sympathy ~ e.d.

XXIII

'Oh shit. Did we fuck last night? Because I wouldn't exactly mind but I don't think it would be very good considering my reputation is completely down the drain and this rumor wouldn't really help-' I look up at the girl who walks into the kitchen, rambling. She gets interrupted by Ethan. 'No Ray, we didn't. I brought you here because you passed out from drinking too much again.' 

'That would explain my headache. You have any medicine for me?' She sits down on a bar stool and rests her head on her hand while closing her eyes. It seems like Des didn't notice me yet. However, it is rather obvious that the two know each other. They seem comfortable with one another, seeing how Ethan is calmly placing a glass of water with an Advil in front of her. She takes it in one gulp.

Ethan turns on the coffee machine, and starts making a coffee for her as well. He knows what kind of coffee she wants?

'Um, can I ask how you two know each other?' Des opens her eyes at my question and looks at me. She studies me for a few seconds before she seems to realize who I am. 'Oh, you're that nice girl from last night! You're also pretty when I'm not drunk. Do you happen to be gay?' I chuckle at her straight-forwardness. 

'I'm not, sorry. But how do you two know-' 'You already asked me. Well, this little bitch', she interrupts me and points her head at Ethan, 'is my ex. We're cool, though. I must admit he's probably the hottest guy I've-' 'Yes, thank you, Ray. I think we get it', Ethan quickly stops her. 

This girl is really nice to be around. Des is so honest and straight-forward and it's refreshing to have someone truly say what's on their mind.

Her eyes lock with Ethan's. 'Well, I'm just saying I wouldn't mind if you-' 'Desiree. It's enough.' Ethan's cheeks are heating up and he's looking adorable while flustered.

Then I realize what she's really saying and a slight pang of jealousy shoots through me. I look up and see Ethan staring at Desiree, looking somewhat mad. She finally seems to grasp it. 'Aha! You two are now-' 'Maybe it's best if you would just go home, Ray. You're making this more awkward for everyone here.' 'I don't find it awkward', she remarks and sits up straight. 

'Zera, you pretty little bitch, I'mma give you my number. If you're done with men, you can always hit me up. Or if you want to comfort me since all my friends are backstabbers. Either way, text me.' I hand her my phone and she types in her number.

While she is doing so, I look over at Ethan, whose blush still is slightly apparent on his cheeks. When he catches me staring, he quickly turns around and starts cleaning the kitchen a bit, avoiding my gaze. I can see the pink on his cheeks turning redder, though. 

'Okay, I'll see if I can catch the bus. Bye!' With that, Desiree closes the door behind her. Well, those were an eventful five minutes. 

'She's funny', I say. 'Des, you mean? Yeah, she's nice to be around.' 'Is it okay if I ask why you two broke up?' He looks up from doing the dishes. 'Oh, it's fine. She wanted to party and let loose more than I did so she broke up with me. But we're cool, we didn't throw a big fight over it or anything.'

I nod. 'Just... Ignore her comments, it's just that she likes teasing me.' 'Comments about what?' I ask innocently. My smirk gives away the fact that I know exactly what he means. He looks up immediately. 'I think you know what I mean.' 

I pretend to think. 'I think I don't.' 'Oh really?' Somehow, he manages to grab me and hoist me over his shoulder. I loudly shriek. His hand, wet from the water, hold my legs while my hands are on his back. I try to push myself up by using them to push myself off his back. It only works partly while he is walking me to the living room. 

'What are you doing?' I shriek. 'Carrying you', he says back. 'Put me down!' 'Sure.'

He suddenly leans forward, throwing me off his back. He somewhat catches me to slow down the speed I've gathered. I still land on their couch with quite some force, Ethan landing somewhat on top of me.

'Are you crazy?' 'Possibly. I think so, actually. I mean, I've done a lot of-' I cut him off by kissing him. 'Shush. I didn't ask.' 'If I get a kiss for every time I pick you up, guess who's not touching the ground for a while?' he smirks. 

'Weirdo.' I smile and peck his lips again. 'I want a good kiss.' I peck his nose. His body is still hovering over me. He connects his lips to mine but before anything can happen, we both hear the key in the lock getting turned around. Ethan jumps back a bit, but it's too late. We've been spotted by none other than my mother. And by the look on her face, she's not exactly in a good mood.

She drops her bags on the floor with a loud bang. 'So this is what you've been doing while I was gone?' she says. She seems rather irritated. 'Excuse me? No hi daughter, I've been gone for three weeks, it's nice to see you again?' I stand up and look at the woman standing in the hallway. She opens her mouth to say something back but closes it again and clenches her teeth. 

Ethan's hand is on my lower back, trying to somewhat calm me down. 'Hi ma'am. I am Ethan, nice to meet you.' He sticks his hand out for her to shake. She just glares at him. 'Kathryn. So you've been sleeping with my daughter?' Ethan is caught slightly off-guard and his hand goes back to his side. 'Um no, ma'am.' 'You are seriously just pretending I am not standing here?' I ask, mostly directed to my mom.

'Sure you aren't. I do think it's time for you to head home so I can talk to my daughter here.' Her icy blue eyes land on me and I get mad at her. She's just sending Ethan away. 

I take a deep breath in and out and I lead Ethan to the door, purposefully closing the door halfway when I say goodbye to him for a bit more privacy. 

'I'm so awfully sorry you had to see that. I'll text you.' He smiles at me, reassuring me it's sort of okay, although I know it isn't. I open my arms and wrap them around him. I need a hug for some support right now. He understands and tightly hugs me back. I feel him place a kiss on my forehead before letting me go.

I send him a sad, small smile and he heads off in his car. Well, great.