PEACH PIT :: ETHAN DOLAN

SEPT

The summer sun is beating down once more, and it makes Ethan feel empty. This wonderful weather and everything that came with it should be nice, though he can't help but feel he doesn't deserve it. Ethan was not the kind of boy who felt he deserved long summer days, glistening skin, bird songs, or blooming flowers. They were lovely, yes, but Ethan felt white cloudy skies, a cold breeze, and half-dried leaves skidding across concrete were much more suited to him.

Of course, that was only his opinion.

Anyone who knew Ethan, truly knew him, knew he deserved so much more than that. He deserves all of the sunshine in the world and more. Ethan Dolan was the kind of person who could fill up infinity.

The kind of person whose laughter cut through the air and demanded attention, who never lets go or gives up (even sometimes when he should), who is filled with hope and love.

His eyes shine like the stars, his voice is thick like honey, his smile resembles a thousand twinkling city lights. But he was more than physical and audible characteristics. Ethan was the songs you play on repeat for hours, the way the sunset reflects off soft ocean waves breaking against rocks, a field full of your favorite flowers—he held a part of every beautiful thing inside of him.

Ethan didn't know any of that yet, and no one knew how to put it all into words; really, there would never be the right words. Only 26 letters in the English alphabet would never be enough to describe the beauty Ethan was inside and out, and how he deserved the world and more.

He sat on his bed, packing bags that he never really unpacked, sunbeams licking his skin through the open windows, feeling ever so small. Today was a bad day.

By all accounts, it shouldn't have been. Lovely weather, he spent the morning (and the previous evening) catching up with his parents he missed dearly, he went to the gym and boxed for the first time in a while—nothing bad happened. That didn't mean he felt okay.

When Ethan woke up, something just felt... wrong. No way to pinpoint it, no reason, just general unease. Maybe that's why he was being exceptionally hard on himself today; his friends would have to cheer him up.

Alondra and Phoenix were just arriving downstairs, greeting his parents and Grayson while they all waited for Ethan. He knew he was taking too long now, so he threw his charger into his bag and decided he was done packing. He stepped into the bathroom just to grab his toothbrush, eyes lingering on the fresh blonde streaks in his hair. He asked his mom to do them the night before, felt like he needed a small change.

When Alondra and Phoenix got the pictures, they freaked out a little bit, Alondra teased him, but it was all in good fun. They all genuinely liked them, and the simple change made Ethan feel more sure of himself.

"I can't believe you just got home and now you're leaving again," Lisa sighs when he steps downstairs, pulling him in for a hug.

"I know, Ma, but it's just for a few days. We'll be at the lake house, and I'll call you?" He insists, kissing her on the cheek before hugging his dad.

Grayson playfully rolls his eyes. "I don't see you guys making a big deal about me leaving."

"You've been here all summer," Sean reminds, still pulling his younger son in for a hug. "Don't forget, Cam is coming home this weekend. Try and be back to see her? She didn't get many phone calls from you over the summer either, Ethan."

"I know, I know. We'll be back then. Love you guys," he smiles. Ethan didn't do a great job at keeping up with his sister over the summer, but he always loved when she came home. With his bag swung over his shoulder, he waves and follows everyone out the door. "Shotgun."