My Best Friend Jeffrey

Chapter 3: The Rebel

"Ethan! I do not like that rude behavior of yours! I will not tolerate your unacceptable disrespect towards me! I am truly disappointed with you." 

I lost it, I tried to take the calm route but it's past the point of no return with Jeffrey and Ethan. 

Ethan snapped. 

He stood up, and I knew I was in for a real treat. 

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW?! YOU DON'T KNOW A THING ABOUT ME AND JEFFREY! YOU DON'T BELIEVE WHAT I SAY EVEN WHEN I SAY IT COUNTLESS TIMES! JEFFREY. IS. REAL. CAN'T YOU GET IT?!" 

Ethan obnoxiously yelled. 

He then threw a tantrum, wailing, he then threw the cereal bowl on the ground, smashing it. He kicked his chair and rushed towards his room yelling. I was speechless.

I was utterly distraught at this point, even though Ethan was moody enough already, I decided to add a cherry of guilt onto his little cupcake of vexation.

 After Ethan's tantrum, (which is probably still occurring) I remembered my previous set of thoughts of "is Ethan mentally sane" came flashing back. 

Anger issues? 

I never thought about that. 

I've never experienced something as bad as this from Ethan ever. I don't even know where to start to handle this. This is so frustrating. You can do this Cathy, you can do this.

I then carefully strode upstairs, I was in a defense mode just in case he attempted to take his anger out and throw something at me. I had two ways to go about this, I could be really compassionate and sweet and try to calm him down, or let out my concealed aggravation towards him. 

Since trying to play it nice failed once before, I had a feeling giving it to him straight would be the best course of action. So to handle the task at hand, I burst open his door (it had no lock because kids his age would find amusement in locking themselves in their room for as long as they could), and found his room in a disastrous clutter.

Ethan was on his bed with nonstop tears coming out, or what he likes to call it "nonstop eye sweat". He was bawling. However those were the tears of frustration and anger, pity is what you would feel for someone when they deserve it (which I didn't feel). 

"Ethan," I sternly said. 

"You are not allowed to be friends with Jeffrey anymore. I forbid this friendship." My heart tingled saying that, however it's what was best for the best in that heated morning. 

"WHAT?! NOOOOOOO MOMMY!!! YOU CAN'T!!" 

For some reason hearing him plead made me relieved. No, not in a sick way that I enjoy his suffering, not at all; just the fact or probably the idea of him not being able to talk to him anymore just because of my words really makes me feel...safe? No... Safe wouldn't be the right word... How about secure? Not exactly... OH! Pleased will fit right in there perfectly! 

I felt pleased.

I stomped out of the room like I was the one who just had a breakdown, I was joyous yet hurt from the distasteful things shoved in my face. I have to be tough, I can't like Ethan get to me so easily. I was agitated and flustered, what happens now? Will his personality suddenly change back to how it was? 

Was Jeffrey gone? 

Then it clicked, I felt so stupid. 

Why would Jeffrey all of a sudden just disappear because I just said so? If that was the case for all problems, rebels wouldn't exist! What an idiotic thought of mine, like all my problems would flutter away just like that! 

'That's not how the world works sweetie', mother would always be babbling on about that. 

I despise Jeffrey with all my being, he practically changed Ethan forever.

Ethan:

"Why is mommy such a party pooper? 

She ruins everything. 

What's so wrong with Jeffrey? I don't get it!! Will I ever? Man, adults suck. It's like they have their own secret language or something." 

"Hey Ethan!" 

I turned over and saw Jeffrey sitting on my computer chair. "Yeah?" I was still too upset to respond with much excitement. 

"What happened with mom? She seemed really mad!" 

"Didn't you hear Jeffrey?!" 

"No sorry, I was downstairs playing with a plastic dinosaur I found under the couch. Can I go back now?" 

"Oh hey I was looking for tha—WAIT! NO! Jeffrey, this is seriously important!! Mom said that w-w-we..." 

I paused. 

"We what?" 

"W-we... WE CAN'T HANG OUT ANYMORE!!" I began to cry again in my frustration. 

Jeffrey looked puzzled. "W-what?! Why?!" He said with an outstanded look. 

"I-I don't know... She just doesn't understand Jeff, she just doesn't understand... Well, You."

"Where will I go now then? I live here right?! Will I get kicked out Ethan??" He panicked. 

"I don't know... She just said we can't hang no more, but I don't think that means kicking you out..? I'm sorry Jeffrey. I couldn't defend you. My mom is just a poopy head, it's not your fault." 

"R-really? Y-you think?" "Yeah... (I hope buddy, sorry)." 

As our conversation dragged on, I forgot why I felt bad again—oh yeah because mommy says I can't hang with Jeff anymore!! 

"But Jeff!! What do we do?! Mom says we can't hang meaning we can't play and stuff." 

"But your my best friend Ethan!" 

"Same Jeff. I don't want *sniffle* to leave you!" 

"Don't worry Ethan, you won't have to..."

"Whatever do you mean Jeff?! I can't disobey mommy! She'll get really, really, REALLY MAD!!" 

"So what Ethan?! Who cares about her! 

She's trying to push us away from each other! That's unforgivable. We have a right to disobey her. We need to." 

"A-are you s-sure??" 

"Positive Ethan." He said reassuringly. 

"Won't we be rebelling?! That's breaking a rul—"

"Ethan relax! What's she going to do about it? Break our ankles?" 

"So we can still play with each other?! Won't she see??"

 "Don't worry Ethan. Think about it! Mom can't even see me! She really doesn't believe you! So when we play, we just can't make it look like you're really playing with me. Act natural and we will be fine, she'll get the idea that you're simply playing with yourself. Got it bud?" 

He smiled. 

 "Y-yeah!" I was feeling pumped again. 

"We were going to become rebels!"