Grace.

Chapter 38.

Back at home, as I made my way to my room, I stopped by my sister's door. She was definitely in there. I could hear whimpering and sniffs coming from inside. This was bad. I knocked softly on the door but got no response. The crying stopped and then there was silence. I cleared my throat: "Ri-Ria? Are you hungry? I could make you something to eat."
I stood by the door for a while but my sister remained quiet.
Reluctantly, I walked away and continued to my room. I drew my phone out and sent a text to Gloria, hoping she'd respond to that, but she didn't. A knock on my window made me jump. I quickly got up to go check. Ethan was hanging on for dear life on the tree branch. I couldn't believe it! Opening the window, I helped him in.
"Buttercup," he smiled.
"You're doing it again, Ethan," I sighed.
"I'm sorry."
He walked straight to my bed and threw himself on it.
"What are you doing here, Byers?" I asked him.
He looked at me with that devilish grin that he wore so well.
"I am here to kidnap you. But first, you got your dress today. Let's see."
"No," I blushed.
"Why not? I've been so excited to see and now that I'm here you won't show me?"
"You'll see it at Homecoming."
"Okay. Sorry."
"What are you apologizing for?"
"Being annoying. I know I'm being annoying, I'm sorry. It's just that, I've never done this before."
"Done what?"
"Dates...hanging out...all of - this."
He looked at me shyly. I noticed how he nervously kept playing with his fingers. This side of Ethan seriously made me melt. There was just something about him being the opposite of what he usually is. That soft side of him intrigued me. I smiled at him and then walked to my wardrobe to get the dress. His eyes almost popped out of his head and his jaw dropped when he saw it.
"You're going to wear that?" He gasped.
"Is it bad?"
"Hell no! It's amazing! It's hot! You'll definitely look like a goddess in it. Definitely!"
I smiled, "thank you."
He got up from the bed and stood in front of me, towering over me.
"You smell really good," I noticed, fighting the urge to look away. I was so nervous, and if I said another word he would've picked that up in the tone of my voice.
"Thank you. I've got burgers, fries and shakes in the car. Wanna go for a ride?" He smirked.
"I'll meet you downstairs, because I'm using the door."
He chuckled, "You're so cute. We're jumping out of the window."
He moved to the window and held his hand out for me. I shook my head.
"You are insane. I'll get hurt. I'm using the door."
"Where's the fun in that? I'll catch you,  Buttercup. All you need to do is jump. Trust me."
He sat on the sill, one leg in and one out. In a flash he jumped on the branch and then down to the ground. I ran to the window to see. He was standing down there, waiting for me. I shook my head again, nervously. After putting my shoes on, I sat on the sill with both my legs hanging out. I could feel my heart beating in my throat. Ethan stepped closer with both his arms out: "Just jump. I'll catch you." I silently counted to three and then, with my eyes closed... I jumped.
Wind blew through my hair. My stomach was in knots as I clenched my teeth and squeezed my eyes, holding in every breath in me. It wasn't long until I felt a tight hold on me. Curled up in his arms, I gasped.
Ethan chuckled, "You can open your eyes now. You're safe."
He put me down and I opened my eyes. My hands moved all over my body. "I'm safe? I'm safe!" I squealed.
Hand in hand we ran to his car before anybody saw that I'd jumped out of the window and sneaked out. We drove to the fields and left the car by the road as we walked all the way up to the top of the hill. I didn't usually go that far but I didn't complain. The view was amazing. You could see the whole town from there, plus it was quiet and surprisingly warm. The food was still warm so we ate before it got cold.
"If I keep this up, I won't be able to fit into my Homecoming dress." I joked.
"We'll get you another one."
"Hey, you've seen my dress but I haven't seen what you are wearing."
"I could show you, that's if you don't mind coming to my house."
"You know what? On second thought, surprise me."
"That I can do."
"How was practice?"
"Hectic. Coach is killing us on the field. The game is on Friday and the sponsors are coming through. I'm drained, my body aches and I'm under a lot of stress."
"Stressed by the scholarship?"
"Yeah, my dad has his hopes high. Him and my mom. I don't want to disappoint them. I have my eyes on it as well. If I get this scholarship, I don't have to worry so much about my future,  you know? But there are so many of us in the team who are good, plus my grades aren't that good."
"I've seen you play, you're amazing. I don't think you should worry yourself too much."
"Will you be there? At the game?"
"Of course! I'll be cheering you on, don't worry," I assured him.
"Thanks, because those cheerleaders suck!"
With the sun setting, a cold breeze started. I shivered as I clutched onto my milkshake cup. Ethan, who was laying down on the grass shot his head up at me. "It's starting to get cold. Come, you can wear my jacket, it's in the car." He helped me up and then again, held his hand out for me.
"You're really into holding hands, aren't you?"
"Nope. It's actually not my thing, but you strike me as someone who's into it so, here we are."
I looked at him for a while before lacing my fingers through his. When we'd reached the bottom of the hill, he didn't let go, until he had to when we'd reached his car and he took the jacket out from the boot for me. I put it on and he admired how well it suited me.
"It was made for you," he gushed.
I blushed, playfully punching him in his chest.
We drove off again, this time to the lake. Parked under a tree, we laid on top of the car hood, looking at the sky and it's reflection in the water. Ethan had his stereo on and I was amazed by his good taste in music. I looked at him. He was stretched out with both his hands behind his head, eyes closed, singing along to Lana Del Rey. I smiled and after a few hours of not thinking about it, my mind drifted back to what happened. My smile faded.
I had no clue what to do. I didn't even know how to feel about all of it. Gloria was not okay and speaking to Edgar was the last thing on my mind. I just didn't know what to do. Should I fix things? But Gloria was against us being together. Should I end them? If he really did feel something for me, he wouldn't have fell in love with another girl. He wouldn't have slept with my sister!
"You're awfully quiet. What's on your mind? Wanna talk about it?" Ethan asked.
He was now sitting up and he moved closer to me, resting his chin on my shoulder. Without thinking, I rested my head against his.
"I-I know I should be talking about it but, I don't want to. I don't know what to say. I don't know what to ask. I-I don't know what to do. I feel so confused, embarrassed and disappointed. I wish this was all just a dream and that none of it happened."
"Should I be asking what it is you're talking about?"
"It's a long story and I don't want to talk about it."
"Not talking about it is just the same as though it didn't happen."
"Y-yeah..."
"It will slowly kill you inside though. And not thinking about it doesn't erase the people involved," he advised.
"I'm hurt..."
"Take some time, but don't act as though it never happened. Eventually you'll have to talk."
I nodded. Ethan was right, I couldn't avoid this forever. I would however, need some space. I was not sure for how long but I needed it. I also needed to fix things with my sister.
"It's getting late and it's getting chilly. Let's get you home."
We drove home and Ethan dropped me right at the door. It was all fun and games jumping out of the window, but he didn't think about how I'd get back into the house. He insisted that I keep his jacket, and I did. It smelled like him. Wanna know something else? I went to bed wearing it, and I had the most peaceful sleep in days.