BLUE [BXB]

FOUR

   "This is my stop," Vincent announced, making Ethan halt the car in front of a fancy, two-story suburban home. "You wanna come in?"

   "Nah, I'm pretty tired. I think I just wanna head home," Ethan refused, though he secretly wanted to see the inside of the beautiful house.

   "Alright," Vincent nodded, shooting Ethan a knee-jerking smile that did things to him. "Thanks for the ride."

   Vincent reached out and gently squeezed Ethan's bicep, a friendly gesture that he didn't think much of. However, that simple skin-on-skin contact with the boy made Ethan's entire arm come to life with sharp tingles. And not in an unpleasant way, either.

   Unaware of the effect he had on him, Vincent unbuckled his seatbelt and left the car, leaving behind a whiff of his cologne that made Ethan sick to his stomach with butterflies.

   What the hell was that?

   Rubbing his face frantically, Ethan sped off, seriously beginning to question his sanity. Why was it that Vincent's mere presence flustered him?

   Whatever the reason, Ethan didn't like that the boy could mess with his brain without so much as batting an eye. He had to get it out of his system, and he knew exactly how to do that.

   When he parked his car in the garage, he entered the house, gave his mom a kiss on the cheek, and asked her if he could invite a friend over.

   She reminded him of how he was grounded, but he gave her his heart-stopping smile, and she rolled her eyes. "I hate you," she grumbled.

   He grinned, "Love you too, Mom."

   He pulled out a slip of paper from the pocket of his jeans, dialing the number with excited anticipation.

   "Hello?" the too-chirpy voice sounded from the other end.

   Ethan tried his best to put on his charm. "Hey," he rasped. "Is this Katrina?"

   "Yeah, who's this?" she asked, letting interest seep into her tone.

   "It's Ethan. Ethan Gray, the guy you met outside the principle's office. Remember?" he asked hopefully.

   Katrina clicked her tongue. "Oh," she muttered disinterestedly. "What do you want?"

   Ethan didn't let the bitterness in her voice faze him. "Just wanted to see if you wanted to come over. Maybe we could have some fun?"

   She sighed. "Look, honey. I saw the little stunt you pulled in the cafeteria. Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't plan on becoming the fairy's best friend. Sorry, but I don't do charity."

   Ethan raised an eyebrow. "It's not like that," he said.

   "Really? Then what's it like?" she bit back.

   "Listen, I can explain. I really can. Just come over?" he asked again, sounding a little bit desperate. He needed her to come over. He needed to get his mind off of what's-his-face.

   After an eternity of pondering, she grumbled, "Fine. Text me the address. This better be worth my while."

   Roughly half an hour later, a pink convertible pulled up in Ethan's driveway. Ethan jogged down the stairs and swung the door open, smiling seductively at the blonde bimbo before him.

   She was clad in a tight black v-neck, paired with next-to-nothing jean shorts. Ethan didn't miss the sour expression on her face, as if she'd have rather been anywhere else.