It was a little after 6 A.M. when Elaine's phone screen lit up on her nightstand with a text, interrupting the soft hum of her indie playlist with the vibration threatening to knock her phone onto the floor.
Elaine groaned, rolling onto her side as she emerged from the warmth of her bedding cocoon to squint at the message.
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{Lucian} (Text)
Good morning, Elaine. Do you have any plans today?
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She blinked a few times, rolling onto her back to stare at the ceiling while contemplating life. I could reply or… I could go back to sleep. She pondered the available options, then groaned, reaching over to lift her phone off the charger to reply.
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{Elaine} (Text)
Nope. Why?
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Her eyelids fluttered faintly, her phone slipping dangerously close to her face before she ultimately dropped it. She flinched, tossing it to the side with another groan.
Mornings. Why did they exist?
She groggily rolled off the bed, barely catching her footing to take a shower that would hopefully wake her up. She scrolled through her playlists before beginning her shower, only to be interrupted when her phone dinged with another text.
She peered out from behind the shower curtain, soaked and unimpressed as she looked at the screen propped up next to the shower.
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{Lucian} (Text)
We don't have any rehearsals today, so I was wondering if you wanted to join us for a pool day. What do you say?
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Elaine blinked, her brows furrowing as she reached for her towel, drying off while pondering the idea. For a moment, she debated saying no, then she remembered it.
The bikini. The one Eleanore had bought her during her shopping escapade. Elaine shook her head, sighing as she retrieved it with her clothes. She stared at it for a moment before muttering under her breath, "You win, Nora."
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{Elaine} (Text)
Sure, why not? I could use a break.
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{Lucian} (Text)
Oh wow, so you CAN relax. Be sure to teach Luca to do that sometime 😂
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{Elaine} (Text)
I can try, but no promises.
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{Lucian} (Text)
Address incoming. Please bring your ID. I've let security know you are coming.
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By the time she had her bag packed with a change of clothes, a towel, and other items for the day, Lucian had sent the address. She input it into her GPS before scribbling a messy note for Eleanore to pin on the fridge.
'Heading out with the boys, don't burn the apartment down. -W'
After a scenic drive to her destination, Elaine pulled up to the black security gates, admiring the beauty of the scene in front of her. The mansion loomed over a long driveway with several luxury vehicles spread about. The entire luxury vibe was a bit obnoxious, but it was also impressive.
A guard in a black uniform leaned next to her window as she rolled it down to take her ID and check it. "Miss Wolf, they're expecting you," he said, handing her ID back while opening the gates. "Straight up the drive, ma'am."
"Thank you." Elaine gave a small nod, following the stone pavement up to the mansion. It was even more impressive up close. Sleek glass panels, marble balconies, and morning sunlight glinting off silver railings.
This is definitely the house of Premise. Elaine smiled, shaking her head as she stepped out, retrieving her bag.
Lucian appeared first, walking out the doors with a grin. Casen bounced behind him, grinning from ear to ear.
"You actually came!" Casen beamed, jumping off the steps to run to her, "I thought for sure you'd ghost us this time!"
Elaine nudged her car door closed with a laugh. "And miss the fun? Never."
"Told you she'd show," Lucian smirked, slipping a hand behind her shoulder, slipping her bag off it before she could protest. "Come on, I'll give you a tour."
The foyer gleamed with white marble and golden fixtures, the walls were lined with framed records, photos of the members with who she could only presume were family members, and several posters. As they walked through the archway, there was a sculpture of a microphone hanging upside down in a showcase of awards, and a chandelier that probably cost more than her car hanging over the large island in the kitchen.
Elaine gave a low whistle, taking in the open floor concept. "Okay, who designed this? I'm moving in," she joked.
"I'll let the owner know," Lucian chuckled.
A door adjacent to the kitchen creaked open as Elaine looked around. Luca stepped out, adjusting the hood of his hoodie and looking mildly irritated at existence. His eyes flicked up, and he paused when his gaze landed on Elaine. He was quiet for a moment before glancing at Lucian.
"...What's going on?" He asked flatly.
"Pool day," Lucian replied without missing a beat. "Go change, Mr. Grumpy."
Casen grinned, peering out from behind Lucian. "Don't worry, we'll save you a floatie."
Lucian burst out laughing, patting Luca on the shoulder as he walked passed to the fridge. Luca gave a slow blink as he let out a deep sigh, before turning on his heels to disappear back into his room without another word.
Elaine blinked, looking at the door, then Lucian. "You think he's actually joining everyone?"
"Fifty-fifty," Lucian said, then tilted his head. "Maybe forty-sixty if he remembers he hates fun."
Elaine gave a soft chuckle as she followed him out into their backyard that stretched like a private resort. The perfectly tended gardens led back to an enormous indoor pool with a glass ceiling.
Rylan was sitting on the edge of the pool, his legs hanging into the water, while Enzo floated aimlessly on a pool mat.
Rylan looked up from his phone, grinning as he saw Lucian and Elaine enter with Casen skittishly wandering over to his chair that was near the open doors. "Well, well, well. Look who's brave enough to join us."
"Oh, don't start," Elaine chuckled as Lucian set her bag on a lounge chair. "I brought peace, not war."
"Peace? Around here?" Enzo briefly opened one eye before closing it back. "Never heard of it."
Elaine chuckled, standing next to her bag while sorting out her belongings, her gaze landed on Casen, who seemed to be nervously staring at the water despite being far away from it.
Rylan followed her gaze before offering a small smile, speaking quietly, "He doesn't swim… Bad experience."
"Ah." Elaine nodded, glancing back at Casen before letting out a small sigh. She slipped her bikini cover off, folding it neatly.
Lucian, who had sprawled out across his own lounge chair, whistled. "Alright, who do I thank for this visual blessing?"
Elaine shook her head, laughing faintly. "Eleanore. Definitely Eleanore."
"Then give me her number," Lucian chuckled. "I owe her dinner."
"You'd never get rid of her if I did."
"I like persistence."
Elaine laughed as she applied sunscreen before sliding into the water, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Rylan grinned, splashing water at her. She immediately retaliated and splashed him back, causing him to laugh and slide off the edge into the water.
She glanced at the water before turning to look at Casen with a smile. "C'mon Casen. It's not that deep!"
"Neither are you!" He shot back defensively.
Rylan snorted, pushing his damp hair back with his hand. "That doesn't even make sense, man."
Casen glanced between the two, but after a few minutes of Rylan taunting him, he slowly approached the steps of the pool.
He looks like a cat about to get a bath. Elaine extended her hand, offering a soft smile. "I promise we won't let you drown."
Casen hesitated, looking between her and Rylan before slowly taking her hand. "I'm holding you to that."
He held onto the railing until his knuckles were white as Elaine and Rylan guided him into the water. Rylan stepped back, grinning, "Good job!" He suddenly slapped his hand into the water and splashed Casen, who panicked instantly with a loud wail.
Lucian leaned over the side of the pool from his chair, "So… You think he's gonna survive the trauma?"
"Barely," Enzo muttered, still floating away from the chaos.
Lucian chuckled, but before he could respond, he heard footsteps. He turned his head, grinning as Luca leaned against a table, watching the three splash water at each other. "You're a bit overdressed for the pool."
Luca glanced at Lucian, rolling his eyes. "Just came to check on everyone," he murmured, slipping his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
Elaine and Rylan had turned their attention from Casen, who had made his escape, to Enzo, who yelped when Rylan dunked him. Casen burst out laughing, then slipped, nearly falling back into the pool, causing Elaine and Rylan to laugh even harder.
Lucian stood, walking to stand next to Luca, "You really gonna just stand here all day?"
"Someone has to supervise these idiots," Luca murmured.
"You're one of the idiots, bro."
"I could be finishing a track right now."
"Or," Lucian chuckled, "You could stop pretending you hate fun."
Luca rolled his eyes again, watching Enzo drag Rylan down when he tried to hop over the edge of the pool to get away. "Fun doesn't pay the bills."
Lucian gave a light shrug before a wicked grin crossed his features.
Luca glanced at him, his eyes narrowing as he took a step back, "Don't."
Lucian launched forward, and Luca wasn't quick enough to avoid him. He tackled him straight into the pool, submerging both of them with a massive splash.
Elaine leaned down, laughing. "Oh my god, Lucian!"
Luca and Lucian resurfaced at almost the same time; however, Luca immediately got out and walked away, back to the mansion. Lucian gave a tight smile as he swam to where he could stand. "...I might've screwed that up."
Enzo hopped up onto the side of the pool, raising his brows. "That was a great idea," he murmured, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
"...He's gonna kill me," Lucian murmured, leaning his back against the edge of the pool next to Enzo.
"Probably," Rylan said, then nodded with a grin. "We'll write your eulogy and dress you in plaid."
Lucian snorted, turning to hop up out of the pool to get a drink while Rylan turned his attention back to Casen, trying to coax him back into the pool with Elaine.
After about ten minutes, Elaine noticed Luca reappear in swim trunks and a white t-shirt. He was dangerously calm as he walked up behind Lucian and Enzo. Without a word, he shoved both of them into the deep end.
Lucian's yell echoed off the ceiling as he hit the water with a spectacular splash, while Enzo managed to fully dive mid-fall to avoid Lucian landing on him.
Elaine nearly doubled over laughing, clutching her stomach.
"Damn! Revenge looks good on you, man!" Rylan bellowed, laughing so hard he stumbled on the steps and ended up sitting down.
"That's one way to cool off," Elaine added between snickers, falling to sit beside Rylan.
Lucian resurfaced, glancing between everyone, even Casen, who was sitting behind Rylan, laughing. "You all suck."
"Love you too!" Casen chimed.
The hours bled together in a mix of laughter and early 2000s pop-punk music.
Elaine climbed out of the pool, listening to Rylan trying to coax Casen into a chicken fight. She grabbed her drink, checking her phone. Once she set both down, she felt arms scoop her up.
"Luca!" She yelped. "Don't you-"
She was cut off as he tossed her straight into the pool. The splash was big enough to coat Lucian, who was lounging next to the pool.
When she resurfaced, coughing through her laughter, Luca crouched by the ledge with a smug smirk, "Having fun?"
Elaine wiped water from her face, snickering as she glanced up at him. "Maybe."
She suddenly grabbed the ledge, catching his wrist, then yanked him forward. Luca toppled over, crashing into the water with a sound somewhere between a shout and a laugh.
"Ha! She got you good!" Lucian wheezed.
"Wolf one, Hunt zero!" Casen hollered.
"Nah, it's one to one," Rylan grinned, climbing out of the pool to run around the side as Elaine and Luca began a water war. Enzo laughed from where he was standing when Rylan cannonballed into the fray. Lucian shook his head, diving in with them.
Enzo wandered over to sit next to Casen, unlocking his phone.
"You're recording this?" Casen chuckled.
"Obviously," Enzo said, hitting the button on his phone. "This is perfect blackmail material."
"You think he's gonna be mad later?"
Enzo watched Luca, who was smiling as he wrestled with Lucian, only for Lucian to lose his balance and fall right before Elaine tackled Luca, dunking them both. "Nah… Look at him."
Casen looked at Luca, who was laughing, a laugh no one had heard in months. "Yeah," he nodded, hugging his knees. "I think he's getting better."
Enzo gave a soft smile, watching the four before leaning and nudging Casen with his elbow. "A new era for Premise, let's make it a good one."