Adopted by Heathers: The Sequel

How On Earth Did This Happen?

It was a few days after Astrid's funeral, and I was constantly crying in my room. There wasn't a day I'd go without crying over Astrid, and my friends were still shocked about it.

Elle's respected my wishes and has left me alone most of the time, though sometimes I've needed a hug and asked her to stay with me for a bit to watch a movie or something. That's always distracted me.

I've started to go back to school again, even though it was a little hard. Every time someone pointed out I was Elle's kid, it hurt, because it reminded me too much of Astrid and how much she would fangirl about my family.

It was a Saturday afternoon, and I was in my room listening to music as I always do on the weekends, given I have no homework. But being a junior in high school that's an AP student, I almost always have homework. Especially on the weekends.

Luckily, this weekend was homework-free.

I had my headphones plugged in and was hanging upside down on my bed, something that almost always made me laugh no matter what was going on. I giggled a little bit, the first laugh that came out of my mouth since Astrid died.

Then suddenly and without warning, the doorbell rang. I heard Elle groan and get up to open it.

"Hi." I heard a boy's voice say. Elle started tripping on her words and then managed to say, "Sunshine..."

"Yeah?" I called out from my room, truly confused. I grabbed my crutches and hobbled out to the living room. And there was a curly brown-haired boy with a beanie and a flannel. I knew exactly who that was, though I had to squint to recognize his face.

"Catlynn?"

"Ethan?"

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" from Elle, who ran to the couch and started screaming in a pillow.

"Ethan? I thought you were dead! What's...what's happening?" I asked. Ethan said, "I'm not dead. What made you think I was dead?"

"Have you lost your mind?" I screamed. "The school told everyone Ethan Connors was dead! The last time I checked, your name was Ethan Connors!"

"THERE'S A SECOND ETHAN CONNORS!" Ethan screamed.

Dead. Silence. I shot a "help me" look to Elle, who smiled sweetly at me back. Which wasn't any help. At all.

"He was a senior." Ethan said quietly once the silence passed.

"So...but we went to a funeral." I said. "I'm still so confused. Is this a dream or something?"

"Nope. No dream." from Ethan.

"That explains why your mom wasn't at the funeral!" Elle said.

"But wait. Your mom acted like YOU were the one who died." I said.

"She just thought you were close with the other Ethan Connors." Ethan said.

"I barely knew the dude!" I said, laughing.

"Anyway, Cat, I have something to confess. Um...I like you. Like, like-like you." Ethan said. "I've liked you since the day I switched schools."

A soft squeal came from Elle as I froze in fear. If I told Ethan I was dating Red, Elle would know right on the spot. But if I told him I was single and simply not interested, the single part being a total lie, someone in my family would try to set me up with Ethan. I know how they work.

"Uh...Ethan. I need to talk to you in my room." I said. I went off to my bedroom and Ethan followed behind me.

"What's going on?"

"Ethan, I'm bisexual." I said.

"I'm pan." Ethan responded.

"Wait...what?" I said. "Okay, I'm proud of you, but not my point. I have a girlfriend."

"What?" Ethan said softly. "I thought I had a chance with you. Mom thought I had a chance with you."

"Well, you don't. And stop acting like my love life is my top priority right now. I'm dealing with AP work, am still balancing a blood condition, am recovering from a traumatic car crash, and are DEALING WITH THE DEATH OF MY BEST FRIEND!" I said.

Ethan sadly sighed and fidgeted with his hoodie strings. I cracked a smile. I remember loving when he did that. It was what made me fall in love with him.

"Hey Ethan?" I asked. Ethan looked up at me gently.

"You wanna...still be friends?" I asked.

"I'd like that." Ethan said.

AN: Were you guys surprised? I'm so proud of myself. This was truly an evil plan. Well, it was meant to be good news for Cat but I think I turned it evil. Hope you enjoyed and catch ya later!