| Ephemeral |

five

Alex 

I woke up early this morning, put a little makeup on, and slipped on a decent outfit. Jackson and I decided it was time for us to grab lunch. We hadn't spent much time together lately, he's one of my best friends, I miss him. 

"These few days off school feel like they've flown by," I complained as I poked at my salad sitting in front of me. I looked up to see his bright smile peering back over to me. 

"They say time flies by when you're having fun. So Allie, how much fun have you been having?" He teased, taking a long sip of his drink. 

"Actually no fun at all. With all of this possible return of Larce and the Mortel's I feel like my brain might explode just thinking of the science of it all." I groaned, looking out of the window of the corner cafe we were at. It was such a pretty day. The sun was dancing along the sidewalks of town and people were walking and smiling. 

"Until Larce walks through your front door in one of his expensive suits, can we just relax?" He started looking at me softly. "Look, it's our senior year. Can we just enjoy it while we can before we all go our separate ways?" he asked. I don't even want to think about what the future holds with college and careers. We never really talk about it.

"You know Landon got into LSU. Full scholarship, he's gonna play college football with them and everything." He smiled, thinking about his best friend.

"I'm really proud of him, I'm glad he has everything figured out," I responded. "Where do you want to go?" I asked. I'm almost afraid of his answer. I just hope it's not too far away.

"Not completely sure yet. I'm thinking about sticking around here, though. Maybe getting into the local police academy, or maybe following my crazy friends around to keep them in check." He smiled at me and I rolled my eyes.

"Highschool feels like it went by so fast, I want it to slow down. We have three and a half months left. Our senior breakfast is soon, then there's prom, on top of that graduation is creeping up on us." I heard the panic in my own voice, and I know he did too.

"Hey, everything will be okay. We will all be fine, we just need to keep ourselves alive long enough to graduate." He responded, rubbing the top of my hand.

I nodded and took a deep breath in, maybe everything will be okay. I just need to stay positive and stay alive as Jackson said. 

-

Every since I got home Paisley and I have been spending some much needed time together before I go back to school and she goes back to being Ryan's little pain.

"I like her dress," She pointed at Elsa on the tv. Obviously Frozen is her favorite Disney movie, we watch it like twenty times per week. 

"Yeah me too, maybe the birthday fairy will bring it in a few weeks," I trailed off seeing her eyes widen sharply. Her birthday is in a few weeks and I know getting her the updated Elsa dress would be perfect.

"Where's Gray?" She asked randomly, making me look to the side a little bit. Paisley loves Grayson. I mean, she thinks he's her best friend. It just sucks that he hasn't been around lately. She misses him a lot.

"Did I hear a little princess say my name?" I heard a voice behind me, making us both turn around. I saw Grayson standing there, freshly showered, sweats and a t-shirt on. 

I was confused at first by his sudden appearance out of his room, mostly because he really hasn't left unless it's for training or boose.

"Gray!" She half yelled sitting up quickly. I gave him a weird look but didn't let Paisley see. "Can we go play?" She stood up on the couch looking at him. 

I saw him look at the liquor cabinet then back at her. "Of course," He said in a funny voice holding out his hand for her. 

"Go ahead and head over to our tea party table," He started. She nodded quickly and took off towards the kitchen. "You better save me the pink cup!" He yelled after her and I heard her giggle. 

"Mind if I steal her for a few minutes?" he said quietly, barely looking at me. "Uh, yeah that's fine." I responded, nodding in Paisley's direction.

He went to turn around when I stopped him. "Hey, Gray," I started. When he turned around my words escaped me, so I sat there like an idiot. "Nevermind." I shook my head.

 "Ethan left a little bit ago, said he had to grab a few things from the store. Should be back soon." He responded before walking to his tea party date.

 I sunk back into the couch and thought to myself. That's the most we've spoken in an entire month, and part of it was criticism on my relationship. 

On another note, I didn't even know Ethan was leaving. 

-

I went to the store just to walk around because I was bored, but I ended up spotting a picture printing kiosk and decided to do something nice for Alex and a few others.

I framed a picture of her and Jordyn so she could put it in her room. She's been talking about getting one printed since he passed, but she hasn't found the time I guess.

I printed a few of her and me, even some of Grayson and me. Maybe it will lighten his mood a little and maybe even serve as a silent apology gift so we don't have to exchange the words.

I walked back to my jeep and began loading a few other things I had picked up for the house in the back seat. I heard a whistle, which made my head tilt to the side trying to hear where it came from.

I still had a few bags in my hand, but I walked towards it anyway. I turned the corner to be met with an alley, I know dark alleys always end badly, but curiosity's a bitch.

"Hello?" I called, and when I didn't hear anything back I shrugged and went to turn back around and head home. 

As soon as I turned to leave the darkened space I felt something hard connect with my stomach. I coughed and looked up at the source, two guys were standing in front of me.

"Whatever you guys want I don't have it," I managed to say as I stood up. The guy swung at me again, but I hit his arm away as Alex taught me yesterday. 

I looked between the both of them, they looked to be circling me and searching for my weaknesses. 

I took a deep breath as they both lunged at me.

-

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I gave you some much needed Jackson & Alex content. I missed him :(((