Ethan's POV (Bonus Book)

Chapter Thirty

 I had spent the last four hours of my life stalking the crap out of Ben. I was trying to collect all the information I could get on him so I could hate him even more than I already did. Yes, you don't have to tell me – I was nuts.

It had been a week since the big blowout with Mia and Ben, and I hadn't been coping well. Not even slightly close to well.

It was killing me not talking to Mia. It was the longest I'd ever gone without talking to her. Even in summer break, I'd usually at least message her annoying stuff over whichever platform she hadn't blocked me on. And she normally replied – she never could resist getting in her next snappy comment.

My stomach tied itself into tighter knots as I realized it would probably be a long time since I'd ever hear from her again.

Not now she had Ben.

For the millionth time this weekend, my brain then decided to plague me with more horrifying mental images of Mia wrapped up in Ben's lap. With Ben's lips on her neck.

I'd spent all weekend stuck up in my room, and I was absolutely miserable. I did a bit of homework and such, but not much; even that I found hard to concentrate on. All my mind seemed to want to think about was Mia and Ben. Wondering if he'd ask her out. Wondering if she said yes. And most importantly, wondering how I was going to be able to control myself when I finally saw them together officially.

I'd managed to avoid it so far – and I wanted it to stay that way. I'd come to terms with the fact that I couldn't just punch him in the face just for liking her. After all, liking her, was a ridiculously easy thing to do – too easy; trust me. But just because I couldn't punch him, didn't mean I couldn't hate him. Who wouldn't hate someone who could effortlessly get what you always wanted?

Slouching even deeper against the back of my bed rest I continued to bitterly scroll my way down Ben's Instagram page with a scowl on my face. It was how I had been spending my entire morning so far – I hadn't even gotten out of bed yet. My duvet was still snugly wrapped around me, and since there was no school today and I wasn't due for therapy until five, I had no motivation to move.

I glared at the next picture that came up on his page. It was beyond me what she saw in him. I was so much hotter than him – couldn't she see that? Was it the dumb fucking ponytail she liked? Or the blonde hair-perhaps?

That would make the most sense; considering she always had a thing for blondes even back in middle school.

The sound of knocking interrupted my thoughts. "Ethan, can I come in?" My mum called out through the door.

I let out a heavy sigh, feeling too bitter for company. "Yes," I mumbled, knowing she would likely come in whether I said yes or not.

After Mia's 'break in' through my window, she'd got it in her head that I might sneak her in at night. Considering Mia now hated my guts and liked someone else – the chance of that happening was laughable.

The door broke open, and my mum marched in with her lounge clothes and a loose smile on her face. She loosely scanned the interior of my room before stopping as she landed on my figure, recoiled back with half my covers messily thrown over me.

I probably looked a sight with my hair all sticking out at bad angles, and the dark bags that likely lay under my eyes. I hadn't been sleeping well. Not at all. Between obsessing over my helpless situation with Mia, I'd been having frequent dreams of ending up in prison; of my anger taking over, and more. It had all felt so real.

My mum's eyes fell a little as she locked eyes with me. "Ethan, it's nearly twelve, this is ridiculous!" she muttered in frustration. "I know you and Mia had a little fight, but you can't just sulk around."