She looks up at me with a hesitant smile while I stand awkwardly at the top of the stairs. Jack keeps his eyes glued to his phone, pretending not to notice the awkward silence.
“Well uh, thank you for coming over,” I say way too formally, bringing my hand up to rub the back of my neck. “It was a lot of fun.”
“Yeah, for sure,” she says, her voice much peppier than usual–like the kind of voice my mom uses when she answers a work call. “Thanks for inviting me.”
The silence gets even more uncomfortable before Jack clears his throat and asks if she’s ready to head out. He pulls the door open, and she takes half a step forward before hesitating and turning back to me abruptly.
She has a conflicted, almost pained, look on her face, and before I know what’s happening, she gives me a hug,muttering “goodnight, Griffin” while I stand there like a wax figure, before bolting out the door.
My brain doesn’t register what’s happening in time for me to hug her back, and by the time the thought comes to me, she’s long gone.
Following behind her, Jack turns back to look at me, eyebrows raised, accompanied by a dumb smirk. “Do you want to come with us, Griffin?”
Rolling my eyes, I slam the door in his face, but when I head back down to the basement, I can’t wipe the shit eating grin off my own.
Chapter 7
Ellie
April, Age 15
Alot has changed since spring break. Ever since that night at Griffin’s, my usual Friday routine includes video games and heated debates with the boys. Abby joins us sometimes, on the nights she isn’t babysitting her little brother, Dylan, or covering some event for the school paper.
The first time she came, I thought she was going to have a heart attack. It didn’t hit me how much David and Dylan have the exact same chaotic energy until I saw her try to deal with him. I genuinely thought she was going to leave—until Jack sat next to her with a weary look and yelled, “David, stop acting like a toddler who snorted Pixy Stix.” They shared a look, then nodded once, and I could tell a silent “we’re in this together” passed between them.
She’s not there often, but when she is, her and Jack watch like disappointed parents while Griffin and David go off the rails (and I egg them on). Most of the timethough, it’s just the four of us, and more recently it’s been the four of us all weekend instead of just on Friday nights.
The weather has started getting nice again, so I’ve added an afternoon run to my routine before I meet Abby at the diner. Before I left, I sent a text to the group chat confirming our plans for tonight, and I’ve gotten so used to our routine that my heart sinks a little as I catch up on the replies I missed.
Ellie:Same as usual tonight boys?
David:Bruh, I don’t wanna talk about it
David:But I’m on lockdown for the foreseeable future
Griffin:What did you do???
David:NOTHING.
Jack::|
David:Except maybe me and my sisters set the curtains on fire
Jack:?????????
David:Cinco de Mayo prep gone wrong :(
David:Those tiny bitch ass fireworks pack a punch
Griffin:God I would sell a kidney to see footage of your mom’s reaction
David:RIP me
Jack:I’m out tonight too. It’s granny’s birthday and I’m taking her to see Hello Dolly at Magnolia Theater.
Jack:Shut the fuck up David
David:I didn’t say anything!!
