Taboo

15

Yuna - Too Close

"Pendejo." Valentina seems more pissed than I was.

"That family is fucking crazy." Maia said. "I kinda feel bad for Ethan though."

A hum of agreement resounded around the table.

Mike opened his mouth to speak but quickly changed his mind when a Maia's sharp elbow made sudden contact with his side.

I briefly glanced at Mike and realised that - however annoying some may be - I was lucky to hace a group of friends who I could vent to without being judged (openly anyway).

"Guys I've got to go or I'll be late for my dick appointment."

"Seriously Maia. In school?" I asked in disbelief, although somewhat amused.

"What can I say? I have needs. Although I'm not quite sure about this one. I swore off of white dick after the first time but I guess I can give it another shot. I honestly don't know how you do it, Davina." 

"Here he comes." Valentina sighed, as if she had an idea of what would happen.

I silently willed for everyone at the table to stop gawking at him as he strode over to the table, though he didn't seem at all fazed by their stares as he focused solely on me as he walked.

"Can we talk?" I found myself craning my neck to look up at him and caught myself thinking about how handsome he was - even while being blessed with the view up his nostrils. "Alone?" he added when he finally realised all eyes where on him.

~

As soon as we were alone and he looked at me, something in his disposition changed. A vulnerability I had never sensed before had suddenly come to light.

"Hey." Ethan finally broke the silence as a weak, close mouthed smile appeared on his face.

"Hi." I responded before we, once again, lapsed into a heavy silence.

After a while I couldn't take the silence anymore. "I don't think I can do this anymore." My voice was hoarse whisper.

He stared at me blankly, though I could tell his brain was going a mile a minute.

"Please. . . Say something?"

He stayed silent, searching for my eyes and searching for words. Then finally, "Why?" 

The emotion in his voice is what broke me. "I can't be with someone who hates me Ethan!" He turned into a blurred vision as unwanted tears filled my eyes.

I could feel the frustration radiating from his tense body as I edged away from his touch. 

"You know I don't hate you!" I could hear the anger building in his voice, his already tense demeanour becoming even more rigid.

"But your family does! I can't get attached to someone who comes from a family that can't accept who I am. I just can't!"

I swallowed the lump that had inconveniently lodged itself in my throat.

"I'm sorry." I whispered. That's when I fled, praying I overcome by my sobs. 

I ran through blurred vision, paying no heed to my surroundings, avoiding curious stares. My only goal was to exit the building.

~

I rested my forehead on the steering wheel.

Shit. Why does he have this effect on me? 

Knock-knock. 

The sudden noise startled me and I whipped my head to the side. I was met with the face of a certain blonde I wasn't sure I wanted to see at that moment.