Jessica
"Sebastian, this is Jessica, my girlfriend," Ava said.
Jessica smiled at the dark-skinned boy with the buzz-cut next to Ava. Standing head-to-bicep with his sister, he seemed tall when he was actually of average height. The shape of his nose and roundness of his face reminded Jessica strongly of Ava, but that was where the similarities ended.
When Sebastian returned Jessica's smile, it radiated comfort and happiness, much like Ava's always did. "It's nice to meet you," Sebastian said. "Especially after you've been the cause for me getting woken up in the middle of the night by my anxious sister."
Jessica cringed. "I'm really sorry."
Sebastian waved it aside. "Not your fault. Ava just loves to overthink things to the point where she becomes an anxiety-ridden mess."
"I've noticed."
"Hey!" Ava cut in before she was interrupted by a knock at the door.
She shooed Jessica aside, whose gaze followed her as she went to let her other guests in. Carter, and a rather unhappy-looking Zyan, stood in the hallway. He seemed like he didn't want to be there, which didn't surprise Jessica in the slightest. She just wished he'd make an effort for Ava's sake.
"How did you get him to leave his apartment?" Ava asked as she gave Zyan a once-over.
Carter shrugged. "I have my ways."
"I thought he was Mrs. Harvey," Zyan said. "My mail has been getting mixed in with hers a lot lately."
"Well, I'm glad you two are here, either way." Ava stepped aside with an inviting gesture.
Carter put his hand firmly on Zyan's back and pushed him along until Ava was able to close the door behind them.
"Sebastian!" Ava said loudly. "This is Carter and Zyan." She pointed to each of them.
Sebastian greeted them with a happy smile before his eyes fixed in on Zyan. "So, you're the famous neighbor who's kept my big sis out of trouble over the last couple of years."
Zyan looked uncomfortable and didn't say anything.
"Yes," Ava answered for him. "You've gotta excuse him—he's a bit socially inept."
"Excuse me," Zyan interrupted. "I'm perfectly capable of holding up pleasant conversation."
"He's right," Carter said. "He mostly just chooses not to."
Zyan glared over at Carter, who innocently blinked back at him. After a moment, Zyan stepped toward Sebastian. "Steve—may I call you Steve?"
"What? No! That's not my—"
"Great," Zyan cut him off. "Steve, how long are you going to be staying? I'd just like to know when I'll get back home, since there's a movie I'd like to catch later tonight. The Wi-Fi's been acting up, and streaming has been a nightmare this week."
"Um."
Carter stepped in between them, facing Zyan. "Really?"
"What?" Zyan asked. "We all have our priorities."
Carter stared at him for a couple of seconds before he grabbed Zyan's wrist and pulled him along to the kitchen. "Come on, let's get you something to drink and talk about appropriate social behavior while we're at it."
"I swear, he's not always like that," Ava said as soon as the two were out of earshot.
"I cannot confirm that," Jessica put in. "It's more like he grows on you. Like a fungus."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure how to take that."
"You'll see," Jessica replied.
"Zyan is a good guy," Ava pressed on. "He just takes some getting used to. Jessie came to like him, right?"
"You could call it that."
"Just give him a chance, all right?" Ava said. "He'll warm up to you."
*~*~*
"You didn't approach me because of my singing voice, Carter. Be straight with me."
"After all these years, I'd rather not get back in the closet."
"Remind me again why I gave you another chance."
"I'm pretty hot?"
"Having fun, boys?" Ava asked with a smirk when Zyan and Carter returned from the kitchen. She noted how they both seemed a lot more comfortable and relaxed than before.
"I gave him a lecture on socially acceptable behavior," Carter said. "But I'm not sure he was listening."
"I was watching your lips move, but the elevator music in my head seemed much more entertaining," Zyan said.
"You were staring at my lips, huh?" Carter teased.
"Don't flatter yourself. I was staring at the ink staining your lower lip."
"What?" Carter reached up to wipe at his mouth. There was, indeed, a small splotch of blue.
Zyan ducked his head to hide his grin.
Jessica could only stare. Well…this was new.