DARK PARADISE ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ETHAN LANDRY

vii. tribefive

     IT WAS LATER THAT NIGHT AND THE GROUP WAS ALL GATHERED at the apartment, minus Ethan who had texted me earlier and told me he had a mandatory Econ class tonight and that he would swing by my
dorm later on. Monday and I were setting the table, as Tara and Chad were in the kitchen preparing dinner. Anika sat in the living room reading a book.

     "I think you should get out of the city," Tara abruptly turned towards Chad. "You know considering what happened to you last time. I-I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to go."

     Mindy and I shot side eyes to each other, wishing the two of them would just get together already instead of flirting the other ones heads off everyday. As soon as I walked into the apartment door after Ethan took me to get coffee, Mindy attacked me with a big hug and muttered apologies over and over to me. I forgave her, as I saw where her thoughts were coming from about the whole situation.

     Chad sucked his teeth, "That's very thoughtful of you, but I don't think I'm going anywhere."

     Mindy let out a deep groan before gagging dramatically. I laughed at her antics. "Will you two just make out already?" She pleaded as she set the silverware onto the napkins.

     "Mindy that is so inappropriate!"

     "She's got a point, Chad!" I backed Mindy. "All day everyday all you two is eye-fuck each other!"

     Tara's eyes widened and she turned away from us as she blushed. "That's even more inappropriate, Malia," Chad scolded.

     "Oh, whatever," I sighed, placing down the last plate onto the table.

     "Get it over with!" The curly head girl screamed. We walked into the kitchen, Sam accompanying us after setting down some pillows and a blanket in front of Anika, who smiled at her gratefully. "Sam, we do not have to stay here." Mindy exclaimed.

     "Yeah? Well to bad I insist, safety in numbers." Sam replied, grabbing a bottle of champagne from out of the fridge.

     I turned my head to the side and gave them all an apologetic look. "About that, I'm actually staying at my dorm tonight." They all gave me bewildered looks as they mumbled their protests. "Guys, it's fine! Ethan's staying with me."

     This sent Mindy and Sam into even more of a frenzy. Chad shot me a wink and Tara through a knowing glance my way. I bit down on my lip and shook my head slowly at them.

     "I know you're like together and all-" Mindy started, but I cut her off and sent her a warning glare. I didn't know how easily forgiving I would be if she continued bashing him.

     "We're not together!"

     "Right. Not together," She mumbled, clearly unconvinced. "Look all I'm saying is be careful. We can't afford to lose you." She shot me a weak smile and I returned it instantly.

     "I will be, I promise. Plus, Ethan treats me like no one has before. I trust him," I admitted, shocked at my own words.

     Chad whooped, pumping his fists into the air. "Ethlia, baby!" We all laughed at his outburst, telling him how bad of a name that was. "Anyways, it's like a little slumber party with the TribeFive, even though you're leaving us," He pointed at me, giving me a sassy eye roll.

     "TribeFive?" Sam asked.

     "Yeah!"

     "Did you seriously just spit out two bad nicknames in a row?" Tara questioned Chad, looking at him all funny.

     "I sure did!" He cocked his head to the side, a smile gracing his lips. Clearly, he thought his nicknames were pretty clever. I didn't totally hate 'TribeFive' but 'Ethlia' never needs to be spoken again. "I mean we've been through a lot together and it's a pretty cool nickname!"