Holloway Manor was absolutely exquisite down to the tiniest detail. Like most of the property the Holloway’s owned was historical but the manor particularly was special. Every single stone, every window, every tile was designed by Ellis’s ancestors. They had built the entire thing from the ground up and it was mesmerizing. With its long corridors with large windows that let the sun dance through and commissioned paintings that filled every inch of space on the wall, it was a masterpiece all of its own.

Even though it had been his home his entire life, the beauty of it left him awestruck. His room had been designed to suit him. Bookshelves filled with literature from all around the globe lined the walls. His king-sized bed sat perfectly centered in front of a stained-glass window, a feature that was his mother’s idea. It was almost like a cathedral twisted into a library. He loved every inch of his room.

He did not love his outfit options however. Staring in a full-length mirror, Ellis could not decide what to wear. A high school party wasn’t his scene, but he knew that a suit would be far too formal. His school uniform would likely get him mocked but it was his typical day to day outfit. It was very rare for Ellis to dress in casual clothes, he didn’t even know where to begin. A denim jacket would suffice, denim was casual and popular. Roman wore denim. Ellis paused dead in his tracks, he was comparing himself to Roman of all people.

Taking a deep breath, he pulled the denim jacket over a plain black t-shirt and gave himself a once over in the mirror. The hazy brown cigarette pants were as casual as he was willing to get with trousers. He was not about to wear double denim. He put on a designer belt to pull the look together before remembering that Roman wore designer clothes. Hastily, he took the belt off and shoved it aside.

Leaving his room, he sped down the long spiral staircase. Timing was something Ellis always struggled with. Sure, he was never late but he never had good timing. Everything he would do would always end up causing some sort of issue. It was always a minor flaw of his although how people had good timing was always a mystery to him. Heading for the door, he prayed that for once he got his timing right.

“Where are you going?” Shit, Ellis thought turning to see his father stood behind him, his hands already firmly crossed in front of him.

“A friend’s birthday party.” He kept his voice light and airy.

It wasn’t that his father was some sort of tyrant. He was strict; He had to be. If Ellis was to become anyone worth knowing, he needed discipline. The idea of telling his father about the party had crossed his mind but that would mean mentioning that it was Warren’s party and his reputation preceded him.

“You didn’t ask.”

“I’m sorry. I should have but we’ve both just been so busy.” Ellis dropped his eyes to the floor. “I really am sorry.”

“Sure.” His father replied “Whatever, do what you want Ellis. Just remember you’re the only person who has to live with your decisions.”

It was a rather tame reply for his father. Normally, he used a tone that implied his authority, but he just sounded tired now. Ellis nodded slowly at his father before walking out of the door. He considered turning around and staying home but that would only dissolve into another fight about Ellis not following through with his own plans. Getting into his Rolls-Royce, he took a small breath before turning the key. Anxiety was building up in his chest. It was his first party and he already didn’t know how to act.

The drive to Warren’s house was uneventful apart from it being on the outskirts of town so it took Ellis longer than he expected to find it. Overall, the house was oddly modern for the location. Most houses on the street were the traditional manufactured houses but Warren’s house towered over all of them with windows that must have been ten feet tall on their own. There was some irony in the minimalistic design of it seeing as the whole place just screamed that his family had money to burn. The entire place was ugly.

The front lawn was filled with some kids Ellis recognized from school and a lot of kids he didn’t. He suspected Warren must have invited some of the public-school kids as well. Everyone seemed to have a cheap red plastic cup in one hand with God knows what in it. Underage drinking, how elegant, Ellis thought to himself. Awkwardly, he walked up the driveway waving at people as he went. Surprisingly all of the kids he didn’t recognize waved as if they knew him.

The inside of the house wasn’t much different which was to say very modern and filled with teenagers. Scanning the crowd, Ellis searched for Fletcher. Music pounded from large speakers. It was too loud to think. Closing his eyes tightly, Ellis tried to find a reason why anyone would want to do this to themselves. He supposed that’s what the alcohol was for; No sober person could tolerate that sheer volume of the mid 2000’s pop music Warren adored.

“Ellie!” Warren hollered from behind him. “You need a drink.” He passed Ellis a red solo cup that smelt strongly of cinnamon.

“Thanks.” He replied dryly while trying to determine exactly what he was given. “Have you seen Fletcher?”

“Uhhh…. Yeah? Roman and him were up in my bedroom like twenty minutes ago. Not sure if he’s still there.”

After all the Roman had done recently, Ellis would have assumed Fletcher would be avoiding any interactions with him. Warren’s attention drifted to another party goer. The moment he wandered off Ellis tossed the cup.

It was moments like these Ellis remembered what an outsider he was among his peers. They all received the same education and the same privileges yet the second they had any freedom they devolved into animals with no morals or standards. He was surrounded by future politicians, senators, lawyers and people who would have so much power and yet they all were willing to throw it all away for a quick buzz and a good time.

Ellis had a very simple opinion on drinking which was that if you needed to be drunk to enjoy yourself, you weren’t actually enjoying yourself. It was a waste of time. A way for the socially inept to be on the same level as the charismatic.

As he weaved through a group of dancing girls, he saw classmates sitting around a table. On the glass table was a white powder cut up into little lines. I shouldn’t be here, Ellis reflected before getting closer. Sitting directly in front of the lines was Roman. Dipping his finger into the powder, he wore a cocky grin as if what he was doing was cool.

“Really, Roman? Knock it off.” Ellis didn’t know why he was saying it. By all rights, he shouldn’t care about Roman, but he still felt the need to say something. For a second Roman hesitated and stared blankly at Ellis.

“Ah, looks like Roman is Ellis’s little bitch.” Ellis wasn’t sure who said it, but it snapped Roman out of his trance.

“Sorry, El. You aren’t my keeper.” Roman brought the powder up to his nose before Ellis gripped his hand as if he were a parent scolding a small child.

“You want to try me, Davenport?”

“Last I checked you weren’t my mother, so why don’t you mind your own business.”

“You’re right, I’m not your mom but I’m sure she would love to see this. A real good reason to send you back to the woods permanently.” Ellis crossed his arms definitely already knowing he had won.

“What do you want?”

“I just want to talk to Fletcher.” Ellis could almost feel how hard Roman was rolling his eyes.

Launching up from his seat, Roman got uncomfortably close to Ellis. Backing him into a wall while onlookers were torn between laughing or trying to deescalate the situation though most seem to choose the former.

“You and Fletcher need to leave me the hell alone. We agreed that we’re done, so why don’t we leave it at that?” Roman placed one of his hands beside Ellis’s head in an attempt to be intimidating but Ellis knew him too well for that.

“Sure, we can be done. Just tell me where Fletcher is and I will be on my merry way.” He replied, pushing Roman’s arm down.

“Hell no. You don’t get to walk into my friend’s party and start acting like you have some sort of authority over me. You aren’t my family; you aren’t my friend and you certainly don’t give a shit about me.”

“Fine, do what God knows what but don’t blame me when you start having manic episodes-”

“I’m fine. You know you’d be more pleasant if you minded your own business.”

“You are so passive aggressive.” Ellis let out an exasperated sigh.

“Which part sounded passive? I’d hate to come across as passive.” He slammed his hand against the wall in another cheap attempt to be intimidating.

The problem with Roman was that he only knew how to show his emotions through actions. His aggression would have scared people who didn’t know him as well as Ellis. Aggression was his only outlet for his emotions, but Ellis knew he wasn’t capable of violence even in his own defense.

“Put your hands near me one more time and see what happens.” Ellis was well aware of how arrogant he sounded. Logically, he couldn’t take Roman in a fight but also Roman wouldn’t be able to deal with the repercussions of assaulting him. “Why did Fletcher want to talk to you?”

Roman stood up and motioned for Ellis to follow. A round of laughter and jokes followed them as they slipped past the people and headed upstairs. For reasons unknown to Ellis, Roman insisted upon going all the way to the third floor. Why anyone needed a house so insanely tall was beyond Ellis.

Unlike the rest of the house, the upstairs was essentially empty. Even the music didn’t seem as loud. As he rounded the corner, Roman started to explain,

“He’s hearing voices. Davis particularly.” He dropped the tough guy act allowing his expression to droop into a small frown. “He thinks it's some paranormal bullshit, but I’d advise not buying into it.”

“What?” Ellis asked.

“During his speech, he heard Davis’s voice say something and he felt something grab him in the water at the last swim meet but you and I both know he isn’t the most emotionally stable person.” That’s the pot calling the kettle black, Ellis thought. “If you really want to talk to him, he’s downstairs in the kitchen sulking.”

Ellis pushed past Roman and started down the stairs before turning back and watched the way Roman moved carefully. He was a tiny bit tipsy but still alright to walk. He’ll be fine, Ellis decided.

“What are you staring at?” Roman asked as he passed him on the stairs.

“Your jacket.” Ellis lied. “It’s ugly.” The second half was the truth. It was some black and red leather patchwork jacket from the 90’s decked out in gold studs with a star patch on the shoulder. Overall an eyesore, possibly the ugliest thing Roman owned which was a hard title to achieve. Ellis pushed the thought away as Roman wandered out of sight.

He didn’t know his way around the house and its open concept only confused him more. Through a group of girls dancing, he could see a figure slouched over a white marble counter. Roman was right, Fletcher was sulking. Twisting a small bit of card stock between his hands, he let out a half-hearted sigh. He was surrounded by people yet looked so lonely. So desperately, Ellis wanted to say something simple that would perk him up, but he didn’t know how. Fletcher looked fragile like a cracked window, one wrong move and the whole thing would break.

“What ya looking at?” Ellis sounded like an overly enthusiastic cashier.

“Oh this?” Fletcher twisted the card stock again before passing it to Ellis. “Just a business card for some local shop.”

He folded his arms and kept himself turned a tiny bit away from Ellis. The strange body language gave Ellis the impression he didn’t want to talk. Instead of saying more, Ellis looked down at the business card, seeing the word Helga Merrick’s cartomancy written in beautiful pink lettering.

“How are you?” Ellis knew exactly how awkward he sounded.

“I should go. Beck was pissed off. I came after Warren refused to invite her.” Fletcher stood from the stool; his shoulder still slouched forward. Defeated, he looked absolutely defeated. “I only came here to talk to Roman anyways and that’s not happening.”

Nothing made sense about Fletcher. There was no rhyme or reason to his relationships. The fact he trusted Roman more than Ellis only stood to show the sheer lack of logic in Fletcher’s mind. Trust should have been something they both had for each other and yet Fletcher kept his with Roman and for what reason? Nostalgia? Familiarity? Ellis didn’t know, he just knew it didn’t make sense.

“Roman doesn’t listen to anyone.” Ellis said.

“I suppose… Can I ask you how you knew what a fairy circle was? It’s just been bothering me.” Fletcher drew his bottom lip between his teeth.

“Superstitious family.”

Fletcher smiled like he was about to say more but he didn’t. Ellis craved nothing more than a real conversation with Fletcher, yet he didn’t have anything to say. He had prepared what he was going to say beforehand, but it all seemed trivial and pointless. Behind Fletcher’s green eyes, there was something brewing. It was restlessness Ellis hadn’t seen before. Fletcher was lost and in need of something, Ellis just didn’t know what. Every instinct in his body told him he needed to help him but there was nothing he could do. He wasn’t the person for Fletcher anymore no matter how much he longed to be.

“I’m going to head home.” Fletcher said.

“I can give you a ride.” Ellis’s eyes followed Fletcher.

“Thanks, but really, enjoy the party. Don’t leave on my account.”

Ellis wanted to say, I came here for you, but the words died on the tip of his tongue. Plans often fall apart but Ellis wasn’t expecting one as simple as rebuilding a friendship to crumble so quickly. Out of every conversation he had thought about having, they all ended with Fletcher being engaged but the distance behind his eyes made it clear that it wasn’t possible. Without thinking Ellis started to speak.

“Do you remember how we used to bike around these streets? Literally probably travelled miles just to get to some weird spot one of us found.”

“Yeah, Sam used to struggle. I’m still not entirely certain he can actually ride a bike.” Fletcher let out a soft laugh before sitting back on the stool. Good, he is staying. I’m doing something right, Ellis thought to himself.

Fletcher’s laugh was a relief to hear. It was pure and free, a childish like giggle despite his age. With clasp hands, a smile started to grow on Fletcher’s face as if he was witnessing a highlight reel of their childhood.

“Do you remember the time we hit the turn too fast and I went over the guardrail. By the time I hit the ditch I looked like I took a mud bath.”

“Oh yeah. I tried to help you back up and you just pulled me into the mess. My mom was so livid when she came to pick us up.”

The music was cranked so loudly it was becoming harder and harder to hear but Ellis didn’t care anymore. Any conversation with Fletcher was better than the loneliness Ellis had become accustomed to. Sure, he was at a party he resented, he had to deal with Roman’s antics and underage drinking, but it was worth it for just one moment of feeling connected.

In a way Ellis wishes he could go back. Simply rewind time to when it was easy, when Roman wasn’t sharp like a knife, when Sam experienced emotions and most of all when he and Fletcher were friends. They didn’t have to try to get along, they just did. It was easy and natural. The two were in sync like they were born to be friends.

Ellis opened his mouth to speak when he felt a hand clapped on his shoulder. Without looking, he could smell a mixture of gin and beer. Absolutely nauseating, Ellis held his breath as he turned to see Warren sporting a smug grin.

“Come out back, boys. Roman’s going to give us a little show. Going to dive off the roof into the pool.” Ellis didn’t notice before, but Warren’s eyes were bloodshot.

The first thought that came to Ellis’s mind was it was cold and there was no reason for Roman to be jumping in a pool. His next thought was about how obnoxious it was to interrupt their conversation, but it would have been insane to hold Warren to any standards of basic human manners.

“I’ve seen my fair share of Roman’s stunts so I think I’ll pass-” Ellis’s face dropped, remembering just how tall the house was. “He’ll break his legs.”

Warren’s only reply was his signature devil-may-care smile and a half-hearted shrug. Slipping out the side door, he left to watch.

“Go, someone needs to save him from himself.” Fletcher said getting up from the stool again. “Talk to you at school.”

Angrily, Ellis took Warren’s path to the backyard. The pool was shallower and much smaller than he expected. Maybe four feet at its deepest. He surveyed the crowd for Roman or Warren, but neither were around. Although everyone seemed to be looking up at the same thing. Following the crowd's gaze, he saw exactly what caught everyone’s interest. With a red plastic cup in one hand and his phone in the other, Roman was dancing on the roof. People were cheering him on. Horrified, Ellis’s jaw dropped as he looked at the pool then back to Roman. He would have to jump at least ten feet out. It was practically suicide.

“Cut the shit, Davenport.” Ellis shouted up at a nonresponsive Roman. “Get your ass down here.”

“Oh, better pack in it, guys. Roman’s girlfriend is calling it off.” Warren made a whoosh noise like a whip.

With one hand, Roman flipped Ellis off before tossing the cup in his general direction. He stepped back to get a running start. There wasn’t a single doubt in Ellis mind that if Roman jumped, they would need an ambulance and yet no one wanted to stop him. Ellis wasn’t even sure if there was a way to stop him. Slowly, Ellis took out his phone and started to film.

“Come down, or I’ll send a video to your mom.” A weak threat at best but enough to catch his attention. Roman mirrored Warren’s uncaring body language before lining himself up for the jump. “Enjoy wilderness therapy then. I hear it’s worse in the winter.”

The comment caused something in Roman to tick. He stepped away from the ledge and disappeared out of sight. Ellis was half convinced that at any moment he would turn and run for the jump, but he didn’t. A few minutes later he saw Roman come through the screen door looking positively pissed but with functioning legs so Ellis didn’t care much for how he felt.

Gripping Ellis's arm, Roman dragged him out the backyard and back through the party. People were shouting insults and jokes as they passed by. Roman didn’t say a word until they were out of ear shot of everyone at the party.

“Who the hell do you think you are?”

“We both did diving. You know as well I do that your little stunt would have left you crippled.”

The two kept walking down the street. Ellis wasn’t sure why but Roman always was one to walk and talk. He always remarked that it cleared his mind.

“You aren’t my handler.”

“No, but clearly you need one.” Ellis replied unsure of why he was even having the conversation. “I’m taking you home.”

“Like hell you are. I shouldn’t have to remind you, but I’m capable of making my own choices.” Roman gripped Ellis’s arm tighter as if to illustrate his point. “I’m going back to the party. I’m going to enjoy the evening with my friends and there's nothing you can do about it.”

Ellis didn’t mean to laugh as loudly as he did. Roman’s already sour expression twisted further into a look of pure distaste as if to say, what’s so funny?

“Warren isn’t your friend.” Ellis answered the unasked question. “A friend wouldn’t let you kill yourself. A friend wouldn’t encourage you to commit crimes. A friend-”

“And how would you know?”

“Because I’m your friend!” Ellis was confused with the words coming out of his mouth.

He didn’t consider Roman his friend, not even in the slightest but he felt such a strong sense of obligation to him. It was frustrating, Ellis deserved to just let Roman rot in his own mistakes, yet he never really could. As much as he despised who Roman had become, he couldn’t just stop caring. Roman didn’t have anything left to say. The anger drained from him leaving an unusually quiet boy in its place. He didn’t have any more objections. He followed Ellis to the car.

The thing about Holloway’s that no one could deny was their strong sense of loyalty. Ellis unfortunately felt the side effects of it more often than he wanted. Much of his personality was based around his strong sense of loyalty so much so it was becoming a flaw in himself. Loyalty to the other boys was dangerous, Ellis just wasn’t sure how bad the damage was going to be.