𝙼𝚢 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛, 𝙼𝚛. 𝙶𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝙵𝚊𝚌𝚎

CHAPTER V

I turned my head to see Ethan running to catch up with me. "Clover, wait!" he called out.

"Leave me alone, Ethan," I called back. I started speedwalking because I honestly didn't want to talk to him right now. I felt hurt by what he said back there.

He grabbed me and pulled me close to him.

I stared at him, and he stared back. I pushed him away, though. "I don't want to talk to you right now," I said with a straight face, folding my arms.

Ethan sighed before trying to get close again. He reached for my hand. "C'mon, Love, I didn't mean anything by it," he said, trying to give me his puppy-dog eyes.

"You accused me of being Ghostface, and even after I told you what happened! I felt betrayed when you said that, Ethan. It's like you took a knife and stabbed me," I exclaimed, pointing my finger into his chest.

It felt like Ethan wanted to stab me in the place that hurt the most: my heart. Funny enough, I got stabbed there, and I'm surprised I'm even alive.

He looked at me guiltily, his eyes big and sad. "I am sorry, Love. Forgive me, please," he apologized sincerely.

"Why did you even say it then?" I asked him.

"I didn't mean it. See it from my perspective, Love. Mindy was accusing everyone except her friends... Isn't that what happened last time? And look, everyone got hurt. For all we know, it could be someone in our friend group. We have to be careful," he explained.

I just stared at him, speechless. This felt like my first red flag... but do I really want to leave?

He brushed my hair behind my ears. "I just want to make sure you're safe. I want us to be safe because I see a future between us, and I don't want to lose you," Ethan said, and before I knew it, I kissed him.

"I see a future between us too, Landry," I smiled. That red flag just turned into a green one.

Ethan pulled me into his chest, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I'm going to protect you, okay? No matter what," he smiled and kissed me.

I smiled back at him. "I'm not letting Ghostface get near you either. If Ghostface has an issue, he can take it up with me," I joked. Ethan held me close.

His presence made me happy. I just need Ghostface to disappear so I can be completely happy.

"You sure you have econ tonight? I think you should stay with me and have some fun," I suggested, smirking.

"Yeah, sadly," he muttered, and I frowned. "But no worries, Love. I'll be over at yours as soon as it's over, and we can have all the fun you want," he said, kissing my nose.

I nodded before asking, "Bring food on your way?"

"You know it. I'm gonna get your favorite," he chuckled before leaning down to peck my lips softly, "with a strawberry milkshake."

I smiled. "Yes, with a strawberry milkshake and two cherries," I added, knowing he remembered.

"Yes, Love, with two cherries," he grinned, knowing my order by heart.

"I love how you know my order by heart," I said, smiling.

"It's because I know you by heart, Love. But I'll see you later tonight. Let me know when you get home," he told me.

"You have my location. I'll send an alert when I'm home," I smiled before he kissed me once again.

The way this boy makes me feel... and we're not even a couple yet.

THE APARTMENT

When I got to the apartment, all I heard was chatter as Sam prepared the living room. I was confused until she told me it was for the twins and Anika to sleep in until the new Ghostface was caught.