lemonade | ethan

fourteen

"devon? you made it! your parents said something came up for you!" mrs miller came up to me, embracing me in a hug.

the event center was huge. ocean themed everywhere like a school dance or something. there was a huge glass box sitting at the stage in the front of the room filled with loads of cash.

"wouldn't miss it for the world!" i exclaimed, putting on my north side smile. "it's great how you're organizing a charity for the ocean. and how generous of you to invite south siders too!"

"yes! thank you, it was clayton's idea." she smiled. "he convinced me to send invitations to them also. that even though south and north siders are different, there's one thing they share. the ocean. and they deserve to save it too."

a shocked look plastered on my face, i smiled. "that's sweet. i never though he'd think like that."

she chuckled, "yes, well. he's sitting with his sister at the front if you'd like to join him. otherwise your parents sit right at the table next to theirs."

"got it." i smiled. she left me to speak with other guest, completely ignoring the south siders.

this event doesn't change much, the south siders are still invisible to them.

i check my phone to look for any updates. nothing. sighing, i look around in hopes to find someone i'm familiar with and would like to talk to.

i spot melanie sitting with her boyfriend and all the south siders.

i lean against a wall, watching as everyone enjoyed their time. even the south siders were having a blast with the food from the snack table.

suddenly, a hand grabs my shoulder to turn me around, surprising me. "hey." he says.

we stood in the dark hallway, leading to the bathrooms. no one here but us.

"hi." i replied, crossing my arms. "it was nice of you to invite the south siders."

clayton chuckles, "of course. they—"

"deserve to save the ocean too?" i completed his sentence.

"yeah..." he says. "i'm surprised you showed knowing this event is held by my family."

"not everything's about you." i state. sighing, i continue. "i just love a good event." i shrugged. "now if you'll excuse me."

clayton wasn't finished talking to me yet. that i was certain of. he was about to say something else when i turned around and headed straight for the party once again.

i wouldn't have come if ethan didn't tell me to. i was so interested in him, i was willing to come to clayton's family's event where south siders were invited. i knew if things were to go badly though, the south siders were to blame since they attended.

"alright everyone! join us outside for the firework show over the ocean! it's held by the town!" mrs miller exclaims with such joy in her voice. i could tell she was so excited.

everyone files through the row of double doors leading to the beach. the night sky was a beautiful touch and the moon shone on the surface of the water.

i followed everyone, clayton trailing right behind me. although, he didn't say anything anymore knowing i didn't want to speak to him, he still walked too close for comfort. 

i stood in the very back, away from my parents and away from all the rich people who stood at the front. clayton's mom instructed him to go to her, so he pushed past people in order to get to the front.

mrs miller made yet another speech. like she has been the whole night. she talked about how grateful she was for the turnout. thankful for everyone who donated and thankful for our ocean.

"hey." someone's shoulder playfully bumped into mine despite me standing away from the crowd and having my own space. i look over to see his tall figure, smirking down at me.

ethan looks back over to mrs miller making the speech. "she's made like ten of those already." he chuckles.

i continued to stare at him until i ripped my eyes away to look at mrs miller myself. "hey." i replied, quietly.

seeing him, i didn't feel good. in fact, i felt embarrassed even though i didn't know i would. embarrassed because he knew i liked him now and he didn't feel the same at all.

"sonny told me that you had something important to say." ethan explains, not looking at me.

i furrowed my eyebrows. something important? ohhh! that thing. "oh." i look around, we were near many people. i didn't want anyone hearing.

i take his arm, leading him further away and further towards the building. "wait but the fireworks." he pouts, holding his arm out.

"we won't miss it." i say. "mrs miller has got a lot more to say." i chuckle.

when we're out of hearing range, i take in the breath of the coastal air. "i heard about what raymond said." i explain. "the day of the brunch?"

"oh." he says. he looked surprised, but at the same time he wasn't at all.

"yeah." i sighed. "i guess it looks like that on the outside. clayton has been there for me throughout all of high school. but he's a bad person despite being a good friend." i explain. "i'm not trying to win clayton back, i would never do that. i broke up with him for a reason, i'd never toy with someone else in order to get back at him. as far as i know, clayton is basically begging on his knees to get back with me." i chuckled. "i won't let him get me back. he doesn't deserve it."

he stares at me before looking at the ocean. taking in a deep breath, he looks back at me. this time, directly in the eye. with all the honestly hiding in his body, he genuinely replies with, "i trust you."

END OF CHAPTER FOURTEEN

hi y'all

so much planned :)