Eldora

Chapter Two (B)

"Don't take your frustrations out on the candy." Ethan looked over to see Jackson Riley standing with his arms crossed over his chest as he looked at the passing floats as well.

"I wasn't." Ethan said, offering the candy to Jackson, who politely declined.

Ethan nodded and tossed the new piece of candy to the ground before sighing, he glanced around him to see that everyone was truly having a good time and enjoying themselves, and even knowing them, Ethan couldn't find it in himself to do the same. He felt out of place but most of all, Ethan felt more than alone as everyone happily paraded around with their lover, Ethan had no one to hold on his arm or dance with.

Jackson looked over as his wife, Fiona Riley, moved closer to him and Ethan couldn't help but compare their resemblance to Shrek and Fiona in their entirety. Jackson wasn't the hottest guy to look at with a thick, bullish neck and a large scar running down the side of his face, as well as his age but that didn't change anything for Fiona as she was older as well.

In fact, Jackson was very meaty with a beer gut and he always seemed to be having trouble with keeping up with Fiona, who was very elegant and pretty. Still, everyone could see the strong love between them, showing that it wasn't just about looks and that anyone could find love if you really wanted it.

"Have something against the new candy?" Jackson asked as Fiona lightly addressed Ethan with a nod before departing from his side.

"No, just a lot on my mind." Ethan said, looking at the Eldora's Pizzeria as the float passed with a decorative slice of cardboard pizza that had numerous toppings.

"Like?" Jackson asked, glancing over at Ethan curiously but also with concern.

"I took Lyrica Martin out last night, she's the one who really wanted to go out but I accepted, ya know? We went to Charts-"

Jackson immediately started chuckling, causing Ethan to look over at him in confusion to why the giant man was already laughing at him when he barely said anything. Jackson rubbed his face and shook his head in disappointment but the laughter was still in his eyes as he encouraged Ethan to continue.

"-she ordered a lobster, and I ordered a steak. Shit was so fucking expensive-"

Jackson immediately agreed as he started laughing once more, making Ethan roll his eyes as he shook his head, he knew that Jackson had every right to be laughing at him because he had did something so stupid.

"How much was it all together, dessert and all that too." Jackson asked.

"About a hundred and fifteen." Ethan said in defeat, averting his eyes.

Ethan knew that he had spent more money than he should had on Lyrica, as money wasn't an issue but the way she was treating him last night at he restaurant, he knew he deserved someone better than her. Lyrica had made him feel so unimportant at the restaurant in front of so many people, and he was embarrassed cause people were actually around and could hear some of the things she had said to him.

"Mayor Bland was supposed to be going to Chart's opening." Jackson had informed him about the rumor his wife had told him yesterday when she had gotten home. "Him and his wife had reserved a table and everything, but then they cancelled out of nowhere."

It then had dawned on Ethan exactly why Lyrica set such a strict time and location, as they could of went to other places but she insisted Charts because of their new opening, he felt played immediately. He was speechless but not surprised, just embarrassed that he hadn't spot something like this happening right in front of his eyes. That was why Lyrica was acting like a complete bitch and now he understood that he was nothing but a simple pawn in her fun game of affairs.