PEACH PIT :: ETHAN DOLAN

TROIS

The ride to the hospital was filled with more catching up on the summer they had, Ethan asking tons of questions. He was particularly curious about everything with Marcy, but Grayson seemed to have moved on at least.

Alondra, unfortunately, has drifted from Marcy too. They texted still, but as she's been busy most of the summer now, they definitely weren't as close as they once were.

Ethan's nervous about seeing Phoenix, but mostly, he's worried about her.

When they get to the hospital, they're easily given visitors passes and told her room number. It's when they reach it that Alondra and Grayson stop, turning to him.

"Maybe you should wait outside."

"What?" Ethan scoffs, his dark brows furrowing. "Why would I stay outside?"

Yeah, he was nervous. But this was Phoenix-they'd known each other for years. Ethan was the first to find out about her eating disorder (other than Scott) and help her. Things between them have been rocky, but they were fine when he left.

He had just as much of a right to want to check on her as they did. He only spent a couple of months away, not years.

"Just until we make sure she's okay. She's not expecting you, and you've missed a lot, dude," Grayson sighs. "We don't wanna make her uncomfortable, y'know? She might not wanna be that vulnerable with you right now."

Ethan finds himself clenching his jaw, looking at his brother and Alondra. They're just presuming what they think is best, pushing Ethan back. It reminded him of the springtime and winter, how everyone tried making decisions for him and dictating how he should feel.

It was evident a lot had changed at home since Ethan left. But he wasn't going to take this. With a deep breath, he pushes past them and into Phoenix's hospital room.

She looks up at him with wide eyes, letting her mouth fall open. Alondra and Grayson sigh and come in directly after him, the former mumbling, "surprise?"

"You're back," she whispers.

"Hey, Nix."

Phoenix was pretty sure she experienced every emotion known to man in a mere three seconds. Seeing Ethan again gave her a lot of different feelings, but she ended up just looking shocked.

Only she was in there, her moms left after triple checking she'd be okay. She promised she would be, and convinced them to go back to work. At this point she was just waiting to be told she could go, this was unexpected.

It's quiet for only a few more seconds, but to the four of them it definitely feels like a lifetime. Phoenix breaks it by choking on air.

"Woah, Nix, you good?" Ethan asks, moving to her bedside.

"You just-you left and didn't even call," she huffs once she regains her composure. "...get out."

"What?" He breathes, Alondra and Grayson cringing. Phoenix only looks up at him with narrowed eyes and nods her head toward the door. "C'mon, don't be like this."

"No, Ethan, just go," his face falls, but he listens. This wasn't exactly the reunion he was expecting. Maybe he thought they'd be a little upset with him, but kicking him out of her hospital room? A large part of him hoped she'd be excited to see him. "Wait-I changed my mind," she mumbles, crossing her arms after motioning first him to come sit. "I missed you."

Phoenix was upset he left, but she couldn't stay mad at him for long. After spending so much time apart, she was too curious, and missed him too much to really kick him out.