Chapter 6: What Time Does It Start?

Ethan's POV

"How are you planning to approach Layla?" Christopher bit into his sandwich with a grin. "Clock's ticking, party's tonight."

"Worry about yourself," I said, picking tomatoes from my salad. "What is more crucial now is why none of us paid attention to Briony, and even Noah doesn't seem to know."

Maxwell set his drink down thoughtfully. "It is strange. Like she's deliberately staying out of our radar."

Noah's still going on about me looking at his sister, which is ridiculous. Layla catches my eye way more than his sister does.

Afternoon classes dragged. In Calculus and Biology, I tried catching Briony's eye a few times, curious about our earlier exchange, but she either buried herself in notes or deliberately avoided looking my way.

Has she always been this focused? How have I never noticed?

When the final bell rang, Maxwell stood. "Training center after school. Need help setting up for tonight."

"I'll grab something from my locker first," I said. "Meet you guys in the hallway."

The afternoon had flown by, and I headed to my locker as the dismissal bell rang. Turning the corner, I spotted Briony and Layla surrounded by Victoria's crew. Perfect timing, but not ideal circumstances.

I paused, just as Noah and the triplets approached from the other direction. We exchanged glances, then moved toward the girls together.

"Careful who you hang with. Some people can make life difficult here." Victoria's voice was sharp, clearly irritated at Briony.

I took in the scene. Briony stood tense, eyes down but shoulders rigid. Layla positioned herself slightly in front, polite but watchful. Victoria's sidekicks, Zoey and Chloe, flanked her like trained dogs.

"Thanks for the warning. I pick my own friends," Layla was saying calmly.

"Listen, you - " Victoria sneered.

"Hi boys!" Her tone instantly switched to sugary sweetness when she spotted us.

"Ladies," Maxwell's voice cut through the tension. Victoria brightened, stepping toward him only to falter when he subtly moved back.

"Just having a friendly chat," she cooed, touching his arm.

"Didn't sound friendly," Christopher remarked casually.

I took my chance. "You're the new girl, right?" I asked Layla, keeping my tone casual. "Heard about you all day."

"Finally found you," I managed. "I'm Ethan. This is Maxwell, Christopher, Noah, and Benjamin."

Layla tilted her head, looking me over before breaking into a warm smile. "Ah, Delta Griffin's son! The one whose record Briony broke this morning?"

My ears burned instantly. Is she bringing that up on purpose?

"Records exist to be broken," I replied lightly. "You two were impressive today. Briony, where've you been hiding those moves?"

Briony looked up, confusion in her smoke-blue eyes, like she wasn't used to being addressed directly. "What?" she asked softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Maxwell spoke calmly. "That move today was impressive. Show us in advanced training? Ethan wants his record back. Can't have someone younger beating him."

"Just luck," she stammered. "Griffin's techniques for size difference."

Victoria let out a practiced laugh, pressing against Maxwell and trailing fingers along his arm. "You're so sweet, being nice to Briony and her friend," she purred. "Can't compare lower ranks to elites like you."

Maxwell stepped back smoothly. "Maybe Ethan should join the beginner class. Get those basics down."

As we laughed, a soft laugh unexpectedly escaped from Briony. The sound was like a cool breeze, making all of us pause. Even Benjamin's usually stoic face showed a hint of a smile. Interesting how this tiny girl affects us.

Layla checked her watch, then tapped my arm - a touch that made my heart skip. "Much as I love watching Ethan get roasted... " she said with a mischievous smile, "I was promised food, and I'm starving. Excuse us, boys."

She pushed past us, and we parted like we'd received an Alpha command. I watched her walk away, my mind wandering to inappropriate places.

"Hey, daydreamer," Christopher's voice pulled me back. "She's leaving and you haven't invited her."

I blinked. "What?"

Benjamin whispered: "The party, Ethan. Invite. Her."

"Right!" I jolted, chasing after them while my friends laughed behind me. We'll see who laughs last.

"Hey, hold up!" I called, trying to sound casual rather than desperate. "You guys coming tonight? To the party?"

Briony's POV

Layla turned around, eyebrow raised. "What party?"

That familiar discomfort crawled up my spine. Social events, another thing I was never invited to.

"Start-of-school tradition," I explained quietly. "I don't really keep track because..." I paused, then admitted, "I don't have friends to go with."

After blurting this out, I immediately regretted it and looked down. Taking a deep breath, I looked back at Layla, waiting for that expression I'd seen countless times - pity mixed with awkward embarrassment.

She'll eventually realize I'm not worth befriending, just like everyone else.

Ethan chuckled slightly, but when I didn't respond, his smile faded, replaced by an expression I couldn't interpret. He cleared his throat, glancing between us.

"Every year after the first week back, we have a party at the abandoned mall," he explained, his tone gentler than usual. "Nothing wild, just tradition. Will you come?"

"Absolutely!" Layla answered immediately, eyes bright with excitement. "Can't miss tradition! Dress code or casual?"

"Casual, but bring layers," he advised. "It's getting cooler, and that place gets windy at night. Temperature drops fast."

"What time does it start?" Layla leaned forward slightly.

"We're setting up now, so whenever," Ethan replied, voice softer than usual. "We'll light up at dark, around nine. But really, anytime works."

Watching them, I found myself smiling. Ethan's usual confident Delta demeanor had completely vanished, replaced by an almost awkward sincerity. He probably didn't even realize he was flirting, but he was completely captivated by her.

"See you tonight then," Layla smiled once more, then led me to get into the car together.

"Finally got us away from Queen Victoria and her minions," Layla said, "And your pack of celebrity friends. But now I'm starving. Where can we eat?"

"Celebrity friends?" I smiled. "That's what you're calling them?"

Layla just smirked and turned the key in the ignition.

I gave her directions to the restaurant in town that I consider to serve the most delicious food. After demolishing two platters of food between us, we drove to her house at the edge of our neighborhood's crescent.

Her room was twice the size of mine, with clothes already spilling from her half-unpacked suitcases. I perched on the edge of her bed while she dug through her closet.

"Sorry I've been rambling about my life all day," I said。 "I didn't even ask about yours."

"Plenty of time for my boring stories later," Layla paused her wardrobe search to look at me. Her amber eyes narrowed slightly. "But I can't just ignore what you said earlier."

She sat beside me on the bed. "That thing about having no friends to go to parties with. What's that about?"