Lo Siento

3

I chuckled.

I never really talked to Ethan anymore. I mean, he is my friend and we've been a few places together but I never really talked to him in school, only on the phone if I asked for homework or if we were partnered together in class. We used to be best friends. More than Savannah and I ever were but something changed and I don't remember what it was.

"So..." he said, trying to break the silence surrounding us, "What you been up to?" he

asks in his Mexican-hood accent, plopping down next to me on the hallway floor.

"Nothing much, just dodging rumors about me being a hoe and whatnot but-" he cuts me off.

"Who's calling you a hoe?" Ethan's tone grows deeper.

"Dude, chill out. Just people in the halls. It's not that serious," I nervously laugh.

"Nah, which hallway?" he brushes me off.

"What the fuck? Why are you acting like this?" I back up from him.

I remembered why we stopped talking for a while. He hurt people. Over me. Without me knowing because he was too overprotective. I guess it's the brother-like love we've grown for each other over the years or something but Ethan's way of showing it is different.

"I'm sorry, Jules," he sits back down.

"I just don't like seeing others hurt you, when we know the truth but they won't listen," he sighs.

"It's okay, they're the dumb ones. Just ignore it," I assure him.

"I'm trying but," I cut him off.

"That's the thing. You don't need to try, it's my problem, that I'm getting by on my own," I roll my eyes.

"Okay but no need to roll your eyes," he makes a face at me.

"You know what, imma head out and give you time to fix this bitch attitude of yours," I laugh at him and pack my bags.

"Bitch?" he stands up. I sit him back down and put my hand on his chest. My first mistake. His chest felt like a carved rock. I don't know what it was but it did stop me in my tracks.

"Stop," I snap myself back to reality.

"Fine," he smacks my hand of his chest. Sadly.

I run out of the hallway praying that he wouldn't call me back fearing he might catch me blushing like crazy. I tell myself to keep my distance because whatever just happened there was the Ethan that scared me before.