Under the Palm Trees

February 9, Friday

A few weeks after our adventure in Thailand, some things went back to the way they used to be. I went to school with Sara every day, we ate the horrible school lunch at our usual table. I still hate Ms. Swanson, our PE teacher (she always makes me run plus laps, because I have some "fat that I need to reduce"). But other things got different. Good different.

Ethan's family moved nearby. They had to leave, because they didn't have a calm life anymore; everything was about Finn. Thousands of reporters went to their house daily. They knew every single phone number, so they called them in every second, to seek some sort of information from them about the Grasspicker. So they needed a change, apart from the paparazzi and everything. That's why they moved here.

They had to transfer to other schools, so Ethan got into Mn High, the school that I go to. Honestly, I love having him around! I love how we go to classes together, how we go through the corridors hand in hand, not caring what the others students think. I love how he waits at my locker after school for me to pick up my stuff, so we could go to Hanry's together. We usually just talk at the diner, drinking a milkshake and eating some cheese burgers. The diner became our favourite place, where we can be by ourselves, forgetting about what waits outside. Reality.

After the FBI agent explained the whole story of arresting the Grasspicker - which was Finn, Ethan's dad - everything was about him. But the worst part was after arresting Finn, his employees searched up Ethan's whereabouts and started blackmakling them. Blackmakling about giving their money back, their monthly payment for doing the "dirty work".

Of course, the FBI got involved again. They found the people who started the whole blackmakling. Then they went to court, the judge deciding that they were guilty. They got 5 years in prison.

About Vicky...well, I cannot say that I wasn't surprised to hear that she worked for the FBI and that she was only my nana for an investigation of the Grasspicker. I was shocked to hear the truth, but it felt good to hear what was real and what wasn't. My relationship with her is getting better and better. We have some catching up to do, since I was only 2 when she's last seen me. I actually really like her and I like talking to her. She's like my older sister now, that I can tell anything that bothers me or am concerned about. Even the topic that's called "Ethan".

...

As I thought about what happened I the past month or so, I realized, that I was sitting in math class and Mr. Stansberry was looking at me, eyebrows inching up towards the ceiling. The whole class watched me, waiting for an answer for a question I didn't hear from my own thoughts. I quickly took a look at the board behind the angry figure standing in the middle of the classroom.

"I-I guess you multiply the number by 26 and that number will equal to the number of dogs found at the farm...?" I murmured, unsure about the real answer. I noticed that I did not take a single breath in since I woke up from the dream. I couldn't help but started to feel scared of the teacher's answer. My pulse was in the skies, beating as fast as a racing horse's heart would.

"Exactly! Thank you, Ms Brown." He said and I inhaled a ton of air to fill my lungs with. I over looked at Sara from the corner of my eyes, who was watching me with her mouth wide open in surprise. I turned my head, so I could face her and made a satisfied wink. And all I got in response was a kick in my ankles. Ouch.

...

After our last class (Which was PE, of course, why not!?) I went to my locker to take my bags home, since it was a friday.

When I got to my locker, the angelic boy was already waiting for me. He leaned against the dark blue lockers, his phone in his hand lazily. His curly hair sat messily on the top of his head, his clothes fitting him perfectly. He turned around when he heard me coming, and gifted me with his million dollar smile.

"Hey" I said as he put his hands on my waist, pulling me close to his warm body.

"Hey" he whispered back, his hot breath caressing the top of my nose. I placed my arms around his neck, bringing his head down, our lips only inches apart. The butterflies in my stomach woke up, flying around.

"Don't you have soccer to go to?" I whispered against his lips as he pressed them against mine.

"Mmm...I don't have to go..." he shrugged, sending warmth down my spine as he kissed me intensely, hugging me tighter.

"Sounds good, but you have to go to practice." I said, pulling a little away, wishing that our kiss would last forever.

"What? Why?" He asked, eyebrows pressed together.

"Because...you have to be fit for the season, you have to train, remember? You want to get a scholarship, don't you?"

"Naaah...I hate it that you're so responsible..." he said with a little smile hiding on his soft lips.

"Yeah, me too" I gave him a quick kiss before turning to my locker.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow, I guess?"

"Yup." Tomorrow is family lunch; my family and Ethan's dining together at the Bonjour french restaurant every saturday. It became a tradition since christmas.

"Bye" he kissed me on my cheeks, running off to the gym. I packed all my books into my backpack and started to head home whilst the rain was pouring onto my rainjacket. What a nice weather for winter!

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End of chapter 15:) Thank you so much for voting and reading! Love<3