Looks Can Be Deceiving

"Lynds, I can't thank you enough for letting me stay here," I sighed softly, pulling my friend into a hug after dropping the last of my bags in the guest room of her apartment.

She giggled, swaying us from side to side, "It's not a problem, girl, you know that!" she said, rolling her eyes as we pulled away from one another.

"Yeah, but you didn't have to do this," I countered, fixing her with a pointed look as I turned and began unloading box after box of my belongings.

"Well, I wanted to," she laughed, taking the box from me and setting it back down on the floor, "In the meantime, I have a few friends coming over soon, so we need to cutesify ourselves before they get here."

"Cutesify" I asked unsurely, throwing her a look of utter confusion, "What the fuck does that mean?"

She rolled her eyes, "We have to make ourselves pretty, duh!" she exclaimed, ripping through one of my boxes that was labeled, DRESSES, looking for what, I wasn't sure.

"Why?" I asked dubiously, "You just said they were your fr-- You have men coming over, don't you?" I asked her accusingly, suddenly realizing that she only put real effort into her appearance when there was a male of interest involved.

She smiled sheepishly, "Maybe?"

"Maybe, my ass," I scoffed with a roll of my eyes, taking a seat on the large, plush bed in the corner of the room, "You forget how well I know you, so there's no point in trying to bullshit me."

She gave in, "Okay, okay, you got me. His name is Brian."

I cocked an eyebrow as she said his name with an almost dreamy smile spread across her face. It'd been a while since I'd seen her do something like that, and I was mildly curious as to who this new guy in her life was.

"So," I began, hopping off the bed and walking over to the box she'd been looking through, rooting through it myself before pulling out a simple floral sundress with a sweetheart neckline, "What's this Brian guy like, and how long has this thing been going? I've lived down the street this entire time and never even knew you had a new love interest." I smirked playfully, gathering some toiletries I would need to take to the bathroom with me in order to get ready.

I watched as she giggled brightly, laying on the bed and propping herself up by the elbows on the mattress, "He's amazing," she said happily, and I cocked an eyebrow. I'd never seen her this excited over a guy. The sex must've been really good. "He's sweet and caring, he listens to what I have to say...he doesn't look at me like I'm a piece of meat! He always knows what to say to make by day better, and he's got great taste in music. I think I'm in love." she smiled dopily, her eyes now unfocused and halfway shut.

I tried to check her pupils for signs of dilation from my spot across the room.

"...And how long have you known him, exactly?" I asked skeptically, leaning forward on my arms to get a closer look at her.

"A week..." she breathed, sighing dreamily as she grinned up at the sky. I tried not to show my disapproval.

She had to be on crack.

"Lyndsey," I scolded her disapprovingly, throwing her another skeptical glance.

"What?" she pouted at first, then her lips curved back up into another smile. "I'm in fucking love; I just know it."

"What the fuck could you possibly know about someone in a week that makes you fall completely head over heels?" I nearly shrieked, looking over at my dazed friend.

Surely she wasn't that naive.

"Well, I-"

"Babe? Are you here?" a voice echoed from downstairs.

I looked at Lyndsey incredulously, "He has a key after one week?"

"Uh, maybe?" she smiled cheekily at me, before dashing out of the room, "Come down when you're finished!"

I took my friend's advice and hurried to the bathroom down the hall, closing the door behind me and turning the shower on. As the water began warming up, I stripped out of my clothes and set them on the toilet seat before stepping under the water. I took my time, lathering my body in my favorite scented body wash, and making sure to shave. Once I was satisfied, I cut the water off, toweled myself dry, and got dressed.

My hair had only gotten wet a little, so I threw it into a messy bun on the top of my head and allowed it to dry however it wanted. I then put on some deodorant and lotion and made my way down the stairs, where I could hear several voices chattering excitedly. I rounded the corner and stepped into the living room, spotting my best friend immediately.

There she was, attached to the lips of a dark haired man as if her life depended on it. It was quite an eyeful, honestly. I averted my gaze, taking a look at the rest of the company she had over. All five men present looked similar in a way. They were somewhat pale, and covered from head to toe in dark colored clothing and tattoos. Other than that, each man seemed completely different.

One man had jade green eyes and piercings in both corners of his lower lip. He wasn't as lean as the guy sitting next to him, who resembled that of a twig. That man looked much taller than the rest, even though they were all seated, and he had ice blue eyes. The next was much smaller in size to the others, and had deep brown eyes and a mohawk. The last was bulkier, more muscular and stone-faced than the others. His eyes were concealed behind a pair of dark aviator sunglasses.

I cleared my throat in order to make my presence known, causing all talking to cease as the other four men eyed me silently. I shifted uncomfortably under their gazes, just as Lyndsey broke apart from whom I was guessing to be Brian and smiled brightly at me.

"There you are!" she squealed, standing and coming over to me before taking my hand and pulling me towards a chair, "I want you to meet Brian, Zacky, Jimmy, Johnny, and Matt. Guys, this is my best friend, Brittany."

The one she'd mentioned first, Brian, flashed us both a dazzling smile, causing a soft sigh to fall from my friend's lips. I cocked en eyebrow at her before turning back to Brian with a small smile, "Nice to meet you."

He chuckled, "You, too. I've heard so much about you."

"Only good things, I hope," I smiled coyly at him, allowing my friend to pull me in the direction of one of her sofas before taking a seat next to the blue eyed man.

"Well, of course!" The blue eyed man smiled at me, flashing me a set of bright, pearly whites. I smiled as he turned to the man next to him and said something I didn't quite catch.

I didn't pay anyone much mind as I stood up from my seat and walked towards the kitchen as the conversation continued. Once inside the kitchen, I began rooting through Lyndsey's cabinets for something to eat, knowing that she kept some of my favorite kiddie snacks here. I successfully found a box of Scooby Snacks --that people could eat-- and ripped the box open so that I could get a handful of cookies to eat.

Tucking the box under my arm, I grabbed a caprisun from the counter top and continued my way back into Lyndsey's living room. Everyone was still gathered around the TV, talking animatedly with one another about some foreign topic. I resumed my place beside the blue eyed man Lyndsey had introduced as Jimmy, and set my snacks next to me as I tucked one leg under my body and curled up into a tight ball before focusing on my snacks.

"So, are you two ladies up for it?" Brian's smooth voice asked, though I had no idea what he was talking about. I looked up and watched as my best friend bit her lip as her cheeks flush, before lowering her gaze and nodding vigorously. Brian smirked victoriously, "Excellent. Be there at...seven?" he asked uncertainly, and once again, my friend nodded crazily.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I cut in, knowing from the dreamy look in Lyndsey's eyes that she was likely to not be thinking rationally as her boyfriend of sorts wooed the shit out of her, "Be where at seven for what?"

"Marcello's. We'll eat dinner and then go out from there." Brian's friend, Matt, spoke up, though I couldn't tell where his gaze fell because of the dark shades that covered his eyes. I looked to Lyndsey for confirmation, though she was once again lip locked with Brian.

I shrugged carelessly, "Sounds good to me."

The blue eyed man, Jimmy, smiled, "Excellent. Make sure to dress to impress." he smirked widely, and I rolled my eyes at his slightly playful nature.

With a flip of my hair, I smirked back drawling sarcastically, "Booboo, I know how to do me. Don't even worry about it."

"Woman, I like your spunk." he grinned manically, causing me to giggle.

Jimmy stuck out his hand, and I slapped it, "This just may be the start of a beautiful friendship, don't ya think?" I asked with a laugh, to which he nodded.

"Possibly. Can you hold your liquor?" he inquired, eyes narrowing playfully at me.

I scoffed at him, "Can I? Boy, I'll drink you under the table."

The brown eyed man with the mohawk smirked, "I like this girl."

I winked at him before returning my attention to my Scooby Snacks, just as Lyndsey detached herself from Brian's lips...again. She murmured a few things to him, which I didn't understand, before settling into his side.

"So, what are you ladies up to for the day?" Brian asked casually, throwing a large, tattooed arm over Lyndsey's shoulders. The dreamy look she gave him was enough to make me puke. I was starting to believe the fact that she was thoroughly in love with the man; I'd never seen her look at a guy with such a sickening set of googly eyes ever.

I shrugged, looking over at Lyndsey, who had yet to snap out of her stupor, "Lynds?"

Still, she was off in la-la land.

"Lynds."

Nothing.

Rolling my eyes, I smirked before standing up, "Did you hear about Johnny Depp's sex tape that was leaked over the internet last night? I googled it and wow, homeboy is packing--"

That got her attention.

"He what?!" she shrieked, eyes widening to the size of golf balls as her mouth fell open, "Where'd you see it? How'd it get on the internet? How big was--" she stopped herself and looked over at Brian, before looking at me with an unpleasant scowl, "You made that up to get my attention, didn't you?" she groaned, and both Jimmy and I howled with laughter, as did everyone else.

"I just couldn't help myself," I smiled cheekily, shrieking with laughter when she attempted to throw a pillow at my head. I ducked to the ground so that it would miss me before standing back up with a shrug, "I had to get your attention somehow; if you'd stop making googly eyes at your boyfriend all damn day, you could answer his fucking question." I smirked, crossing my arms over my chest.

Lyndsey's face burned, "I wasn't making googly eyes at him!" she defended herself, to which I rolled my eyes.

"Oh really?" I challenged her, "Then what'd he just ask you?"

"When did he ask me a question?" she asked dumbly, sending the room into howls of laughter. Even Brian couldn't help but to laugh, and she pouted at that, "Babe! I'm serious here!"

"Baby, I believe your friend has just proved her point," he smirked, pressing a kiss to lips as she continued frowning.

"What point was that?" she asked with another pout.

Just as I got ready to speak, Brian beat me to it, "That you think I'm sexy."

Lyndsey stayed silent for a moment, before looking up at him with a defiant expression, "So."

I giggled at that. However skeptical I was of their dating history - if you could call it that - it was quite obvious that there was some chemistry between the two of them, and they were genuinely interested in each other. Lyndsey's eyes seemed to light up whenever she looked at or even spoke of Brian, and Brian's lips would twitch at the corners, as if he couldn't contain his happiness whenever she was around. I hate to admit it, but it did look a lot like love, no matter how short a time they'd known each other.

"So, what's the plan for today?" I asked Lyndsey, and this time she was paying attention.

She chewed her lip thoughtfully, "Well, we need to get you settled in. A shopping trip is in order--"

"Why do we have to go shopping?" I groaned loudly, causing Lyndsey's friends to look on in amusement.

"You're the first girl I've ever met to complain about shopping," Johnny stated pointedly, causing me to roll my eyes.

"I love shopping, just not with her!" I said in exasperation, pointing to my best friend, who simply shrugged with a coy smile. "She's an indecisive, compulsive shopper! It's awful!"

"Maybe, but we've gotta get it done," Lyndsey smiled, "You're freshly single, and you need new clothes."

I rolled my eyes, "What does being freshly single have to do with new clothes?" I asked with a sigh, knowing she would use whatever excuse she could think of to drag me through a series of stores for the entire day. Lyndsey didn't just shop, she literally shopped until she dropped. It was quite miserable, actually, but she seemed to enjoy it.

"Well, when you have a man to yourself, you buy things to please him, or that coordinate well with his style. Things that he likes seeing you in, that are his favorite color or taste. Now that the douchebag is out of the picture, you can wear things that are more you." she answered with a simple shrug of her shoulders, causing Brian to raise an eyebrow at her.

"Is this what you do for me?" he asked curiously.

Lyndsey smirked in return, fixing him with a look I would've rather not have seen, "Only when I feel the need to please you."

"Alright, thanks for that!" I said loudly, letting her know that I wasn't thrilled with the direction their conversation was taking in front of the rest of us.

Zack, the man with the green eyes and snakebites, rolled his eyes in agreement, "Seriously, guys. I'm mentally scarred enough from the things I've walked in on in the past week--"

"Say no more!" I cut him, screwing my eyes shut and placing my hands over my ears, "I'd rather not hear about it."

Jimmy giggled from beside me, and I couldn't help but to shoot him a smile. He was so playful and energetic by nature. It seemed as though this guy's happiness kind of just radiated and filled the whole room, reaching everyone around him. It was a strange feeling, but at the same I welcomed it, and it seemed as though the others did, too.

"Anyway," Lyndsey sighed, "Do you wanna finish unpacking first and then have lunch before we go shopping?" she asked, turning towards me as I finished off the box of Scooby Snacks.

I eyed her warily, "Do we have to go sh--"

"Yes, that's not an option," she cut me off with a knowing smirk.

I sighed, "Fine. Whatever."

Lyndsey clapped her hands, "Excellent! Well, let's get started!"

With that, she pressed a kiss to Brian's lips before she took off like a shot in the direction of the stairs. I listened to the thump of her feet on the stairs and stood with a sigh. I could already tell she was in one of her do-it-all-fix-it-all moods.

Needless to say, by the end of the day, I'd want to just curl up and die.

If I even made it to the end of the day.