𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆

;nate

Emma Chamberlain

Friday morning and all three of us, Olivia, Amanda and I, were pressed against the vibrantly painted lockers talking about the recent episode of CLOAK AND DAGGER which I had unfortunately missed after the twist of unfortunate events last night.

"We won't tell you who DIED" Olivia says sarcastically and loudly, hinting at her blatant lie. I giggle at the girl knowing full well that the next question was going to follow,

"What happened you've literally never decided to sit an episode out and my mum called and asked if I knew anything about the police cars down KINGSLEY LANE?"

KINGSLEY LANE was the road in which the rows of shops sat upon, the one which I worked on, and the one Ethan had obviously committed a crime on.

"Oh it was just a break in I think. Not too sure, but it was hectic and I was just tired" I lie.

Truth is, I couldn't stop thinking about lying to a man in uniform. I felt terrible, like I had practically committed the crime myself. The guilt was swallowing me whole all night and I felt the need to punish myself like a parent.

As Amanda packs her handbag with her books for next lesson she drops her phone and multiple other things including my keys.

I bend down to help my- now panicked- friend. But just as my hands hit the belongings on the floor there's a wolf whistle and suddenly a massive slap upon my ass.

I stand up infuriated and seething with anger. It's Nate. With my hands beginning to shake I lunge forward and slam him into the locker, he has a surprised and annoyingly shocked face.

"Woah woah princess" he tries to calm holding his hands above and next to his head in defence.

Everyone's looking now but no ones helping, they just stand in awe as someone actually stands up for themselves.

There's a pounding of footsteps and I know it's the rest of his gang by their tall frames and strong smell of a mix between cigarettes and aftershave.

At this point I don't care who's watching. Whoever thought it was morally right to touch a girl so inappropriately without consent needed a good hit. And that's what I try and give him.

Emphasis on try.

I swing, yes, but there isn't an impact mainly because I am being held back.

At first I panic and try and kick my legs around thinking that someone could only be holding me down to make it easier to inflict pain. But then there's a feeling of relief when the figure holding me back only seems to be doing so to keep me safe rather than hurt me.

Although that was nice enough, I thought, Nate shouldn't get away with it again.

"Let me go" I scream turning to the mysterious helper to see Grayson gripping my arm.

I look around at the now deadly silent hallway noticing that Ethan has slowly taken out his ear phones and is now looking onto me in a questionable way.

"YOU CANT JUST TOUCH ME LIKE THAT" I begin to scream, so full of anger that tears threaten to spill.

It all happens very fast but I'm are sure that Grayson lets go of his grip on me and before I can even attempt to reach the monster, Ethan is already there.

"We have fucking rules, Nate" Ethan growls holding him against the locker with his collar like a father scalding his rebellious and reckless child "don't. Fucking. Touch. Her- or anyone for that matter" he says this time deeply and quietly but I'm close enough to hear the true threat in his words.

"Sorry I didn't realise both you and Grayson were fucking her" he spits back and I stand forward as if I'm going to grab him once again but Ethan thrusts his arm behind him to create a barrier.

It shouldn't stop me, it isn't really proving a purpose, but I do as I'm told out of pure terror.

It's most I or anyone had heard Ethan speak publicly and still it was only quiet and directed towards one specific person.

As I'm so close to him I notice his black earring and how perfectly centred it is to the lobe of his ear which satisfies me weirdly enough.

There's talking but I can't hear them, it's angry muffles and I only wish I could hear what they are talking about. But then Ethan pulls away from Nate and nods him on,

Then he walks away scotch free and a feeling of irritation surges through my body.

"I could've handled it myself" I snap looking over to my two best friends who send me a weak smile before scurrying off.

"Mhm" was the only thing Ethan said back.

"I could've- I could've hurt him real bad. Or-Or I could've given him a piece of my mind" I stop myself, looking upwards towards Ethan who to my surprise is walking along with me instead of his friends.

He laughs, probably at what I'm saying. It's the closest thing to a genuine smile anyone has seen in years from him.

He looks down onto me, small and feisty, still enraged with the situation. He turns towards the door of our next shared class and allows me to step in first.

"I'll be sure to leave it to you next time" he shoots my direction before pushing his earphones deep into his ears again ignoring the pleas our English teacher, Miss Holding, is giving for him to take them out.

I hadn't noticed yet, but a small grin had appeared on my face and I wasn't quite sure why.

Was I still mad? Yes.

Would I have actually made any impact on Nate if I had been left to my own devices? Truthfully no.

Did Ethan save my ass back there? Yes, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of feeling like he had.