𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒏𝒆 | E. Landry

04. puppy café

They arrive at the café and Alana opens the door and holds it open for Ethan and he holds it open for Arianna.

"Oh my god. This is amazing." Alana sees a dog and gasps immediately running over to it. "Hi puppy. How are you?" She pets it smiling.

Ethan watches her in admiration laughing and looks over at Arianna. "So umm I have a question and you don't have to answer if you're not comfortable."

"I have an answer."

Ethan thinks about how to word is question before asking, "So you two were in the killings last year right? In Woodsboro?"

Arianna looks up at him with a hint of fear in her eyes. "W-why are you asking?"

Ethan immediately starts apologizing, "I'm sorry if I overstepped. I was just curious and trying to get the know the group a little better. Plus Chad told me since we're roommates and I wanted to fact check it."

Arianna nods. "The answer to your question would be yes. But whatever you do, please do not, for the love of god, ever mention it around Alana. She's extremely sensitive about the topic."

"May I ask what happened to her? It's that's alright. If not, that's okay. I don't overstep any lines."

"Well it's a sensitive topic to all of us actually. A lot of brutal things were done to each and every one of us from two people we trusted."

Ethan looks back at Alana, who is petting the puppies and smiling a genuine smile. "She seems to be doing well though right?"

Arianna also looks at Alana. "Compared to a few months ago? She's fucking fantastic."

"Is she in like in therapy or anything?" Ethan suddenly realizes that he's asking too many personal questions about a girl he just met, but let's be honest, he's already completely infatuated with her. "I'm sorry. I'm asking too many questions about someone I just met."

Arianna shrugs. "It's cool, I guess. But the answer is yes. The larger majority of us are in therapy."

"That's um- that's good." Ethan looks at Alana for a second. "I'll be right back." He walks over to Alana. "Hey, you." He smiles and touches her waist before continuing, "Whatcha doing?"

Alana looks up at him, smiling. "Hey. Nothing just looking at these puppies because it turns out you can adopt them and I really want one."

"They're adorable. Just like you." Ethan says the last part in his head.

Alana smiles. "Do you think Liam will be okay with it?" She stands up fully looking at Ethan, who is slightly crouched to be face level with her, as she's 5' 3 and he's 6' 2, and notices how close their faces are.

Ethan shrugs, unbothered at their proximity. "As long as it's a calm dog then yeah."

Alana nods, glancing at his lips quickly and turns her head to look away from him and back at the puppies, clearly her throat nervously. "They all seem calm."

"You should probably call him first." Ethan checks the time. "And I should probably get back to your guys apartment for that project of ours."

Alana is slightly disappointed, as she enjoys his presence and doesn't want him to leave. "Oh." She quickly glances at the dogs and gets out her phone, getting ready to call her brother. "What class is the project even for?" She hears her phone ring and looks at the caller ID before answering, "Yes dear brother?"

"Do you know where Ethan is? And if you do, do you know why it's taking him so long?"

"He's with me and Ari. We came to the new café that opened down the street. Also while I have you on the phone-" She gets cut off my Liam groaning in annoyance on the other side, "Oh shut up. Anyway, they have dogs and I was wondering if we cou-"

Liam cuts her off again, "You wanna get a dog?"

Alana stays silent for a moment before saying, "...No."

Liam groans once again. "How old are they?"

"They're puppies but they all seem really calm. And we can come down here together so we can agree on one."

Liam sighs, "Fine. Whatever."

Alana gets really excited but keeps her cool while she's on the phone. "Really?" She sees Ethan looking at her smiling at her excitement and gives him a confused look.

"Yes. But do not make me regret this."

"You won't. I promise. We will have Ethan back to you soon. Love you." Alana hangs up the phone and starts jumping up and down from how excited she is. "Let's fucking go!"

Arianna walks over and sees Alana jumping up and down. "Who was that?"

"Liam. He said we can get a dog after we come down here and agree on one." Alana squeals excitedly. "I am genuinely so excited right now."

Arianna chuckles and shakes her head at her best friend's excitement.

"Don't laugh at me." Alana stops jumping. "At least I'm happy." She turns around and walks up to the counter to order herself a coffee quickly.

Ethan watches her walk away. "That didn't seem fair to me honestly."

Arianna looks at him confused. "What?"

Ethan looks at Arianna. "What she just said. It kinda sounded like she was trying to prove a point in an unintendingly mean way but that might just be me."

Arianna shrugs, watching her best friend. "It's Lana. You never know."

"Should I be warned about this?"

Arianna shrugs again.

Ethan sees Alana coming back and smiles holding out his hand to her. "You ready?"

Alana nods and takes his hand smiling back at him before looking at Arianna. "What were you two lovely human beings talking about?"

Arianna shakes her head. "Nothing important."

Alana doesn't believe her and looks at Ethan with raises eyebrows.

Ethan also shakes his head. "What she said."

Alana narrows her eyes at both of them. "Ok sure." She swings her and Ethan's hand and looks up at him. "Didn't you need something from your apartment?"

Ethan also looks down at her. "Yeah but I don't wanna go back so oh well." He shrugs.

Alana laughs. "How important is it?"

"The project? Or the item?"

"The item, babe."

"Oh.. not that important."

"What did you even need anyway?"

Ethan shrugs again. "Don't remember."

"What class is the project for? I know I asked earlier but you never got to answer me since Liam called."

"I have no clue."

Alana laughs again. "How do you not know? Ethan, love come on."

Ethan feels his stomach flip at the nickname. "I-I just don't"

Alana notices his sudden nervous demeanor and smiles. "That's okay. I'm just surprised you don't."

-alysa speaks-

I got so incredibly stressed out halfway through writing this and wanted to bawl my eyes out but I didn't so go me.

This is also my shortest chapter thus far and I'm surprised honestly but it's okay. We'll have that.

I also noticed while writing the previous chapter that is isn't grammatically correct in some places. I apologize to the people who get upset by that but I never said I was a grammar expert and I hate it with my entire body and soul.