In Deep (rewriting?? )

48

"Just to make sure, your name is Sara, right? Like you don't have another name too?" Ethan chuckles, climbing onto his motorcycle.

"I can confidently say that my only name is Sara. Unless my parents are withholding information from me." I wrap my arms around his middle, hands clasping over his defined stomach. The engine purrs to life, softly vibrating my entire body.

The ride back to my place was calm and quiet. Wind kissing my exposed skin as we raced through backroads into town. Before pulling in front of my house I shout the instructions to stop two houses down from mine. I knew the ear full I would get from my mother seeing me pull up on a motorcycle. The lecture she would deliver about the dangers of the death traps and the consequences of my actions already playing in my mind.

'Do you think she would be more chill if you had safety gear on? Like more gear than just a helmet?"

"I mean it's a possibility. She would probably be only slightly annoyed at the thought of me on a motorcycle if I had the whole jacket thing going on. So maybe pick me up in a car next time, or we can just do this whole 2 house down thing again" I suggest.

"Alright" was his only response.

"I guess I'll text you later." I shrug, turning towards my house.

"Sara!" he called back to me. "I had a lot of fun with you. I'm happy you're my mystery text girl." His smile is so soft, but I can see a small sliver of white teeth peaking though.

"I'm happy it was you too," I yell, crossing the lawn onto my property. I'm so happy. Maybe my life is finally looking up again. Maybe Ethan likes me back. I have to call the girls.

Taking the stairs two at a time and completely bypassing my mother and father in the kitchen I launch onto the bed.

"You will not believe what I'm about to tell you," I say once both their faces appear logged into the face time. Lana was dialed in from the driver's seat of her car, work uniform still on. Her shifts were often short. Only working 4 or 5 hours. She didn't need the money, but her parents made her get a job to teach her responsibility. Therefore, she requested the least amount of hours possible. Jessica was lying in bed, reading glasses on.

"I feel like I've heard that one before '' Lana rolls her eyes that were focused on the road as she pulled out of the parking lot of the local ice cream store. Even in her milk-stained shirt she still manages to look beautiful. With her defined features and clear skin make, she was theoretically perfect, and it made me a little envious. If I were to wear the same ugly teal uniform I would resemble more of a tropical fish then-teenage girl. It still amazes me that she is so self-conscious. She'll never admit it but the reason she filters through so many boys is because she fears they will find her ugly after a while, therefore, leaving them before they leave her is easiest. It didn't help that she was cheated on. A real blow for someone who is confident, a detrimental blow for someone who has the same amount of confidence as a slug.

"So I don't have to pick between my two mystery men anymore" I ignore the comment.

"Oh no, what happened." Jessica sighs, sipping a liquid from her mug, glasses now resting atop her head.

"Nothing, nothing. Only that there are no two people. They are the same. Ethan and James are the same person."

"No way." Jessica sits up in her bed, interest peaking.

"Your life is like watching a movie. Like seriously girl, I'm jealous." Lana laughs. It's funny thinking she's jealous of me. The girl I have always envied, always idolized, jealous of me. Ironically over a boy's attention. The queen of male attention. Laughable.

"Lana if anyone's life is like a movie it's yours" Jessica laughs as if reading my mind. "But she has a point, Sara. Your life, in the boy department, is insane." My cheeks heat in response. For someone who never had a boyfriend before the start of summer, I have gotten a lot of male attention lately. It must be weird for my friends. To talk about my life. It was always Lana's life that was discussed. Never mind that was because Jason never gave me a second glance. Until this summer that is.

"So what school does he go to again?" It was Lana who spoke the dreaded words.

"He goes to Phillips." The collective gasp and startled 'no' interrupted me before l even pronounced the 'lips' of the prep school's name.

"Sara! How could you?"

"You know we don't mess with Phillips guys!"

"It's our most sacred vow. Thou shall not fraternize or fornicated with the devil's spawn that is Phillips Academy attendees."

"He's different"

"Oh, that's what they all say. Jess, I think we are going to need to stage an intervention."

"Ya, what even is his last name? Do you know? How powerful is his family? How much money does he have?" Jess really didn't skip a beat landing all the hard questions.

"I do not know any of the answers you seek."

"Then, we should look him up. What did you say his name was again?" She was sliding her reading glasses back onto the bridge of her nose.

"No, we should not," I shut them down. "I will respect his privacy. Seriously, guys, I want him to tell me these things, not my stocker best friends who should work for the FBI."

"Fine. we will not look him up, but seriously Sar," Lana dramatically rests her head on her steering wheel. "Phillips guys are bad news, trust me I know, I've dated 3."

"Lana, is your personal experience really worth considering? You dated three but two were brothers, of course, they egged your house when they found out."

"I'm just saying. What about Kyle. I didn't even cheat on him at all, I was totally devoted to him, one of my first loves, and what did he do? Dumped me at the dance to make out with what's her face. I brought him to our school dance and he dumped me. No wonder it turned out this way. That relationship scared me." she rests the back of her hand on her forehead, falling into her seat.

"I know you guys are worried, and I really appreciate it, I do. I got this though. He is a really nice guy, and he talked to me when he didn't have to and continued to talk to me when he really didn't have to. He has a genuine interest in my life and I his. I am really excited when his name pops up on my phone and really excited when I get to talk to him."

"Oh my god, you sound like Lana. Kill me please" Jess breaths, Lana just giggles about how 'i got it good'. This banter continues for a short while before eventually ending the call. Smiling into my pillow I can't suppress the smile that rests on my face. It seems to be a permanent accessory lately.

Just the thought of Ethan makes my blood flow to my cheek. I laugh at myself as I make my way about my room. Tidying as I go. Summer was almost more than half over but it feels as though it has just begun.

The best part of my Monday is getting go post for yall. Love you.