The worst part about group projects, in Elias's opinion, was pretending he needed anyone else.
But Westridge High enforced a strict collaboration policy — one that Alex Dunphy had used to her full advantage by cornering Mr. Halbern after class and insisting on "academic integrity" in group assignments.
That's how Elias found himself standing on the front porch of the Dunphy house at 3:42 p.m. on a Thursday, holding nothing but a laptop bag and a faint, sinking feeling in his gut.
He rang the doorbell once.
The door swung open instantly, like someone had been waiting behind it.
"Hey there, bud!" said Phil Dunphy, voice too loud and smile even louder. "You must be Elias! Come on in, don't be shy — we're a shoes-on kind of household unless the dog vomits, which isn't technically that often."
Elias blinked. "Thanks."
He stepped inside. Warm lighting. Family photos. Slight scent of burnt toast. Home.
Phil clapped him on the shoulder. "Alex said you were smart. Didn't say you looked like a rockstar."
"I try to keep it quiet," Elias said mildly.
Phil gave him finger guns. "Cool and humble. I like it."
Before Elias could respond, Claire Dunphy appeared from the kitchen, drying her hands with a towel and wearing a skeptical smile that said I know your type and I don't like surprises.
"So. You're Elias."
He nodded. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Dunphy."
Claire didn't shake his hand. Just stared for an uncomfortable beat before replying, "You're older than I expected."
"I get that a lot."
"Do you?" Her eyes flicked to Alex, who had just entered the room with her laptop and an expression that could kill. "You invited him into our home without telling me he looks like he belongs on a billboard."
"Mom."
"I'm just saying. I thought he was a mathlete, not a male model."
"I tried to warn you," Alex muttered, brushing past Elias on her way to the dining table.
Phil leaned in. "You sing, too?"
Elias's jaw barely moved. "A little."
"Alex caught him practicing in the music room," Claire said, folding her arms.
Alex groaned. "It wasn't a big deal."
Phil perked up like a Golden Retriever. "Wait, you sing? Like actually sing? Can I hear something?"
"No," Elias said.
It wasn't rude. Just final.
Phil blinked. "Fair enough. Still better than Haley's last boyfriend. He tried to do interpretive dance during dessert."
"Twice," Claire added. "Once in socks on a wood floor."
"Three stitches," said Luke, appearing from nowhere with a bowl of cereal. "Right on the chin."
Luke eyed Elias. "Hey. Are you the guy who sings like an angel or whatever?"
Alex nearly dropped her laptop.
Elias gave Luke a sideways glance. "That depends. Are you the guy who thinks marshmallows count as dinner?"
Luke blinked. "...Yeah."
"Then yes," Elias said, moving past him.
Alex hissed under her breath. "You could try not roasting my entire family in the first five minutes."
Elias settled into a chair beside her.
"You didn't ask me not to."
Phil gave a proud little fist pump. "Ooh, I like this one."
Claire narrowed her eyes. "You would."