PEACH PIT :: ETHAN DOLAN

DEUX

"Gray!" A familiar voice yells from downstairs. "Gray-fucking-son! Get your ass down here!"

"I think Alondra's here," he chuckles, standing up and offering his brother a hand. "Ready to say hi?"

Ethan sighs, feeling butterflies fluttering around in his stomach again. He was kind of hoping for at least a day before seeing her and Phoenix.

It's not that he didn't want to, but it was definitely nerve-wracking. He didn't get any time to prepare what he wanted to say. Ethan could've thought about it on the drive home, or over the summer anytime-and he did, a bit-but mostly it made him nervous so he avoided those thoughts.

Grayson walked down first, glancing back to look for his brother. Ethan hadn't followed yet. "Hey, sorry," he chuckles as he makes it to where she is in the kitchen.

"I texted you like, five whole minutes ago. I was about to go barge into your room, but I didn't incase you were like, being gross-oh my god."

Alondra stops cold at the sight of Ethan descending the stairs, after working up to courage to do so of course. He gives an uncomfortable wave, Grayson stepping to the side while she just stares and gawks.

"Hey, Lonnie."

Instinctively, she yanks him in for a hug. "Hey? Hey?! Oh my god, Ethan, you're still so awkward."

"I-I wasn't prepared to see you today!" Ethan whines, wrapping his arms around the girl. Her previously long hair was almost at her chin now. "You cut your hair."

"Yeah, and you have a beard," she laughs, pulling back from the hug. He had some patchy stubble, he just didn't bother shaving it yet. They're quiet for a moment, taking in the small changes of one another since they last spoke. Then, Alondra slaps his arms and shoves him backward into the wall. "I cannot believe you left like that! Didn't call me more than twice the whole time! You're such an ass, Ethan!"

"Ow! Lonnie! Lon, hey-stop it!"

"Alondra," Grayson laughs, picking her up easily. She stops with his arms around her waist, stepping away from Ethan. "He's had enough."

"Ouch," Ethan pouts, rubbing his arm. "You got meaner." He should've been expecting that from her though. "Missed you too, Lon."

"I could strangle you right now," she mutters, and then pulls him in for another hug after Grayson lets her go. "But I won't because I missed your stupid face. I'm still mad at you though."

"I'm sorry?" Ethan says sheepishly, his muscles relaxing with her in his arms. "I heard you become best friends with my brother and Phoenix to replace me though."

Alondra laughs, pulling out of the hug. Her hair bounces as she moves around, elation filling her veins. It was a long summer without him, and it wasn't even a full one.

He wasn't just a boy she had feelings for, they were best friends for a while. Maybe they weren't in each other's lives as long as some other people were, but they got so close in such a short time. The whole time he was away she couldn't help but wonder how he was doing.

"We could never replace you," she smiles, a hand on her hip. "Gray, when's Nix gonna be here?"

"She said she was running a little late, probably in a bit."

"Wait-Nix is my nickname for her," Ethan protests, crossing his arms. "You guys can't steal that one from me."

Alondra takes a bite of a peach from the counter, rolling her eyes, and Ethan doesn't find himself focused on her glistening lips. At least not for long. "Alright, I wanna know everything. But we should probably wait for Phoenix to get here so you don't have to repeat it all though. So until then, we can talk about whatever."