Valentino catches my attention when he see's me standing at Earl's Court station, waiting for the district line. My eyes flicker to our friends-Kazuo and Cobie-until they land on the dark haired girl beside him, barely noticeable due to her lack of height, but it's her blinding smile that gathers the attention of the passerby's. Her black Kanken bag hangs over her shoulder, a small hand wrapped around the strap as she attempts to walk in sync with the three boys at her side.

I barely take notice of Valentino, or Kazuo, or Cobie, failing to notice the way they tug at the strap of her bag, or pull at her earlobe. Heck, I fail to miss the way Kazuo roughly yanks her back by the neck of her jacket when she walks too close to the edge of the platform, instead focusing on the way her eyebrows furrow slightly, or the twitch of her nose when one of the guys get too close.

It wasn't intentional. I didn't mean to focus my attention on the Bengali beauty, but fuck me.

She was hard to ignore.

Aiyana Sen radiates an infectious energy, there's no doubt about it; I barely know the girl, but it doesn't take a genius to know she's the life of the party, the centre of attention even when she doesn't intend to be.

Judah,I hear Valentino call out, You made it!

Again, my eyes can't help but drift to the girl beside him, watching as she perks up at the mention of my name before raising her head until our gazes collide. The rosy blush on her cheeks is faint, but noticeable, as she flashes me a knowing smile, and all I can do is nod at her in acknowledgment.

Your little buddy was convincing,I say, averting my gaze and gesturing to the midget stood next to him, unaware of our conversation as she began to bounce on the soles of her feet. Hands behind her back as she leaned forward, lips curling up into a soft smile when the wind blows gently against her hair. I linger on her care-free form, her relaxed posture was enough to have any stressed worker envious.

With a shake of my head, I wait for Valentino's reply.

Aiyana?He asks in disbelief.

I nod.

When the fuck did you two get so close?!He asks incredulously, raising his voice, turning to Aiyana who was currently being held in a headlock by Kazuo. She raises a fist, pounding it against his torso, but it makes no difference.

We're not. Relax man,I huff out, rolling my shoulders before cracking my neck.

When the announcement for the arrival of the train is heard, I watch from my peripherals as Kazuo and Aiyana quickly pull apart. Aiyana, however, takes it upon herself to kick the back of Kazuo's knee, jerking him forward as his leg gives way beneath him; I barely manage to stick an arm out to stop him from propelling any further as he turns to glare at Aiyana-who only just smiles innocently.

Soon enough, the tube approaches and I take a cautious step back as the passengers step off. A few short seconds later, the rush of the newcomers board onto the tube. Kazuo, Cobie and Valentino rush forward, and I barely notice Cobie's hand slip from Aiyana's as he's pushed forward by a fellow passenger.

I watch as Aiyana steps forward, ready to board the tube, but when I notice she's about to get caught between the doors, I instinctively reach out to her. My hands curl around her small waist, ignoring the way her breath hitches, before I yank her back.

And in an instant, the doors close.

Aiyana's head bumps against my chest at the force, her hands subconsciously reaching out to grip the ends of my shirt. I release a shallow breath, the subtle scent of her sweet pomegranate and Casablanca lily perfume seducing my senses and gently squeeze her waist.

She only groans in response.

Our friends watch on in amusement, Kazuo using the opportunity to raise his middle finger, before I flip them off. Aiyana slowly peels her body away from mine, tilting her head up as she smiles apologetically.

Her lips part, but before she has the chance to speak, I beat her to it.

Looks like it's just the two of us.