I've Changed

23. next plan

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"The pizza is ready! I'm going to pick it up," Sofie giddies over to the door.

"Drive safely!" Malcom reminds.

"See yah losers!"

The door closing echoes down the hallway.

"She loves the early Christmas gift," Malcom smiles at me.

"Took some convincing but I'm glad," I shrug, helping him unpack the Christmas decorations.

Sofie finally agreed to the car. As Malcom said, it took a lot of convincing before she realized it was out of pure intention. I had to reassure her many times that I can handle all of the appropriate amenities until she can fully pay it off. Plus, me and Malcom kind of had to gaslight her into it.

Sofie, goddess. This car will be highly beneficial to your education. You can get to class sooner, safer with all of these public transit issues, and it's a fucking car!, Malcom urged. If you don't take it, we'll continue to worry sick for you.

I nodded my head accordingly to Malcom's plan since he told me in advance to keep quiet and let him handle all of the manipulating.

It worked.

I put my album on shuffle and Ariana Grande, Let Me Love You blasts through our Bluetooth speaker.

"It isn't even December, you know," I lowkey chastise his holiday spirit.

"Shh," he pulls out a wreath after wreath. "It's never too early for fucking Christmas!"

A classic yearly response. It's a tradition between the roommates, and although I sound bothered, it's only to make fun of Malcom's enthusiasm.

We're not half way done with packing when the doorbell rings.

Me and Malcom look at each other.

I'm not expecting anyone, and by the way he's furrowing his brows at the door's direction, he isn't either.

"You open it," Malcom whispers. He runs to my side like we're about to be murdered. It's not reassuring since I know he'll sacrifice me no problem.

"Thanks a lot," I mumble.

He shoves me towards the door.

When I open it, Theo is the first to greet me. After him is Eric and, not to my surprise, Jae.

"Ellie!" Theo encircles me in a hug, locking me in position. When he pulls back, he holds me in arms length and smiles down at me.

Green blown out eyes and dark red blush of his cheeks stare right back.

I observe Eric and Jae behind him. They have a similar look going on between the three of them.

I open the door wider to accommodate space for the 6-feet and plus men.

Once they all have stumbled inside, I shut the door. 

I follow them to the main room where Malcom is hiding behind a pillar.

"Oh," he drops the pan in his hand. "It's you guys."

Theo plops himself in one of our high chairs in the kitchen. Eric and Jae are right behind him struggling as well.

"Ellie," Eric approaches with open arms. I stop him by grasping his forehead and turning him away with it.

"You're drunk," I call them out for the prominent stench of alcohol.

"No, we aren't," Jae claims. I raise a brow. "We are..."

"Drunk," I finish for him. To prove that they are, they drag their feet to the stools next to Theo who has cradled his head in his arms.