Chapter 9

During lunch I found myself constantly glancing at Easton, who was avoiding all eye contact with me. I swear I saw him glance in my direction a few times. I even saw his friends try and carry his short lived gaze and they always landed at my table but they’d quickly turn their heads away. I slumped in my seat as Jessie gave me a sad look. I could only wait until my date was over to speak to him.

After getting ‘dolled up,’ as Aunt Cherry would put it, she decided to talk to me about my life, in a very therapist like manner. I had an hour to kill, seeing as Jessie wasn’t coming to get me until 6:45 PM and it was only 5:40 PM. My Aunt and I traveled to the living room to talk because everything that’s said in my room is practically read off to Easton, who wasn’t in good terms with me yet.

“So, who is this guy? All of a sudden you come telling me that today you have a date with Ethan. I could’ve sworn you had something for Adrian.” She sighed at her failed guess.

“Easton’s attractive and all but that attitude has got to go. And Ethan is a guy I met at that party you forced me to go to.” I replied, fiddling with my hands that rested lightly on the couch.

“But I thought that you were trapped in a room half of the time and you refused to tell me what happened in the other half.” She glared at me during the latter.

“I was and Ethan ended up coming into the room and making me laugh, but I still gave him an attitude and he said that he liked that.” I earned a pleading look from her. I ended up telling her the story of the other half of the party that was a week ago, I’m a bit late.

“That guy sure loves getting on your nerves.” My Aunt laughed as she spoke about Easton, rolling her eyes. I nodded my head, raising both of my eyebrows. She made it worse than it was, asking me to describe him!

“You have no idea,” I muttered. “You also have no idea how childish he’s being about this date.” I sighed. My Aunt gave me a confused look.

“Are you two a couple?” She asked. I looked at her with an outraged look on my face before I coughed on my own air mixed with laughter.

“No, we’re not. We are not a couple.” I laughed lightly as I looked at her like she was crazy before laughing again. "That will never happen."

“Then why is he so upset about this date?” My Aunt questioned.

“He said that Ethan is a player, which I’m not totally ruling out because he is a jock and Jessie and I aren’t exactly in the loop about who’s who. But anyway, Easton believes that Ethan just wants some and then he’ll never call me again. Easton also said that he doesn’t want my name floating around the locker room because Ethan will tell the whole entire football and baseball team, which Easton also is on with him, how I am and I’ll be labeled as easy and I’ll be harassed. He also added that either way he’ll lose because he’ll have to deal with hearing me and my guy friend every night or with me crying my eyes out day and night.” I sighed, shaking my head. My Aunt listened intently before she blew out a breath.

“I wouldn’t rule out the fact that it is a possibility. And I’m not saying that it’ll happen; just keep your guard up. And be honest, are you really looking for a relationship with Ethan?” My Aunt asked me. I sighed out loudly.

That question stumped me. Was I really looking for a relationship with a jock? He was way more popular than I am and before the party, he didn’t even glance in my direction. He isn’t all that down to Earth and hangs out with a lot more people in a day than I’ve hung out with in my whole entire life. Am I really ready to have a major change such as that one?

I found myself slowly shaking my head ‘no’ and it began getting quicker and quicker by each question I asked that received a negative answer. And by the time I was done questioning myself, I was shaking my head at a natural speed.

“Then why are you going on a date with this boy?” She asked me. I pondered her question for a moment before I replied.

“I can’t just call and tell him no, I’ll not only be cancelling my date- but I’d be cancelling Jessie’s too and I’m not going to do that. Besides, what excuse would I use? ‘We’re too different?’ How do you think that one would go over?” I gave her a flat look as she held up her hands innocently.

“I’m just saying that I wouldn’t want to go on a date with someone who isn’t ready for a relationship.” She shrugged. I nodded. I stood up and wiped off my jeans before turning to my Aunt.

“I’m going to go add the finishing touches to my outfit. I’ll make sure I text you when I get home, okay?” I asked, smiling.

She nodded, kicking back and starting up a movie. I walked upstairs and ran my fingers through my hair which was wavy and resting lightly against my back. I applied another coat of lip balm and I coated my mascara once more.

After checking to make sure my shirt was nice and my jeans were on well enough I walked over and grabbed my phone, which was charging, and my wallet. I took my phone off of the charger and saw a message from Jessie; it said that she was on her way. I placed the phone into my pocket, along with the lip balm, wallet and mascara.

The beeping of the car scared me as I mentally checked my list to make sure I had everything. A minute later, a pounding caused me to jump. I turned to look at my window and Adrian was leaning out of his window while he pointed to the front with a sour look on his face. I nodded, smiling a small smile but he just sighed and walked over to his couch and picked up his XBOX controller.

---

“Talk to Adrian yet?” Jessie asked me as soon I as got into the car. I gave her an annoyed look.

"My life doesn’t evolve around Easton, you know?” I crossed my arms over my chest. She rolled her eyes and scoffed.

“So are you excited for the date?” She asked me and I shrugged.

“I’ve been thinking… I don’t really want a relationship with Ethan.” I bit my lip.

“Is it because of what Adrian said? Because I think he’s just jealous!” She continued ranting but I cut her and her unbelievable theory off.

“No, no. I just don’t think I’m ready for that type of dramatic change. I mean, he’s pretty popular to the point where he hangs out with a bunch of different people every day and is expected to attend parties and he dates girls and I just don’t think I’m ready for that.” I explained and she gave me a glance out of the corner of her eye.

“And Adrian isn’t popular?” She quizzed. I sighed loudly.

“This isn’t about Easton. But to answer your question, yes Easton is popular but if you haven’t noticed that he holds girls at an arm’s length and I’m quite sure that I can’t say the same about Ethan. And Easton doesn’t hang out with 40 people on a daily basis, he hangs out with 3.” I clarified while Jessie sat there with an amused look on her face.

“Whatever you say, you’re not backing out on this date.” She warned and I shrugged carelessly.

---

After we arrived at the destination, it was already 7:30 PM and it was still a bit bright outside. I didn’t know where I was. I decided that my best bet was to ask Jessie.

“Where are we?” I furrwed my eyebrows as I glanced around.

“My GPS says that we have arrived at an Ice Cream Shack.” Her eyebrows rose as she unbuckled her seat belt. I mirrored her action and we got out of the car.

“Hey! Over here!” I heard Nicholas exclaim. We made our way over to where the two guys were sitting patiently. They quickly stood up and we made our way inside the ice cream place. We sat down and a few minutes later, a blonde waitress made her way towards us.

“Hey guys, what’ll it be?” She smiled.

“I’ll take a chocolate brownie batter sundae.” I explained.

“I’ll take a strawberry banana blend.” Jessie said, leaning over me slightly.

“I guess I’ll take a vanilla and caramel swirl sundae.” Nicholas stated. Ethan looked up from his phone and smiled at the waitress.

“I’ll take a chocolate ice cream cup with chocolate sprinkles and a drizzle of caramel and hot fudge.” He explained. The waitress nodded, walking away after asking us if that was all.

The table was quiet aside from Nick and Jessie’s conversation. I just stayed quiet, tapping rhythmically on the table as I waited for the waitress to make her way back to the table.

“Here are your ice creams and napkins.” She said, placing them onto the table in front of the person who ordered the item. I saw Ethan retract a pen from his pocket as he scribbled something on the napkin and handed it to the waitress.

“You gave us an extra napkin.” He winked and she nodded and walked away, ignoring whatever was written on the napkin. Instead of freaking out like a normal girl would’ve, I just dug into my ice cream while Nick looked semi shocked.

“You aren’t interested in me, are you?” Ethan asked, grabbing my attention. I choked on my ice cream before I looked at him. He looked amused.

“Come again?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I said that you aren’t interested in me. I mean, if a normal girl would’ve seen that exchange, which I know you did, she would’ve been freaking out and probably poured that ice cream on my face.” He said in a low whisper so only I could hear. Nick and Jessie were lost in their own conversation.

“I guess, yeah.” I shrugged earning a laugh from him.

“Then why are you here?” He asked, smiling knowingly.

“Honestly… one of them is the girl sitting beside me,” I bit my lip. “And the other is so I wouldn’t look stupid to Easton.” I wrinkled  my nose. He laughed loudly.

“Easton?” He asked, rolling his eyes.

“I mean, yeah, he made a big deal to stall the date and I agreed. I couldn’t just go and say, ‘No, Ethan, I was thinking about it and I don’t like you.’ He would think that I cared about what he said.” I shrugged. Ethan gave me a confused look.

“But you do.” He insisted. I nodded while shrugging.

“But he doesn’t know that!” I exclaimed, smiling in sudden success.

“So you do care about what he thinks?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

“To an extent...” I drew circles on my napkin.

"What did he say about me?” He smirked knowingly. I bit my lip and glided a napkin across the table in an attempt to stall the conversation.

"That you were a player.” I looked at him. He laughed and shook his head.

“I think he’s just jealous.” Ethan admitted, taking a bite out of his ice cream. I gave him a confused look.

“He thinks that I could possibly take you as my girlfriend and that he wouldn’t be able to bother you anymore because you’d go running to me.” He smiled at his theory. Out of all of the theories that I’ve heard, this one sounds the most believable.

“He’s funny when he’s mad.” I just shrugged.

We continued talking about other things: jokes, school work, football, baseball, and such. It was fun and I didn’t even realize that two hours passed of us just talking. Even though I couldn’t get my mind off of Easton, I still managed to have a few good laughs with Ethan. Ethan even asked if I wanted a ride home instead of separating Nicholas and Jessie who were chatting happily. I shrugged, getting up and telling Jessie 'bye' and she smiled and waved at me.

“Where do you live?” Ethan asked me, setting up his GPS. I informed him of my address and he began driving. We sat in silence for the majority of the ride until we arrived on my street.

“Which house?” He asked, driving slowly. When we passed Easton’s house, I pointed at the large brick house that I call home. Ethan let out a low whistle.

“Nice… but isn’t that… Easton’s car?” He asked, looking behind us in the rearview mirror. His eyes were glued to Easton’s house’s driveway. I felt my stomach flip. It was Easton’s car.

“I’d recognize his red Camaro anywhere.” Ethan adjusted the mirror. I nodded, biting my lip.

“Any reason why he’s at your house?” Ethan teased.

“Other than the fact that we are neighbors, no.” I unbuckled my seatbelt.

“He’s your neighbor?” Ethan asked.

“I thought I told you, but yeah he is. That's why we talk so often. Well, I’ve got to get going now. I’ll see you Monday at school.” I reached for the door.

“I guess I’ll see you then. I was just wondering, maybe we could hang out sometimes… as friends.” Ethan stated.

“Yeah, I’d like that.” I nodded, smiling as I got out of the car. I waved one last time before Ethan sped off, avoiding Easton’s wrath in which I was going to have to face sooner or later.

Walking inside, I found my Aunt eating pizza and I frowned, taking a slice. She forced me to tell her about the date. Feeling as if I could trust her, I told her how the date went and she laughed. She was still laughing when I ate my 2nd piece of pizza. And my third.

“Can you stop laughing?” I glared at her. She finally stopped but chuckled occasionally. The reason for her laughter, I have no clue.

“I’m sorry; I just expected something like that. He would probably notice that you weren’t interested.” She grinned I rolled my eyes and went upstairs, completely forgetting about my angry neighbor.

I entered my room and grabbed my cupcake shirt which I was going to use as pajamas and my white fluffy bottoms. I went into the bathroom and showered, braiding my hair afterwards.

I heard a familiar knocking and I slowly looked over to my left as I stood in the mirror. It was, of course, the window. Adrian was there; he looked angry. He was wearing something similar to what he was on the day that I snuck into his room. He had a black long sleeve shirt on and black jeans. He was dressed the total opposite of me. I walked over to the window with an innocent smile on my face as I unlocked and opened the window. He grabbed his bag and held it up.      

“What a pretty bag.” I looked at the bag and then at his enraged face. I couldn’t help but fall into fits of laughter. He stared at me as I laughed, eyes softening the slightest bit but then going back to the way that they were before.

“I don’t find this funny.” He breathed. If this were a cartoon, steam would be shooting out of his ears. He reminded me of a train. Thomas the Train! Adrian the Train!

I continued laughing even harder than before. He stared at me, his breathing slowly coming to its normal pace. When I finally stopped laughing, I looked at him and couldn’t help but chuckle. He was glaring at me impatiently, waiting for an explanation. 

“So, what’s up?” I asked, smiling innocently. He gave me a flat look.

“Why would you even do that? You cost me 400 dollars! I almost got arrested!” He exclaimed, giving me an exasperated look. 

“It’s all a part of the pranks.” I shrugged. He blew out a heavy breath.

“No, no, no. Before, it was pranks. Now, it’s war. Prepare yourself because I am going to get you back.” He stated, slamming the window shut. I was still laughing as I closed the window. I guess I didn’t take his words too seriously. I mean, would you?  

EARLIER

Adrian’s Point of View

“Hurry up, Ade, the sirens are getting closer.” Trent rushed me.

I blew him off, opening my bag and grabbing the red spray paint. I held it up to the new billboard that the city just had put up near the highway. I sprayed it and nothing came out except a disgusting stench. I covered my nose and tried another can.

“Hurry up!” Chase called, getting nervous.

When Chase gets nervous, he gets worried. He’ll start to cry if he’s that nervous. I shushed them and finally found a color, and that color was the magnificent pink. I quickly sprayed the paint across the billboard in the shape of our emblem and searched for any other color that I could find.

It was the most hated color that I could think of: yellow. With a scowl on my face, I quickly finished the emblem and hurriedly climbed down the ladder as my friends continued rushing me in hushed whispers.

As we quickly retreated, Logan blew my cover with his obvious statement.

“It’s pink and yellow!” He explained as my group members turned their heads to examine my mess up.

I piled into the car and quickly called their names to get them back into the car. They began complaining about how Leo wasn’t going to give us our share because of my mistake. I could go without the 400 dollars and I think I have a clue who did the spray paint switching.