Changes

Chapter 10

Ethan's pov

Carson had disappeared into the kitchen and Haleigh was now cuddled into my side. I was no longer paying attention to the movie, she was my only focus. Carson is trusting me to not hurt her and Haleigh is trusting me with her heart but I'm scared that I'll end up breaking it. There was a knock on the front door but I just continued to stare at the beautiful girl beside me. I heard someone say my name causing me to look up and I saw Carson standing by the doorway. I slowly got up, making sure not to wake Haleigh. I followed him to the front door and saw my dad waiting there for me. I knew he wanted me to go home so I said goodbye to Carson and told him to tell Haleigh I would call her later. I said goodbye to her mom then left with my dad. He didn't say anything till we got inside our house.
" What the hell are you doing hanging out with that boy again " He asked. He always thought Carson was trouble which I found ridiculous since Carson never gave him a reason to think that.
" He's Haleigh's cousin, I didn't know till today when I went to go see her and he was there." I obviously wasn't going to tell him we were friends again since he would probably lose it.
" Why are you always with this girl. You walk her to her car after school and I'm pretty sure you follow her around like some lost puppy at school, am I right?"
" I don't and she's my friend, of course I'm gonna hang out with her and its better than being stuck here after school."
" Oh please, I know you like her or is she your girlfriend already. Another one of your little quests?  They play hard to get then you get them and dump em. That's what you were known for in middle school right?"
" It is nothing like that and it's none of your business anyways " I say almost yelling at this point.
" Excuse me " He said, getting extremely to my face. I know where this was going, the same way it always goes. I took a step back before bolting out the door, slamming it shut. I went to the same place I always went when I walk out, the park. It was a short walk and I loved to sit by the lake and just look at the water. I stared down at the ground until I reached the bench I sit at every time I come here. I've came so many times, that I just know where to go without having to look up. It was quiet for a few seconds then someone sits next to me. My head snaps up and I see Carson next to me.
" Are you stalking me or something " I joke to lighten the mood even though I'm the upset one here.
" Maybe, I mean I did follow you here. I saw you storm out while I was playing soccer in the front yard. Your dad also came out, I think he was going to go after you but he saw me and went back inside. I don't think he likes me very much.
" Don't take it personal, he doesn't like anyone. He never liked us being friends then he saw you today and got a little pissed. As far as he knows, you are just Haleigh's cousin and we aren't friends. I'd rather him not cause anymore problems."
" What did he say to get you so mad that you stormed out?"
" He called Haleigh one of my quests. It's absolute bull that he would even say something like that about her. He had no right. He basically called me a fuckboi as well saying I'll dump her after I get her. Who tells there son something like that or disrespects a girl like that."
" He's a jerk, he has always been telling you things like that since you were like ten. He can't tell you anything about who you date or hang out with, it's none of his business."
" He doesn't see it like that and it's worse now since my mom left, a part of me is glad she let me stay but most of me is saying why would she leave me with such a cruel person that verbally abuses his kid and I'm pretty sure he has been close to physical as well. I'm pretty sure that's why she left, she realized how horrible of a person he actually is."
" How about we go back to mine and we sit down with Haleigh and enjoy a movie that she is not choosing then you can have dinner with us like we planned. Sounds good."
" Yeah sounds good." I'm really thankful to have Carson back. He was one of the only real friends I had. We stood up from the bench and started walking back to the house. We both didn't say a word till we got to the house. He walked in and announced our presence by yelling. Some things never change like how loud he can be.
" Hey, where did you run off to " Haleigh asked, coming from the living room.
" My dad needed to talk to me about something, everything's good now " I said but I knew I was lying to her. She didn't ask further so she either believed me or thought it was best to not get involved.
" Now it is time for the boys to pick a movie " Carson said going into the living room and snatching the remote off the couch.
" Fine even though we didn't get to finish mine " Haleigh said.
" Cause you fell asleep love " I said before walking to the couch and sitting on the left of Carson. Haleigh came and sat on my left and we stayed quiet since the movie was starting. I saw the words the conjuring and looked at Carson who had a smirk on his face. Oh no.