Fragile // Sequel to Torn

22. |

// Ethan's point of view //

When I wake up, it's because my phone is going off. I sleepily stretch before squinting to look at the time- 10:30. Oh shit. I pick up my phone and see that Tim is calling me. The second I go to answer it, it rings out. I unlock my phone and find my recents. I'm about to press his contact before I spot that someone else called me: Ashley. When did she call me? Last night? I must have missed it. Should I call her back? I haven't talked to her in weeks. She doesn't know about Kaleb or Dad... Or Jakob. I stole him from her. I need to call her back.

"Hey." I greet when she picks up. I sit up, still rubbing sleep from my eyes.

"Oh, you're alive." Ashley says.  I'm not sure whether she's throwing shade at me or not.

"It seems that way."

"Look, is there something going on between us? Are you still mad about Jakob?" She suddenly starts, not hesitating at all.

"No, I-" I start but get cut off.

"Because I'm sure you already know, but he never showed up on our stupid date. We're not together."

"I know, Ash," I try, honestly just wanting to go back to sleep. "Why don't you come over? Sort your shit out with Jake and then we can hang out."

"I'll be there in half an hour."

She hangs up, leaving me to almost fall asleep against the headboard. Then I realise what I just did; I invited Ashley. To come here. Where Jakob is. In half an hour.

"Fucking hell." I grown, rubbing my eyes again.

"Eth, you up?" I hear Chris' voice from outside my door.

"Yeah."

The door opens and he walks in, fully dressed and ready to go out. If he tells me we're all going somewhere, I'll probably scream. It's just one of those days.

"I told Jake I'm going out with my Mum but I'm going to get him a birthday present." Chris announces quietly.

"What are you getting him?" I ask.

"I dunno, probably just clothes. He wanted those shoes the other day too." He shrugs, referring to the other day when we were shopping for placemats and ended up in a random shoe shop.

"Okay, have fun. I'll cover for you if anything happens." I smile. He smiles before walking out.

I wait for him to leave the housebefore I get up, walking out into the bathroom. I drop my towel and then get undressed. I wrap my bandaged ankle in a plastic bag like the doctor told me to, turning on the water. Every time I adjust the temperature, it's either too hot or too cold. By the time I get it right, it's time to get out. As I'm getting dressed, I notice the red marks on my back from the heat. Sliding on a clean shirt, I shake off the bad vibes. I already have a terrible feeling about today.

Using my crutches, I make my way downstairs. My wet hair keeps falling into my eyes, making things twice as hard. I probably should have dried it. I make it down though, finding Jakob on the couch. He turns around when he hears me and smiles.

"Morning, sunshine." He greets.

"That was cheesy." I laugh.

"I'm pretty gouda." Jakob replies.

"Smooth."

I turn into the kitchen and find the orange juice, thanking whoever designed this kitchen for not making a big gap between the bench and the fridge. I get down a glass and pour the juice into it. I'm just putting it down when I feel a pair of arms around me.