| VEXED |

chapter | thirteen

 Ethan's pov

I've come to the conclusion that I'm never going to get Alex back. she's never going to even be able to look at me without disgust filling her. I have to move on with my life or at least drown out the pain with alcohol and random girls, and that's what I've been doing since I told Grayson.  

-

"great party Ethan." I heard a female voice beside me and a grabbed a cup and turned around. "I know." I smirked handing her the drink. "im glad the old Ethan is back, the tied down version of you was no fun." she giggled pulling me closer to her. 

I put my cup down and looked back down at her, she was hot. blonde hair, hot body, I mean I'm down. she grabbed my face and kissed me roughly, and I kissed back. no feelings, just pleasure. the way it's supposed to be. 

I felt someone yank me away from her and I turned around being met with Grayson. "what?" I groaned. "were you even gonna tell me you were throwing a party in our house?" he asked angrily, crossing his arms judgmentally looking at the girl behind me. 

"look, go wait upstairs. ill be up in a sec." I winked at her and she smiled running up the stairs. "thats right Grayson, ours. therefore I can do what I want." I smiled turning towards the stairs. 

"screwing random blondes and getting drunk every day won't make Alex leave your head," he spoke making me stop in my tracks and face him. 

"you're right Grayson it won't. but me sitting around regretting my fucking existence won't bring her back either will it?" I growled and he let out a breath. 

"so if you don't mind, im going to do what I have to do to diminish the amount of fucking hurt I feel." I felt my chest tighten and I turned back around when I saw that look on his face. 

-

Alex's pov

hazel was so excited when I told her she would be going to school with me. she was beyond ecstatic. I told larce to tell Theo because I knew he wouldn't be so thrilled. I was right, he definitely wasn't. 

I jogged downstairs with my training clothes on. it was only 7 am, but I have to go home soon so I really need to blow off some steam. 

I saw Theo in the training room already practicing with his bow and arrow. I walked in gaining his attention, only for a second. he turned back around and steadied his bow in front of the target. he released the arrow and it didn't even hit the target. 

"damn it." I heard him mumble and I walked over to him. "what's going on?" I asked and he shook his head. "nothing Alex." he said in a frustrated voice. "well obviously there is because there's no way you suck that bad." I laughed, but he didnt crack a smile. 

I softened and put my hand on his arm. he looked down at it and back at me. "what's going on Theo?" I asked seriously and he seemed less tense than before. "I just have a lot in my mind. I can't even focus enough to shoot my bow." he shook his head looking at the arrow in the wall. 

"you don't need to keep it bottled up. that's why it's getting to you so bad. if you need someone to talk to, well id recommend a therapist. but I guess I can suffice for now." I smiled lightly and he smiled back. 

"Alex how can you give me that advice when thats all you do. Do you think I don't notice when you've been crying? or when you constantly stop people from bringing stuff up that might remind you of your past?" his smile faded and he furrowed his brows. 

I shook my head and took my arm away from him. I turned the other way and began to walk away. I don't even want to discuss that. if he doesn't want my help, fine but he's not going to turn it back around on me. 

"Alex." he grabbed my hand and I turned back around. I looked at his face, it was softer and more curious. "I'll tell you what, if you can shoot an arrow and make it in the bullseye ill answer a question. one single question." I glanced down at his hand still holding mine and he slowly let go.

"okay." he sighed and held his bow back in font of him. he grabbed an arrow and placed it over it breathing in slowly. I didnt think he was ever going to release the arrow, he was taking forever. he let it go and it went flying to the center of the target. it was right on the bullseye line, one inch and it would have been out.

I breathed out sharply and he smirked. "go ahead." I shook my head sitting down on the floor and he sat in front of me. I began to get nervous, not knowing what he was going to ask me.

"why did you all of this sudden join the gang?" he asked looking at me and I shifted. I was trying to think of a summarized answer. 

"well, the people that I loved the most betrayed me and really broke my heart. I turned to the only person I knew to at the time, and here I am." I responded, just above a whisper. he was scanning my face and I got anxious. 

"who was it?" he asked and I looked away. "my brother."  I looked back at him and he nodded. "and?" he asked again and I looked at him confused. "you said 'people' as in plural." he responded. 

"his name is Ethan." I respond, feeling that familiar hurt in my chest. "so he is the unspeakable one." he began. "so he's the reason you wouldn't come out of your room for weeks." he started putting the pieces together. 

"now can I ask you a question?" I asked and he smirked. "not that easy. you have to earn it, and this time it's my ultimatum." he stood up walking to the weapons wall. 

he brought over two swords. I stood up and he threw one to me and I caught it. "really, a sword fight?" I teased him and he laughed. "yep. let's go Parker." he nodded getting in a fighting stance. 

he swung his sword at me and I blocked it with mine. I swung and he ducked under my blade, making me groan. he hit my sword again and I held it against his. we were face to face for a few seconds. I pushed his blade off of mine. 

he smirked and swung his foot kicking the sword out of my hand and I saw it hit the ground. before I could reach for it, he tripped me sending me on my back. he held the blade to my neck and he smiled. 

"guess I win." he smirked once more and I grabbed the small knife I kept in my waistband. distraction is the key to beating your enemy. I looked to the side and make sure I brought a sweatshirt. 

I brought the knife up to my shirt and slit it down the middle. his eyes darted from my face to my exposed skin and I felt his grip on the blade loosen and I grabbed his hand and flipped him over. now I was on top of him with the sword pressed to his neck. 

his breathing quickened and he scanned my face and my body. "you owe me a question." I whispered close to his face and he nodded slowly. "I guess I do." he breathed out. for the first time ever with him, he was vulnerable. I like it.