ethics [ogoc]

three

Lucy Marie Johnson.

Today is Friday, and every Friday since my freshman year here at Westside started, I've been part of a very special lunch tradition. Gabi, Sam, Gilinsky, Jack and I leave campus and go to a burger joint right down the street from our school. Technically we aren't supposed to leave campus for lunch, but since Gabi is very close with administration at Westside, they seem to simply look in the other direction when the five of us walk right out of the front office and come back 45 minutes later right in time for sixth period. Jack and Jack go in my brother's car, Gabi, Sam and I travel in Gabi's car, and Nate's been meeting us in the diner's parking lot ever since he graduated last year.

The three of us make our way to the car, Gabi taking the driver's seat, Sam calling shotgun, and I'm left to sit in the backseat by myself. Shortly after we drive off campus, Sam moves his hand and rests it on Gabi's upper thigh. He lightly squeezes it twice as he stares at her. She quickly glances at him and I see her face become flushed.

"Knock it off, you two, I'm sitting right here," I groan, frustrated at the fact that I'm third-wheeling for these two yet again. Sam smirks and looks ahead at the road.

"Aww," he teases me, "Are you jealous, Lucy?"

"Not jealous, just grossed out." I smile at him, teasing him back.

Gabi laughs and turns left into the parking lot of the diner. "This will be you one day soon, Lucy," she says, "Just watch."

We all exit the car and see Nate standing in front of the diner doors. Gabi runs to her big brother and jumps into his open arms. He picks her up off of the ground and spins her around a few times. By the time he sets her down, Sam and I have caught up to them.

"I've missed you, sis," Nate smiles.

"Me too," Gabi answers, "Why didn't you come last week? It felt weird without you here."

"I had some things to take care of! But it's all good now," He looks at me. "What's up lil mama?"

I laugh awkwardly, not expecting him to call me by that little nickname. He leans towards me and envelopes me into a hug. "You're lookin' good today," He squeezes my shoulders.

I laugh again and blush, not really knowing what to do. "Oh thanks, Nate," I smile sheepishly.

"Where are Jack and Jack?" Nate asks us, looking around the parking lot for Jack's black Toyota.

"I don't know," I shrug my shoulders, "I'll call my brother and ask."

I reach into the back pocket of my tight skinny jeans and pull out my gold iPhone 5S. Gabi has the same one as me, so we get them mixed up all the time. I unlock it and go to Jack's contact. As I'm listening to it ring, Gabi, Sam and Nate enter the diner and sit at our usual table. I wait outside until Jack picks up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jack, where are you and Gilinsky?"

"Oh, we were just out picking up some good shit for the party tonight, but we're literally pulling in to the parking lot right now."

"Like literally?"

"Literally. Does Mom know you're wearing that short ass crop top right now?"

I laugh and instinctively cover my stomach as I look around for their car. "Leave her alone, it looks good on her!" I hear Gilinsky's voice in the background.

I roll my eyes as I see the car coming into view. Jack whips into the parking spot and I hang up the phone as they both walk towards me.

"Hey loser," I greet my brother and flash a smile at Gilinsky. We all walk into the diner and Gilinsky holds the door open for me. The three of us make our way towards our three other best friends and it's only 10 minutes before all of our usual meals are being placed in front of us at our usual booth.

"Last but not least, one single bacon cheeseburger with no mustard or onions and a side of unsalted fries with no ketchup." Our waitress reads out my order as she sets it down in front of me. I thank her and look down at my food before digging in.

"You're so weird, Lucy," Gilinsky says to me.

"Why am I weird?" I retort.

"Who the hell gets unsalted fries?" He laughs at me, "And what's your deal with ketchup?"

"She probably had some kind of traumatic childhood experience where she almost drowned in it or something," Sam jokes with a mouthful of his burger. Gabi elbows him softly in my defense.

"I can 100% assure you that Lucy has hated ketchup straight out the womb," my brother states, "It's in her genes bro, she's so weird."

"Fries are much better for you when they're unsalted, and ketchup is absolutely disgusting." I announce.

"Whatever, weirdo," Gilinsky laughs.

"Speaking of things Lucy hates, are we all smoking tonight at Alex's party?" Jack asks the group, "Me and G just picked up some really good shit before we got here, and we got enough for all of us- Lucy excluded."

"I don't hate smoking, Jack, it's just never appealed to me," I defend myself again. Damn, it seems like today is just "fuck with Lucy" day.

"The perfect first blunt will definitely change that," Nate says.

"For sure man, I remember my first time smoking," Sam interjects, "It was actually with you guys," he gestures to Jack, Gilinsky, and Nate. The four of them go off down memory lane and all tell the stories of their first times smoking weed. Meanwhile, Gabi and I talk about way more important things.

"So," I start, "What are you wearing to Alex's tonight?"

"Shit, I actually totally forgot the party was tonight," she pops a fry into her mouth, "I'll probably just throw on something and call it a day."

"You see, you always say that," I wipe my hands and push forward my nearly empty plate, "And then you end up being the hottest girl at the party."

She laughs in response, "That's hilarious, Lucy. Hilarious and inaccurate."

"Yeah, whatever. You'll see what I mean tonight at the party. You're driving with Sam, right?" I scoot out of the booth and adjust my crop top.

"Yes," she follows me in standing up out of the booth, "We'll meet you guys there around 10. I think my brother's actually coming to this one too."

All of the boys stand up out of the booth and we all congregate next to it. We leave enough money to pay for the check, Sammy paying for his and Gabi's meal and everyone else on their own. Nate says his goodbyes to the boys and hugs his sister. "See you tonight, Lucy," Nate smiles at me, and walks out of the diner towards his car. Sam and Gabi hold hands and walk out behind him.

"Your ride is leaving, idiot," my brother teases me.

"Oh, I'm the idiot?" I cross my arms, "You're the one failing his math class. See you later, loser."

I turn around to walk away before something is pulling me back. Strong arms wrap around my waist and I'm taken by surprise.

"Don't I get a goodbye hug?" Gilinsky whispers in my ear as he holds my back close up against his front. Although flustered, I open my mouth to respond to him, but my brother beats me to it.

"Woah woah woah," Jack yells, "What am I even looking at here?"

Gilinsky chuckles and releases me from his soft grasp. I can actually feel how red my cheeks are, so I immediately walk out of the diner doors without turning back.

What the fuck was that about?

•

a/n: now you guys can see the relationships between everyone in the squad!!! ngl i would do some reaaally illegal things to be in that squad

what do you guys see happening in the near future? comment riiightt here, i wanna see your predictions!!

hope you like it so far loves, thank you for reading x -tati