Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

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Serina told me that Zoe, Luca, and Ash are getting along well and stick to each other no matter what. I believed that was the case when all three of them refused to talk, but Ash throwing Luca under the bus rubbed me the wrong way.

I felt anger stir inside me. If this is how he treats his best friend, what can others expect?

"You need to own your mistakes and not shift the blame.", I allowed my irritation to be audible and I could see Ash shrinking.

Maybe Ash said that only because he feared that I will change my mind about giving him a chance for an internship, or maybe he really doesn't care about Luca. In the end, the reasons don't matter because actions speak for themselves. That's the lesson I was trying to teach him.

"In the world of grownups, it's not important who started it, Ash. When two people fight in a workplace, both get punished. If I try to investigate whose fault it is, I will waste my time and resources. Punishing only one side encourages people to frame others while feigning innocence. No one starts a physical altercation without a reason. Or are you saying that you were just minding your business and Luca jumped on you? You didn't provoke him? A guy like him probably has a jar for grudges with your name on it and whatever happened tonight only topped it off."

I took notice of Ash's thoughtful expression with a hint of shame, and I knew I was right. Seeing through people is one of my strong points, and these kids are open books.

Luca is Zoe's brother and considering her disheveled appearance even though she was not the one fighting, I could imagine Ash getting handsy with Zoe and Luca walking in on them. Sure, that puzzle was missing a few pieces, but I was confident that I got the gist of it.

"If you are going to ruin a friendship over a girl, make sure she is worth it."

Ash frowned. "Don't talk about Zoe like you know things."

"I'm not talking about Zoe. I was talking about your feelings toward her and your relationship with Luca."

I know that a horny teenager thinks only about getting it on, but if one cares for a girl, he would not try to do it in the forest when other people are in the vicinity. But then, maybe that's just me.

Ash lowered his head guiltily, but I was not done talking.

"I want you to show respect to Serina. If you don't know why I said that, ask yourself where you would be if not for her. Is this how you repay her kindness? She organized all this for you and even invited your friends, and what did you do? You were in a fistfight with the birthday boy and when Serina asked for an explanation you answered with silence. I don't care what the reason is, but she does because she is trying to understand and she worries about you. About all three of you."

There was only one more thing I wanted to say, "Take notice of people who care about you and make sure you respond in the right way, or one day you will realize that they stopped caring. Zoe is a nice-looking girl who is interested in you, but no matter what age you are, your priorities should stretch beyond soothing your hard-on. Actions have consequences and reasons don't matter. You talk about internship, a career, and making a fortune, but if you want people to treat you as a grownup, you should act like one."

Ash looked at me thoughtfully and I left him like that.

Next, it was time to talk to Luca.

Based on what Serina told me and my observations so far, I understood that Luca is a boy of a few words and many thoughts. I was confident that he didn't attack Ash just because he caught him with Zoe. There must be more to that story. Maybe some bro-code that Ash violated.

Serina told me how from young age Luca and Zoe relied on each other and I can only imagine how highly Luca thinks of Zoe.

It didn't matter if Luca didn't approve of Ash being with Zoe, or if he just didn't like that Ash was getting handsy in the forest instead of providing a more comfortable (and private) setting.

The point was Luca sees Zoe as special, and he expects others to treat her as such. I didn't see anything wrong with that.

For Luca, I had a different idea.

The door opened after two knocks and Luca blinked before looking behind me.

"It's just me and these two babies.", I said while raising my hand, showing him two chilled beers. "Can we come in?"

Luca opened the door, and I gave him a beer before opening the second one and making myself comfortable in the sofa chair.

Luca sat on a chair with the low coffee table between us and sipped his beer in silence, apparently lost in his thoughts.

"You won't say anything?", Luca asked after some time.

"Do you regret what you did?"

"No."

I appreciated Luca's straightforward answer. He was not finding excuses or pushing the blame. He owned it. Admirable.

"Good. I just hope you can tell that to Serina because she is worried."

"I will consider it."

This boy is full of surprises.

The two of us continued working on our beers without a word and when I finished mine I was ready to leave.

"I will see you at breakfast.", I said, and Luca nodded in response.

The doorknob was in my hand when I heard Luca saying, "Thank you for the beer."

My lips lifted into a smile. "You are welcome."

I was glad to see that I established a connection with all three teens that are under Serina's care. It was raw and fragile, but I could see myself as someone who will impact their lives and make Serina's job easier.

I would like that she relies on me, but even if she doesn't, I will support her from the shadows.

Ash is a ball of energy, zipping around and triggering commotion, while Luca is more like a tectonic plate at the bottom of the ocean, that no one knows it's there until it moves and causes a devastating tsunami. And those two boys have Zoe in the middle, bringing them together and keeping them apart at the same time.

A fascinating combination.

I returned to my bedroom and anxiety swelled inside me when I realized that Serina is not back yet.

My temper was rising at the thought that she was still with Lazarus, and I had to keep myself busy with something before I snap and go there. Serina needs to trust me to be her support, her partner, and if I just lash out whenever some guy approaches her, it won't be good.

I checked my emails, but there was nothing. Of course, it was the weekend.

I decided to hit the shower. Who knows, maybe she joins me?

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