Shattered ✓

F I F T E E N

Alexa

I can't believe that Michael has a crush on Jackson! Who would have seen that coming?

What's should their ship name be? Michson? Jackal? Both sound weird but it's whatever.

Michael had left after confessing to me. I think he was embarrassed, but I couldn't help but find it adorable.

I wonder if he told Elliot or Andrew?

Probably not.

Am I special?

I giggled quietly, just thinking about it. I couldn't help but wonder if Jackson liked Michael back. What if he's straight and has no chance to return his feelings? I don't want Michael to be heartbroken and I don't want anything to happen to this friend group.

Maybe I'm over thinking things.

I sigh and managed to fall asleep.

***

I woke up at 1 pm.

I walked downstairs and I didn't see anyone. Did everyone leave? That's odd.

"Lexi!"

Andrew tackled me into a hug and I fell to the ground. "Eh?" He helped me up and laughed. Where did he even come from?

"Guess what, Lexi?"

I tilted my head. "Hm?

"Dad and Veronica are on their way home!"

I blinked. My moment of happiness shattered, just like that. I swallowed. "Do they know I'm here?" I asked, keeping my voice even.

Andrew nodded. "That's why they're coming home now," he says. "Zach told them, and Veronica cut their business trip short!"

Veronica missed me. I smiled faintly, purposely ignoring the fact that Dad is also on his way back.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"I'm here!" Ryder says, tackling me from behind and I fell. Again.

I'm starting to see resemblances in Andrew and Ryder. And Michael for that matter.

I stood up and Ryder and Andrew both laughed. I rolled my eyes out of fondness. I love my brothers.

Brothers.

Andrew grinned. "Jason is out, Zach and Cameron are at their jobs, and I think Justin is still sleeping," he tells me, answering my previous question.

"Okay."

Ryder put his arms around Andrew's and my shoulders. "How are my favorite little siblings doing?"

"We're your only little siblings," Andrew said deadpan.

"For now," I added with a laugh, thinking about the unborn baby in Veronica's stomach.

"Whatever," Ryder said. "You ladies wanna hang with me and my buddies?"

"Did you just call me a lady?" Andrew scrunched up his face.

"Got a problem?" Ryder challenged.

"Yes!"

Then they started fist fighting as I stood there awkwardly. They were laughing in between punches so I don't know if I should intervene.

"Okay, bye—" I started.

Ryder looked at me, causing Andrew to get one last punch in. "Wait!" Ryder says. "Are you going to hang out with us?"

"Yeah, sure."