Cinderfella

Chapter Thirteen

"You're a pretty good dancer," Ethan said as the music slowed.

The other boy was bent over, holding his side. "You too." He winced. "Actually, that's an understatement. I came over thinking I could keep up with the cute new guy but," he wheezed, "damn was I wrong."

Ethan laughed and helped pull the other boy up so they were eye to eye. He also couldn't help but notice their matching red and blue bands. "So, um, what's your name?" Ethan asked. He felt his face turn as red as Mikey's.

The boy smiled, a mischievous and childish expression that reminded Ethan of Corey when he played video games. "I'm Kyle, and you are?"

"Ethan. It's nice to meet you."

Kyle smiled. "Ethan, a hebrew name that means strong and long-lived. It fits you."

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Oh please don't tell me you believe that names have secret meanings and that the stars determine everything about you."

Kyle shrugged. "If you insist, then I won't say it." Ethan rolled his eyes and stepped away, but was stopped by Kyle's hand, which was still wrapped around his. "Come on, I'm just kidding. Do you really hate astrology that much?"

Ethan shrugged. "I'm just not into learning about what cleaning supply represents me."

Kyle laughed. "Well, if you were a Gemini, I could tell you that you're bleach, like me. Which is ironic, since you make me feel so alive."

Ethan couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous line. He'd never been hit on. He'd always been the one with the cheesy pick-up lines, and the goofy hair. Now, standing across from Kyle, who had dyed his hair dark blue and shaved the entire left side- and paired it with two eyebrow piercings, a nose piercing, and snakebites- Ethan felt a little less uncomfortable about his shaggy hair that he had let fade back to brown.

"You're terrible," Ethan said, still laughing.

Kyle looked down to his shoes. "I swear, I'm not trying to come off that way. I'm just, I thought you were cool, and I wanted to see if I could get your number." His face burned red. "So-so we could, I don't know, maybe we could hang out?"

Ethan smiled. "I'd like that." He patted his pockets. "I don't have any paper, do you?"

Kyle shook his head and pulled out his cellphone. "Just put it in here, and I can text you later."

Ethan shook his head. "I don't have a cell. I got it taken away when I came out and told my mom I didn't want to go to church."

Kyle hummed and glared off in the distance. "Already I don't like your mom, no offense."

Ethan shook his head. "None taken. I'm actually kind of glad that she kicked me out."

Kyle looked up from his phone, his mouth a small o. "That's horrible!" Kyle cried. "This is probably weird, since we just met, but if you need to, my mom would be more than happy to have you move in with us. She's super accepting, and she won't care at all-"

Ethan cut him off. "I actually have a friend who's going to let me move in. But thank you, so much, really."

Kyle smiled. "It's no trouble, really. My mom has a soft spot for kids, and she hates seeing anyone without a family. I've had eight foster brothers and sisters in the last three years."

"Eight kids?" Ethan asked in shock. Kyle nodded. "I bet she's a great mom."

Kyle smiled. "She's amazing, I couldn't ask for a better mom."

From the other side of the gym, someone swore loudly. Sparks caught on a table cloth, and soon the food tables had caught on fire. Someone began yelling slurs, and a group of girls began screaming. People began yelling as the sprinklers kicked on, drenching everyone. People pushed past Ethan, who was dumbly still holding onto Kyle's hand.

"Ethan, come on, we need to get out of here!" Kyle yelled over the noise.

Ethan shook his head. "I need to find my friends! Come with me!"

Kyle grabbed his hand tighter and tried to follow him. A group of kids had run between them, knocking their hands apart. Ethan was pushed back and shoved around. He caught his balance and ran for the bleachers where he'd seen Mikey last.

The bleachers were empty. Ethan ran around the area, calling for Mikey, for Alice and Maddy. He wiped water off his face and fanned away the heavy smoke. Soon enough, the gym had been emptied. Ethan sprinted for the doors after checking that everyone was out. Outside, everyone had huddled together in a damp group.

"Are you alright?" people asked Ethan as he walked around. He coughed, once, twice, until he was brought over to a bench and sat down. People surrounded him, calling out to see if anyone knew him.

"'m fine," Ethan said over and over. "Please, do you know Mikey Anderson? He's small, black hair and dark skin? Maddy, she's huge, and her girlfriend Jane? Do you know Alice? Kyle? Please, where are they?"

The sound of sirens grew louder, and soon enough, a fire truck had parked in front of the gym. People stepped out of their way, and soon enough, the sprinklers ad sirens shut off. A man pushed Ethan off the bench and stood on top.

"All of you, go home! Get in your cars, find your rides, and get off the property!"

Ethan shuffled into the parking lot where Maddy had parked. Alice was sitting on the hood of the car, nursing a burn on her right arm. "I'm fine!" Alice snapped as Maddy tried to get a good look at it.

Ethan tapped Maddy on the shoulder. "Have you seen Mikey? I couldn't find him inside."

Maddy looked up in fear. "No," she said, voice shaking. "I thought he would be with you."

Ethan shook his head, and soon Alice's burn was forgotten. He chased after Maddy to the gym, which was devoid of kids.

"Hey!" a fireman yelled at them. "We told you, you need to leave. We can't have kids running around while we're working."

Maddy didn't listen and continued to approach. "Please, our friend is missing. His name's Mikey. He's small, dark hair, dark skin. Please, he was with a group of guys we didn't know and now we can't find him. Please, have you seen him?"

The fireman set a hand on her arm and pushed her back. "I'm sure he's fine, and if he isn't, then file a missing person report. But right now, we need you all out of here."

Maddy clenched her fists. "Are you kidding me?" she asked calmly. "There's a missing child after a fire and you're telling us to just leave."

Ethan set a hand on her arm. "Maddy please don't do anything we'll regret."

She nodded, her body relaxing slightly. Still, she spat at the man's feet and stalked off. "He has to be okay, I bet they're taking him home right now. I'll take you and Alice home, and I'll drive by and check up on him. He has to be alright."

Ethan took her large hand in his. "He'll be okay. He's probably having a great time on the way over there. We should head back."

Maddy nodded. "Yeah, let's go home."

Alice had already climbed into the back, her prosthetic off as she rubbed the area below her knee. "Did you guys find him?" She asked as Ethan hopped in the back with her and Maddy started to pull the car out of the lot.

"No. Those jackasses told us to get lost. I swear, once I leave, I'm never coming back to this pathetic piece of crap."

Alice nodded along, as if she'd heard the complaint a million times before. "I hear you sister," she said as she laid back against the door. "Hey Ethan, my mom said you're welcome to come stay with us."

Ethan smiled, relieved that something else had gone right that night.