Ethan refers to Drew as a "muggle.", as it turns out the Harry Potter books are his favorite. It is something he reveals to Odette as he is laying miserable in bed. Ethan is coming down with some virus. His nose is stuffy, his head achey, and his stomach hurts.
Odette scoffs at the admission, "Those are children's books Ethan." She says with a laugh.
"That doesn't make them any less good." He argues.
"Well I wouldn't know, I haven't read them." She retorts.
"That can't possibly be true. Have you at least seen the films?"
"No, and I have no interest in them to be honest."
Ethan is flabbergasted, but the medicine makes him pass out.
While he is sleeping Odette calls his mother, at the news that her son is ill she begins to fret in that matronly way. Odette reassures her and asks for the recipe to his favorite comfort food.
She goes to the grocery buying more medicine, ingredients for dinner, and a surprise for Ethan. During the car ride one of her favorite songs comes on "Push" by matchbox 20. She adores the band and if god were real he'd probably be like Rob Thomas she thinks before singing the song along white the radio.
"She said "I don't know if I've ever been good enough. I'm a little bit rusty, and I think my head is caving in. And I don't know if I've ever been really loved by a hand that's touched me, and I feel like something's gonna give. And I'm a little bit angry."
well, this ain't over. no not here, not while I still need you around. you don't owe me, we might change. yeah we just might feel good
I wanna push you around well I will, well I will I wanna push you down well I will, well I will I wanna take you for granted I wanna take you for granted yeah, well I will
She said "I don't know why you ever would lie to me, like I'm a little untrusting when I think that the truth is gonna hurt ya. And I don't know why you couldn't just stay with me, you couldn't stand to be near me when my face don't seem to want to shine 'cause it's a little bit dirty."
well, don't just stand there say nice things to me, 'cause I've been cheated, I've been wronged. and you, you don't know me I can't change - I won't do anything at all.
I wanna push you around well I will, well I will I wanna push you down well I will, well I will I wanna take you for granted I wanna take you for granted yeah, well I will
oh, but don't bowl me over just wait a minute, well I kinda fell apart things get so crazy, crazy don't rush this baby don't rush this baby, baby, baby ...
I wanna push you around well I will, well I will I wanna push you down well I will, well I will I wanna take you for granted I wanna take you for granted yeah, well I will
I wanna push you around well I will, well I will I wanna push you down well I will, well I will I wanna take you for granted I wanna take you for granted yeah, well I will"
The lyrics remind her of how she has been treated in all her relationships pre Ethan. She promises herself not to treat him that way.
He wakes up to her carrying in a large bowl of macaroni and cheese. He eats it, giving Odette compliments and takes more medicine. She gets in bed with him, they situate themselves to where his head is in her lap. She runs fingers through his soft, messy, waves. She begins to read to him.
"Chapter one The boy who lived."
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Hugs & Blows
Teen FictionThe sequel to Exes & Ohs. The continuation of Ethan & Odettes' story.