Be My Addiction

28 • Secret Surprise

Eugene

Football for the past week had been horrible. Coach was making us run and do burpees and kill our legs, but it would be worth it. Soon state championships would be coming up and all the seniors would have a chance of scoring a scholarship. Everyone was excited for them.

Unfortunately, that meant I couldn't see Ethan all week but he seems to be feeling well without me. I trusted him to tell me if he needed company.

I've seen him in the hallway and in class and he seems to be doing a lot better. He's eating, he's not shaking as much and he's not irrational or aggravated. I know he doesn't think it's much, but he's gone a long way since we first met.

And to show him how proud I am of him, I wanted to get him something special for his birthday. The only problem was, I couldn't figure out what to get him.

Ethan wasn't into sports or video games from what I knew. The only thing he's shown interest in was dogs and music.

Maybe I'd go to the music store?

That was the best bet seeing as I couldn't buy him a puppy. Well, maybe I could but he didn't exactly sign up to deal with that.

Yep. Definitely music store.

<×><×><×>

When I got there, I was greeted, much like all customers were except the guy at the cash register said something interesting.

"Oh, you're the guy who walked in with Ethan a few days ago?" Now that perked my interest.

Turning to him, I take in his mohawk and green eyes. 

This dude was eccentric.

"You know him?" I asked in his direction as I casually made my way over, eyes scanning the racks.

The guy, Andrew, it seemed, nodded, "Yeah. He came in earlier for guitar lessons?"

"Guitar lessons?" I didn't know he did that.

He nodded again with a light smile, "yeah. Today was for a free lesson. He plans on coming back the next time its scheduled. Or at least, that's what he told me."

Suddenly, I was gifted an idea. Ethans birthday was in about a month. Knowing Ethan, he had a lot of free time so of course he'd probably practice every chance he gets. But he probably doesn't have a guitar. 

Yet.

A mischievous smile formed on my lips and I leaned onto the counter, "Can we get a guitar picked out for his birthday?"

Andrew smiled "Of course, anything in particular?"

Shaking my head, I smile "can we look at a few? I could use a professional opinion."

He nodded and we headed to pick out guitars. I chose a wooden guitar with nice staining on it. It was beautiful but not complicated. 

Like Ethan.

Andrew wrote that down and set the date on the calendar. I was getting a special, custom made guitar that had a message on it.

Andrew set the guitar down and turned his attention back to me, "You'll have to send me the pictures when you get them. I want to see how he reacts to the beauty." He motioned to the guitar with a slight head nod.

Chuckling, I nod in return, "I'll try but I can't promise he'll cooperate."

He laughed at that and shook his head.

Smiling, I put my weight on the wall behind me, "So is Ethan any good so far?"

Andrew tilted his head, seemingly in thought, "He's a fast learner but it probably helps that I didn't have to worry about teaching more than one person at once. He was the only one who stayed around after my introduction."

"Yeah.. that sounds like Ethan." Ethan, despite what some might think, has a big heart. If he sees someone needing help, he's likely to do it, even if he could be doing something else.

He was so sweet sometimes.

"Well," I started, with a soft smile "Let me pay and then I got to go home before my mother sends a search party."

Andrew chuckled and moved to put in my order. He gave me the price, which was a lot. I won't go into specifics but let's just say I could have gone cheaper. None the less, I paid for the guitar and gave a light wave, "see you around.. Oh- and let's not tell Ethan I was here at all." I flashed a grin.

Andrew winked, catching onto the surprise "You got it. This was just between you and me."

With that, I left and drove home. Today was a long day but all of it was successful. If Ethan didn't like his gift I would take up some lessons myself. 

But I'm sure he will.