Aftershocks ➳ Philkas/Eyewitness

14

Episode 14: House Party

A rhythmic beat pulses through the wooden boards on the front porch, vibrating the floor beneath Lukas's feet. Inside, an upbeat country song blares loudly from a pair of speakers, and drunken bodies move together in sync with the music. Red plastic cups and beer cans are scattered on the front lawn. A few people are loitering on the porch, drinking and talking and laughing, while Lukas stands there nervously with Philip at his side.

Lukas stares at the closed door for a few seconds and takes a deep breath. Philip gives him a sympathetic smile and brushes his hand softly against his bicep to get his attention.

"Hey," he says quietly. "If you changed your mind, we can back out."

Lukas immediately shakes his head. "No," he reassures. "I wanna do this."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'm sick of people treating you like shit, and I think if they know we're friends, they might leave you alone."

Philip smirks, showing his dimples. "Friends," he repeats slowly, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Shut up," Lukas scolds teasingly, elbowing him in the stomach. "Let's go inside."

The blond opens the front door and walks inside, Philip following closely behind like a timid shadow. He's never been much of a partier, even when he lived in the city. He'd much prefer to stay home on the weekends and read a book than get drunk and hookup with random strangers.

"Lukas!" a voice immediately calls out. "You made it, bro!"

It's Keaton, one of Lukas's best friends, who's lounging on the sofa next to Ethan and Ally. He's wearing a tank top that's ripped partly down the sides to show off the ripped muscles in his dark skin. He grabs a can of cheap beer from the box on the floor and tosses it to Lukas, who catches it without hesitation.

"Thanks," he mutters, popping off the metal tab. He takes a quick gulp while Philip stands uncomfortably across the room, anxiously picking at his nails.

Ethan notices Philip and snorts. "Looks like your stalker has returned," he says, nodding in his direction. "Want me to get rid of him?"

Lukas glances over his shoulder at Philip and meets his eyes. His chestnut irises are warm and soothing. A single glance is all it takes to calm his nerves, and he looks back at Ethan confidently.

"Actually, he came with me," Lukas insists, motioning for Philip to join them.

Philip tentatively approaches them, hands tucked in the front pouch of his sweatshirt (which actually belongs to Lukas). He swallows the nervous lump in his throat and tries to avoid looking at Ethan, whom he hates the most out of all of them.

"Hi," Philip says shyly.

Ethan cocks an eyebrow. "What's going on?"

"Isn't this the gay kid who's been following you around?" Ally asks, confusion threaded in her voice.

"He's... my friend, actually," Lukas clarifies.

"Since when?" Keaton cuts in.

"Since he moved here," Lukas continues, looking at Philip for confirmation, who just nods silently.

Ethan scoffs. "You guys beat each other up in the hallway not too long ago," he mutters, clearly bewildered.

"We had a... disagreement at the time," Lukas explains vaguely. "But Philip's a really cool guy. I wouldn't be friends with him if he wasn't. He's actually been helping me film my motocross videos for my YouTube channel."