Pray // 𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜

Touché

Ethan

I placed the ice pack back on the wooden desk before me. I winced.

"Ethan, dear, next time be more careful." Said Nurse Betty.

She applied some cream on my now-swollen black eye.

I winced again.

"How did this even happen?" She asked.

I sighed. "Well, I was in gym and the ball came outta- ow!"

"Sorry..."

"It came outta nowhere, and yeah...this happened."

She sighed, closing the tube. "Weren't you paying attention? This could've gone much uglier..."

I shook my head. "I...had a lot on my mind."

She looked me square in the eye. "Now, honestly, what would a kid your age have to worry about?"

"Well, there's this girl..."

"There always is."

***

I shut my locker, ready to head home. I was tired and in pain. Both inside and out.

I turned, placing my earbuds in, waving at Justin as I walked by. He nodded in acknowledgment.

I walked through the double doors out into the afternoons sunshine and cool breeze.

I was busy tapping at my phone. So busy that I completely didn't notice someone running in my direction.

All I heard was a loud thud and came tumbling down...with them right on top of me.

I blinked a bit to focus on the person's face, and my heart stopped when I realized it was Evelyn.

She had mascara running down her cheeks and her face was entirely flushed.

I scrunched my nose in confusion. "What happened to your face?"

She sniffled. "I could ask you the same question."

Touché.