Grace.

Chapter 48.

"So, last night I was thinking, and I'm going to throw a party to celebrate getting the scholarship," Ethan told me.
"That sounds like a good idea."
"Yep. And the timing couldn't be more perfect. My parents are going away for their anniversary next week. I can do it then."
"Cool," I said, flatly.
"Are you okay? I tried calling last night and this morning. You didn't pick up. Is everything okay?"
How do you tell a guy you have feelings for that you're confused because you still have serious feelings for another guy? A guy who happened to be your first boyfriend and you two were taking a break which shouldn't have happened. But it was all too complicated. Which is why you called him last night and asked to talk to him to figure out how you feel and where you two still stand. But you're scared because as much as you know you should be staying away, you miss him and you can't help it. You also know that going over to see him could possibly mean the end of you and Ethan which is also what you don't want. So...you don't tell. You keep your mouth shut.
"It's that time of the month," I lied.
"Oh. Oh...I-I'm sorry."
"It's a natural thing. Don't be sorry," I laughed.
"Which means we can't go jogging?"
"What time?"
"I usually go when it's cooler. Say around, five?"
"Cool. Will you come get me?"
"You know I will."
Five was far away. So, I took the opportunity to sneak away and drove down to Edgar's house. I wanted to talk to him. I hadn't been there in a while. He was still at work, but just like old times, he'd left the key for me under the flower pot. The place was still as it was. Nothing had changed, except for the hole in the window. I took a walk around, just reminiscing. Nothing but sweet memories. The couch—our second make-out spot. The bedroom was the first.
Butterflies grew in my stomach at the thought of his kisses. After a tour around his house, I decided to lay down on his bed. My phone beeped.

Ethan: Hey, Buttercup. I'm throwing the party. And you're the first guest on my list. I won't keep you out too long. Don't want to disrespect your dad. But it'd mean a lot to me if you came. Anyway, see you later. Can't wait!

A smile spread across my face. Ethan. Ethan! How we got here was still a mystery to me. It was unexpected! But it was all going so well. He made me laugh. He listened. He wasn't pushy. We had a lot of fun together. And he was thoughtful. But then again, he was Luke's friend and the biggest player in school. But I liked him. Even though I wasn't planning on telling him until he did.
"Hello, Grace. I was afraid you'd change your mind."
I jolted up from the bed and saw Edgar standing by the door. He looked so good. He must've worn his best clothes. His smile melted my insides. His eyes burning through me. The intensity made me squirm.
"Hi," I whispered. "How are you?"
"I'm okay. Now, I'm okay," he whispered back.
Slowly, he made his way to the bed and sat right next to me. I turned my body to him and pulled him in for a kiss. A deep kiss. His one hand slid from my face down to my neck. I slowly pulled away, but that didn't stop him. He continued feathering kisses on my cheek and down to my neck. I giggled.
"That tickles."
"I know," he smirked.
Both smiles faded when the same thought crossed our minds.
"I also know you know about..."
"Yep. Mimi told me. I uh-"
"I'm so sorry, Eddy."
"Hey, don't be. This isn't your fault. I blame myself for all of this. I should've been honest with you, Grace. You deserve that. But it wasn't easy to just tell you. Ria is your sister. If it was some other girl, yeah, but it's Gloria."
"She didn't say anything about it to me as well. I had no idea. And whenever you were at the house, she'd be cool with you. I didn't suspect a thing."
"She was cool, till I pursued you. Now she hates me, to the core."
"This is all just a mess. And I understand why. Sisters before misters."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Do you think she was in love with me? Alex says she was."
"Who's Alex?"
"Old friend from school."
"Well, Alex is right. It explains why she's acting this way. She loved you."
"But why didn't she tell me that?"
"I don't know. But I think you two need to sit down and have a talk. Without fights."
"I agree. I'll try reach out to her. But then, what would that mean for us?"
"I don't know, Eddy. I'm not keen on sneaking around either. It's not just Gloria. There's Lucy too."
Edgar gave a huge sigh, rubbing his eyes with his fingers. He looked at me again. Placing his head in the nook of my neck, he pulled me in for a warm embrace, squeezing me tight as I breathed in his cologne. I could feel his breath on my neck as he whispered...
"I'll fix this. I'll fix this."

My run with Ethan wasn't that bad. We even raced and obviously, Ethan won.
"You're not so bad, Buttercup!" He laughed, panting.
"You're a true athlete, Byers! So much speed!" I panted.
"I've put in the work," he boasted. He looked at me and watched as I tried to catch my breath. "Stand up straight. Try not to sit. Here, let's breath. In...and out. In...and out."
I did as he said and gradually I started to feel better.
"That wasn't so bad," I said.
"Right!" He chuckled.
He walked to me and threw his arm around my shoulders. I threw mine around his waist, hand feeling his abs. I looked up at him and he looked so hot! Hanging onto each other we walked, far away from home. Call it a stroll if you will. During the week, the town was so nice and quiet. Especially in the afternoon.
"So, how are you?" He asked me.
"I'm okay. And you? Are you good?"
"I'm okay, too. My life's different but I like it."
"Different? What do you mean?"
"It's...changing. And I feel good about it."
"O-Kay. I'm happy for you. I really am."
He stopped and turned me to face him. Hands on my shoulders. "You're the biggest part of this change, Grace."
"Whoa. You never call me by my name."
"I know. I just wanted you to take what I'm saying to heart, because I mean it."
"Well, what can I say? I have that effect on people," I joked.
He gave a short chuckle and then carried on walking. I too, started walking and I couldn't help but notice how his mood had changed. I pulled him back by his arm and he stopped.
"Hey, look at me," I uttered to him, gently turning his head to face me. "I hear everything you say and I think about it all. All the time. I-I'm just afraid, Ethan."
"To be honest with you, I'm scared too. I know it's insane but I'm scared of getting hurt. Not that you'll hurt me but..."
"I understand. I feel the same way too. Can I be honest with you?"
"Please. I'd love that."
"I know you don't want to talk about it but we can't ignore it. Your reputation is...I want more with you but I'm afraid that you might not be around for the right reasons."
"Grace, I would never hurt you. I uh- ever since we started hanging out I've actually stopped talking to the girls I used to hook up with. I just don't want to anymore. I'm not interested anymore. The only thing I want to do and ever think of - is hanging out with you."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I have this growing need to be beside you. Just to be next to you. To hear you laugh. To have you snap at me and put me in my place. To hold these beautiful, soft hands." He took my hands in his and gave them a kiss.
I giggled.
"You're too sweet, Ethan. I'm glad you asked me to be your Homecoming date. I never wanted anything to do with guys but...you've changed my mind."
"So, should we see where this goes?"
"Let's see where this goes."
He cupped my face with both hands and pulled me in for a kiss. His lips met mine with both a tenderness and a hunger. His tongue probed my mouth, and I parted my lips to invite him in, moaning into him. He gently bit my lip, a fierceness to his kiss I knew very well. My hands gripped harder on the sides of his waist. Gently pulling away from each other's lips, he rested his forehead against mine. "Okay then," he whispered. We continued our walk into the sunset, falling into easy conversation.