Heart of Glass// Ethan Dolan✅

Chapter 9

"So you all sit together?" Emma asks quietly to me, almost as if she's nervous. The grip on her lunch tray proves my theory to be right. She's as nervous as nervous can be.

"Yeah," I answer. "It's me, Grayson, Ethan, and this boy named Aaron. Have you met him?"

Today is the first day that Emma is going to be sitting with us at lunch. I can tell she's really excited, and I really hope that she won't let her feelings for Grayson get in the way of that, whether past or present.

"I've heard of him," Emma comments. "Not that I've heard good things about him, but I have heard of him."

"Aaron is a really cool dude. Sometimes. Other times, he really makes me want to shove a screwdriver in his ear," I tell her, causing her to shutter.

I've really gotten to know Aaron as well as Grayson over these past few weeks. If there was ever to be a goof ball goofier that Grayson, it would definitely be Aaron. He really is a child at heart. I guess that's why Ethan and Grayson like him so much.

"That sounds a little torturous, don't you think?" Emma asks, slightly chuckling.

"Whatever gets him to not blast Little Einstein's in my ear when I'm sleeping," I shrug, finally having found the lunch table. This cafeteria really is a maze.

I look over at Grayson and Ethan. They are goofing around, as usual, with Aaron. Grayson spots me immediately and a smile finds its way onto his face.

"Hey, Cara," he greets me, patting the seat next to him. "Oh, and nice to see you again, Emma."

"Nice to see you too," Emma nervously greets, taking a seat next to me. Ethan eyes us both as we sit down. Do us all a favor, Ethan, and stop looking constipated all the time. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you when I talked to you that one time."

"It's okay, I'm used to it," Grayson assures, grin on face. "So, Cara. Has your view of New Jersey changed any bit since you last called it one of the worst places you've ever been to?"

"To be completely honest," I tell him. "Yeah."

Nothing's changed about the people in New Jersey; they are all still inconsiderate jerks that taint the beauty of New Jersey. Nothing's changed about the fact that I miss Hannah oh so very much; I really wish I could see her soon, but our next school break is during Thanksgiving.

The only thing that's changed is mine and Grayson's friendship. We've become really close over the time that I've gotten to know him, and I'm pretty sure it's only been two to three weeks. I think that has caused me to like Jersey more, even if it's only by a little bit.

"Oh, Gray. We need to film a video today. It's Tuesday," Ethan reminds him. Grayson's eyes go wide in shock. "What do you want to do?"

"Crap, we have to do something easy. I wish we would've thought about this yesterday," Grayson sighs.

"I think I have an idea," Ethan states. "We can talk more about it when we get home."

"Do you guys want to come over and watch us?" Grayson asks. "You can tell us if it sucks."

"No, I don't think that's a good idea," I say quietly. The truth is that I would love to watch them film. I know Ethan wouldn't like that very much, though. He probably thinks that I'm still using Grayson.

"Oh come on, Care. Don't let this sack of sour beans stop you from coming over. Besides, Aaron's going to be there. You can bring your friend Emma if you want to," Grayson suggests. "Please, I really want you to see what it's like filming and whatnot."

I glance over at Ethan, not even daring to make eye contact with him. That's kind of impossible to do, considering he's shooting daggers at Grayson.