Half Way Happy | E.D

10.

"thanks so much for tonight" i turn back to him as we approach my front door.

"of course. it wasn't a fancy dinner or anything but i just needed somewhere. somewhere just for us, ya know?" he grabbed my hand. i just nodded.

"i'll see you later?" i almost questioned.

"yeah, of course." he smiled.

i hugged him one last time, but very tightly. it was so hard letting him go, not knowing what would happen the next day.

we let go of each other and waved as i walked into my home. i glanced at him one last time and saw him looking right back at me as he got into his car.

shoot.

i quickly closed the door and leaned my back against it. all of the sudden i hear someone scrambling down the stairs and knew right away it was iridessa. within seconds she fell to the floor, as she missed the last step. she didn't even bother standing up, she just rolled over onto her back.

"so how'd it go" she breathed heavily. i laughed at her, stepped over her, and slipped up to my room.

it's not mean. i know she'd run right after me.

she ran into my room and jumped onto me.

"how did it go" she yelled in my face. we giggled for a minute and i told her all about it. everything that was said, how he hugged me and how many times he looked at me, etc.

girls take this very seriously. it's an art. literally.

"so what did you do while i was gone?" i asked her, honestly curious.

"i played monopoly with your mom and maria." she slightly shrugged.

"my sister? she's home" i almost questioned.

"yeah... why wouldn't she be?" iridessa squinted her eyes.

"uhm, nothing. i'm getting kinda thirsty, want anything?" i ask as i walk towards my door.

"no i already raided your fridge while you were gone" she said. i started laughing, but then realized she was serious. i walked down to the kitchen to get myself some water. i spotted maria leaning against the counter.

"bexley! i heard you and ethan are becoming a thing again?" she hugged me.

"yeah. he actually asked me out while we were at sweet cece's" i state.

"awh. well i'm happy for you" she smiled.

"thank you" i said, more slow this time.

"is everything okay?" she looked concerned.

"stop playing dumb, maria." i opened the fridge, looking for a water bottle that hasn't been opened yet.

she stayed silent.

"i had to come back home." she soon mumbled.

"how did mom feel about that" i turned around, facing her for a moment, then going back to the fridge.

"not the best." she reluctantly responded.

"why did you do it in the first place" i leaned against the counter on the opposite side of the kitchen that she was on.

"leave?"

"no, pick strawberries with dora." i rolled my eyes.

"i'm sorry bex" she heavily sighed, "but i didn't have a choice"

"yes you did. you could have worked things out" i raised my voice.

"it's not that simple." she said, more to herself.

"look i know that brandon had abused you. and i'm extremely sorry, still. but you could've called the police"

"i wanted to, trust me. but i was so scared. and then i heard about you and ethan-"

"is that the reason you came back?!" i tried to laugh to keep myself from totally going off on her.

"yes" she almost yelled right back at me.

"why, maria? why?"

"to protect you."