Head Over Leather #Wattys2017

XXX. I want her (Ethan's POV)

"You guys always pick where we go!"

"Oh come on, that's not true. When was the last time we picked?"

The arguments continue being thrown around the table, but Maya stays silent, poking her lunch around on the tray. It was like she was trying to focus on anything but me. It wasn't that I was a complete asshole, but it wasn't like she let me explain myself at the party either.

"Ethan what do you think?" I turn to Riley who's looking at me expectantly with wide eyes and a smile as usual. I sigh, dropping my fork and clasp my hands together as my elbows rest on the table.

"I honestly don't care where we go for spring break as long as we can swim." I shrug offhandedly, because it's true. I didn't care as long as Maya was there and we'd have the opportunity to properly talk.

"Lucky for you not only do I look great in a bikini, I also look good while wet." Rachel purrs beside me and the look on her face showed just how serious she was. It was enough to make any guy feel turned on and she's probably the exact female copy of me.

Problem? She wasn't Maya.

Maya scoffs loudly, rolling her eyes and doesn't even bother to try to hide her distain for Rachel. I fight the urge to smile at how adorable she is.

"You have something to say?" Rachel glares at her, all the while clamping a hand on my shoulder possessively. Don't get me wrong, I was thankful to Rachel for being honest, but the more time I spent with her, the further it drove me from Maya.

"I do actually. You already have him Rachel, do you really need to rub it in my face too?" Maya slams her hands on the table, before pushing herself up and walking out the cafeteria. I shake Rachel's hand off me and jog after her ignoring my friends calling after me.

I find the redhead leaning against the lockers, breathing heavily as she wipes her flushed cheeks. Shit, she was crying.

"Just go away, Ethan." She chokes out, turning her face away from me as an attempt to hide how upset she is. I push myself off the lockers and stand in front of her, moving my hand to rest behind her neck. I stroke her cheek with my thumb wiping away the tears that continue to fall and lean my head down slightly meet her eye level.

"We only kissed."

A beat of silence passes. She's watching me intently, flustered cheeks, mouth slightly parted and it takes everything in me to not kiss her right then and there.

"You and Rachel?"

I swiftly nod my head, keeping my eyes trained on her as she takes in the information. Maybe it won't even change anything.

"Okay." Maya whispers, a glazed look taking over her features. I move my hand from her cheek, trailing it down her side and find a place on her hip. I look down, toying with the light pink denim material of the short skirt she has on.

"Okay?" I ask, tilting my head, as I move my hand to her bare thigh. She swallows hard, squinting her eyes slightly as if to challenge me. In response, I smirk and nudge her legs apart with my knee causing her to let out a soft gasp.

"Yeah. Okay. What do you expect me to say?" Although she lifts her head in confidence, I can tell that my wandering hands are throwing her off.

"I don't know. Maybe that we could actually talk and figure this...thing out?" My fingers slide up her inner thigh, drawing dangerously close to underneath her skirt.

"I-"

"Ethan." I force myself to pull away from Maya, turning to find Rachel standing with her arms crossed, watching us with a raised eyebrow. Maya glances between us wearily, before walking away.

"Maya!" She ignores me and continues down the hall in a hurry, leaving me with Rachel who lets out a chuckle.

"Really, Rach?"

"You should thank me. You got yourself a little moment with her because of me." Rachel points to herself with a satisfied smirk, before slowly walking to me.

"Look, the flirting's gotta stop. I mean I know at first I let it slide but I don't want Maya thinking that I have something with you." I explain, looking down at her, hoping she wasn't that cold that she'd ignore my pleas.

"Ask yourself this Ethan. Why do you care so damn much if it was fake anyway?" I stay silent, glancing away to avoid her scrutinizing gaze. It's the question I've been avoiding ever since we 'broke' up. Maybe even before that.

"Exactly. Instead of blaming me for what I'm doing, blame yourself for what you aren't." With that said, Rachel spins on her heel, leaving me with more questions on my mind than I could ever answer. And suddenly, all the time I've spent with Maya comes flooding back and it makes me feel dumb that I didn't realize how much she really means to me before.

I want to be with Maya.

No game, no revenge plot against exes, no pretend.

I want her.

Grinning to myself, I jog to the cafeteria, ready to tell Maya that I'm all in. Instead I'm met by our group, all avoiding my questioning gaze as Maya is nowhere to be seen. Mia bites her lip, side-eyeing me and I'm confused for a moment why they're all looking at me like they're bearing bad news.

"Where is she?"

"Theo called her. She walked off for some privacy." Jess explains softly, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. I'm about to ask why when Maya appears beside me, a small unsure grin playing on her lips. She barely acknowledges me and focuses her attention directly on the girls.

"Well?" Mia pushes, leaning forward in anticipation as Maya glances down shyly, pushing her hair behind her ears.

"Theo asked me out for Valentines Day."

Fuck.

***

I love writing in Ethan's POV, I should do it more often🤔 anyway, hope you liked this chapter! Why did Theo ask Maya out? Will Ethan tell her how he feels? What'll happen during spring break?

I'm struggling to pick a place for the squad to go, so if you have any ideas comment below where! (It'd be nice for somewhere a little more original than Cancun but all suggestions welcome😌)

Read, comment and vote babes. Thank for reading💓💓💓