boundaries | e.d

F o u r t e e n

Riley

Everyone was at my house for some apparent reason - which has never been done before. The group that was pretending to ignore us with the music, had all their ears on Ethan and I's argument; which now involved my brother. Ethan stormed off into the kitchen like the child he best portrays himself as, while my brother and I were left standing alone in the foyer. 

"Boy?" Ryder crosses his arms to question me. For the first time since mom and dad passed away, I disobeyed my brother. I am sick and tired of everyone treating me like a kid, telling me what to do, and restricting me from making my own choices. I released the biggest sigh before turning away without another word spoken about the topic. 

Just as I suspected; everyone was listening. The gang laughed and teased my brother as I left him there in his own anguish. The journey to my bedroom was filled with frustrated thoughts as I continuously played Ethan and I's conversation in the back of my head. 

He had the nerve to call me a slut. To throw my virginity in my face and mock how willing I was to give it to him. I slammed my door shut the more his words sunk into me. Ethan Dolan is the most confusing human being I have ever come across, and of all people for him to cling to - he chooses me.

One minute, he's begging for my attention and understanding and in that minute, I give it to him without any question. Then he brings out a side of him that's practically begging for me to never speak to him again. He becomes rude, ruthless, careless, and selfish. But in any phase he chooses to tease me with, I always find a torn person behind his eyes. Whether he's screaming at me, or pleading for a smile off my cheeks - there's another mental argument going on behind the broken hazel orbs. 

He needs to decide what he wants from me and this gang. Otherwise he's going to hurt more people than me, and from the way I'm feeling right now; I hope it happens to no one else. I  remind myself that tomorrow's a new day as I flop onto my bed with no energy left in my body. Only sadness. 

T h e   N e x t   D a y 

Jayden proved his character this morning by texting me the way he promised he would. I took note of his consistency, unlike the instability that comes along with Ethan. As hard as I try not to compare the two people, I always find myself doing so - with the hope that it'll tarnish my emotions for Ethan completely. 

Ryder tried speaking to me a few times today, but every time he'd attempt to do so, I would walk the opposite direction. The more I avoid the topic of Jayden, the more guilty I feel for doing so. I know my brother has good intentions, but he's so suffocating sometimes. I know that once him and I address the situation, it'll result in blocking the number of a guy who can one day show me a better life. A normal one. 

Jake sat on the living room couch, alone in the apartment as he watched me trot down the stairs from my bedroom.

"Ah and she comes back from the dead!" He sarcastically cheers as I make my way to stand in front of him - fighting off the urge to smile. 

"Where is everyone?" I question him as I look into the kitchen for my brother.

"You mean your brother?" 

I look back at him with a scrunch to my nose from the constant teasing since I've seen him. Not that I would expect anything else from Jake. He was always the joking type. 

"He went out with Natasha. Where else would that man go if he's not leaving with you?" Jake stands up from the couch as he speaks the very obvious truth about my brother. I nod as I follow him to wherever he planned on going.