Like You || Ethan Karpathy

nine

Recap: *after school*
My whole body is shaking as I walk home and think about what Cameron had said to me. He doesn't get to tell me what to do but what if he's right. What if I send myself in wrong direction and start hanging out with the wrong crowd. I guess I'll just have to find out.
I grab out my earphones and plug them into my phone putting my music on shuffle. In My Blood by Shawn Mendes starts playing and I instantly feel a little calmer. I turn around the corner and see my house in the distance. I continue walking as I pass Ethan's house but stop when I hear something smash from inside followed by some yelling.
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I take out my earphones and try to listen in better. "I DO NOT CARE WHAT HAPPENED AND IF SHE WAS THERE FOR YOU, I AM YOUR GIRLFRIEND NOT HER AND JUST BECAUSE SHE WAS THERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU HAD A LITTLE CRISIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT SHE ALL OF A SUDDEN MEANS EVERYTHING TO YOU", That's defiantly Gala. I know the voice. I  start walking up the driveway wondering what I should do. I should just go home and not worry because it has nothing to do with me. I just have to think that they are talking about me not to me. That saying is so weird because if people are talking about you then obviously you would want to listen in on the gossip. I hear more yelling so I stop and listen. "CRISIS? ARE YOU KIDDING ME MY MUM COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED , I COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY HURT BY MY FATHER AND YOU CALL THAT A CRISIS AND IF YOU WERE ACTUALLY MY GIRLFRIEND THEN YOU WOULD HAVE ACTUALLY COME TO SEE ME OR EVEN TEXTED ME ASKING IF I WAS OKAY INSTEAD OF HAVING A GO AND THREATENING THE GIRL WHO ACTUALLY DECIDED TO CARE EVEN THOUGH SHE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ME", Ethan shouts back. I'm kind of happy that he's standing up for me but I'm not happy that he has to go through this when he's got enough to deal with right now. If Gala had a brain she would let this go and be there for him now. Gala all of a sudden comes storming out the door and turns around facing inside. She didn't notice that I was standing in the driveway yet. "I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE IN HOSPITAL, NO ONE KNEW", Gala is crying. I can tell. She isn't really a bad person but the way she speaks to people and acts make it seem like she's a bad person even though she really isn't. "YOU KNOW WHAT IF YOU CANT ACCEPT THAT SHE MEANS SOMETHING TO ME BECAUSE OF THIS THEN IM DONE. WERE OVER", ouch that's got to hurt. Why am I still here? I shouldn't be, this isn't even something I should be overhearing cause its between Ethan and Gala. I quickly run over to the bushes next to the driveway and push my way through them before running across the street to my house. I unlock the door and quickly get inside before I'm seen and questions start to arise.
I walk up to my room and place my bag down on the floor before laying down onto my bed. I wonder if I should have stayed and helped Ethan as he obviously is feeling like crap right now. Should I go back over and be honest about seeing what happened. I hear phone go off in my bag so I get up and go get it. I look at the screen as I turn it on and see that Ethan messaged me. I unlock the phone and go onto the message.
Etho: hey Z, would it be okay if you came around for a bit? Gala and I just broke up and I need someone to talk to
Me: sure, ill be around in 5
I reply back that I will be over soon and then put my phone down. I grab some clothes from my draws and get changed into them as well as putting my hair into a messy bun. I grab my phone and house keys before heading over the road. I walk up the driveway once again and knock on the front door waiting for it to open. I hear the door creak and an red puffy eyed Ethan is shown. He looks exhausted. I instantly wrap my arms around him and let him cry into my shoulder. We stand there for what seem likes ages until Ethan pulls away and lets me walk inside before closing the door. "Sorry for calling you over, I know you're probably wanting to be home right now instead of hanging out with an emotional wreck', Ethan apologizes. "It's okay honestly I don't mind at all", I reassure him.
Ethan walks down the hall and I follow him. He goes into the kitchen and sits down at the counter stools as I stand at the kitchen counter. Ethan laughs slightly and looks down at the table shaking his head slightly. "What are you laughing at", I exclaim while giggling slightly. "You, the fact that I broke things off with Gala because of you", He speaks taking me by surprise. "What is that supposed to mean?", I gasp crossing my arms. "Nothing", he bluntly replies. "Look if you're going to be a complete ass to me when I came over because you asked me too then I'll just take my business elsewhere", I exclaim while starting to walk out of the kitchen but I'm stopped when a hand wraps around my wrist making me stop in my tracks. I turn around and look into his eyes. There's a silence that occurs for a while. Its not one of those awkward silences, its more like one of those peaceful thinking silences. I can tell he's thinking a lot cause he dodges eye contact and keeps his eyes stuck on the floor. His hand is still wrapped around my wrist holding it in his grasp.
"I'm sorry", Ethan speaks after ages of silence. I notice tears forming in his eyes and feel sympathy for him. I wrap my arms around him and pull him into a hug. He needs someone right now and we shouldn't start arguing over something stupid. I still wonder what he meant when he said that it all ended because of me. Maybe I did something to upset Gala. I mean if my existence was the reason then that's something I can't change. I feel his arms fold around my waist as he leans into the hug. He pulls away moments after and leads me into his room. "Do you maybe want to watch a movie?". He asks while connecting Netflix to his TV. I nod and move to sit down on his bed as Ethan choses the movie. "is this movie fine?". He asks revealing 'The Notebook'. "You just had to chose a movie that I ball my eyes out on didn't you", I laugh shaking my head. "We don't have to watch it if you don't want to",  Ethan goes to choose another movie but I stop him before he gets the chance too. "Let's watch it, I mean I haven't seen it in ages so would be good to watch it again", I press the play button on his phone for him and watch while it connects. Ethan lays down on his bed and places his phone on charge so it won't go flat while the movies on cause that wont be pleasing. I sit at the end of his bed not knowing exactly what to do now. So you can say that I'm a bit awkward at the moment. "Z, Come here", Ethan pats the spot next to him and moves over a little. I shift my body so I'm laying down next to him and watch the tv as the movie starts.
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We were half way through the movie now and I swear I keep catching Ethan focusing  on me more than the movie itself. I try not to smile or even blush cause that would be really embarrassing and I would most likely get teased. "Do you want to do something else, the movies boring me", Ethan exclaims while lifting himself up and over my body. For a moment I felt relieved that he said that but I wondered what we were going to do now. "So what's the plan", I ask dangling my legs over the side of the bed. Ethan sits down next to me and cautiously takes my hand in his. "Maybe I can take out for dinner, you know we could get to know each other more, maybe even start something together, like a relationship or something?" I considered his question for a while. I thought about the pros and cons about this but I don't think I can do this. Not yet at least, I mean I really like him but he just broke up with gala and it wouldn't be right for him to start something with me without being called names from people. Or worse someone could start rumours. "Ethan.. I'm really sorry but I don't think we can do this right now, you just got out of a relationship like two hours ago and if we start something now I feel like it would be rushing things", that hurt to turn him down but I knew that it was for the best. I cant be with him now and I know that. It would be wrong and knowing me I wouldn't know how to be in a relationship with someone I really like. I look at Ethan and notice his eyes have become red. He notices that I'm looking and wipes his eyes quickly. Did I really just upset him?
"it's okay... I understand where you are coming from, can we like get to know each other more though maybe become close at least till the time is possibly right". He asks looking away from me. I nod and use my hand to lift myself from his bed. "I have to go sorry", I speak while heading out of his bedroom and down the hallway. I feel my eyes get watery and I quickly exit the house and head back over to my house before the tears come. Why did I say no? I wanted this and I just turned him down. He did just ask to take me our for dinner then I'm suddenly saying no. it was right though right? He can't be in a relationship when he just got out of one? Or am I wrong?
I get up to my room and lay down onto my bed. I grab out my phone and dial the number I hadn't used yet. Jakobs'.
I wait three dials until he picks up...
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