together thing, then?" Bennett demanded, shooting a glare at Raymond.

"Well, besides our parents thinking the two of us are friends," I said.

"They thought it would be great if we were a couple too," Raymond finished.

"I want to gag, but I don't want to because Marisa's food is to delicious," Jordan said.

Declan grunted. "I lost my appetite, but I'm still hungry for her food."

"I feel the same way every time I look at her," he growled at me.

"Right back at you," I growled back.

"How can they not notice this?" Declan asked, referring to the insults we were giving each other.

I shook my head sadly. "They're so caught up with their perfect fantasy that Raymond and I are friends, they don't see that we want to tear each other's throats if we're stuck in the same room together."

"Which I want to do right now," Raymond told me with a fake smile.

"Same as well," I said, just as sweet.

"Why are you guys here anyway?" He asked, referring to the guys. "I know you guys are with Nerds and all, but why here of all places? Of all places? And I swear, if this gets out to school, I'm dead. No one knows about these dinners, no one. If anyone finds out about this, I'm ruined, my life will be officially ruined."

"Are you threatening us?" Declan asked, then he turned to the others. "Is he threatening us?"

Raymond's eyes widened. "N-no I'm not threatening you. I swear, I'm not. I-it's just a..." he paused a moment, probably trying to find the right word in his limited vocabulary, "It's just a fact that I'm telling you. And now a favor, can you please not tell anyone?"

Jordan laughed darkly. "You have no right to ask us for any favors."

"Especially what you did with Naomi," Declan growled lowly.

Raymond gulped and fell silently. He looked down at his plate and started playing with his food again.

"I think you should give her an apology," I said to him.

He looked up from his plate. "What?"

Declan growled, "You heard her, apologize."

"What should Raymond apologize for?" Raymond's mom asked, joining into our conversation.

"Oh, he should apologize for-"

"Ow!" His mom suddenly exclaimed out of nowhere.

Everyone turned to her. She had a pained expression on her face. She stared at Raymond with wide eyes.

"Raymond, did you just kick me?" She asked in disbelief.

His face was priceless. He had a mix emotion of guilt, embarrassment, anger, and a bunch of other emotions never seen with theses eyes. I had to bite down a laugh, wishing I had a camera with me.

"I-I'm sorry, mom."

I raised my hand. "That was for me. As I was saying, he should apologize for trying to kick me."

Raymond's mom glared at him. "You, young man, are having a long talk once we get home. Now apologize to Naomi."

Raymond gritted his teeth, I could see his fork shaking under his clenched fist. He took a deep breath and exhaled.

"I'm sorry," he muttered under his breath.

I leaned closer to the table. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you say it again?"

"I'm sorry," he forced out, more louder this time.

"For what?" I asked innocently.

He glared at me. I knew I was pushing my luck, but I had to enjoy this while this still lasted.

"I'm sorry for almost kicking you even though I didn't since I accidentally kicked my mom instead." Raymond said through gritted teeth.

I smiled. "Thank you Raymond, I accept your apology."

His mom, satisfied by this, went back to the conversation with the adults.

But then I added, "For this thing only, though."

"So Naomi's friends," my dad began, calling all of our attentions. "Tell us about yourselves. I would like to know about my daughters friends who are for some reason are boys."

I knew for a fact that my dad wasn't as okay as this as my mom is. He's a good dad, a bit over protective like most are. Most dads at the mere sight of three guys next to their daughter would grab them by their collars and hammer throw them out of the city one by one. Thankfully, my dad was taken surprise and the guys are at a safe distance from him to hammer throw them. But hopefully, he'll like the guys so he wouldn't have to do that. All he needs is a little push for him to like the guys, that's all.

"I'll start first," Jordan said, taking another bite of the casserole. "The name's Jordan Wallace, I'm 17 years old, a senior with Naomi. A straight-B student, planning to go to a good college, I just don't know the name yet. I got blonde hair, green eyes, currently single, looking for an available-" Jordan was suddenly cut off when I heard the distinct sound of Declan stomping on his foot.

He grunted before saying, "Well, that's all I got to say."

"My turn," Declan said. "I'm Declan Lynch, I'm 18 unlike little Jordan here-" that got a glare from Jordan "-I'm also a senior. I'm a B student, but I got an A in gym. I'm planning on going to college on an athletic scholarship. I'm a sports fan, I'm in a bunch of sport teams, and going for the Mustangs who will win the championships, I bet my own life on it."

Raymond's dad laughed. "Sorry kid, but you're just wasting your life then. Obviously the Banshees will win."

"And you must be joking, Phil," my dad said. "The Wreckers will win faster than you can say 'basketball'."

Declan and Raymond's dad stared at mine and said simultaneously, "Basketball."

"The Banshees will win because of Arthur Cyrus. He's the best forward you have ever seen." Raymond's dad said.

"Not unless he goes up with the Mustang's Jared Young," Declan countered. "He's the best defense, and you should see him as forward too."

"I laugh at that rookie!" My dad said. "I laugh because A.J Price could play the game blindfolded."

"Actually," I said, wanting to join into the conversation. "Although all of you have made good points. The Paladins are going to win the championships."

Before any of the three could protest, I continued.

"All of your teams are barely starting, you guys think just because they're younger, they must be the best. But the Paladins have experience, sure some of them are going to retire after this like Kevin McGrath or Collin Meaders. But you have to remember, they've won the championships twice in a row. You guys only see the players, but I see the coach, Dirk Williams, is a brilliant coach with good plays and good eyes. He can see a weak spot in a team like that-" I snapped my fingers "- And I'm telling you, they will win."

All three of them were grinning at me.

My dad wore an approving smirk. "We'll see about that, my daughter."

"Of course, father," I replied right back.

My mom yawned. "Are they done talking?" She asked her friends.

Raymond's mom shrugged. "I don't know. When I heard championships, I sort of blanked out."

My dad looked at me proudly. "Naomi must be the only girl who can keep up with us in sports and statistics. I don't know how she does it without falling asleep, but she does. I'm so proud of her." That made me grin.

"Bennett dear," my mom said, wanting to change the subject as quickly as she can possibly can to my disappointment. "How about you?"

Bennett cleared his throat, before introducing himself. "I'm Bennett Frazier, I'm 18, an A and B student. I will be applying to Brooklyn-Hale University, though I don't know what I'll be studying as a-"

"Wait," Raymond's dad interrupted him. "Did you just say Frazier?"

"Yes, sir? Why?"

"You're not related to the president of Frazico," he asked hesitantly, "Are you?"

"Philip, that's the company you work in, isn't it?" My dad asked him.

"Yes, I work as one of the supervisor of Frazico." He said, before turning to Bennett.

The whole time, Bennett was wearing his usual calm face. He looked unfazed by the realization and connection Raymond's dad just made. Instead, he patiently waited until they were done talking before he answered.

"Yes, my father is Graham Frazier," he replied, a bit bored I might add. Bennett then went back to eating his dinner.

"What's Frazico?" I asked the adults who were in heat conversation on this topic now.

You can't blame me for knowing whatever Frazico is or the company Raymond's dad works. I never go into the conversations they talk about, unless it's about sports. I usually just tune them out or am too busy worrying about Raymond who was a few feet away from me.

Raymond's dad answered my question. "Frazico Industries is the multi-million dollar corporation founded by its current CEO, Benedict Frazier, Bennett's father. The company's main focus is scientific, military, and medical researches and technologies, finding new ways to bring the world to a new era."

He said this as if he recited this whole thing many times before, which he must have. Either by explaining to people what Frazico is or all employees are required to know the company's history by heart. Hopefully the first one, but most likely the latter.

But now that I think about it, I have heard of Frazico before. Besides the many times Raymond's dad must have mentioned it. They've made many cures in medical-science, helping cure many mental diseases as well as contagious ones. They've developed many military weapons that any nation would start a war for. And they've made many discoveries in the scientific world. Not only that, the next heir to the company was supposed to be the millionaire's son, one of the city's cutest and richest bachelors, by the name of... Bennett Frazier.

"How come you never told me?" I demanded, furious at Bennett.

Bennett looked at me, slowly chewing his food before swallowing. "The topic was never brought up."

I looked at the others. "Did you know this?"

"Well..." Jordan said, scratching his neck.

Declan coughed. "We're friends with him so..."

"I cannot believe this," I stated. "So you're meaning to tell me that I've been friends with the sole heir to a multi-million company, and didn't know it?"

Bennett was silent for a moment before saying, "I'm not really the sole heir..."

"I still cannot believe this," I said again.

Everyone around the table was really silent. The only sound was Jordan who was getting fifths, not seconds, but a fifth serving of my mom's cooking. Suddenly, my mom smiled brightly at everyone.

"Maybe it's a good time for dessert."

I decided to cut this chapter short. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did enjoy reading. You guys probably know a little more about our little rich boy, Bennett. Frazico Industries was inspired a bit by both Oscorp Industries from Spiderman and Stark Enterprises from Iron Man. You all will find out things about the guys one chapter at a time.

One chapter at a time.

And I would like to apologize to you guys. About the grace scene in the chapter where, Jordan says grace. This tradition is for the religion Christian, and I don't wish for anyone to feel weird about reading something like this. I did the same thing I just realize with the prayer thing in chapter five: Strike One, Strike Two, with the prayer scene. When Naomi tells the guys to pray for Bennett given he was going to be sent to the principal's office. When I write my books, I do my best not to add any discrimination, this including the religion. But I thought it would be nice putting the grace thing when I saw the funny rhyme in the internet and it fit Jordan really well. So I would like to say I'm sorry if you felt at all uncomfortable reading this chapter due to the grace scene. Please don't stop reading this book because of this, I'll do my best not to write anything else like this. Thank you.

RubixCube89201