Invisible

Get Out

"I don't understand why you don't want to go to prom!"

"Spend hundreds of dollars on uncomfortable clothes and corsages and shit, and then stand in a gym with annoying music blasting while everyone is silently judging everyone else. No thanks," I explain.

"It's not about the music or the clothes or any of that. It's about taking your girlfriend," she nudges my arm as she says girlfriend, "out with a bunch of people and showing off how lucky you are to have us."

"Why does that shit matter? We'll be out of here in a year and a half, all of us going in different directions. None of that shit is going to matter when you're in college."

She sits back and thinks for a minute, trying to figure out how she's going to say what she wants to. "You aren't embarrassed of me, are you?"

"Of course not!"

"Then why don't you want to go to prom with me?"

"Because it wont be fun! And besides, not everyone goes to prom anyway! I don't get what the big deal is. If you want to go so badly, you can go with your friends!"

She draws back, repeating in her head what I just said to her. "You're an asshole, Connor. Do you have any idea how important Prom is? To go with a boyfriend to Prom? But you can't put me before Ethan. You don't want him to see you with me at Prom. I'm not an idiot. Just go home."

Still fuming, I grab my bag and storm out of her house.

I find myself walking in the direction of Ethan's house, but figure I should just call him instead. I pull out my phone, and click on his contact.

After only two rings, he answers.

"Hey, Connor. What's up?" The sound of his voice instantly calms my over stimulated senses. I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"I think she's going to break up with me." I start explaining what happened.

"Wait, but did you really not want to go to Prom at all? Or just with her?"

I think for a minute. "I don't know. I don't know anything anymore." I get an idea. "You know that park near the library down the street from you?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Meet me there as soon as possible."

There's no answer for a few seconds, but I can hear shuffling, and the sound of a shoe hitting the floor. "I'm on my way."

Neither of us speak, but I listen to his breathing as he rushes around.

His voice is a welcome interruption to the still enjoyable silence. "I'm on my way. See you in a few."

"Wait, don't hang up. I like hearing your voice."

I imagine him smiling to himself as we both continue our walk to the park, not talking, just listening.

I turn the corner, and see the park. I can see a figure with his familiar black hair sitting on a swing, and I quicken my pace to get to him faster. Putting my phone in my pocket, I sit on the swing next to him. He smiles at me, warmly.

"Hey," I say, as I take in the up-close view of him.

The sun is starting to set behind him, creating a red-golden hue illuminating him from behind.

"Hey," he says quietly, seemingly taking me in the same way I am him.

Our hands are hanging down, a few inches from each other's. I slowly inch my hand closer to his, and take it in mine. He doesn't try to pull his hand away. I rub the back of his hand with my thumb.

In this moment, I realize what I need to do. He is the only one that makes me feel like this. I've never cared for someone as much as him. Never been so scared when I didn't know if he was okay.

I break the silence. "I'm going to break up with Sam. It's cruel to keep her thinking I love her."

"You don't love her?" he tilts his head, inquisitively. A small patch of sun highlights part of his face. The view is breathtaking.

"I care about her, but I don't love her. I can't. Because I love you."

He doesn't say anything, so I impulsively keep talking.

"I have loved you from the first moment I saw you. I don't really know when I realized it, but I've always had feelings for you. I never want to take my eyes off of you. And whenever I don't know where you are or if you're okay... it's the worst fear I've ever experienced. I don't think I can live without you."

"I love you too," I hear.

I grab the sides of his face and kiss him passionately. I can feel my eyes filling with tears, but I choke them back.

We pull away from the kiss. "Should I do it now? To get it over with?" I ask.

"Yeah. The longer you wait the more it will hurt her."

A wash of nervousness floods my body. I reluctantly pull out my phone, and call her.

"What, Connor," she spits.

"Um... I, uh..." Ethan grabs my hand and smiles at me. "I'm sorry, Sam. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I know now that I'm not. It's wrong to you. I don't want to hurt you, but I don't love you."

"You lied to my face, Connor. You are such an asshole! You lead me on; make me confess my love to you, then dump me? Fuck you!"

I hear her hang up the phone, so I turn mine off too. Ethan gives my hand a quick squeeze, as if to say everything will be okay.

I feel more tears welling up in my eyes. I don't want him to see me cry, but I can't blink them away this time. He pulls me into a tight hug, and I rest my head on his shoulder. He lays a quick peck on my cheek.

"It'll be okay," he whispers, as I grip him tighter.