Smile - CrankGameplays

7. Attraction

It was undeniably rough. Standing there, unbeknownst to everyone around him. Ethan Nestor glanced at his reflection in the mirror, eyeing the color of his hair that seemed to be fading with each shower he took. The dark cobalt had now faded into a lighter tint and he wasn't sure how he felt about it.

The questions kept piling on, the constant wondering. And maybe it was because today was officially his 21st birthday. He could do just about anything now, legally. He wanted to feel on top of the world, he truly did, but something kept holding him back. And he had a good feeling of what it might have been, but he was too afraid to admit it to himself.

He looped the belt through his jeans and buckled them up, fitting his feet into his shoes. He, once again, stood in front of the mirror.

"What is wrong with me today?" He let out a pity pout and tilted his head, "Come on, Ethan. Be happy."

A small chime rang throughout his room as he shuffled over to the end table and grappled his phone, it was a text from his mom.

The message warmed his heart as he shrugged the phone back into his pocket and continued out to the living room.

There stood his two best friends, clambered into the kitchen with a ridiculous looking cake.

"Happy birthday!" the two said in unison as they took turns giving their friend hugs.

"Thank you," Ethan muffled into Tyler's strong shoulder.

Mark nudged the plate with a giant cake on it, "We made you a cake. And we looked at all the ingredients before making it so you wouldn't die from your stupid peanut allergy."

The blue boy managed to stifle a laugh, "It looks really good."

"I can't believe your birthday is on a Tuesday," Tyler said glumly, "This stupid internship is taking me away from you all day."

"You can have me all of tonight though." Ethan beamed, plucking a fork into the cake and stealing a bite. "Oh, man. This is delicious."

Mark proudly took credit as he bowed, "I made the icing. Tyler did the other part."

"We should probably get going, yeah?" Tyler asked, reaching for his car keys. "I guess I'll be the birthday boy's little chauffeur for the morning."

Ethan rolled his eyes at his comment but continued to file out the door, into the crisp autumn air.

The birthday boy trudged out of class, feet shuffling against the flooring as he scooped his backpack up into his shoulder and smiled. He was finally done with classes for the day and he was able to go back to the apartment and relax, something he had been hoping he could do since he woke up.

Leaves circulated through the air, all ranging from different colors. Red, yellow, orange, and brown. The season of autumn captured in this moment as the leaves flew in the direction of the wind, either off the ground or off the dead trees.

He paid no mind to the other students as he kept his head down low, focused on his phone. He swiped through the few notifications, checking into his social media and showing gratitude to the people that did remember his special day.

"Ethan!"

He swung around, the backpack toppling off his shoulder and into the pit of his arms. Ethan readjusted himself and brushed the fallen strands of hair out of his face.

The smile that usually springs to life didn't appear this time around and he wondered why that could've been. Well, he had a pretty good idea.

"How are you?"

He stuck his lips out and shrugged, "I've been good."

Reese could tell something was up as she peered her copper eyes into his sapphire orbs, attempting to detect the ambivalence he clearly exhibited, "I just want you to know that Tucker and I are fine now. We talked some things through and he admitted that what happened that night was completely uncalled for."

"The way he treated you?" Ethan scoffed, "It was completely disrespectful."

She looked away, breaking the eye contact she initially started. "It was just a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding?" his voice began to slightly raise, "W-whatever." His voice then began to shake, afraid he would say the wrong thing as opposed to anything at all. "If you guys are happy then you guys are happy."

Reese nodded, "We are. Thanks. And thanks for trying to be the hero back there, don't think it went unnoticed."

In respects to time, Mark clearly had the best. Mark sprinted up to them, dressed in a pair of grey jeans and a white jacket. "There's my birthday boy!"

Reese's eyes widened as she huffed, "It's your birthday?"

The blue boy shyly smiled, "Y-yeah it-"

A pair of arms instantly wrapped around him, cold fingers slightly brushing the nape of his neck as she tugged him close to her. He couldn't even finish his sentence as he was cut off, losing his entire train of thought while he was enclosed in her hug. Even while on her tiptoes, she managed to keep her balance while slightly swaying him side to side. She buried her own head into a crook, her nose tickling up against his covered collarbone.

"Happy birthday," she whispered, her hot breath coating his ear.

Ethan eventually realized that she trapped him in a rather intimate embrace and when he finally came to his senses, his own hands found a place on her lower back. He absentmindedly pulled her closer to him, chests touching up against one another as her scent emitted from her body. That sweet, divine, and vanilla smell that gave him the smallest head rush. He closed his eyes, praying this moment could last a little longer because maybe if it was long enough, she would realize this was the person she was supposed to entwine daily.

And it was as if his birthday wishes were answered because she hadn't released him from her grasp. Her arms still hung over his shoulder blades, her digits slightly trailing around the back hairs of his neck as chills ran down his spine. Immediate goosebumps began to cover his skin as her icy touch dragged down his neck and down to his chest, finally letting go of him.

"Shit." Mark breathed out, "Even I felt that."

Reese shook her head and her cheeks turned rosy, "What?"

"Nothing," Ethan commented, "Thank you."

She nodded her head, the blush not leaving her cheeks. "Of course."

Mark darted his eyes between the two of them, "So... Reese. Any plans for Halloween?"

"Oh!" a look of pure joy masked her face, "Thanks for reminding me, a costume party at my place on Halloween! Invite Tyler too."

"Thanks for the invite," Ethan said with a little grin.

"Well, of course." Her eyes traced over Ethan's, "You're my beer pong partner, remember?"

"How could I ever forget?" and it didn't take long for that exact smile, the smile he was used to giving her, to spring back to life and lift the edges of his sullen lips.

And she smiled back.

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I know, I know, it's a little short. I'm sorry for that. With practice and midterms, I haven't had much free time.

But thank you once again for reading, I look forward to writing the next part! Should be a rather... interesting one.

- domducky <3