Pray // 𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜

Never Looked Back

Ethan

I had headed over to Ashton's house to get my History book from him since our teacher was practically useless. I did not want to fail.

The sky was a bright blue, and I had my earphones blasting Daft Punk the whole time I walked. I stopped by a hotdog stand to buy something to snack on for the time being.

The many voices of different people gave New York its usual melody. The blue jays and robins sang their harmonies, filling the air with their songs. There was a slight breeze, but by far, it was the warmest day of the month.

***

I walked up the steps to the Carters' house and knocked lightly on the door. I turned the knob and found it unlocked, so I went in. I just violated so many laws...

I found Ashton's mom getting ready to leave. She was tying her hair up and had a bobby-pin balancing between her lips.

"Hey, Ms. Carter." I said politely.

She smiled. "Hello, Ethan. How are you?"

"Pretty good."

She nodded and headed for the door. Barely had I opened my mouth to ask her about Ashton when she said, "He's in the kitchen."

I waved as she shut the door and headed towards the kitchen.

This is gonna be so awkward.... He probably still hates my guts.

I took a deep breath and placed my clammy hand on the cold doorknob, turning it quickly and pushing open the door.

What met my eyes left me in either shock or something else. I'm not really sure.

There stood Ashton, shirtless, with his hands all over Evelyn. I tried to keep my reactions at bay and kept a blank expression. Even though I was freaking out inside. I knew this was gonna be awkward.

Once they saw me, Evelyn tried to separate from him but he gripped her hand before she could.

You could cut the tension with a knife.

I decided to speak up and show that he wasn't getting to me in any way. "Sorry to bother you guys, but I need my History book back."

Ashton slowly let go of Evelyn's hand and headed for his room, not bothering with putting on his shirt. He gave me an icy glance.

I stared blankly at the walls, wanting to disappear. I traced every crack and bump on the  coffee-colored surface. However, at one point, my eyes locked with Evelyn's.

Her green eyes stared deeply into mine. She opened her mouth to speak, "Ethan...hey." Like I didn't just walk in on her making out with my unstable best friend.

"Hey."

She rubbed her arms, probably from nervousness. "How've you been?" She asked.

I shrugged. "I've never been better." I said, rubbing her own salt in her wounds.

But why did I care? No idea. Maybe because she was my friend and I didn't really want to see her end up with a player like Ash.

I tried to brush it aside and tell myself that she barely even knew me. She didn't know that I visit a therapist every Saturday because my mom thinks I'm antisocial and is scared for my life.

She didn't know that my dad died when I was twelve.

She didn't even know that I dated Sapphire back in sixth grade.

And I bet she didn't even care.

Ashton returned with the book and handed it to me. I walked out of the kitchen, placing my earbuds in.

And I never looked back.