Smile - CrankGameplays

41. Chance

The final semester of their college careers was now in full swing. The infamous senioritis rolling through, deadlines and exams becoming one of the less important priorities and creating memories becoming the top.

At least, that's what the trio of boys was prioritizing, spending nearly all their free time with one another now that their final months of college was approaching. For they had different paths to take, careers to starts.

Their lives being forced to start as the summer rolled in, finally becoming a true adult with a nine to five job.

Ethan reclined back in the plastic chair that was crowded around a table, stretching his arms over and above his head. The plate of food in front of him was beginning to get cold, but his disappearing appetite wouldn't let him eat another bite. Even though indulging in the carbs would benefit the nasty headache he caught from waking up this morning.

The three were at their favorite diner, not too far from campus. No one ever told them how surreal it would all be. The final months... feeling the need to make it last.

"I'm so tired," Mark yawned, sinking his teeth into the ripe watermelon slice, "Should I head back to the apartment and nap?"

Tyler chuckled, stealing a bite of his greasy chicken tender, "I support it."

"Me too," Ethan chimed in, eyes still focused on the untouched plate in front of him. "I'll go back with you, fuck class."

"You can't ditch," Mark reprimanded, "You need to go to your classes and be a good boy."

Ethan rolled his eyes at Mark's overprotectiveness, silently wishing he would learn to back off and let him live his life.

"Plans for tonight?" Tyler asked, "I'm bringing a friend over to study anatomy, is that okay with you guys?"

"Sure," Mark complied, "I'll be at a discussion later so the place is yours unless Ethan is doing something."

Ethan nodded, "I'll stay in my room, don't worry."

"That's not what I meant," Tyler grumbled, "Why don't you invite Reese over? Or go hang with her?"

The sound of her name made Ethan tense up as he slightly shifted in his seat. Afraid to even answer the question for the fear of telling the truth about their sudden end.

"Maybe," he sighed, exhaustion reflecting in his voice.

"When's the last time you've seen her?"

Ethan looked at the ground, blinking.

"Tell her to come over!"

He bit his lip back, the guilt of keeping his friends in the dark about the situation making him feel slightly on edge.

"Are you guys okay?"

The neverending questions about Reese began to become more and more frustrating. He knew they were just worried about him and his wellbeing, mainly because he was being so distant. In the four years he has known them, he has never been so insociable. Never been so isolated, never been the one to keep to himself.

Ethan has always been described as one who was so bright and bouncy, the blue hair that he used to have was a clear indicator of his bubbly personality. Seeing him down and blue was incredibly hard for the other two who had to watch it all.

They thought him getting the internship would brighten his spirits but the effects of his acceptance only lasted so long.

"Yeah... we're fine," Ethan whispered, voice almost inaudible.

Tyler bit the tip of his straw as his eyes struggled to find Ethan's, "You know, when I was at the gym yesterday, Reese asked me about you."

His eyes instantly meshed with Tyler's bright, blue orbs, "What?"

"Mmhmm," he hummed into his drink as he continued to slurp, "She wanted to know how you were doing. I just assumed you both hadn't seen each other since the break... but now that I think about it, she didn't know about the internship either."

Ethan's stare didn't break away from Tyler's, hoping to buy enough time to think of a valid excuse.

"Wait," Mark slid into the conversation, "Reese didn't know about your internship? But it's all the way in-"

"I know!" Ethan piped up, "I haven't told her yet because of that."

"I don't get it, are you two together?" Mark questioned.

Ethan's eyes fell to the plate of food, "N-no. It's complicated. It just didn't... work."

"Clearly she still cares if she's asking me about you, Ethan," Tyler comforted, "If you think she's worth it, then you have to go for it. You tried dating other people and things didn't work out with Olivia because you're still into Reese."

"We're not on speaking terms." He said bluntly, "I told her I didn't want to be friends with her because... I was afraid of... god, this is so stupid that I'm talking about this stuff with you guys!"

"If you care that much about her, don't let your pride get in the way of it. Her asking me about you is kind of her way of reaching out, now it's your decision whether you want to follow up with it."

Ethan poked at his soggy food with his fork, "I think it might be too late."

"Not even!" Mark reminded with a grin, "She made you so happy. Don't let that go, Ethan! Never in the past four years of knowing you, have I seen you act this way about a girl. If that isn't proof enough then I don't know what is."

"So - what?" Ethan sighed, "I text her and tell her I still want to be with her?"

Tyler leaned back and crossed his arms, "That's up for you to decide. You know what's right and what you got to do."

Ethan swallowed the doubt stuck in his throat and nodded, "Yeah."

Sometimes there never is a second chance. Sometimes not even a first. If lucky, maybe a third or even a fourth. All just depends on the day, the time, the moment. 

After the late lunch, Ethan went on about his day and hurried over to his one class. The trek over gave him the time to fully process everything they had said.

Apparently, she still cared. And even that thought alone, whether it was true or not, gave him a reason to smile. Maybe it was false hope but he'll take it. The smile that lifted the corners of his mouth wouldn't be there if the thought of Reese still caring hadn't crossed his mind.

Ethan darted for the lecture hall, mentally preparing himself for the grueling two-hour class that was bound to drag on.

He kept walking forward until everything stopped. It was as if the world was put on pause and everything around him shut off for the five seconds he took to stare up ahead. He couldn't find the power to move, to think.

And there she stood, curls an absolute mess but in the most adorable way possible. Lips slightly parted to draw out faint pools of cool breath. Complexion flushed a deep red as hazel ultimately met brown.

"Reese, oh, hey."

Sometimes there never is a second chance. But, sometimes, there is.

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FINALLY, we get these two interacting again after about five chapters of a slow build. Thank you for all the recent love you have given me on the chapters and all the votes and all the comments. They are very, very much appreciated. You guys are the best!

- domducky <3 :)