Better. [e.d]

e i g h t e e n

Chapter 18:

Ethan's POV:

I watch Elena walk out of my room before leaning back onto my bed and shutting my eyes.

Fuck, I guess I really do like Elena... But I'm not ready. I don't know if I ever will be... but I want her so bad. She's what has kept me so happy these past couple weeks. She makes me want to be a better person. She makes me want to be the old me... I wake up every morning excited to just chill with her all night, I can't get enough of her. But what am I supposed to do? I don't want to hurt her and I don't want to get hurt again... I guess I could start off by ending things with Palmer again. I can't believe I got back together with her just to get back at Elena. Her yapping in my ear all day about herself was not worth it at all and I shouldn't have even needed to get back at Elena. Especially not with Palmer, that was a dick move.

*

2:57 P.M.

I park at the side of the school and pull out my phone to text Elena.

To: Elena

"Meet me outside of the main entrance."

I just got back from breaking up with Palmer again and thankfully it went a lot better this time. There was only yelling and pushing, nothing flying at me.

I shut off my phone and look out the window as I wait for Elena.

I then hear the passenger door open a couple minutes later.

"Hey," she says and sits down before shutting the door. "Hi," I respond. "Thanks for picking me up," she says smiling. God, she's so beautiful. "No problem," I say and return the smile. I then pull out of the parking lot and head home.

"How was school?" I ask trying to make conversation. "It was great, thanks for asking Mom," she says. "Oh shut up, I'm just trying to make conversation," I say and she hums. "How was school for you?" She asks. "It was whatever," I say. "You know I can walk home now on the days we don't have class together? My ribs are fine for me to walk 10 minutes," she says. "It's fine, I don't mind." "No, I don't want to be any trouble." "No, really it's not. I was out anyway," I say "Oh really? What'd you do today?" "Broke up with Palmer," I say blandly. "What? Why?" She asks and I shrug. "Not too interested in her anymore." "Oh, you're that kinda guy?" She asks emphasizing on 'that'. "What do you mean?" I ask. "You're one of those guys that play around with girls and then drop them when you get bored of them," she says and sounds as if she's mad. "I'm not like that, Elena," I say calmly. "Oh, really? You just said you broke up with Palmer because you lost interest in her." "Well yeah, I'm not gonna stay with her if I don't feel anything for her. That's not fair to her," I say. "Did you have feelings for her?" She asks. "Honestly, no. I wanted her as a distraction and I know that's wrong and so that's one of the reasons why I ended things." "A distraction for what?" She asks. "Just stuff I've been going through." "Like what?" "It's nothing," I say. I pull into the driveway and we get out of the car. We walk up to the front door and into the house.

*

Elena's POV:

6:53 P.M.

Once I finished getting ready for my date with Jake, I grabbed my purse from my closet and headed downstairs.

I walk into the kitchen to see everyone. Maya and Evan were setting up the table for dinner while everyone else was sitting at the counter or island waiting for dinner to be ready.

"Ooo, where are you going looking so pretty?" Maya asks and everyone turns their attention to me. "I'm just wearing jeans and a blouse, but thank you," I say. "Well, are you going out?" She asks. "Yeah, Jake is taking me out for coffee," I say and walk over to the cupboard and grab a class. "Are you two getting serious?" Savannah asks from the counter. "I don't know," I shrug. "Do you want it to?" Ava asks. "I don't know," I repeat and fill my glass with water. "what do you mean you don't know?" Savannah asks. "I really liked him a couple days ago..." "Well what happened?" Maya asks. I glance over at Ethan and he looks away right when we make eye contact. "Nothing, I just don't really know how I feel about him now," I shrug before I drink my water. "Maybe you're just worried about it getting serious," Ava says. "Have you had a bad experience with any boyfriends?" Savannah asks. "Well, kinda." "That's probably what it is," she says and then the doorbell rings. "Well I'll see you guys later, save me some dinner," I say before walking out of the kitchen. Everyone says goodbye and I head to the front door. I open it up to see Jake.