All Roses Have Thorns

Erin XIX

Safiya had gotten up at six or so, due to her lack of an ability to sleep in and her excitement. She was going to hang out with Sebastian, but she hadn't said where they were going or what they were going to do. Nonetheless, Erin was happy for them.

While she was happy that all her friends agreed to come with her, it felt awkward to mix two friend groups for the whole time. She decided to spend the morning with the guys.

Erin stood in front of the bottom of the road, staring up at the task before her. "Are you guys ready?"

"Yeah." Zach smirked, "I mean, if you're ready, of course."

Erin flicked his forehead. "That's why I asked, knucklehead."

Ryan coughed. "Well, I'm ready."

"I am as well," Matt nodded.

"Okay, well..." Erin clicked her helmet into place, a smirk growing on her face. "Threetwoonego!" She started pedaling after saying the start phrase as fast as she could.

"Come back here, you cheater!" Zach yelled after her.

"Catch me, loser!"

»» — ⋆❀⋆ — ««

Erin hopped off her bike and collapsed on a large rock. "So... worth it," she muttered, out of breath.

"You're... still a cheater," Zach stuck his tongue out.

Matt sat down on the rock next to her. Ryan put the brake on his bike down and collapsed across Matt's lap.

He sighed and halfheartedly pushed at Ryan's arm. "Get off... you're hot."

"I'm... always hot," he smiled.

Matt snickered, "Right."

Erin pulled her phone out. "Alright, smile, nerds."

"You're the nerd here," he muttered.

She nodded, "You're right. I'm undeniably smarter than the rest of you."

Zach snorted. "I want to argue, but you're right."

"See?" She sighed, "What a day to remember, huh?" She stared over the small town, white patches of snow scattered around the place.

"Are you going to get all sentimental on us?" He watched her, his expression unreadable. "Also, I can't believe you're not wearing a jacket."

"It's not that cold," she replied, still lost in the landscape.

Zach raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, it's only cold enough to have snow on the ground."

"You know I love you guys, right?"

He whispered to the other boys, "Oh no, she's getting sentimental."

Erin whacked him across the back of the head. "Stop mocking me!"

"I'm not mocking you!"

"Yes you are!"

"Yeah, you are." Ryan nodded in agreement.

"But I'm not!" Zach protested.

Matt decided to join in the conservation. "I mean, it's a little rude."

"No!"

Erin shook her head, "I can't believe I'm still friends with you."

"Hey!" He pulled her into a hug. "I love you too, okay?"

"You're so warm." She groaned. "And fine."

Zach sighed in relief. "Thanks for believing me... finally."

"You're still mocking me though."

"I'm not!"