the next day at school, i don't dare look at him when we pass in the halls. he probably thinks i hate him, but i swear i don't.
"oops," a girl knocks my books from my hands, clearly did it on purpose. when i look at her, she smirks and there's an evil look in her eye.
"i am so sorry.....freak." she mutters the word freak as people begin to look in our direction, laughing at me as i begin to pick my things up from the floor. suddenly, a hand appears on top of my notebook.
ethan.
my heart stops when he puts my things in my arms, and the girl is stunned.
"i suggest you leave her alone." he growls, putting his fingers around my wrist, ready to pull me from the situation. when he does, i don't say anything until we're near my locker.
"just because we kissed once doesn't mean you need to protect me." i say, annoyance dripping from my tone as i open my locker, gazing at the family photo taped to the door.
"three times actually."
"the one before bed doesn't count."
"then let's make it count." i blush when his lips touch the corner of my mouth. my throat seems to tighten up, and i quickly shut the locker, looking up at him.
i was falling for him, no doubt. i realized that when i could look at him and feel like we were the only two people in the world. but i can't let him in, he'll just leave like everyone else, and it hurts to think about. he tucks hair behind my ear and i shyly look away.
"ethan, come on."
"look at me,"
"leah, look at me."
finally, i do as told, tears welling in my eyes. it's just the two of us, standing in a hallway during lunch hour, and i probably look like a total idiot as i'm about ready to cry. i bite my lip between my teeth, willing myself to blink the tears back. when he kisses me, i reciprocate, and when his lips leave mine, he kisses away the few stray tears on my cheeks.
"i'm not going anywhere."
