Beneath The Waves

(18) Gone is the Earth I Know

Chapter 18

“I can’t believe you’re dragging me into this,” Sean said. Ryan knew he was only joking, but Ethan still gave his friend a hefty arm punch.

“You’re just too arrogant to admit we make decent music.” He rammed his hands in his pockets. “Anyway, don’t you want to meet Ryan’s friend?”

Sean laughed dryly. “That’ll be interesting.”

Ryan eyed them both. He knew neither of them would be cruel, but both had a tendency to overwhelm people who’d never met them before. “Please be normal, yeah?”

Sean snorted, while Ethan laughed out loud. “Not a chance, mate.”

“You’re an asshole.” Ryan squinted in the distance. “I think she’s over there.”

A figure was hurrying towards the school gates that the three of them were waiting outside, her school bag bumping on her hip and her hair escaping from her messy bun like curling tendrils of ivy.

Ethan squinted, tilting her head to the side. “Eh, she’s kinda cute.”

“She’s not that hot,” Sean disagreed.

Ryan glared at them. “Guys. Just... stop talking.”

Ethan snickered. Sean just shrugged. “We wouldn’t say it to her face.”

Ethan waved an arm. “Alright, love?” he hollered.

Ryan was starting to wish he’d never told Sean and Ethan about Frankie. “McGregor, I swear I’ll punch you-”

“Hi there.” Frankie was drawing nearer. An amused smile was tilting up her mouth and raising her eyebrows. “You must be Ethan,” she guessed, nodding at Ethan.

Ethan grinned in delight. “You’re English too!” He turned to Ryan. “Mate, you never told us she was English!”

 Ryan was tempted to clout him over the head to shut him up. “Yeah, she’s English.” He and Frankie shared a glance. “For some reason, that’s a big deal in Guardbridge.”

Frankie giggled. Ethan, nearly a foot taller than her, patted her head as if he’d known her for years, not two minutes.

“Aw mate, she’s just as cute as you said she was,” he grinned. Sean laughed.

“Kill me now,” Ryan muttered.

“’She’ has a name, which is Frankie.” Frankie dodged from under his hand. “And Frankie doesn’t appreciate being patted on the head.” She smiled as she said it, and Ethan’s grin grew.

“Ethan likes Frankie,” he commented. “Ryan, can Ethan keep Frankie for himself?”

“Go die in a hole,” Ryan shot at him. “Frankie, this is Sean.” He pushed his more normal friend towards her. “Sean, say hi.”

“Hi.” Sean stuck out a hand, which Frankie shook. She looked a little more awkward at Sean’s cooler greeting, but Ryan knew it was how he treated everyone.

“Good to meet you.” She smiled and let her hand drop.

Introductions over, Ryan stepped towards the car and unlocked it. “Want me to drop you home so you can change into home clothes?” he offered, opening the driver’s door.

“Thanks.” Frankie gave him a grateful smile as Ethan moved to the passenger’s side.

“Hey-” Ryan clicked his fingers at Ethan and pointed to the back of the car. Sean snickered as he opened the back door, and Ethan pulled a face.