Grace.

Chapter 51.

Edgar broke my heart in ways I can't explain. If it weren't for Ethan being in my life, I would've probably given in to depression. Ethan was my blessing in disguise. And to think I hated his guts! Enemies to friends. Friends to lovers. And lovers we were.
Ethan once told me that his favorite song is Love Songs For Robots by Patrick Watson. The very song he made me listen to in my room the other day. He said it reminded him of me. I didn't know the song, but when I got home I listened to it and I understood exactly why. I must've listened to it over and over again — with him on my mind the entire time.
I knew Ethan had a bad reputation, but the guy had me hooked on him. I think I was in love. He was funny and weird and he smelled good. I loved his hair, his eyes and his deep voice. I loved how he spoke. I loved it when he called me 'Buttercup.' It never failed to take my breath away. He was a great kisser and he knew just where and how to hold me. Plus, his body was a bonus.
But the one thing that I really loved most about him, was the way he treated me. Always with respect. He adored me. He listened. He cared. He was considerate of my feelings. And he valued my opinion. I loved how with me he was the complete opposite of what other girls knew him to be. Every time I mentioned how much of a sweetheart he is, girls always disagreed. "He's hot, yeah! But he's an asshole." They'd always say. He hadn't shown me that side of him, yet. And to be honest with you, that was my biggest fear. I'd always think how after he'd gotten what he wanted he might change. On the contrary, I wasn't sure how long I could resist him for.
Ethan Levi Byers was irresistible! I'd sometimes long for him to touch me or hold me whenever we'd be chilling and watching movies. I couldn't last an hour without having him all over me!
But guess what?
You guessed it. Ethan broke my heart.
I'd be lying if I told you that I knew what happened. What went on. Why he was kissing his ex-fling, Lorraine at his house party the night before. If he was drunk or not.
So, what happened was, I arrived at school the next day, practically over the moon! I greeted Mimi with a hug and then pulled her by the hand into school to tell her about me and Ethan being official. We stopped by my locker first as I spilled all the details. That must've been the last moment I was happy.
Luke walked up to us, he was wearing that problematic smirk which we all knew so well.
"Grace! You look pretty today," he started.
"I know," I answered.
"Too bad, Byers doesn't know a good thing when it's staring him right in the face."
"I'm not having that conversation with you. Don't you have some other girl to go beat up? Or was it just Bebe you were treating that way?"
"Fuck you, Hills. I was going to say you don't deserve what's happening to you but you've just proved to me that you do. Byers should've fucked you before he went back to his ex."
"What the hell did you just say?"
My ears rang. My knees went weak.
"Grace, let's-"
"You think Ethan is really into you, huh? You? Out of all people! Byers cares about one thing and one thing only and the entire school knows what it is. My boy just wanted to up his game, and what better way to do that by breaking the virginity of the school's Homecoming Queen? You were just a bet, sweetheart. Nothing more."
There was now a crowd around us. Kids had stopped and were listening to every single word that was coming from Luke's mouth. I could hear myself breathe as I pressed my books tightly against my chest. Ethan appeared from the crowd, looking guilty as ever! Once he saw Luke and me, he dropped his bag to the floor.
"What's going on?" He worried.
"I just told Grace the truth. How you don't even like her and just want to smash!"
"What the fuck?! That is not true, Rogers and you know it! Grace, he's lying."
The bell rang and the crowd scattered, each learner rushing to their different classes. I walked away leaving Naomi behind with the two guys. Lucy was in class with the others when she saw me rushing in, close to tears.
"Hey, hey, hey! What's wrong, Grace? What happened?" She stopped me.
Loud arguing could be heard as Luke and Ethan shoved each other into class. Naomi squeezed through the door and joined the rest of the class, watching the brewing fight in front of us.
"You're so fucked up, Rogers. I thought you and I were friends but yet here you are, lying about me to a girl you know very well I'm in love with!"
"You're right! I am your friend and no one knows you better than I do. You're using Grace, just like you use every girl!"
"What the fuck is going on here? This better not be true, you asshole! Tell me this isn't true! I warned you!" Lucy interrupted.
Ethan ignored her and came to me. I was teary eyed. When he saw that, his brows pulled together. Surprisingly, I let him take my hands in his.
"He's lying. You know it just as much as I do, Buttercup. I'm not with you for sex. I've told you that. I'm not interested in sleeping with you, Grace. I've fallen in love with you and all I want to do is be with you. I'll admit that at first I was excited about hanging out with you because it's you! You're beautiful, hot, smart. I was always so afraid of talking to you because why would you talk to a guy like me? But you did! And not only did you do that, but you went to Homecoming with me, hung out with me and enjoyed my company! I fell for you, Buttercup, and I never fall but for you, I did. With those other girls I'd feel something for that time, some interest but then it wouldn't last. What I feel for you lasted, Grace. I can't even describe what it is that I feel for you because I've never felt this way before. You're so funny, and smart, kind and grounded. You don't let anything or anyone walk all over you. You love and care about those closest to you. You've got priorities and goals and you're amazing. You're an inspiration. My inspiration. You've taught me how to only worry about and focus on the important things in life. I do now, and you're one of them. Please, Grace. Remember the first time we had a conversation and you asked why don't I try something different? Date one girl. Be all about one girl and I told you I couldn't do that? I figured I couldn't do it with other girls but you. And here I am standing in front of you telling you that I'm all about you, Grace. You're the only girl I have eyes for. You're the only girl I see, the only girl who exists to me. The only girl I need next to me. I love you. I love you so much."
"I - uh. Chad..." I sniffed
As we were about to kiss and hug it out, Luke interrupted. "Not so fast!" He yelled. He pulled his phone out and pushed Lorraine forward.
"What about her? Huh? You're just going to sleep with her and forget about it?! Tell Grace! Show her the picture! Tell her you kissed Lorraine last night and had sex with her! You're standing here whispering all this rubbish to her, making her believe that you're all about her! He cheated on you! Tell her, Lorraine!"
"Grace, it didn't mea-" Lorraine started, but was quickly pushed aside by Luke.
"Useless! Here's your proof, Grace. Here's the real Ethan!" He raged, showing me the video and picture.
"Last night? Right after everything? The dance, by the river...everything," I spoke, my voice shaking
"I-I...Grace..." Ethan stuttered.
Without any hesitation, Lucy pushed him aside and grabbed my bag, gently leading me out of the class. Naomi took Lucy's bag and followed behind. Ethan called out for me but was stopped by Caleb and Josh. "Fix this!" Donna hissed at him, following us behind.
That was the first time my friends saw me heartbroken. I'd never been.
I was always the one comforting them, now they were the ones comforting me. They'd agreed to meet up at my house with ice cream and some wine. After me and Lucy left class, I went straight home.
Even though the guys stopped Ethan from running after me, it didn't stop him from calling me. His words in class were so sweet everyone couldn't stop talking about them. Who knew Ethan Byers had it in him? I did. I couldn't stop thinking about them as well, which is why I answered when he called.
"I know you're upset, Buttercup. Can we talk? Please. I don't know what happened."
"If you don't know then, what is there to talk about?"
"Us. I'm not going to let this get in the way of our relationship. You're the best thing to ever happen to me, Grace. I'll get down to the bottom of this. I would've never slept with Lorraine willingly. I wouldn't do that to you. I wouldn't do that period! There was no reason for me to."
"Come over after school and we'll talk."
He agreed. An hour went by and he didn't arrive. I waited a few minutes but nothing. I tried calling him and his phone went straight to voicemail. When I heard the door bell ring, I jumped up out of bed. But when Ria shouted from downstairs that my friends were there... I went back into bed, pulling the blanket over my head.
They got to my room and found me laying in bed, sobbing. Joining me, they cuddled up into me, comforting me. Mimi gently pulled the blanket away from my face. My eyes were red and my face was wet.
"I'm so sorry, friend. So, so sorry," Naomi comforted.
"We brought ice cream and wine. We're here for you, whatever you want to say," said Bebe.
Donna poured out the wine for us in the paper glasses they bought. Lucy took hers and mine.
"Here's yours. Get up. You'll feel better after one glass," she said to me.
I sat up and wiped my face before taking the glass from Lucy.
"Thanks. Thank you."
"How are you feeling? I'm going to kick him. I promise you I will."
"I know you will, Lucy. What I don't know is if he deserves it."
"What do you mean?"
"He says that he didn't do it."
"Babe, there's a video proving that he did."
"I know but...something doesn't add up. The Ethan I know -"
"It's only been a few months, you don't know him that well."
"But I - I love him. I really do. Why would he do that to me?" I sniffed.
"We're sorry, hun. But it's just how these boys are...messed up."
"Welcome to the world of dating. I know you wanted perfect but to be honest, there's no such. Boys will always fuck up. Relationships have ups and downs," Mimi said.
"The question is, are you going to work this through? Or are you going to let go?" Donny asked.
"He was supposed to be here but he didn't show up. I wanted us to talk. I don't know what to think anymore."
"That's not good. Why wouldn't he -"
My phone rang. Hoping it's Ethan, I quickly picked it up. "Ethan?!"
"No, mija. It's me."
"Papá? Hi. What's up?"
"It's Ethan, mija. He's just been brought in."
"What?! Why?!"
"He's been stabbed. I'm so sorry, angel. So, so sorry."