lemonade | ethan

thirty two

"how is everything?" melanie asks me as we finish up the last touches of the decorations for her gender reveal party.

i shrugged, "everything's fine."

mel sits herself down on the couch, tired from standing all morning. "it's a small town, dev. word gets out fast."

"i understand if you don't want ethan coming to the party." she adds, a sympathetic look on her face.

i furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "what? no, nick is his friend. it would be selfish. he should be able to come."

she nods, understandingly. "okay, okay."

"it just sucks that i spent so much time on him, you know?" i explain, sitting down. "i risked so much, lost all my friends... and now he's chasing the mayors daughter."

melanie sighs. "he's a good guy, devon. it may not seem like it to you, but even i know deep down that he never intended to hurt you."

"maybe... just maybe, talk to him tonight?" she finally adds.

i groan, throwing my head back. "why're you always making me talk to him, mel."

she chuckles. "you don't get anywhere without trying."

LEMONADE

the more people begin arriving at the door, the more stressed i've become. not only is the party at my house, but i'm basically managing the whole gender reveal.

many supporting parents, like my own, come to witness the gender reveal themselves. it warmed my heart, yet still no sight of melanie's parents.

or ethan.

it started making me anxious. i wanted him to come but at the very same time, i really wanted him not to.

melanie's making me talk to him but every time this happens, i always get sensitive and try telling myself not to cry.

it's especially hard this time, because i'm basically begging to have our connection back. but i, of all people, should know better that it doesn't entirely work like that.

i've been reminiscing all the good memories we've conducted throughout the school year. it truly makes me sad how we went from calling each other cute and beautiful, to not even knowing how to say hello anymore.

not even a simple text message surpasses the awkwardness. it frustrates me.

"any sign of your guy?" mel asks. i've been staring at my phone all day, too occupied in texting maya for updates.

she's super motivated into catching ethan in the act just so she can prove to me that he's changed for real.

i sigh, "nope." maya just only now texted me that he's on the way to my house, but he's carpooling with ruby. along with sonny and raymond.

i shake my head as i read the text. "maybe i can talk to him when he's alone." i explain, showing her the text.

melanie shakes her head as well. "dev. did we not agree for tonight?"

"mel." i reply, sternly as i point to the phone. "he's with her."

she raises an eyebrow. "so? it's not like they're dating."

"we aren't dating either." i exclaim.

suddenly, the doorbell rings from behind me. after a couple seconds of trying to persuade melanie to open the door instead of me, she pushed me to do it.

immediately after opening the door, ruby jumps into my arms, hugging me firmly. "devon! so nice to see you! i brought the boys, don't worry."

after that awkward encounter, she goes over to melanie to greet her and congratulate her on the baby, whatever the gender may be. in walks the guys, then lastly, maya.