| VEXED |

chapter | thirty two

ethan's pov

Ellie left to go home after we studied. I was laying in my bed staring up at my ceiling, just thinking. how is Alex so okay with seeing me with another girl? the moment I see another guy even talking to her it sends my temper through the roof. It makes me feel even more insecure about my feelings towards her. It makes me feel certain they aren't returned.

about Ellie though... she is so sweet. she's also super shy, and she isn't one of those girls that want me for sex or my reputation. we genuinely just studied tonight and talked. she is honestly such a good person, but she isn't Alex. 

Alex's pov

Grayson and I walked back in from our dinner and plopped down on the couch. "I ate so much I feel like I might pop." Grayson held his stomach whining. "well you're the one who chose that massive buffet." I laughed, also holding my stomach. 

"you were paying, it was all or nothing man." he laughed sitting up. I heard someone at the top of the stairs causing Grayson and me to both look up at the same time. Ethan was making his way down.

my phone began to ring so I picked it up. "hello?" I answered unsure of who it was since it was no caller id. 

"Alexandra where the hell are you?" theo's voice boomed through the phone. I stood up fast and the boys looked at me with a concerned look.

"who-" Ethan started but I held my finger up. "did you guys finally decide to let me out of my room just for me not to be there?"I mocked and I heard his breath of frustration from the other side of the phone.

"

I'm serious Alex. you aren't safe just running around," he responded. I can imagine Theo right now, pacing back and forth in his room angry at me. 

"when larce decided to tell me where my mother is, and when he stops treated me like a child, ill come home. until then, bye theo." I spoke bluntly, then hung up the phone before he could say anything else. 

"why is he calling you?" Ethan asked crossing his arms. "Grayson jailbroke me from my room and Theo wants me to come home." I shrugged sitting back beside Grayson. "why didn't you call me?" Ethan asked confused, and I looked away.

I don't really know why I didn't call him. Grayson was just the first to come to mind I guess. "I actually called to check on her, just so happen she needed help." Grayson lied for me, and Ethan hesitantly nodded. 

I felt the tension in the room, so I stood up and walked into the kitchen. I got a glass of water and slowly sipped on it looking out the window. it was a pretty night, the leaves were beginning to fall and the temperatures were going down. 

my favorite time of the year was approaching. "beautiful night huh?" I heard a voice beside me, making me jump. I was lost in thought. "yeah, very." I nodded and Ethan bit the inside of his cheek like he was holding something back. 

"How was your study date?" I asked putting my glass on the counter slowly. it's not like I really wanted to know how it went, knowing Ethan they screwed then she left. but she didn't seem like that type of person.

"I think ill pass my test, she's really smart and helped a lot." he laughed looking off to the side. I nodded my head slowly in response. how is your chest?" I asked, changing the subject. he lifted up shirt and my breath hitched slightly. "its okay, doesn't hurt that bad." he responded. 

 "well im gonna get some sleep, school tomorrow." I half-smiled. "my room?" he asked pointing behind him. 

"I don't think that's a good idea." I rejected his offer. just because I know im not completely over him and I don't want to do something im going to regret. 

he nodded and left the kitchen. I let out a breath of frustration and rubbed my forehead with my hand. "damn you look rough, what happened in a matter of minutes?" Grayson asked as he entered the kitchen. 

"the usual. Ethan inviting me to sleep in his room, but I decline making things awkward and managing to hurt his feelings in the process." I responded shaking my head. "I have a pullout mattress in my room. ill take it and you can have my bed." he offered. he looked really tired, probably my fault for keeping him out late on a school night.

"Thanks." I smiled and began to walk up the stairs. we made it up to his room and I looked around. "I don't think I've ever been in here before." I laughed and so did he. "I don't usually let anyone in here." he said bluntly and I turned my head slightly at his response.

"I guess you're an exception." he rolled his eyes and pulled the mattress out from under his bed. it looked big so I didn't feel as bad for taking his bed. 

I walked over to my bag and grabbed a big t-shirt and PJ shorts. Grayson looked at me and then realized I was waiting for him to leave. "oh." he laughed and walked out his door, closing it. I slipped my pj's on and knocked on the door. 

he opened it and looked at me for a second. I began to feel embarrassed. "What?" I looked down at myself and he cleared his throat. "nothing." he responded walking passed me. 

I crawled into his bed and pulled the covers over me. it smells just like his cologne. even though him and Ethan are twins they're so different, even their smells, as weird as that sounds.

Grayson crawled into his mattress also, and cut the lamp off. "goodnight Grayson." I spoke in the darkness and I heard him shift where he was laying. 

"sweet dreams Alex," he responded in a tired voice and before I knew it I drifted to sleep. 

-

"rise and shine." I heard a loud voice overtop of me. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Ethan sitting above me. I pulled the blanket over my head to keep the light from reaching them. "come on Alex, school time." he chirped and pulled the blanket off of my face.

I groaned and opened my eyes again seeing his bright smile. since when is Ethan a morning person? 

I felt his weight on my legs and sat up slightly. "its kind of hard to get up when you're sitting on my legs." I whined and he smiled again.

he grabbed my face and I furrowed my brows. "today is going to be a good day." he kissed my forehead quickly and jumped off the bed leaving Grayson's room. I was left there dumbfounded, confused by his sudden affection.

I don't know what is up with him, but for now im not complaining.