Is This Real

30

ARI'S POV

"Ethan..." i said as i slowly opened his bedroom door. he turned his loud music off and sat up on his bed. Ethan looked tired and drained and like he could careless about life. his hair was a mess and he was only wearing baggy sweatpants. his eyes were bright red like he hasn't slept in awhile.

"yeah, Ari?" he asked trying to sound happy. i walked over and sat on the bottom of his bed.

"i...I'm sorry." he sighed.

"Ari, it's not your fault." he said in a reassuring voice.

"yes it is, every time i get involved with guys, something happens like this. I'm constantly ruining things for you." i started to cry. he quickly crawled to the bottom of the bed and hugged me.

"no Ari...no you're not. you did nothing wrong. you're a teenager. you're obviously gunna date and it's okay that things with Ross and Jack and Hunter didn't turn out so good. things will get better. i promise and until then I'll always be here to protect you."

"thanks Ethan." i took a deep breathe. "i just feel so bad that you have to deal with my shit for me."

"well don't. it's fine."

"what can i do to make this stop? i can't take anymore of this it hurts so bad. people thing I'm discusting and i always get dirty looks and my life is hell." i sobbed.

"well, you can talk to Ross..." i pulled out of the hug.

"no."

"as much as i hate him...you have to. if he understand that what he's doing is wrong then...maybe things will change. he can set things straight and we won't have to switch schools again."

"no. I'm sorry. i cant." i said as i stood up. "i know you need me to, to stay at Eastwood but...i just can't." i walked to the door quickly.

"wait!...I'll go with you." i turned around at my brother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"ARRIIII!! you ready?!" Ethan yelled up the stairs. i pulled my hoody over my head and slipped on my vans. i walked downstairs.

"yeah." i said miserably.

"don't worry. it'll be okay." we got in the car and drove in silence for almost 20 minutes. Ethan let out a deep breathe as he parked in the Starbucks parking lot. "ready?" i nervously shook my head no. "it'll be okay. what's the worst that could happen?" i honestly don't know i mean...it can really only go up hill.

"let's go." i said confidently. Ethan smiled at me and got out of the car. we walked inside and there he was. sitting alone at the table. the man that's brought me to hell and back, the one who taught me how to love, the one who broke my heart, the most beautiful man alive.