IGNITE

nineteen.

੭୧ 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 ੭୧

"Take that, you dumb son of a bitch!"

Kai's laughter echoed off of the walls as he slammed his cards on the table, a shit–eating grin plastered on his face. Ryan rolled his eyes, tossing the cash he had bet in Kai's direction before slumping into his seat with a sigh.

I couldn't help but smile at that, leaning back into the couch as I pulled my wool-blanket tighter around myself. The boys had found me hunched over my easel before the sun had even risen, painting away the morning with a wide smile on my face, and after much persuasion, managed to convince me to skip my classes for the day.

So, instead of dealing with the inevitable butt–ache that came with sitting through my early morning Art History lecture, I sat with Kai, Ryan and Cyrus, laughing at their misfortune.

Kai had just finished winning his third hand of Go Fish in a row when the door burst open, and Maxine skipped into the house, a box of brightly decorated donuts balanced on one hand. "Good morning!" She sang, a wide smile spreading across her face as her eyes fell on the four of us. "What's up, boys?" She dropped the box of donuts onto the coffee table, plopping down beside me.

"Oh, you know..." Kai sighed dramatically, fanning himself with the wad of cash he had earned from Ryan. "Just taking all of your boyfriend's money."

Max made a show of looking around the room, her brow quirking. "Sorry, Kai, I'm just looking to see where you're seeing my boyfriend."

I couldn't help but let out a laugh at that, my laughter only intensifying as Ryan's cheeks grew red. "Just because Ryan and I kiss sometimes does not mean he is my boyfriend. What is this, highschool?"

Ryan simply shrugged. "I'll take what I can get." He grinned, reaching for one of the donuts.

Max let out a laugh, shaking her head as she pulled the blanket off of my lap and stole a corner for herself. "What's up with you, Grumps?" Her brow quirked, and a teasing smile spreading across her lips as she met Cyrus' gaze.

He simply shrugged, leaning back into his chair as he toyed with the lighter he always carried around. "I'm fine. Just tired."

"Of?" Max prompted, and Cyrus simply shook his head.

"I said I'm fine." His eyes met Max's. "Don't worry about it."

My best friend's brows furrowed, as if ready to spit out a snarky response when Greyson's bedroom door slammed shut, and his footsteps echoed through the hallway. I felt my heart sutter, a warmth coursing through me.

He barely slowed down as he turned the corner, avoiding my gaze as he trudged into the kitchen, a scowl set on his face. I couldn't help but watch as his muscles flexed, his arms bare. My cheeks burned and I looked away, only to find Max staring at me with a painfully wide grin.

"Go say good morning, Pipes." She whispered, and I glared. "Don't give me that look. Go talk to him."

My eyes darted between the two of them as Max shoved me, my body tumbling off the couch and onto the hard, wood floor below. I shot her another glare over my shoulder as I made my way into the kitchen, finding Grey leaning against the counter as he drained a cup of coffee.

"Good morning," I murmured, a soft smile on my face as I leaned against the wall, watching him carefully. His face was tight, his brows drawn together and his jaw clenched as he stared at his phone. "Everything alright?"

Grey barely looked up, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment. "Fine." His voice was short and clipped, but he didn't seem angry. Instead, his voice seemed tired and strained, as if a weight had been placed on his shoulders.