Death Sticks

4. Dreamy Eyes

 Beya watched as she exhaled. Her icy breath turned to a cloud of gray in the clear night sky. She leaned her head onto Ethan's shoulder. The heat coming off his warm skin soothed the pain of her fresh black eye.

"I love the view from here," Beya admired.

"Yeah...I mean I've only been here a day but I think it's safe to say without hesitation, that these are the best 'parents' I've had yet."

"That's cool, you think you'll stay with them awhile?"

"I hope so..." Ethan replied, trailing off.

"Do you know what time it is?"

Ethan glanced down and then looked back up, "Quarter after nine."

"I should probably go. It's a long walk back to the city from here."

"You're not seriously gonna walk from here, are you?"

Beya felt around in her pockets and found the familiar feel of the money she'd swiped the day before. "I mean I can probably get a cab. That or use this so called 'beautiful' body of mine," she joked.

"Ha ha," Ethan fake laughed, "Not funny."

"What the beautiful part, or the 'using it'?"

"Both, because one you are beautiful." Beya rolled her eyes. "I'm serious. You don't ever want some sleazy guy using you."

"You're right."

"I know I am."

"Okay...don't get too cocky." Ethan gave Beya an expression as if she had two heads. "What?"

He shook his head, "Beya Lino. Do you know me at at all?"

"Yes. In fact, I know you too well," she confirmed.

Ethan smiled and looked deeply into Beya's big hazel eyes. He brushed his pale hand through her hair. "You're absolutely right," he agreed.

Beya gulped in her throat. His eyes looked dreamy, but she didn't want anything to happen, so she did the only thing she figured sensible. Beya rose from her chair on the balcony like fire escape and claimed she had to leave. As she emerged the steps, ready to begin a long walk down, Ethan stopped her. "Wait!"

Beya squeezed her eyes shut, and a snake of anxiety swept through her. She turned to face him, and smiled as if nothing was wrong. She immediately shamed herself afterward and looked down. Stupid girl. He's not a friendly aquinatis. He's your best friend. Be upfront with him, Beya scolded.

Ethan read her expression as if he was reading her mind, and knew he'd messed up. "I almost forgot to tell you," he started, and Beya looked up at him, "I got a phone. That way the next time you wanna contact me, you can just call. You don't have to get in touch with Shakree," he smiled.

"Okay. You know very well that's not what happened," she laughed.

"Oh really?" Ethan said with a smirk, "Then why have the school contact her and not your foster parents?"

"Well, first of all, they didn't contact her, they contacted our foster community, and she happened to be the one to respond. And second of all, you know who my foster parents are."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, "Do I?"

Beya's eyes widened and she nodded, "Drug dealers."

"Of course," he sighed. "Well changing the subject...I'll give you my number."

Beya smiled. "It's weird. I've known you all these years, but the whole 'here's my number thing' seems like I'm just now meeting you."

"Right, and then I'm supposed to play that whole game where I don't answer your texts and whatever?"