At my Lowest

Dakota

Ethan raised his eyebrow to see if I would continue.

"SHOOT ETHAN, SHOOT!"

"Sorry, Coco" he knows I don't cuss but I was really darn close right there.

I was now stuck tutoring Ethan Banks. I loved Ethan as a friend and maybe even more and because of that, I was scared. If I tutor him it brings us closer and if we get closer I might open myself up to love again. After Zach and even Emma, I wasn't ready to love.

"How about after school we go to mine? I'm kind of scared of Coach"

He's not scared of my dad at all. I have sat through dinners where my dad told us about all the ways Ethan had invented to offend my dad.

I still want to see the home of his lavish family anyways though.

"Alright Banks, fine."

I didn't like the way he smiled at me. It screamed trouble and I don't know what kind of trouble

"Kota! My dad said it's okay" Layla had just walked up to us and sprung the news on me

Dang.

"Layls, I know I said I'd come over today but apparently I'm tutoring Mr.Banks himself."

"Tomorrow?" I asked

"Perfect!" she squealed

After School, I went home and changed. When I grabbed my keys and stepped outside I saw I already had a ride.

There stood Ethan Banks in his full glory. He leaned on his Mercedes and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Coco!"

"Banks" I tried hard not to sound blunt but I still did

He opened the door for me and whispered "Ladies first"

"Thank you"

We eventually pulled up to his house and my jaw dropped. He lived in a three-story house not including the basement and attic. His house was elegant and huge.

He parked his car outside and I was scared to meet his family.

I was mentally preparing myself when Ethan interrupted my thoughts.

"Do you have any siblings Coco?"

"What?"

"My sister is visiting and I thought about it when she told me"

"Older Brother, Matt"

He nodded and seemed like he was processing the information I had just given him.

I was okay with that though, more time to fix myself.

We finally walked into his foyer. The room had a door on the left and right leading to different rooms. There were two curving staircases surrounding the door in the middle of them in front of us.

On the right staircase, I saw a classy-looking girl a little older than me. She was wearing white stilettos with a matching pearl necklace. I couldn't ignore the center of this iconic look though, she wore a knee-length mint green dress.

"Where are you going?" Ethan asked her

"Marcy's, Chance is going to be there and he's been ignoring me so I'd like to confront him" she replied. Even saying the most basic words she showed elegance.

I looked up at Ethan in confusion

"Her boyfriend," he said

Great, now I know who Chance is but who is she?

"Honey, are you not going to introduce me to your girlfriend?" sarcasm laced her voice and I could tell the name "honey" annoyed him and that's why she said it.

"Jennifer Banks, call me Jen" She put her hand out to shake my hand.

I shook her hand and looked at her gorgeous hazelnut eyes that were identical to Ethan's.

Jen huh? Oh OHH, OH MY GOD

"JENNIFER BANKS? YOU'RE HIS SISTER?"

She was drop-dead gorgeous and I wished I looked even a bit like her while Ethan was the spitting image of her.

"Yes, that's my name. What's yours?" She said while smiling

"Dakota Addams"

"You're the girl Ethan talks about?"

I opened my mouth in shock and turned to Ethan my shock turned into a smile

"OKAY JEN, go to your dumb party!"

She grabbed her handbag and kissed him on the cheek before walking off.

She was shorter than Ethan by about a foot and she had on heels but Ethan still met her lips halfway.

I could tell he loved her and I wished Matt wasn't a jerk and he loved his little sister for once.

He brought me into the dining room and I saw a couple standing in front of the fireplace.

The woman wearing black gloves that went up to her elbows and a black dress with matching heels. Her hair was in a ponytail tied by a black bow with strands in her face.

I assumed it was Ethan's mother but couldn't believe it was because she looked so young.

"SAMANTHA JUST STOP!" the man shouted at the stunning woman in front of him.

The woman crossed her arms and tilted her head down in annoyance.

The man was tall, even taller than Ethan. He wore a black suit with a white dress shirt underneath. I don't know much about shoes but I could tell his were expensive.

"Jenny is in for the twentieth birthday,dear. Play nice for her,okay?" the woman said even though she was asking it seemed more like a demand.

She turned her head and caught sight of me and Ethan.

"Oh darling! I'm sorry about that."

She rushed over and hugged Ethan. She kissed his cheek gently and he wiped his cheek to make sure she didn't get her red lipstick on him.

"Sorry Miele, who are you?"

I noticed her Italian accent when she said "Miele" what does that even mean? I was more so shocked that Ethan was Italian though

"Mom, please. She just watched you argue with Dad so don't act all innocent."

She turned back to me and repeated her question
"You are, dolcezza?"

"I'm Dakota and what does Miele or dolcezza mean?"

"Sorry! Dolcezza is sweetie while Miele is honey" she answered

"Coco let's head up to my room" he sent his mom a glare and she returned to her husband who was standing at the fireplace still.

"I'm sorry they argue often"

"No, it's okay!"

We spent the next two hours studying calculus and we left before he could talk to his mom again.

We pulled into my driveway and he walked me to the door.

"Bye bellissima, have a goodnight."

I ignored how I didn't know what that meant and smiled at the way his very subtle Italian accent peaked out when he called me that.

I walked into my house and saw my father on his knees with tears streaming down his face.

I'd never seen him cry before and I wondered why I was seeing this now.

I looked to see what was in front of him and screamed at the sight.

No, this can't be happening.