It's Our Pride Deep Inside

🍁5🍁

I sat down beside him, munching on my sandwich, and he ate his. There were a few fries littered in a spot near us. A bunch of birds were scattered about, feasting. A lone bird wandered off, searching for another source of food.

I didn't miss, out of the corner of my eye, watching Ethan breaking off small enough pieces of bread for the bird. He dropped them for the little one, and it came waddling up, munching happily.

"Aren't you such a caring person," I smiled. "See, wild or not, they don't hate us unless we provoke them."

"Or, like the lions, they will kill us when they're hungry." I sighed. I can't get through to this guy. How am I supposed to show him? I bit into my sandwich again, chewing slowly, for I was deep in thought.

"Callynne," Ethan said. I gazed at him. He held up his phone. His background of our prom night. He was a senior at this prom. I remember that deep purple, floor length dress from anywhere. It was the one I wore during my Junior prom. That's been his background since then.

"I can't believe you still haven't changed your background after all this time."

"Speaking of time, Cal. I didn't show you my phone to admire the background. Look at the time." And I did.

"Oh crap! I have half an hour. Geez." I sighed in defeat, just staring at the rest of my sandwich. I shrugged, happily munching on it again. Ethan chuckled.

"You're one weird girl, you know that?"

"I paid for the food, I'm eating it," I said. He chuckled again, eating the last bite of his own Philly. I guess he was hungry. I finished my own Philly Cheesesteak.

"Man, that hit the spot," Ethan said with a pleased smile and satisfied sigh. I took his garbage, putting it in the empty bag.

"I'll go throw this away, and then we can go." His eyes made him look hesitant. Whatever it was, he must have gotten rid of the feeling.

"All right. Hurry up." I smiled, stood up, and walked away. I walked to Sammie's stand. Throwing the trash away, I walked to the opening.

"Hey," I greeted.

"Well? Spill the details."

"He enjoyed the sandwich. What else is there to say?"

"Well the way he looked at you-"

"We are not going down that teen lovestory lane thing. Ain't happening. No way. I only came to thank you for the food." Suddenly, when she looked up, her face changed. "Sam?"

"Don't look now. Miss Queen is after your man."

"Miss Queen?" I haven't heard that code name since graduation. I turned around. Ethan had moved from the bench to leaning against the tree. "Mr. Hot Shot, too? Those two are dating, aren't they?"

"I don't know, but I never seen them here before," Sammie whispered. The former soccer captain gripped Ethan's hoodie collar. His right balled into a fist. "Uh-oh. Not good. Sarah, take over here," Sam demanded, yanking off her apron, revealing her work uniform.

She hurried out of the stand, and I ran towards Ethan. Sammie ran to get a few males, knowing very well we, ourselves, weren't going to be enough. Ethan glanced over the captain's shoulder, becoming timid. I scooted between them. I glared at Michael.

He backed off slightly, releasing Ethan. I felt Ethan shake slightly. He hooked his fingers through the loops in my jeans, holding me to him and away from Michael. I didn't have time for this. I probably only had ten minutes to get there.

"Violence is prohibited. I can't let you harm another visitor."

"Aww. If it isn't the high school beauty. What are you doing working at this dump?"

"This happens to be my father's facility, Michael! Leave Ethan alone. He didn't do anything to you."

"Oh, you see, but he did. He ruined my chance of getting you by him showing his face to you."

"You better be backing off from my little sister before I make you back off." Drasson had his arms crossed and a furious glare. Ethan wrapped his arm around my waist, hanging onto me tightly.

Michael backed off after losing a staring-well...more like glaring-contest with my eldest brother. Him and Valese, aka: Miss Queen, walked off in another direction that was not the place my brother was standing. I slumped against Ethan, a shiver raking over my body.

"Are you two okay?" Drasson asked, looking over us in worry. He's a real softy once you get to know him.

"I'm fine. Callynne. Are you okay?" Ethan murmured the last part to me.

"Physically, yes. Mentally, not exactly," I replied. I rested my head against his chest. "I should get back to work. I need to be at the petting zoo."

"I need a vacation," Sammie whined.

"Don't we all?" I sighed. Drasson nodded in agreement.