Death Sticks

6. I love you, I think.

The misty air clouded over the busy streets. Horns of trucks, cars, and buses wailed in the near distance, causing a disturbances in the early scenery. Although these disruptions were violent and distracting, they had barely seemed to notice. Ethan spoke first. "So last night..."

"Yeah, it was rough," Beya said, not too eager to elaborate.

Ethan continued by her side at a steady pace. "You had me worried you know."

"Yeah, you told me that." She rolled her eyes.

"Sometimes I think you don't appreciate how much I care about you, Beya."

"Look Ethan, you know I care about you as well, but sometimes you're really protective. That, that pisses me off," she snapped.

Ethan paused for a moment, taking a minute to gather himself. He wanted to avoid firing back. "It's just, you called me at three am, and you expected me not to worry about you?"

"What does it matter anyways? You were awake too, weren't you?" she raged, then quieted. "Or, did I- wake you up?" she considered.

"It doesn't matter if I was up or not. You know that I would've answered."

"But were you?" Beya insisted.

"What?" Ethan looked puzzled.

"Awake?"

Ethan stopped walking, and looked down. Defeatedly he admitted, "Yes. I had been awake." He placed his palms on either of Beya's shoulders. His grip was firm, but not forceful. In fact, it was with grace and delicacy that he twisted her stance to face him. "I couldn't sleep. I was awake, and thinking about you," he whispered. Ethan laughed tiredly, "If there's one thing you don't lack, it's the ability to turn a normal person into an insomniac."

Beya laughed a loud. "And what makes you think you're normal?"

Ethan curled a thin finger around a loose strand of Beya's hair. "There's the sarcastic attitude I missed," he admired.

"Boy, you know there wasn't a trace of sarcasm in there," she smirked.

He smiled. "I know." Ethan's caring grin couldn't be avoided.

"What are you thinking about?"

"You know."

"Do I?"

Ethan nodded, then changed the subject. "Are you hungry? Do you want to get something to eat?"

"Not really. I'd rather just find a quiet place to sit for a while."

"Well I've got the perfect place for that," Ethan assured her. "Follow me."

She groaned, "Ugh...but I don't feeling like walking."

Ethan turned to face her. "Do you want me to carry you?"

Beya shook her head.

"You know I would."

"I know. I don't doubt your abilities, and I trust your word."

"Then come on..." he begged, like an impatient toddler. When Beya didn't move, he grabbed her hand and yanked her forward, playfully. Beya could tell he wanted to run, but she really didn't. She jogged lightly to keep up with him, another thing that had changed in the months he'd been away. She wondered if the looked odd together. Ethan was tall, and skinny, with pale skin. Beya had once called him a vampire, which he took offense to. '"No, like the sexy ones you see on TV," she giggled.