Pretty Boy - Ethan Morales

6 - 3 Wishes

"Carmen, mi amor? ¿Qué te he dicho sobre tener la puerta cerrada... y mucho menos tener un chico en tu habitación?" (Carmen, mi amor? what have i told you about having the door closed...let alone having a boy in your room!) Carmen's mom spoke. Carmen and Ethan's head snap to the door that was wide open. Carmen cursed herself for not hearing them come home. Ethan moved his laptop to the side and jumped up ready to defend the situation. Carmen was about to say something but Ethan beat her to the punch.

"Hola, Señora Vera. Soy Ethan, Carmen y yo tenemos una clase juntos. Estábamos trabajando en un proyecto español que tenemos previsto para el final de la semana. Pensamos que sería mejor hacer nuestra investigación aquí, ya que sabíamos que llevaría un tiempo." (Hola, Mrs. Vera. I'm Ethan, me and Carmen have a class together. We were just working on a Spanish project we have due at the end of the week. We thought it would be best to do our research up here since we knew it would take a while.) He spoke quickly and timidly. While he spoke every once in a while he would look back at Carmen for reassurance. Carmen and her mom were a little shocked at his words. Carmen smiled a little at how polite and respectful he was being towards her mother.

"Lo veo, gracias, Ethan. La próxima vez que abra la puerta, ¿vale, Carmen... y Ethan?" (I see, thank you Ethan. Next time door open okay Carmen...and Ethan?). Her mother shifted her gaze between the two as she questioned them. Ethan nodded and Carmen and her mother exchanged looks.

"Sí, gracias mami," Carmen replied. Her mother eventually left them and Carmen visibly relaxed. She scratched the back of her head before turning to Ethan. He already had his eyes on her and she tried to reel in her thoughts.

"Uh...thank you for that. I was completely sure she was going to yell at me so you definitely saved my ass there." Carmen shrugged, trying to not make it awkward.

"Of course, what can I say? The moms love me." He said with a smirk and suggesting eyebrows. Carmen smacked his arm.

"Ew, gross. That's my mom you freak." She said half-heartedly. He didn't even try to respond as he doubled over in laughter. She tried to act hot and bothered but she ended up joining the laughing fit.

The two decided, after a while, to call it a night. They got the majority of the project done and just needed to add the finishing touches. Ethan was too hyper and unfocused the rest of the time so she decided that it could wait one more day to be finished. They packed up their school stuff and headed downstairs to where her parents were relaxing. Her parents were talking together until the two teens came down. Ethan had his bag slung over his shoulder and turned to look at Carmen before looking at her parents watching their interaction.

"Buenas noches, Señor. y Señora. Vera. Fue un placer conocerte. Adiós Carmen, nos vemos en la escuela mañana." (Good night Mr. and Mrs. Vera. It was nice to meet you. Goodbye Carmen, I'll see you at school tomorrow.) He spoke charmingly. He gave Carmen a small, unnoticeable wink before he turned to walk out towards the door. She followed him towards the door, and instead of shutting it behind him, she followed him out of it. She shut it behind her and walked to the edge of the porch. He picked up his skateboard, which he had discarded earlier that day before turning to her. 

"I'll do it..." she spoke softly. The sudden urge to run back inside after what she had said settled in her mind. Never in a million years did she think that she would agree to his stupid proposal. He quirked his eyebrow and shifted his stance.

"Do...what?" he questioned. She could tell from the expression on his face he was completely lost. She thought it would be easy to just say that and move on. The embarrassment weighed heavy in the back of her mind. She for some reason she figured he'd know what she was talking about.

"I'll be your stupid pretend girlfriend," she said dramatically throwing her arms in the air and rolling her eyes. He smirked at her frustrated expression. He seemed amused with the sudden outburst as he processed what she was saying.