"What do you mean?" I scoff, instantly getting upset at Ethan's words.
"Nothing. You're beautiful either way." He smiles and I can feel my anger evaporating into thin air.
Although, I can't help but think he's hiding something. I'd rather not say anything and drop the issue all together to avoid a quarrel.
"What're you up to?" I ask softly while laying backward onto my soft sheets. Believe it or not, these beds are really comfy.
"Just chillin," he sighs. "What about you?"
"Veronica and I just finished dying our hair and she's going to do make up practice on me." I smile, noticing Veronica grabbing all of her make up materials.
"Why?" Ethan questions.
"Because we're girls?" I laugh awkwardly. Why is he acting so weird?
"Oh," he mumbles and something catches his eye as he avoids eye contact with the camera. I arch a brow, waiting for him to acknowledge me again.
"Are you okay?" I ask after a little bit of time passes.
"What? Yeah? I'm great! Actually, I gotta go. Sorry babe, the guys just got here and we're gonna watch the game. See you later!" And with that, he ends the FaceTime call. I stare at my blank screen for a few more seconds before Veronica clears her throat.
"Everything alright?" She questions while sitting down in front of me, laying out all of her utensils.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Ethan on the other hand.." I trail off, thinking about what could be bothering him. Does my hair really look that bad? I actually kind of like it..
"Oh well, boys are dumb. Let's make you hotter than you already are!" She squeals excitedly while rubbing foundation on my face. My mind drifts off to Ethan and how he's actually doing in college without me.
Maybe this long distance thing is gonna be harder than I thought.
---
"Hey Chloe!" A voice says bedside of me. I look up to meet the big brown eyes of Ryder Daniels. He smiles down at me quirkily and I return the smile.
"Hey, take a seat." I pat the bench beside of me.
"Thanks. How're you?" He asks softly while pulling out his books and cell phone along with a few pens and pencils.
"I'm great. And yourself?" I scribble down some notes into my notebook from the whiteboard and he starts to do the same.
"I'm also great. It's a beautiful day, correct?" He asks.
Ryder is my friend from English class. He is really intelligent and down-to-earth. There aren't many things he doesn't know about; he's like a freaking encyclopedia. It's amazing. I'm smart, but not encyclopedia smart.
"Yeah, it's pretty warm today, surprisingly." I agree while finishing up the rest of the notes. I'm going to have a ton to study later.
"How're things with you and Ethan?" Ryder asks and I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. I honestly don't know how things are with us.
"Things are good," I lie. It's easier to say we're okay rather than trying to explain what we actually are. "What about you and Heather?"
"We are excellent. God, Chloe, she is so beautiful. I believe I am in love with that girl." It's nice to hear a boy speak so sweetly about a girl.
"Aww!" I squeal, smiling big and making Ryder's face turn as red as the flannel he's wearing.
"She surprised me with the best present in the world over the weekend." He smiles to himself, obviously replaying the memory in his mind.
"What'd she do?" I ask, my curiosity peaked.
"She bought me tickets to my favorite band and then surprised me with a backstage pass after the concert! I was not expecting it at all! It was the best night of my life with the best person in my life!"
"Sounds like a keeper to me!" Ryder nods as we both let out soft chuckles, trying not to disturb anyone else in class.
Mrs. Abrams dismisses the class and I rush out into the courtyard, pulling my phone out of my bag and calling Ethan.
"Hello?" He picks up on the third ring. His voice is groggily and enveloped in slumber as if he just woke up.
"Hey, did I wake you?" I ask softly while tugging on a loose string on my jeans.
"Yeah, but it's okay." I hear a girly yawn on the line and furrow my eyebrows together.
"Who's that?" I ask angrily.
"My roommate," he speaks bluntly. My anger increases.
"Why the fuck does she sound like she's in your bed!" I yell into the speaker. He lets out a frustrated sigh and I hear him groan.
"God, Chloe, she has a boyfriend and she's not even in my bed, okay? She walked by and happened to yawn. Calm down." He bites back and my heart instantly falls into my stomach.
"Well fine, I'll let you get back to your precious sleep then." Before he can even reply, I angrily press the end call button and shove my phone into my pocket. I jerk my bag over my shoulder and quickly walk to the coffee shop across the street.
"I want a pumpkin spice mocha with extra whipped cream." I tell the girl at the counter and hand over my money. My phone vibrates and I pull it out of my pocket, noticing a text from Ethan.
From Ethan: Chlo, I'm sorry. Okay? I'm just really stressed. I didn't mean to snap.
I roll my eyes and lock my phone, shoving it back into my pocket without replying. If he was really sorry he would call and apologize.
The barista gives me the cup of coffee and I sigh while taking a seat at one of the small round tables.
"Excuse me, did you drop this?" I look up to see a tall male with big brown eyes standing before me. In his hand, he has a dollar bill.
"Um, yeah. Thank you, I didn't even notice I had lost it. Thank you." I grab the dollar from him and shove it into my bag.
"No problem. I was sitting over there and couldn't help but notice you seem to be in distress. Is everything alright?" I give him a confused look and he sits down in the chair in front of me.
"I'm sorry, I'm Kyle. I don't mean to seem intrusive, I just hate to see such a pretty girl so upset." He smiles at me and I'm a little taken aback.
"I have a boyfriend." I state sternly.
"And I have a girlfriend. Your point is? I just wanted to make sure you were alright." He says softly.
"Oh," I say, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, it's just been a long morning so far."
"Are you having relationship problems?" He asks.
"How'd you know?" I sigh, brushing my hair out of my face.
"I have six sisters." He chuckles and I find myself giggling with him.
"Wow that's insane." I say.
"Yeah, three younger ones and three older ones. I am right in the middle."
"Wow. What're the odds?" I laugh softly. He nods in agreement.
"Thanks for the laughs and checking up on me even though you don't know me." I shake his hand and we stand up to leave.
"No problem." He gives me a reassuring smile as we exit the shop. "I didn't catch your name, by the way."
"Chloe," I smile and he smiles back.
"Cool name. See ya around." And with that we part our ways.
You don't meet genuine strangers like that these days.
{authors note}
PLEASE READ!
I am so so so so sorry for the very long wait. I have been sooo busy here lately and I haven't had any inspiration to write. I've also decided, I'm going to make this book a slow update book, which means I don't know when I'll write next, but I hope you guys continue to support me and continue to read. Thank you all for so many votes and continuing to read my book. I love you guys.
YOU ARE READING
Not So Secret
Teen Fiction*Dirty Little Secret Sequel* They've been through thick and thin; had several fights and mishaps. But they've always gotten over them, right? Until now. What'll happen when going to two different colleges? Will Chloe and Ethan be able to stay toget...
