is it casual now? - e. edwards

chapter six!

september 2022

that was around a year ago. freshman year.

many things had changed for lacy. she changed her major, moved into an apartment, and even joined the dance team.

but the one thing that hadn't changed for lacy was the hatred she had for ethan edwards.

lacy couldn't get over it. she replayed that night in her mind, or what she could remember from it, more times than she cared to admit. ethan's coldness, his deliberate avoidance—it all stung more than it should have.

she tried to brush it off, forgive him even, but every encounter with him since then only seemed to reinforce the bitterness she felt. no matter how hard she tried to be friendly or include him, he always kept his distance, a constant reminder of that initial rejection and bitterness he seemed to only have for her.

ethan wasn't much different. he thought ignoring lacy would help him deal with his own feelings of frustration and envy, but it only made things worse. every time he saw her, laughing with their mutual friends or just being her effortlessly charming self, it stirred up a confusing mix of emotions in him. he hated how much he cared about what she thought, and that only made him resent her more. his lingering jealousy over lacy and luke's apparent closeness festered, turning his avoidance into outright hostility.

the team noticed, of course. it was hard not to. dylan and mark often exchanged worried glances, and luke, despite his obliviousness at times, couldn't ignore the awkwardness that clouded every gathering where both ethan and lacy were present. but no one knew why they seemed to hate each other so much or how to address it without making things worse. so they let it be, hoping that time would eventually smooth things over.

but time for lacy and ethan didn't heal all wounds. instead, it seemed to deepen them.

"i just don't understand why you hate him so much" kayleigh shrugs as she sits on her bed watching her phone

"i just don't like him, he's rude when i've been nothing but nice to him" i say as i blow a strand of hair out of my face as i decide what outfit to wear for the first day of sophomore year.

"you ready?" kayleigh says after rolling out of bed

kayleigh, the girl i met in the beginning of my freshman year eventually did make it into umich and we moved into a small apartment with arabella and stella

"guys im leaving for class" we hear stella yell from downstairs

"we'll see you later!" kayleigh yells back

"dinner at 5:30?" arabella shouts

"yes" we all yell back at her

i decide to walk kayleigh to her first class of day since mine didn't start until an hour, i was taking a new sports management class that i found out luke, luca and johnny were taking too.

"thanks for walking me, i'll see you soon right?" she says looking at me as i hand her the books i was holding for her. "yup, i'll be in my sports management class when you get out though" i say nodding my head

"i'll text you then" and with that she heads inside leaving me to walk back outside.

i walked into the classroom and picked a perfect spot to sit near the middle and with the perfect view. i was a bit early so i got my book out and went on my phone when i was i got a text from luke.

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NEW MESSAGE
FROM 'lukey'

lukey
we need a new
media girl for the hockey team.
you should do it

ace
umm why you scared
the last one away?

lukey
shut up maddie graduated

ace
it was probably
edwards or something
i would graduate as soon
as possible too

lukey
whatever
u should do it anyways

ace
i'll think about it lu

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

around five minutes later, students started to fill the room. i look up to see luke, luca, and johnny walk in. i wave at them, and they head over to sit on the other side of me.

"hey, ace," luke says, plopping down beside me, luca and johnny all following behind him and sitting all on the left side of me.

"hey, guys," i reply with a smile.

"excited for the class?" luca asks me

"kinda, excited to see what it's about," i say

"it's about sports," luke says like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

i roll my eyes in response.

a couple of minutes later, the professor starts to delve into the introduction of the class, and then ethan walks in, late as usual.

lacy's heart sinks as she notices the only empty seat is right next to her.

he hesitates for a moment and with a sigh, he walks over and sits down, not even glancing her way and with a tense silence enveloping them.

luke, luca, and johnny are on the other side of her, exchanging glances between them.

i try to focus on the lecture, but ethan's presence is almost impossible to ignore. the tension is palpable. every movement he makes i can feel the heat of his body next to mine, every scribble in his notebook that would make our elbows would brush, seemed amplified in my mind. i couldn't help but feel a mix of anger, annoyance and something else i couldn't quite name.

but i couldn't help but notice ethan out of the corner of my eye. i watch as he writes in his notebook, his hands moving swiftly and confidently. i find myself staring at his hands, thinking how hot they look while he writes, and immediately feel a wave of frustration and embarrassment. i shouldn't be thinking this way about someone i despised.

ethan, on the other hand, is equally aware of lacy's proximity. he had hoped to avoid her, but fate seemed to have other plans. he keeps his eyes glued to his notes, refusing to acknowledge her presence. he can feel lacy's presence beside him, and it only fuels his irritation. every time she shifts or sighs, it grates on his nerves.

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i updated finally :)
don't be a silent reader!
(you can be, i do it sometimes too)
i love talking to you guys!!
thanks for reading!