The Decuplets

The Hamptons

TW: hints of SA

Scarlett

So much for being Blair and Serena. Well, we got what we asked for. Thanksgiving was an absolute shit show, and Ella and I were stuck in this terribly silent house. Yeah, no one had said a word to one another since, not one.

I felt most sorry for Gabe knowing how badly he needed us to function as a family. I wondered if this diminished his hopes of family game nights and big, homemade dinners.

The distance was difficult for us all. We did everything alone. Drove to school alone, made and ate meals alone, we hardly even looked at each other. I think I even saw Corey write something out for Max simply because he did not want to speak. Ella and I had to get out, not having a clue when this silence showdown would end.

So we planned a weekend getaway with Gage and a couple of their friends. Including Cam. Yikes. We were heading over to the Hamptons together, and the two of us could not be more excited to finally be free of the unbearable quiet.

But there was also tension between Ella and I. We hadn't spoken a word about the whole Zach situation and it hung over us like a dark, inevitable rain cloud. I wanted to talk to her about it so badly but I could not risk having another person who wouldn't talk to me. I really had no idea why she wouldn't bring it up to me, knowing that I wasn't angry about it.

No reason to get so caught up in all that. She'll talk to me when she's ready.

We packed our bags and waited for Gage to pick us up, beginning the long drive to the Hamptons.

We were talking about what we'd do that night when Gage mentioned there'd be a hot tub and that Cam was bringing alcohol. Immediately Ella and I had big grins plastered on our faces. We could not be trusted. This is going to be very, very fun.

Famous last words.

-

I truly thought I had never been happier when we arrived at the house. It wasn't little, but compared to the Romano house, it was American Girl Doll sized. With three rooms and four beds, it was all the five of us needed.

Scarlett and I ran through the front door, familiarizing ourselves with every corner of the home. Our room had a quilted queen sized bed and coastal-style wooden accents. The door led to a common area on the top of the stairs with a couple blue couches and fluffy throw blankets. The downstairs amplified the coastal vibe; the walls were a mellow sea color and the tables were made of what looked to be drift wood.

Slipping into our bikinis, we next scanned the backyard. It was hard to see, but I could make out a cute home garden of cherry tomatoes and a pool cover, by which sat wicker lounge chairs. The boys followed us out there, flicking on the hot tub jets and led lights so that it would glow with every color.

Cam had bought every flavor of Truly that existed for God knows what reason. Ella and I were extremely excited to taste test every last one.

We piled into the hot tub as Gage poured each can into a red cup. He handed the first couple to me and Ella. They were mango and passion fruit.

"I've never had this one," Ella noted. "Might be my favorite ever."

Gage handed us every flavor within the first fifteen minutes. We had no idea what we were drinking, we were just focused on picking the best. My mouth became numb with the sticky remnants of fruity bubbles as we soon ran out of new flavors to try. We must've had a total of seven each, and that and the hot tub steam made us dizzy and delirious.

I watched as Cam moved dangerously close to Ella. Oh my God. I cannot let her do this. She was sitting on the edge with an empty cup, dipping it in and trying to drink the water before Cam would catch her wrist. And she was blushing. Shit.

Even if I'm still not sure how to feel about my brother and my best friend being in love, I didn't want another round of them both being hurt.

I tried to move towards them and warn Ella, but Gage stopped me. "Scarlett, just let them be. It's not a big deal. They've hooked up before."

"You don't understand," I hissed, "It will only make things worse that should and could not possibly be any worse!"

"You're making no sense. You're drunk. Go with the flow."

"Gage, I swear to God, I'm not letting this happen!" I paused. "Wait...are you sober?"

With suspicious wide eyes Gage insisted, "no, no, I am totally gone. I had so much to drink."

"I don't believe you."

"Scar, get out of the hot tub."

"I don't believe you, Gage."

"Get out of the tub."

Hesitantly, I got out with him. "You're sober."

"You don't understand, Scar. I've loved you for as long as I can remember."

"What the fuck? What are you talking about?"

"Please kiss me."

"Gage, stop.

"Please, Scarlett, please."

"You're sober. Stop it." He walked toward me, playing up his puppy dog eyes. His arms were reaching for mine. The world was spinning. I was scared. All I heard was "please, please, please."