Shattered ✓

F O R T Y - T W O

Alexa

After picking up Justin and Jason from their high school—which would be our high school next year—Zach pulled into the driveway, the pizza boxes balanced precariously on the front seat. The ride home had been its usual mix of chaos, with Ryder egging everyone on, Andrew firing back, and Justin and Jason getting caught in the crossfire.

"Alright, everyone out," Zach said as he turned off the car. "And someone grab the plates from the trunk."

"I'm not carrying anything," Ryder announced, hopping out of the car. "I've done enough work being the entertainment for this group."

"You're a regular stand-up comic," I said dryly, climbing out of the back seat. "Now grab the napkins or you'll be eating off your hands."

Ryder groaned but grabbed the bag anyway, muttering something about how he was too valuable to be doing grunt work. Andrew, carrying two boxes of pizza, snorted as he followed me toward the house.

Inside, the twins dropped their backpacks at the door and made a beeline for the dining room. "Dibs on the pepperoni!" Justin called as he tossed himself into a chair.

"Nice try," Jason shot back, sliding into the chair next to him. "You ate all the good slices last time."

"Don't start," Zach warned as he walked in, balancing the remaining pizza boxes and drinks. "There's plenty for everyone, so sit down and let's eat."

Ryder and Andrew trailed in behind him, bickering about something I didn't even bother to follow. I grabbed plates from the counter and passed them around the table, keeping an eye on the twins to make sure they didn't start their usual fight over who got the biggest slice.

"Alright," Zach said, setting the boxes down. "Everyone dig in, and let's try to keep the chaos to a minimum."

"That's asking a lot from this group," Andrew quipped, earning a snicker from Ryder.

The first ten minutes of dinner were a whirlwind of grabbing slices, pouring drinks, and Ryder making sarcastic comments. Justin and Jason were in their usual form, arguing about who could eat the most, while Ryder took every opportunity to egg them on.

"So, Justin," Ryder started, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "What's the record? Four slices in five minutes? Think you can beat it tonight?"

Justin grinned, reaching for another slice. "Easy."

Jason shook his head, laughing. "You're gonna choke."

"Not as bad as Ryder choking on his jokes," Andrew cut in, smirking as he grabbed a drink.

"Oh, burn," I said, laughing. "Andrew's on fire tonight."

"Thank you, Alexa," Andrew replied, flashing a mock bow. "Someone appreciates my wit."

"Wit?" Ryder scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "You mean your weak attempts at roasting me?"

"Someone's defensive," I said, earning a round of laughter from the table.

Zach chuckled, shaking his head as he grabbed another slice. "Alright, enough. Eat your food and stop picking on each other for five minutes."

"Define stop," Ryder said innocently, but the teasing did settle down as we focused on eating.

By the time the pizza was gone, the table was covered in crumbs and empty plates, and everyone was leaning back in their chairs, full and content.

Zach stood and stretched. "Alright, who's doing dishes?"

Everyone groaned in unison.

"Not it!" Ryder said immediately, throwing his hands in the air.

Justin pointed at Jason. "He's doing it."

Jason pointed back. "No way. Justin's turn."

I smirked, leaning back in my chair. "Ryder made the biggest mess. I say it's his turn."

Ryder groaned, slumping dramatically in his seat. "You guys are against me. This is a total setup."

"Welcome to family dinner," Zach said with a grin. "Sink's waiting, Ryder."

With exaggerated sighs and muttered complaints, Ryder hauled himself to the kitchen while the rest of us started clearing the table. It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't quiet, but it was home. And that was all that mattered.

As Ryder shuffled off to the kitchen, grumbling under his breath about the injustice of it all, I started stacking plates, carefully brushing crumbs into a napkin. Justin and Jason disappeared into the living room, likely to argue over which show to watch, leaving the rest of us to clean up.

"Alexa, pass me the cups," Zach said, already halfway to the sink with an armful of empty bottles. He paused, watching Ryder clatter around the kitchen. "And Ryder, try not to break anything."

"Please," Ryder replied, holding up a plate like a trophy. "I'm a professional."

"Professional disaster," Andrew muttered, earning a laugh from me.

Ryder shot him a glare but kept rinsing dishes. "Y'know, for a twin, you don't share Alexa's kindness. It's disappointing."

"Because she's the nice one," Andrew shot back, grabbing the last pizza box and folding it up. "I'm the fun one."

"You're something, alright," I said with a smirk, tossing him a dish towel. "Dry these."

Zach leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching us with a small smile. "You three are like a sitcom. Honestly, I don't know how this house is still standing."

"It's because I'm here," Ryder said, smirking as he scrubbed a plate. "You're welcome."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Yes, Ryder. You're the glue holding us all together."

"Exactly!" Ryder said, pointing the sudsy plate at me triumphantly. "Finally, someone understands."

Andrew groaned, leaning his head back dramatically. "Do you have to encourage him, Alexa? He's bad enough as it is."

"I'm just keeping the peace," I said innocently.

"Sure you are," Zach said, shaking his head as he grabbed a dish from Ryder.

I left the others after the table was clean. Ryder can handle dishes on his own.

I was lost in thought about Michael and Jackson.

I pulled out my phone, debating on who to text first, or who I should text first.

I still remembered the last time those two fought. This wasn't even a fight, not really—yet this felt so much worse.

I decided to text Michael first.

Alexa: hey, you ok?

Michael: yeah srry if I worried you

Alexa: what happened?

Michael: hm oh Jackson just rejected me but it's no biggie. We just got off the phone.

Alexa: oh? What did you talk about

Michael: well he apologized for being so harsh and stuff but he don't like me that way. Said it was just a phase or sum. Him being gay I mean lol. Guess I'm the only queer one in the group :/

Michael: idek if he was lying to spare my feelings or lying for a different reason or if he was being honest

Michael: he seemed very worry about his mom knowing , when I confessed to him yesterday . Ugh idk man I'm fine tho

Michael: we're fine dw. Jackson and I are cool. We'll be there tonight.

I swallowed. Even through text message, I could tell that Michael wasn't fine.

And there's no way that it was just a phase.

I'm really worried about both of them, and I wondered if there was more that I'm unaware of.