Last One Standing (wattys2017) (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Independence Day

"A beach party? You don't really come across as a party girl to me."

The left side of Evan's mouth curled into a curious smile as picked off another piece of the bagel on his lap.

"I'm not." I crossed my legs as I fell on to the end of the hospital bed, "Toby invited me and I thought it'd be a fun way to spend the Fourth of July."

"Toby is. . ." Evan trailed off, waiting for clarification.

"Toby is my best friend. You guys haven't met." I answered.

"Just a friend? I've read enough books in this hellhole to know guys and girls really can't be friends. How long have you known each other?" he leaned back into his fort of pillows, prying a chocolate chip out of his bagel with a look of concentration.

"It'll be ten years this year. The one that you met, Griffin, I've had the unfortunate pleasure of knowing my entire life." I laughed quietly under my breath as the remainder of his bagel fell from his hands and directly into the trash can at his bedside.

"So both of your friends are guys? Is it bad that I'm not really surprised by that?" he said, a smile breaking out across his face. I shrugged, offering him the other half of my bagel.

He took the half with a thankful look and began to pick at it as he had a few minutes ago, eyes never leaving me.

"I don't really do well around girls. They're all petty. Guys will you tell as it is and won't go behind your back and spread rumors." I sighed, "And it's kind of hard to have a true girl friend when they're all after my brothers and could care less about me."

Evan offered a pitiful look, "I get it. Maybe you'll find a girl one day that's repulsed by them."

"If only." I smiled, staring ahead of me dreamily.

"I hope you have fun. Make sure to come back and tell me how your night was Friday morning." he nodded toward the door, "I'm sure you're friends are waiting for you."

"You're more important." I replied with a wave of my hand. I laid on my side, propping my chin on my hand as I waited for him to continue on with one of his literature rants.

"You sure?" He pressed his elbows into the bed as he leaned forward.

I yawned, patting my stomach with a nod, "Yeah, it's just Griffin. He can wait."

*

"Is this the beginning of the apocalypse? Alex is putting makeup on again!" James joked, clapping his hands as I walked into the living room. I cleared my throat and gave him my own sign of appreciation before heading for the kitchen to find Toby.

He was sitting opposite of Griffin at the table, both of their feet kicked up on to the table. If Aliyah were here, there would be a good chance that the boys would be spending the night on the streets or in their cars.

"You look ravishing." Toby complimented in a mock accent.

"Why thank you, kind sir." I bowed, trying my best to stifle a laugh. Griffin made a gun gesture with his fingers and pretended to shoot himself. My brothers all laughed; I didn't find it the least bit entertaining.

"Ready to go?" Toby quirked an eyebrow. I nodded, hopping until I successfully tore my jacket down from the rack. When I turned around, Jace was holding the door open for us, bowing as if he were an escort.

"Be back by ten. No alcohol. No frisky hands." He ordered, sounding a little too fatherly for my taste. I stuck my tongue out childishly and let the door shut behind us.