How the Leaves Fall Down

14

Alex tensed, and his face screwed up in a look of wary mistrust as he was practically surrounded by the small group.

His body had already kicked into fight or flight mode.

"Alexander, was it?" One of the girls questioned with a friendly smile, grabbing his attention away from the curious eyes and excited chatter. He noticed that it was the first girl he had been introduced to— Angelica was her name, if his memory served him right.

"Y-Yeah," he managed, silently cursing the nervous stutter that slipped out. "You're Angelica Schuyler, right?"

"That's right," she said with a soft laugh, her tone light and easy. "We didn't really get a chance to talk earlier, and I think a few formal introductions are still overdue."

"Oh?" His eyebrow quirked with mild curiosity. Despite his anxiety, Alex had always been good at masking his nerves behind a well-practiced, charismatic charm. Natural flirtation had become his shield, helping him slip through situations like this with ease.

"I'm Angelica, as you've guessed," she continued, "but you can call me Angie. You've probably already met Peggy." She gestured to the girl in yellow beside her, who promptly huffed and crossed her arms, her sharp attitude practically radiating off her. Alex couldn't help but chuckle quietly.

"Yeah, I've met her," he said, amused by Peggy's vibrant personality.

"And this is my other sister, Eliza," Angelica added, nodding toward the quieter girl in light blue. Her soft, doe-like features immediately caught Alex's attention—the long, raven hair framing her delicate face, her large brown eyes that sparkled with quiet grace. Unlike her bolder sisters, Eliza carried a gentleness that immediately drew him in. She offered a shy smile, and with it, Alex felt some of the tension in his body begin to ease.

"And yeah, I think that's about everyone if you've already met Laf and John—"

"Not quite, Ang'!" Someone boomed. The big guy with the beanie stepped up with a large, perhaps even mischievous, grin. His mere presence radiated confidence and demanded attention.

Alex's blood ran cold.

He strode forward with a wide grin, extending a hand that matched his imposing frame. "Hercules Mulligan, I need no introduction! But you can call me Herc."

Alex hesitated for a moment before grasping his hand, his own smaller, trembling fingers almost swallowed in the handshake. He forced a smile, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of fear. "N-Nice to meet you..." he managed, his voice shaky.

As their hands parted, Hercules' smile faltered slightly, his brows knitting together in mild confusion as he studied Alex, sensing the tension radiating from him. Was his fear that obvious?

Alex quickly averted his eyes, his heart pounding.

Herc's voice softened. "Hey... you don't need to be scared of me," he said gently. Alex's gaze flicked upward, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. "I get it sometimes—people assume I'm dangerous because of my size. But trust me, I'm harmless. Laf could vouch for me."

Lafayette, standing just behind them, chimed in with a chuckle. "Oui, mon ami, Herc is basically a teddy bear. He wouldn't hurt a fly."

Alex's shoulders loosened slightly at Lafayette's words, though unease still lingered. "S-Sorry about that," Alex murmured, feeling guilt rise up in his chest. "I didn't mean to judge you. It's just... people who look like you always remind me of someone... someone who wasn't exactly kind." He offered a small, apologetic smile, trying to shake off his nerves. "But I'm sure we'll get along, Herc."

Hercules' grin returned, warmer this time. "Don't worry about it, little dude. We'll be just fine."

"Hate to interrupt but," Peggy butted in, "I'm starving! I haven't eaten anything all day!"

Eliza sighed. "Margarita, what are we gonna do with you?" She smiled jokingly, ruffling her sisters' hair.

"Anyone down for Rev Sets?" John suggested. A collective sound of cheers and agreements came from the small group. "Alright, let's go then!"

As they walked through the parking lot, Alex stayed close to Lafayette, still trying to settle the last little bit of his anxiety. He listened quietly to the group's chatter as it filled the air, a mix of casual jokes and playful teasing, but his mind was elsewhere, replaying the introduction over and over. Despite their warmth, he couldn't shake the tension that had settled deep in his chest. New environments always did this to him.

He'd probably be better off staying in the background...

"Hey, you okay?" Lafayette's voice broke through his thoughts. He gave him a reassuring glance over his shoulder.

Alex blinked, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just... getting used to all this."

Lafayette nodded, his expression softening. "You'll fit in just fine mon frére, trust me. They are a bit much at first, but they're amazing people."

Alex appreciated the reassurance, but as they neared the cars, his anxiety began to creep up again. He barely knew these people, yet here he was, about to join them for food. It felt like stepping into unfamiliar territory, and that was something he had never been good at. But he reminded himself that this was a fresh start, a chance to build new connections.

The group split up into two cars. Alex, Herc, and John ended up in Lafayette's car, while Angelica, Peggy, and Eliza piled into another. The drive was filled with light conversation—Herc asking about Alex's old school, John recounting some funny mishap from class—but Alex mostly stayed quiet, listening more than speaking.

They pulled into the diner's lot, its neon sign buzzing brightly, even in the daylight. Rev Sets wasn't anything fancy—just a typical diner with big windows, bright lights, and a retro vibe. But there was something about its cozy, chill atmosphere that helped him breathe a little easier.

The moment they stepped inside, the smell of burgers, fries, and milkshakes hit him, and he suddenly realized how hungry he actually was. When was the last time he's even eaten?

"Let's grab a booth!" Peggy called, already racing toward a large table in the back. Everyone quickly followed, squeezing into the seats.

Alex ended up between Lafayette and Eliza, with the rest spread out around them. His eyes flitted across the laminated menu, but it was hard to focus on the words with the lively conversations swirling around him.

"So, Alex," Angelica's voice pulled him from his thoughts, "what's your go-to diner order?"

"Oh, uh..." He hesitated, realizing he hadn't been to a diner in... ever. "I'm not really sure. What's good here?"

John grinned from across the table. "Man, you've gotta try the loaded fries. They're practically a meal by themselves."

Alex chuckled, relaxing a bit. "Alright, I'll take your word for it."

As the waitress came by to take their orders, Alex quietly watched the dynamic of the group. He hadn't seen anything like it in his previous schools. They didn't seem like just friends—but like a family; a unit. It was comforting, but at the same time, it stirred a pang of longing inside him. It's been forever since he had something like that... a family.

Once the food arrived, the table erupted into laughter and chatter once again, but this time, Alex found himself easing steadily into the flow of conversation. He didn't have to force himself to be charming or quick-witted. He could just... exist. Even Eliza, who had been quiet at first, had some light conversation with him, asking about his interests and where he was from, which he of course, didn't answer. His story is a tragic one, and he'd rather keep it surface-level until he can really trust everyone enough to share it. Her soft-spoken nature, though, helped him calm down even more, and he found himself smiling more naturally as the short hour wore on.

By the time they left the diner, Alex felt lighter. Maybe, just maybe, this new place wasn't going to be so bad after all.