Smile - CrankGameplays

25. Heavy

"You really got me, you know that?"

Ethan stared at the screen in front of him, the light from the app illuminating the features of his face. The point of his nose or the small curve of his fine lips, a white blur shined onto him. His thumbs glided over the keyboard as his eyes kept tracing the message he nervously sent.

His eyes shifted left to right, wondering if he made the right move in reaching out... for the billionth time.

He combed his fingers through his fading hair and frowned. He wanted change. Maybe the blue hair was too much. The blue hair was what made Ethan, Ethan. But, well shit, he felt like he was going through one of those crises' that required him to do something drastic.

He kissed the girl of his dreams and she kissed him back. His emotions were through the roof as she slammed the door shut and scurried off to her car, hair tangled and lips swollen.

A light drizzle pattered against the bedroom window of his hometown, the small droplets cascading down the glass and painting a blurry view of the outside. The wind shook the trees and the branches rustled up against one another lightly tapping the skylight, almost as if they were telling him to open the port and get some much needed fresh air. He kept to himself though, eyes now focused on the dreary weather outside.

Sometimes, Ethan would place his fingers on his lips. Trying to relive that same feeling he did just a few nights ago. Where she leaned into him, holding him down by the wrists as her lips moved in sync with his own. The moment his lips found hers, he knew it wasn't about him watching anymore. And the electricity sparked so rapidly, it was like a firework shot up into the night sky. It was that entombed flame he recalled feeling earlier, the heat of the moment sizzling his touch as the fire danced on her cupid's bow. Her lips were soft, tender. He immediately regretted pulling away from her the moment he latched off from her touch, finding her brown eyes instead.

Everything about that kiss was perfect.

But then she ran.

And Tyler came in.

And he asked so many questions, so many unnecessary questions.

He gazed out the window, dropping the phone into his lap and reminding himself that Reese escaped from the warmth of his arms and out into the air.

He reminisced about the conversation he shared with Tyler, finding the words and doing what he did best...

"She left in a hurry," Tyler chuckled slightly as he emerged from the hallway and into his bedroom, "Is everything okay?"

Ethan brought his fingertips to his lips, "I might have just done something stupid."

Tyler's expression turned serious, "What do you mean?"

"She kissed me."

"What?"

Ethan's eyes transformed into a lighter blue, "Well, I kissed her first, then she kissed me."

"Dude!" Tyler hit his shoulder and shook his head, "What were you thinking?"

"It just... happened."

Tyler smacked his head and slowly draped the palm of his hand down his face, "Isn't she with Tucker?"

"Yeah..."

"Let's not forget he kicked your ass once."

Ethan pouted, "I can't believe that just happened."

Tyler placed a hand on Ethan's back, "She kissed you back?"

He nodded, "Tyler... oh my god, it was the most amazing feeling ever. The best kiss I've ever had in my lifetime. Time stopped. I didn't overthink it, I just went for it. I didn't question it, it just came... naturally. And then we pulled away and she leaned in and kissed me... do you know how long I've been waiting for this moment to happen?"

Tyler's released a small smile, "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you... I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I know... I just..."

Ethan shook away the memories from the past couple of days and eyed his phone, not expecting an answer from Reese for a while. He turned the screen over and dropped his mind onto the pillow, wallowing in his woe. 

He wondered if she had told Tucker, how would he take it? Would she even tell him?

And then the worst thought crossed his mind, what if Reese pretended like the kiss never happened?

Ethan didn't know if he could handle that kind of rejection.

He combed his fingers through his hair and decided he had to do something, there was no point in waiting for her to make the next move. If she makes the next move.

He pulled himself off his bed and shuffled towards the mirror, adjusting his hair and frowning. Maybe the blue hair had to go.

He decided it was time to act on his impulse, do something drastic. Well, dying his hair back to the normal shade wasn't crazy, but hey, it was something.

Ethan trotted down the staircase of his childhood home and hopped into his car, navigating his way to the nearest store to pick up some dye.

Water droplets fell from his face as he pressed the dark towel to his skull, ruffling the locks of his hair through the fabric. He lifted his head from the sink and stared at the reflection in the mirror, the condensation fading as his visage became clearer to see.

Ethan's eyes dilated as he stared back at himself, taking in his new look.

He groomed his hair by running his fingers through the newly dyed pieces. He released a soft hum and nodded his head, somewhat liking his new appearance.

He sank his teeth into his bottom lip and tilted his head, fully taking in his normal presence. He laughed, let out a chuckle, beamed at the mirror, gave a god awful wink, did everything imaginable to see what he looked like with fresh, chestnut colored hair.

Maybe dying his hair wasn't a huge drastic change or even a big change for that matter, but it was different. And it was a step in the right direction.

Ethan wanted to be someone, someone's someone.

And maybe it was her, maybe it wasn't.

But he had to at least try because he knew deep down in his heart, she felt something too. 

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:) I hope you guys are liking the story! And I also hope to update more soon but ya know, college... hehe.

- domducky <3