𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕟

Chapter 5 : Civil

When Alex finally finds the courage to get out of bed and make breakfast, he finds his new friends sat around the kitchen table. They're all eating quietly, nursing their hangover from last night - Mason looks like he's gonna throw up soon - and they don't notice him.

"Hey guys."

They all turn to Alex and wave or smile to greet him and Tyler invites Alex to join them, pulling up a stool next to him.

"How the hell do you look so good ?" Mason whines.

Alex laughs, shaking his head, "I don't drink, I only had water all night."

Mason groans and puts his head in his hands.

"Is there a reason in particular ?" Dexter asks.

"Not really, I just never cared for things that keep me from having full control over my actions."

"Then why not moderate ?" Kin offers.

The truth is Alex doesn't have an issue with trying things out. Alcohol is just a different story.

"I've tried smoking, a few light drugs and stuff, I'm not interested in doing it again, alcohol included."

Tyler knows what memories his best friend is thinking of, so he changes the subject quickly by asking who is ready for bacon.

Alex bumps his hand under the table as a 'thank you'.

Alex is grateful for the distraction but when he lifts his head, he catches Luca's empty stare on him. He's not sure if he should call him out on it.

Before he can make a decision, Ivy walks in, looking exhausted. She just waves lazily at no one in particular until she reaches Luca and places a hand on his head, her fingertips gently scratching his scalp.

"Morning, V," Luca greets, placing a small kiss on her free hand.

Ivy flashes a quick smile before moving to her brother. Tyler makes enough space for her to sit on his lap.

"Did you make this ?"

Tyler nods and Alex rolls his eyes at her question.

Once she's comfortable, Ivy snatches a tomato from his plate.

"You little thief !" Tyler accuses and starts tickling her.

Ivy shrieks and keeps squirming while simultaneously trying to steal another tomato until Mason whines again.

"Inside voices, please," he begs.

They both laugh and start eating from Tyler's plate again.

Seeing Ivy like this makes Alex feel things he doesn't want to feel.

He doesn't like feeling powerless when she's breaking down in front of him, and then feel like the day is going to be amazing because she's laughing during breakfast.

When everyone is done eating - or dying in Mason's case - they get up and throw their plates in the sink before going to the living room and getting into a game of FIFA.

Alex tells himself he's lucky enough to live here without paying for anything, so he starts cleaning up.

Ten minutes in, he's startled by a soft voice.

"You don't have to do that."

Ivy is leaning on the door frame with her arms crossed over her chest.

"S'alright, I like cleaning, it's therapeutic," Alex says with a shrug while rinsing a plate.

Ivy 'hums' then walks around him to hop on the counter next to the sink and just watches Alex.

He isn't sure how to talk to her, so he doesn't. Ivy's presence makes him nervous enough, a week ago she couldn't say 'hello' to him and now they're alone in a kitchen, again.