oxygen (e.d.)

chapter nineteen

before i start this chapter:

BIG THANKS TO annabelledolanx BC SHE ALWAYS MAKES MY DAY WITH HER COMMENTS BC THEY MAKE ME LAUGH SO HARD!

<ethan>

"i love it!"

i hate it.

but, my words only make her sob louder.

"hey, it's okay. it could be worse, right?" i reassure, bringing her in for a hug.

"nothing is worse than blue hair!" she wails against my chest.

well my father died before i could do anything remarkable like graduate college or get married so i think you can manage blue hair.

i of course don't say that it loud, because i'm not the type to degrade others situations to make mine sound worse.

"it looks pretty," i say, "it goes well with your eyes."

"just shut the f*ck up, ethan." she swears angrily at me.

"um, woah," i pull away from the hug, "i'm trying to make you feel better. you have no right to take this out on me."

"you're right," she sniffles, "i'm sorry."

"it's okay," i sigh, "i understand how you must be feeling."

"the stupid hair lady ruined me, ethan."

"she didn't ruin you. you're still beautiful."

"thanks," she pouts.

"what can i do to make you feel better?"

her eyes light up and it's like her tears dry automatically.

weird.

"there was this one italian restaurant that i've actually wanted to try for awhile," she smiles.

"okay," i say, "when?"

"tonight. 6 o' clock."

"it's a date."

......

i pick rowen up at her house and she smiles when she sees me.

"nice bow tie," she says, wiggling her eyebrows and buckling her seatbelt.

"thank you. i didn't know how to tie it, so i had to ask my mom."

she laughs at that and types away on her phone. i admire her features and how she looks in her black dress.

"so what's the big deal about this restaurant?" i ask.

she doesn't answer, so i clear my throat.

"right- sorry. i guess it's just really nice?"

i nod and focus on driving.

we arrive a few minutes later and as the waiter seats us, he makes a point to give a look of disgust at rowen's hair. she fidgets and becomes uncomfortable, but i drape my arm around her waist protectively.

"don't worry about it," i whisper into her ear as he leads us to a table.

she nods quickly and sits down in the seat across from me.

"what would you two like to drink tonight?" the waiter's name tag reads franco.

"water, please," i smile slightly.

"a nice bubbly glass of the stars," rowen says dramatically.

"id?"

she fumbles for something in her clutch purse and hands him a fake id. he looks at it closely, then hands it back to her.

"i'll be right with that."

after franco leaves, we scan the menu for dinner options.

holy crap the cheapest thing on the menu is $25.
why did rowen want to come here?

"so, ethan," rowen smiles, looking up from her menu, "i was thinking after this we could head back to your place?"

"uh- yes." i blush.

not a 100% what she means by that, but the smirk on her face gives me a good idea.