PEACH PIT :: ETHAN DOLAN

SEIZE

Despite what Ethan promised Grayson, him and Phoenix did not leave right away.

They hurried, yes, but Ethan wanted to finish eating first. It was just Marcy, his brother had to have been being dramatic. They might've broken up, but surely they could handle being in the same room together for a few extra minutes. Plus, Alondra was there, they weren't alone.

Luckily for Phoenix, her parents don't embarrass her more while Ethan finishes eating. He makes a mental note to ask her about it sometime later, when his phone isn't vibrating over and over in his pocket with what is presumably texts from Grayson.

He hops into the passenger seat of Phoenix's car, drumming his fingers along her inner thigh while they drive away. Alondra's house luckily isn't far, because both of their phones are now pinging--from the group chat--that they decide to just ignore.

"I thought Alondra has been staying away from her house lately? Y'know.. with her dad?" Phoenix asks.

"Yeah, she has," he says. "I don't know. I guess we'll find out when we get there."

Evidently, while they were napping all afternoon, they missed some things. Grayson also mentioned there was more he needed to talk to his brother about, but didn't specify anything about it.

They let themselves into Alondra's house when they arrive, all of the downstairs lights turned off except a small lamp in the living room. Her father's car wasn't in the driveway, so it's safe to assume he isn't home. The three are in Alondra's room when they find them.

It's immediately tense, awkward small talk being had, Grayson and Marcy sitting on opposite sides of the room with Alondra in between. They all look relieved to see Ethan and Phoenix--though Marcy wasn't expecting the latter.

"...wait, okay, since when are you friends with Phoenix?"

Alondra laughs, shrugging her shoulders. "I have so much to tell you, Marce. There's a lot that's happened since... well, this summer."

After Marcy and Grayson broke up (which was mostly due to distance), the fact that Alondra and Grayson were getting closer was hard for for Marcy. They began to drift due to that, among other life circumstances, and have barely messages each other as of late.

They missed being close friends, and Marcy decided to fix that in-person.

She was driving through on her way to university, which was a few states away. She wanted to arrive early because of that, and to stop for a few days and fix her friendship with Alondra. When she got to Alondra's house, she wasn't expecting her ex-boyfriend to open the door. She knew they were friends, but that wasn't something she prepared herself for.

It's been uncomfortable since.

"So, uh, it's hot as hell in here," Ethan clears his throat. "And it's really good to see you, Marcy. I like your hair."

"Thank you! These two stared at it but decided to say nothing, and honestly, I'm a little offended about it." Marcy has, since the last time she saw everyone in person, split dyed her hair pink and purple. "I like yours too... and is that a tongue piercing?"

"It is, got it pretty recently," Ethan grins. "Why don't we all head outside or something? Or maybe go somewhere? I'm sweating just standing here."

"Let's go hang somewhere else. Maybe we can go for a swim," Grayson nods, standing to his feet. His eyes dart between Alondra and Marcy for a moment before he heads down the stairs. Ethan can feel something's wrong there. Alondra barely even glances at him before she follows suit, the five of them clambering loudly down the stairs. "I'm gonna talk to E alone for a sec... we'll meet you three outside?"