"I'd comment on how late you are, but honestly I think they'll all be surprised you made it this early."
"Pssh, I woke up at 6:00am today..."
"Yeah, and then again at 6:15 and 6:30 and again every fifteen minutes for a full three hours. Still, pretty impressive for you. Must be excited to spend another summer not working."
Ronnie let the jab slide off him. The past years it may have sparked an argument between the brothers. The two had somehow managed to grow closer recently with Ronnie close to moving away, and Ronnie could tell this was a joke. He had a point too. Ronnie had woken up much later than he had planned to and packing had been a whirlwind. And dressed in joggers and a tank, he even kinda looked like he had just gotten out of bed.
"Who's all staying at this house? You gonna be spending all summer with those girls from the swim team?" John continued.
"Nah, these are my friends. You know, Elizabeth and all them. But hey, just 'cause they're not party animals doesn't mean I can't work that Pacheco charm... but you would know all about that wouldn't you?" said Ronnie, laughing at his brother's coy grin. Not that he had any intentions, going into this summer. It wasn't like that. He just enjoyed being able to get a genuine smile out of the overly sarcastic John.
Still, he wondered who would be showing up out of the group. It had been an open invitation, but some people had plans. He hadn't seen any list of confirmations or anything, but he hadn't really been looking. It would be a pleasant surprise either way.
John and Ronnie continued their conversation for a short while longer, until it completely died out upon pulling up to the front of the estate.
John let out a low whistle. "That's some house. Yo Ronnie, you sure you're not gonna try and marry this girl?"
"Uh huh," Ronnie laughed dismissively and opened the truck door. "Thanks for the ride." He grabbed his bags out of the truck bed and leaned through the open passenger window. "Well, see you in like three months I guess. Make sure dad remembers he has to feed Hoops now."
With a bag to his side and one over his shoulder he walked up the front steps to find Alex standing there. "Oh shit, Alex. Didn't even see you there. How's it going?" He walked up and pulled the young man into a friendly hug. "Glad to see I'm not the only one getting here after everyone. And from all the cars, looks like we got a party on our hands."
He stopped and looked from Alex to the door. "Did you-" He was cut off as the door opened at just that moment by one of the... servants? He wasn't sure what the appropriate word was these days. He smiled at her and gestured to Alex, following in after him. The surprises continued once inside, with Marquis standing in the entryway.
"You're supposed to be in Japan," he said laughing, as he pulled his other friend into a hug. "I guess you just know where fun really is though." He grinned, taking a look around the room. "Hell yeah, this gon' be fun."