Shattered ✓

F O R T Y - T H R E E

Alexa

Elliot was the first to arrive. Andrew and I greeted him and than went to my room to hang out.

Even though Blake and Ethan were coming, they can stick with Ryder. With the drama in our friend group, we didn't want to add anything.

I couldn't help but notice the way Ryder looked at us when we walked past him, and I wasn't so sure why he looked like a wounded puppy.

"Are Michael and Jackson coming tonight?" Elliot asks, looking between Andrew and me. Andrew glanced at me, unaware of the text messages from Michael.

I nodded. "Yeah, Michael told me they'll both be there," I answered.

Elliot raised an eyebrow, leaning against the edge of my desk. "That's going to be...interesting," he said.

I nodded.

"I'm worried about them," I said.

"Me too," Andrew agreed.

Then there was a ding coming from my pocket so I pulled my phone out, to see a text from Michael.

Michael: sorry can't make it after all, came down with a sickness

Disappointment was heavy in my chest. I merely sighed and put my phone back in my pocket without answering him.

Andrew pulls out his phone and says, "Jackson says he's not coming."

"Michael told me he's not either," I said sadly.

Elliot groaned. "Those fuckers."

Andrew frowned, tossing his phone onto the bed. "Well, that's just great. So now they're both bailing. What even is this?"

I shrugged, trying to mask the disappointment that was sitting like a stone in my chest. "Michael said he's sick."

Elliot let out a frustrated laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Sick, my ass. Michael's probably just avoiding the whole mess with Jackson."

Andrew leaned back on the bed, crossing his arms. "I don't blame him, honestly. But still—this whole thing sucks."

"It does," I agreed quietly. Michael's text felt like more than just a sudden illness. His words had been short, distant, like he was trying to shut me out. And as for Jackson? I wasn't sure what was going on in his head.

Elliot leaned against the desk, crossing his arms.

"I'm going to the bathroom," I announced, and rushed out.

I came face to face with Ryder.

"Oh hey, sorry—excuse me—" I said, trying to get past him.

Ryder sighed and let me go through without a single remark.

Realizing this, I turned around and titled my head.

"Ryder? Are you okay?"

Ryder paused mid-step, his shoulders stiffening at my question. He glanced at me over his shoulder, his expression guarded. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, his voice clipped and unconvincing.

I frowned, stepping closer. "You don't sound fine. What's going on?"

He let out a dry laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Nothing. Just tired of being in the way, I guess."

"In the way?" I repeated, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Ryder turned fully to face me now, his eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and hurt. "You and Andrew," he said bluntly. "It's always 'Alexa and Andrew' this, 'Alexa and Andrew' that. Meanwhile, I'm just... there. Like an afterthought."