A Friendly Face

four

dakota's pov:

5:30 am, my alarm starts blaring. the last thing my body wanted was to leave the bed, my bones hurt and i was exhausted. it was worth it though, talking to ethan all night was something i've wanted to do for years.

i remember the day they moved in next door, i had to be eight years old at best. the moving van pulled in front of the vacant house. the new jersy license plates were the first thing i noticed and a mans booming voice filled the neighborhood.

"we made it kids!" a blonde woman got out of the car and hugged his side. "welcome to sunny los angeles, california!" 

i watched from my bedroom window as two boys my age and a girl a little bit older clambered out of the car. they had tired eyes but smiles spread across their faces. as they disappeared into the house i wondered who'd get the room across from me but couldn't wonder for too long.

"dakota! it's time for dinner!" my mom called from downstairs. i ran down and since that day spent my time wondering what went on in that house.

i put my feet on the floor ready to brace myself to get out of my bed, but my curiosity got the best of me and i looked over my shoulder towards ethan's window. 

nothing. the curtains were tightly closed. it was weird because, normally they're always open. i tried not to think about it and went along with my day.

i headed to school for my morning dance practice, dreading it the whole way there. i loved dance but i didn't love waking up at 5:30.

i walked into the classroom and my friends eloise and ivy ran up to me immediately greeting me. how these girls had the energy to be so friendly at this time was beyond me but, it made the practice so much better.

we finished up and went to change, ivy and i heading to get our cothes.

"guys..." eloise called from behind us. "do you remember that girl amanda? amanda pierce?"

i did. she was in a couple of my classes; smart, pretty, and softspoken. 

"yeah, why? you have a problem with her?" i playfully cracked my knuckles. 

"no no, she's missing." me and ivy's faces dropped.

"w-what?" ivy stuttered. "we were pretty good friends, where did you read that?" 

"it's all over twitter, people have been posting her mom's number in case there's any updates." 

i couldn't believe it. amanda was such a sweet girl, where would she have even gone?

"i hope they find her.." we all nodded in agreement. the rest of the day was pretty normal, i didn't really see ethan or grayson around. in fact i hadn't seen them at all today, maybe they were sick or some field trip was going on. 

i walked out of the school around 2 headed towards my car. i felt uneasy as i got deeper into the parking lot. eloise and ivy had separated from me to go their own ways, wishing they'd stayed with me i sped up. i was about to get in my car when i felt someone right behind me, i felt paralyzed. 

"boo" i jumped and felt the hot breath on the back of my neck as the word slipped from the person's mouth.i slowly turned around not knowing who to expect.

ethan.

that dickhead.

"hey neighbor!" he cracked a lopsided smile.

"you scared me, you know. i don't really appreciate that." i tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and looked at the beautiful man in front of me. i couldn't be mad. his eyes darkened and he looked sad when i said he scared me. 

"i'm sorry, i thought it'd be funny. in my defense i called your name but you weren't paying attention."  he nervously smiled at me while scratching the back of his neck. " i wanted to know, if you weren't busy of course, if i could catch a ride home?" 

um ethan dolan in my car, i think i might die.

"gray left me here cause he's a little bitch and i'm stranded."

"of course e, i'll give you a ride." he smiled widely. "and if you're lucky you might get aux."

we got into the car, i tried not to panic at the close proximity we shared. i could smell his cologne. i could see his arm muscle ripple as he played with the chord. i could hear his breathes calm and collected. 

my phone dinged. 

goupchat: ivy, eloise

ivy

BITCH!

ETHAN DOLAN?? IN YOUR CAR??

eloise

if you don't make a move on your FINE ASS neighbor

we aren't friends anymore.

me

oh my god you guys it's not like that!!!

i wish lmaooo

eloise

it should be

ivy 

get some wym???

i rolled my eyes and put my phone down starting the car. on the drive home i looked at his side profile as often as i could without getting caught. he sang along to the songs he put on making a fool out of himself. i couldn't help but laugh. 

"did you hear about amanda pierce?" i asked trying to make small talk. he immediately got quiet, he probably knew her. dakota you dumb bitch, way to make things awkward.

"yeah i heard, i hope she's okay and they find her." he mumbled coldly. it was clear he didn't want to talk about it. 

as soon as we got to our homes he jumped out of the car and stormed into his house. him and amanda must've been close, and my dumbass had to bring her up. i parked the car and headed straight up to my room. his curtains were closed still so i figured there was no point in trying to talk to him.

i got into the shower to wash away the day and thoughts of ethan. it didn't work. i felt so guilty for hurting his feelings. 

i got out and walked into my closet to change into pajamas. i dropped my towel and stood there looking for something comfy. a message dinged on my phone.

ethan

sorry about earlier i didn't mean to freak out on you.

me

no worries i'm sorry for mentioning it

ethan

don't worry, you didn't know

also 

me

yeah?

ethan

thanks for the view ;)

at first i wasn't sure what he meant, then it hit me. i was standing in front of my closet naked while my curtains were wide open. 

i picked up a nearby oversized t-shirt and threw it on and looked out the window, ethan was standing at his smiling at me. he winked and walked out of his room.

i can't believe that really happened. i am truly the dumbest bitch.