| Ephemeral |

eight

Song for chapter: Your Magazines by Brain Tan

Alex

It's been about a week and a half since Crimson and his goons attacked Ethan in the same alleyway that he tried to kill my brother in. Same offer, same consequence. 

Ethan and I have discussed his offer one thousand times at least. He obviously says there is no way in hell he would ever go anywhere with him, I totally agree. Until hell freezes over, Ethan isn't leaving here to become someone's personal killing machine. Over my dead body. 

Ethan is healing pretty well. He still has stitches and a few bruises, but he's back in school and functioning. I've been tutoring Grayson for the classes that he's failing (which is almost all of them), and we're already seeing improvement. 

When he actually tries and puts effort into his work, you can see how smart he is. Also, my whole punching bag and training methods have kept him away from the alcohol for the most part. He hasn't been drunk since we started. He's been waking up before the sun to get work in with the punching bag. The sounds have woken me up some mornings, but if it's helping him then everything's okay.

I saw Ethan, Grayson, Jackson, and Landon make their way into the kitchen. I just woke up and was having my coffee, but for some reason, they were already dressed. 

I looked at their appearance and laughed. They were wearing casual clothes which would be fine on any other day, but not today.

"It's nice to see the band back together," I smiled, looking at all of them together. They all haven't hung out together in what feels like forever. "We're going to go get breakfast, then head to school. You wanna join?" Jackson smiled, grabbing his bag.

"No you guys go ahead. But, you can't go to school wearing that," I pointed back and forth at their usual clothes. 

"Uh, why?" Grayson asked, furrowing his brows. "Bec-" I started, "What's wrong with what we're wearing?" Jackson added.

"I have an idea, maybe if you gave her five seconds she would tell us," Landon smiled sarcastically at all of them. I missed his humor, it's much needed around here.

"Today is our senior breakfast at school. We have to dress nice." I responded after I finished laughing at Landon. 

I heard each of them groan before they agreed to go back up and change into something more snazzy.

-

I arrived at school alone this morning, since Ethan was back no one needed a ride. I slipped on a plain black dress from my closet and some matching heels before I left the house.

I walked in and saw most of the seniors standing by the lockers since we didn't have class this morning. Once the bell rings, we go to our senior breakfast. Just saying that to myself doesn't seem real. I can't believe we only have a handful of months left of this place before we graduate.  

I walked over to my locker just reminiscing. I remember before Jordyn told me everything, when he had to make it believable that he hated me and was trying to make it happen. That day by this same locker, that was probably the day when I realized me and the guys were destined to be friends whether I liked it or not. Now, here we are.