With Love, Étienne | ✓

Chapter Six

PUFFS OF AIR EXHALED PAST MY LIPS WHILE I LIFTED A HAND TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

Even though the weather had reverted back to its usual state of coldness and rain, sprinting down the streets of town took a lot more energy than I thought and left me sweating underneath my jacket. My heart was pounding inside my chest and I paused for a moment to try and regain my breath but when I heard the lock of the door twisting, I gave up and faced my friend with a red face.

Milo opened the door and greeted me with a large grin. I raised my eyebrows at how dressed-up he appeared - from his black shirt tucked into his jeans with the sleeves rolled up to show off his expensive watch and hair combed back with a little bit of gel, my stomach dropped in realization that this wasn't an 'emergency,' but rather an excuse to get me here as fast as he could.

"What the hell, Milo?" I groaned and rested my hand on the doorframe, "You scared the living shit out of me telling me to get here as soon as possible. I thought something bad had happened."

Milo flashed his teeth while he laughed and gestured for me to follow him inside. I rolled my eyes, feeling a twinge of annoyance but trailed after him and shut the door behind me with a click. I winced at the atrocity of the house - clothes were strewn on the floor and on the back of his chairs and couches, unwashed dishes were thrown all over the counters and my nose wrinkled in response to a slightly nauseating stench coming from on area of the room.

"I knew you wouldn't come if I told you what we were actually going to be doing," he explained while fixing a few tuffs of his hair that weren't in place, "I'm sorry, but it had to be done."

"Fuck off," I cursed and banged my head against the wall, "Whatever you have planned, I'm not doing it. I'm tired and all I want to do is go home and sleep."

"You had all weekend to rest," Milo scoffed, "How can you even be tired? You've been lounging around all day."

"I was working," I defended, "I have an essay due in the next week and a test the week after that. If I don't pass, I fail the module."

"What I'm hearing is you can take tonight off and come out with me," Milo sniggered and turned to face me when he noticed my deadpanned expression in the mirror, "Come on, man. It's been so long since we've gone out together. One night isn't going to kill you."

"It might," I grumbled under my breath, "The places you go are always sketchy."

Milo frowned, "No they're not. You're just scared of everything."

"Because half the time, you end up trying to do things that are illegal," I hissed in irritation, "Sorry if I don't feel like getting arrested."

"Calm down, will you?" Milo rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket to pull out a folded piece of paper. He tossed it to me and gestured for me to read. Sighing, I unfolded it and skimmed my eyes over the white heading.

"Angel Lane?" I echoed and made a face, "What the hell is this?"

"It's a nightclub," Milo explained and leaned closer to peer at himself in the mirror, "Just opened up downtown and we're going."

"You mean you're going," I corrected, "I don't feel like going out tonight, sorry. Just not in the mood, man."

"Stop being such a downer," Milo complained, "I promise it'll be fun and hey look, if you don't like it after an hour you can leave."

"I already know I'm not going to so what's the point?" I drawled, "Just go with your party buddies."

"It's not the same as when I go with you," he said and pleaded with his eyes, "Please, Ét? I just want to spend some time together."