Grace.

Chapter 34.

I loved the days when dad would be home. I really enjoyed his company. Of course, like any other dad, he'd spend an hour or two in his study working or in the lounge watching golf or a game. And of course, like any child, I'd bother him sometimes. I needed someone to take a picture of me in my new cardigan. I realized I hadn't taken any pictures in it. A few in the garden would've been perfect! Dad was downstairs watching a game on television.
"Papá, ¿Puede tomarme una foto, por favor?" I asked.
"¿Por que?"
He had the remote in his hand, his feet up on the table and his eyes glued to the screen.
"La necesita para mis redes sociales," I explained.
He finally paid attention to me, and when his brain had registered that I was in the room, he smiled.
"Anything for you, mija."
I knew the perfect spot in the garden. Dad was tech savvy so I didn't have a problem with having to show him how to snap a few pictures.
"Are these good?" He asked me, showing me the few he had taken.
"Perfect, Papá. Muchas gracias."
"De nada. Have you eaten? I could quickly make us something."
"No, I'm okay. Thank you, Papá. I'm going to go upstairs and do my homework."
"Okay. I guess I'll go fetch Mom from work. Please don't forget to do the dishes, all right?"
"I won't forget."
I rushed upstairs, my focus on my phone as I uploaded the pics I had just taken. When I got to my room, a small rock hit my window but I didn't pay much attention to it. Then a few more followed. What in the hell? I got up from my bed to go check what was going on.
A stone flew right across my face as soon as the window slid open!
"Whoa!" I cried out.
"I'm sorry."
I recognized the voice immediately, "Ethan?"
He was hiding behind a tree when he stepped forward and waved at me.
Quickly, he climbed on to the tree. He did it so effortlessly. When he had finally reached a branch that hung close to my window, I panicked. What if it snapped? But it didn't. He walked on it steadily and then jumped straight to my window, both hands on the sill with one leg in.
He pulled himself up and into my room, towering over me with a smirk on his face. He was dressed in running shorts, running shoes and a long sleeved vest. Without a word, he pulled me in for a hug.
"Hey, Buttercup," he purred.
"You couldn't ring the bell?"
"Where's the fun in that?" He shrugged.
"Oh? I've got a good mind to make you jump out of this window, go around and ring the bell," I threatened, my arms crossed over my chest.
"You've got fire in you. I like that. But on a much serious note, when I leave I'll leave through the front door and next time I'll ring the bell. I promise," he vowed, stepping in even closer to me, gently messaging my chin with his thumb.
My arms fell from my body in defeat. His gaze was so intense and weakening.
"You better. So, what brings you here?"
I stepped away from him and walked to my bed, plopping myself on it, balanced on both my elbows. He followed me behind and did the same but laid belly down.
"Went for my afternoon jog, thought of you and figured, why not? Plus, we agreed that we'd hang out more."
"Unplanned visits?" I questioned.
"Sort of," he answered.
He seemed to be having some trouble with his earphones. They'd gotten all tangled up. I watched as he carefully untangled them. Ethan had really long, veiny, beautiful fingers. He wore three rings on each hand. Silver ones. The middle finger on his right had a skull ring on it. I thought it was pretty cool.
"What are you listening to there?" I asked him.
"Lana Del Rey," he replied, untangling the last knot.
"You listen to Lana?"
I was shocked. He didn't seem like the type, but also, it suit him so perfectly! Ethan was the type of guy you'd fantasize about while listening to Lana Del Rey.
"Wanna here my favorite song?" He smirked.
"Mh-hmm," I nodded.
He sat up on the bed and gently put one side of the earpiece in my ear, the other still in his. I could see him go to his favorites folder as I waited with so much anticipation to hear Ethan's favorite Lana song. And when the beat started, my heart almost stopped.
"Radio?!"
It was a good song, I just couldn't believe it! I don't know why!
"Love it. It makes me feel some type of way," he smiled.
"I wouldn't have believed it if anyone had told me."
"Do you know Patrick Watson?"
"No," I shook my head.
"Oh, man. You have to listen to this song."
He unlocked his phone and returned to his favorites folder, searching for a song. When he had found it, he pressed play. I tried to lean in and see, but he quickly hid the screen.
"Nope, lay down, close your eyes and listen to this beautiful masterpiece," he instructed.
"But I wanna see the name."
"Trust me. I'll show you when the song's over."
I did as he said and laid back down on my bed, eyes closed. He was laying next to me and together we listened to the song. It was...so peaceful. It instantly made you imagine. Not only that but it also made you feel as though you were floating. It felt as though I was at my happiest. Surrounded by people I love. It gave me an insane rush. A good insane feeling! It was the type of song that made you feel the love.
Like, I wanted to feel and experience the intense, exhilarating, I'd take a bullet for you, rip my clothes off, kiss me till my lips go numb, make love to me now, type of love. And as it neared the end, I could feel my heart quicken, my mind racing with scenarios of a forbidden love. I gripped onto the covers on my bed, my other hand brushing lightly against Ethan's thigh. It was as though I was in another dimension!
Slowly, the instruments faded. And when the song had completely stopped, my eyes shot open. I lightly gasped for air. I could tell my face was flushed. I felt faint. Ethan sat up, his earpiece falling out.
"Now, this song. This song is on repeat every day. It makes me feel as though - Grace? Are you okay?"
I quickly sat up and fixed myself. "I'm fine," I breathed.
"Okay..."
"Did you run here?"
What a stupid question. Why was I being an idiot?!
"Yes. I...did. I hope you don't mind that I just showed up."
"No. No, I don't."
"You've got a pretty room," he noticed, eyes roaming past every corner of it.
It felt weird. I had never had any guy in my room. Well, except for my cousins and Daniel, and Josh, and Edgar. Ethan was unexpected.
"Thank you," I smiled.
"Wanna listen to another song?"
"Why does everyone call you a jerk?" I wondered.
His eyebrows rose at my sudden, unexpected question. I couldn't seem to understand it. He wasn't a jerk. Or was I too naive?
"Oh, no. It's uh - my reputation with the ladies," he confessed, scratching the back of his head.
"I've heard the stories."
"Yep, that's why."
"You don't seem bothered."
"Should I be?"
"I would be."
"Because you're a good girl. I'm a bad boy. I don't really care that much."
"Why is that?"
"It's how bad boys are."
I looked at him with squinted eyes, "You're not a bad boy," I opined.
"You're cute," he smirked, moving closer to me. "So, if you've heard all the stories, why aren't you afraid?"
"Afraid? Of what?" I chuckled.
"Of me! Aren't you scared I'm gonna use you and break your heart?"
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I - I'm a jerk?"
"Do you want to use me and break my heart?"
"N-no."
"Then I have nothing to be afraid of," I concluded, confidently.
He cocked his head to the side and looked at me. I think he was rather amazed that I was chilled about the whole thing. He probably usually had to do a lot of sweet talking before a girl could be comfortable around him.
"You're confident. Too confident," he spoke.
"Of course. Why shouldn't I be?"
"It's a good thing. You've got your head screwed on tight. These boys would never take advantage of you."
"These boys? You included?"
"Why would I take advantage of you?"
"I don't know. You did it with those other girls."
"Wow. For a second there you had me. Thought you were legit and non-judgmental."
"I'm sorry. But it's the truth. You said it yourself a few minutes ago."
"I didn't say anything, Grace."
Ethan pulled his brows together. He backed away from me and got up from the bed. "Is anyone home? What are your parents going to say when they see me walk out the door?"
Wait, was he leaving?! I got up from my bed and stood next to him, gently turning him to face me.
"Wait, are you mad at me?"
"No," he mumbled.
"Then why won't you look at me? You weren't like this a few seconds ago."
"You're being dramatic."
"Don't fucking say that to me. I know what I'm talking about. I'm not five," I snapped.
He sighed and the expression on his face went softer. With his hand out for me, I took it and we walked back to my bed.
"It's just that, I thought I could talk to you without any negative vibes," he confided.
"Oh..."
"Yeah. I just wanna have normal conversations. And to be honest with you, I don't want to talk about the shitty stuff. I've heard enough of it."
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
"It's okay. It isn't your fault. And you are entitled to your own opinion. I can't change what you think of me. I can't change how you feel and that's that."
"Well, you're not alone. I mean, it isn't the same but, I sometimes feel shitty too."
"You do?"
"Yeah. You know, the whole..."virginity" thing. Even saying it out loud makes me cringe," I confessed.
"Wait, you're embarrassed about that?"
"Yeah. I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Like I'm stuck in the eighties."
"You're not doing anything wrong. It's your body, your choice. See? This is what I don't get. It's not like a girl can't say no. She can, right? Look at you, you've stayed having no sex because it's a personal choice you made. I get called a jerk because of girls who aren't ashamed of giving it up."
"But that's different, Ethan. Those girls probably slept with you because they thought you were really into them."
"Guys have come to you and made you think they were into you but you stood your ground, didn't you?"
"Yes bu-"
"Look, I'm not saying I'm right, but I'm not completely wrong either. It's just what guys do. It's how we are. I'm just bothered by the fact that I'm getting called out for it like I'm the only one doing it."
Ethan was right. So many guys at school lead girls on, got what they wanted and then walked away. None of them got called out for it. He was not the only jerk in school. Austin was a jerk. Luke was a jerk. They were all just douche bags.
"I hear what you're saying. Maybe you could change the narrative? Be different. Stop doing things that make people say you're a jerk."
"Stop sleeping with girls?"
"Where's the harm in finding one girl that you're into? Spending time with her and sleeping with only her?"
"Like a girlfriend?"
"Yeah?"
"That's too much work, Grace. You need to be open, honest, make time for her, feed her, make her happy and what not. It's a lot. I don't think I'm emotionally and mentally ready for that," he smiled, devilishly.
"Have you tried? It isn't all that bad. Imagine having someone who understands you. Someone you can run to anytime. Someone who listens. Someone you can do things with," I tried to reason.
"That's not me. I'm not about talking about my feelings or how my day was or what's bothering me."
"You're doing it now."
"That's because you're easy to talk to."
He squirmed. I stared at him intently as he tried to dodge my gaze. His eyes finally landed on my door and he remembered, he still needed to leave. A perfect excuse to end this conversation!
"So, is anyone home?" He smirked.
"I'll go check. Wait here."
I took my phone with and rushed downstairs. My parents had returned and mom was in the kitchen rummaging through the cupboards. As soon as she saw me, she gave a sigh with both hands on her hips.
"Mija, what are you busy doing upstairs? Look at the kitchen! It's a mess! The dishes aren't done and I can't start with the cooking!" She complained.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm just here to get something quickly. I'll be back to do the dishes."
"Grace, you haven't been doing your chores lately. What is going on? You can't expect your sister to do all the work, you know she's in her third year and she's got some studying to do."
"Yes, Mom. I'm sorry. I promise from now on I'll do my chores."
"I'm going upstairs to take a shower. When I come back, I want this kitchen clean. And put up the rice, I'm making paella."
"Yes, Mom."
As soon as she disappeared I ran back upstairs. Ethan was now laying on my bed and when the door opened, he jumped up.
"You need to leave. My parents are home and Mom is mad at me," I hurried.
"What'd you do?" He asked, standing up.
"It's what I didn't do. The dishes. I have to go do the dishes and cook," I explained.
"I hate doing dishes," he agreed.
"I'm sorry for kicking you out like this," I apologized.
"Don't worry about it," he smiled, stepping closer to me and closing the space between us. "I had fun, dork. I really hope we do this often."
I smirked, pulling him in for a rather long hug.
He lifted me up as we held each other.
"I know I said you should leave through the door."
"Say no more. We'll let it slide this time. Next time, I'm ringing that door bell."
"That would be nice."
He gave me a kiss on the cheek and climbed out the window. I watched him jump and then ran over to the window to wave him goodbye.
I returned back downstairs and Gloria was home! She was in the kitchen, looking for a knife. She probably wanted to slice the apple she was holding.
"Hey, Ria!" I greeted cheerfully.
"Wash the dishes. We're supposed to be having dinner in an hour, Grace. What's wrong with you?" She grunted, as she shoved past me.
I stood there shocked, but I didn't think much about it. I was in the wrong. Without another word, I rolled my sleeves up and got to doing the dishes.