The Eye Of The Ankh #Wattys2016

Chapter Thirteen

I pulled my car to the curb of Ethan's house, cutting the lights as I neared. I cut the engine and got out, careful to gently shut the door. I walked up to Ethan's door and texted him: I'm here. The door opened a minute later and Ethan welcomed me with wide arms, kissing my cheek.

"Shh," he hushed me as started to laugh. "Come on,"

We walked down to his basement and into his room. He flipped on his lamp at his desk and shut his door. I sat down on his bed and he leaned against his door. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, sneaking out on a school night. And on the day of the Lord!" He said jokingly.

"You invited me. As my mother always said: "never turn down invitations", it's rude."

Ethan stepped across his room—clearing the empty space in three steps—and wrapped his arms around me, kissing my neck. I laughed and Ethan stopped, putting finger on his lips. "Shh." He smiled and kissed my lips to quite my laughter. I was good at the sneaking out, not good at being quite.

I'm not saying I've kissed a ton of guys, but I'm pretty damn sure Ethan was a good kisser. Everywhere he touched felt electric, and made me crave his touch more. Then I started to get self-conscious, wondering if I was doing the right thing or not.

Then the door squeaked open, just as Ethan started to pull off my shirt.

We both stiffed up and Ethan got off of me, already walking to the door. In the doorway was Tate, his eyes shut, a thumb stuck in his mouth.

"Ethan?"

"Shh, he's asleep. Sleep walks down here all the time. Normally I just let him sleep with me." Ethan lightly turned Tate around and started to walk him upstairs. Ethan disappeared and came back a few minutes later. "Sorry. You can't wake sleep walkers."

I nodded. "I know. My best friend's sister slept walked every once in a while." I guess she's not really my best friend anymore. After the accident I dropped all contact with her and everyone else at my school. I don't need their pity.

"Really kills the mood though." Ethan smirked. "Leave it to Tate to find the worst possible time to see his brother."

I smiled. "I wish I had a relationship like that with a sibling."

"You don't have a brother or sister?"

I shook my head. "My parents didn't want any more kids. They were pleased with just me." I smiled. "I don't think my aunt would've taken me in if it wasn't just me."

Ethan kissed my lips. Soft and simple. "I'm happy I met you."

I smiled. "Me too."

How the hell will I ever be able to kill you?

I slept lightly for an hour curled up next to Ethan before I sneaked out, careful not to wake my sleeping boyfriend.

Damn, that felt weird. Boyfriend.

I drove off, clicking on my headlights as soon as his house was in the rearview. I was tired, so I was careful when driving. That's always been my worst fear as a driver: to fall asleep at the wheel.

The summer I got my first permit, I went to art camp and one of the consolers told us his story of when he fell asleep at the wheel: he drifted into the other lane, was asleep for quite a while, and rolled his car three times. When he woke, his car was totaled and he walked away without a scratch. Doctors said that if his steering wheel air bag deployed, he would've been in much worse shape.

I hardly drive at night now, too terrified the same would happen to me.

But the problem is, I love driving at night so much more.

Once I got to Anna's, I clicked the button to open the garage. The door slowly opened, revealing Anna herself, arms crossed over her chest and anger alive in her eyes.

I froze. Last time something like this happened, I was heartbroken and the two people I care about most died.

I pulled in and Anna stepped aside. She looked so frail, pale in the headlights, her brown hair stacked on her head.

I parked the car and grabbed the keys out of the ignition. Once I was out of the car, Anna held out her hand, face up: give them here. "Keys." She said.

I handed them to her, reluctantly. "Anna, I was just... I wasn't in any danger..."

"And how was I going to know that? You left, and I woke up to your car gone. You could've been dead, you could've been right down the street. I feared the worst. Where'd you go?"

I hesitated. I didn't want Anna to think badly of Ethan. "I went to Ethan's." I didn't think lying right now would be very smart.

"You're grounded from your car, until further notice. No after school activities for a while. No basketball games. No Ethan."

"But, Anna!" I tried to protest, knowing that it was no use.

"No buts. I'm cold. And I'm tired. Go to your room and sleep."

I clenched my jaw but obeyed.