just friends

breathe

Real Life

'It feels like an eternity before I hear a knock on my door.'

I quickly move to the door and open it to see Ethan. He wraps his arms around, knowing how I get, and how my mind overworks itself. He moves us, still wrapped in a hug, closing the door and walking us to the couch.

"Breathe Mel. Don't overwork yourself." He says softly, rubbing my back as my head lay inbetween his neck and shoulders.

"Why is he lying to me? We've made so much progress and then he lies." I hear the crack in my voice, I could feel the tears forming my eyes.

"I don't know Mel. But it's okay, you're okay." He was rubbing my back, soothing my rising panic attack, I was trying to just focus on my breathing. We sat on my couch, face buried in Ethan's chest, his arms wrapped around me. I think an hour passed when we finally pulled away from each other.

"Thank you for coming Ethan." I sigh, placing my head in my hands.

"Hey look at me Melissa, you're my best friend. I know last time I sucked at being your best friend, but I am and I will ALWAYS be here for you." He tilted my face towards him so I would look him in the eyes. "Okay?"

"Okay, thank you so much E." I reach out to him, pulling him into a soft brief hug.

"Look, I don't know why Diego seemed to lie but he cares about you so much, so don't worry too much about it." He said, playing with my hair.

"I'll try not to, it's just that why? Why would he lie? Also E...."

"I really don't know, but he has to have a good reason. Yes Mel?" He continues to play with my hair, a soothing act to me.

"You mentioned girls?" I ask quietly, not really wanting to know the answer.

"Girls?" He says in an unsure voice, looking away from me.

"Ethan, girls at the studio. Diego's inviting girls when I don't go? Cause they sure as hell aren't there when I go." I say with frustrating in my voice.

"Fuck, look it's really not a big deal, just some girls that hangout at the studio." He still refuses to look at me, so I know he is lying.

"Ethan, fucking looking at me and tell me the truth." I say with authority in voice, I make him look me in the eyes.

"Okay, look, girls come and I mean you know Diego, he flirts but he hasn't hooked up with girls since you guys decided to be whatever you guys are." He looks me in the eyes, giving me sad eyes.

"Okay fine he hasn't touched them, but why is he flirting and leading these girls on? He should be shutting that shit down. If he isn't playing me, it's not okay for him to play them." I say, annoyed with Diego's behavior but truly not surprised.

"Look talk to Diego, don't be jumping to conclusion or idea if you're not sure."

"Would you be telling me to talk to Diego, if he wasn't your best friend? Any other guy you would tell me to drop him." I say, rolling my eyes. I was frustrated with the situation Diego and I were in because honestly we aren't official, so he isn't technically cheating or doing anything wrong but it hurts.

"Maybe, probably not. But this isn't just any guy, not to either of us. He's my best friend, and as my best friend I know he hasn't cared about another girl like he cares for you, and I know you haven't cared a guy for a guy like this before either. So yes I want you to hear him out, and try with him because I know how happy he makes you, and I want you to be that happy. But if he ever does something to you, I promise you that I will be on your side, and I will beat Diego's ass." Ethan lectures me, and by the end of his sentence he is out of breathe. I can see the sincerity in his eyes, and I quickly pull him into a hug.

"Thank you so much E, I love you."

"I love you too Mel." He whispers into my hair, I'm so thankful for Ethan and his support and care.