The Unstereotypical Rich Girl

chapter iii

I decide to ignore him and prove to him that his smirk is not putting me off – even though it completely is.

"Amelia," Ethan says after a long pause which involved me looking away. "Can I have what's left of your pasta?" I turn in awe to look at the adults' reaction but I see that they are already involved in a conversation of their own. Doesn't he know it's rude, specially for our two families, to ask for someone else's food?

"Are you actually serious right now?" I ask whispering with my eyes wide open.

"Yeah, people do it all the time. Specially Americans." He explains, as if it's the most usual thing there is.

Even so, I decide to give in. He wants what's left of my pasta? I'll give him what's left of my pasta.

            I roll my eyes and hand him my plate. He moves the food to his and hands me back the now empty fragile object. Miss Future Journalist is on her phone. Rude. I mean I wish I could check my phone on the table, but my father would kill me.

"Mum," Ethan calls while clapping his hands together to get her attention. Since when is he so rude? "Amelia just told me she wants to have extra dessert because she is still very hungry and didn't like what you cooked. I mean... yeish..." OH MY- WHAT THE- He even said that last comment looking at me and stretching his lips while gritting his teeth *GIF ABOVE* ."She's had a lot but I guess a woman's got to eat." WHAT THE-

"Excuse me-" I say taking the napkin off my lap and placing it on the table, my eyes still glaring at Ethan.

"No, Amelia, it's fine. We get it-" Ethan acts sympathetically. God I wanna kill him-

"Amelia! A woman never-!" My father starts yelling at me in front of everyone but then decides to clear his throat, realising there's an audience. I'm going to get into so much trouble...

"George-" My mum interrupts while placing her hand on my father's arm.

"You and I are going to have a little word." He hisses at me without blinking, and my skin is suddenly full of goosebumps. Why would Ethan do this?

"Mr Clarke, it's not that big a deal–" Mrs Wembley tries to defend me but my father won't allow it. He apologises and tells her that he will take care of my behaviour.

I am on the verge of tears, trying so hard to keep it in. Crying will only worsen the situation and make my father hate me for a year or twelve. He only seems to care about our stupid reputation. He wants me to be perfect. Well, Dad, I CAN'T!

I automatically look at Ethan. He's staring at me with a frown and furrowed eyebrows. I bet it's fake. I really, really, really think it's fake. What in the world did I do for him to embarrass me in front of our families and make my father ground me for eternity? My behaviour has been flawless for five consecutive years and Ethan ruins it for his own amusement?

"Father, I promise you I said no such thing-" I try to explain but there's no way I'll be able to.

"So you're saying that Ethan Wembley just made it all up?" He groans. The room is silent and everyone is staring at me, waiting for an answer. Even Ethan.

"Father,–" I sob. Fudge. I'm crying. No. God no. I'm dead. Why do you have to come out, Tears?!

"Sir Clarke, Amelia actually didn't -" Ethan finally decides to defend me. Thank God. But it still doesn't make up AT ALL for what he just did.

"Ethan, son, you don't have to protect our daughter. Richard, Bianca, you have got an amazing son. I apologise for my daughter's behaviour." But-

"Sir, I-" Ethan tries to explain. It's just not going to happen.

"Ethan please, Amelia can take care of her own actions." He says sternly, glaring at me once again.

There's a long pause and everyone sits awkwardly. I can't stand it anymore. I just want to-

"Ethan, honey, how about showing Amelia to her room? Lily you can go with them." Mrs Wembley breaks the silence. God, I love that woman.

"Of course!" Lily jolts up and smiles wildly. I bet everyone is already sick of her jumpy behaviour.

While walking up the stairs, I'm first in line. Behind me there's Ethan with Lily following us. I hear him mumble something but I'm so distracted by all the tears drooling down my face along with the beat of my heart which I can hear in my ears because of how tense my body is.

I turn to him once we finally reach the top to indicate me where the room is. I immediately break the eye contact once he looks at me. I can't stand this boy. I can't believe I even liked him.

"It's right down here," He points and I follow him, trying to keep as much distance as possible.

"Um... I have to go to the bathroom bae." Lily comments awkwardly. What the- Bae? Is she being serious? Ethan however, acts as if no one said anything and keeps directing me to my room. Poor Lily...

I don't want her to leave. I would've never thought I'd think that... But I don't want to be left alone with Ethan. The walk seems to be endless. It's a big house, but not that big.

"It's here," He finally says, opening the door for me. My eyes are still watery and my face is probably redder than a tomato. I would usually feel embarrassed but I am just too disgusted by him that I don't care. When I take my first step inside, he grabs me gently by my arm and I instinctively turn around to look at his hand, then up at his face. "I'm so sorry– I- I didn't know your parents were so strict– I mean, mine aren't and I–" He blurts it all out at an incredible speed yet with such a tender voice but through his short speech I simply shake my head.

I whisper "Just leave me alone, Ethan." And with that, I shut the door shrugging his arm off me, leaving him there, probably admiring the mess he gladly caused me.