Chapter 23- Walmart

Alex leaned in closer, observing my every movement. I was nervous under his stare, but intrigued in all the right ways.

   "I dare you." He says referring to my earlier threat.

He had ordered corn again and I told him if he came near me, I'd slap him with my bread.

And now sense he's challenged me...I must.

    "Oh Hernandez, such a mistake you have made my dear." I say grabbing my bread and he leans in even closer.

I rubbed it with butter prior, so I was extremely excited for the out come and I just went with A full forced slap to the face with moist bread.

   "Okay....definitely wasn't expecting you to actually do that." He says with a calm, yet shocked tone.

   "But...now that it's butter on my face, the least you could do is lick it off." He says flirtatiously and I raise my eyebrows.

   "What do I look like, Paula Dean to you?" I ask bewildered and he cracks up. I then begin to chuckle because the boy's laugh is contagious.

    "You know, I really do enjoy spending time with you. Despite the bread abuse, and stealing of Slim Jim's, I think you're really awesome." Alex says and I smile wide.

"I agree..." I say and he smiles, but then I continue.
".....,I am awesome." I say and Alex pushes me slightly as I laugh away.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

I drive down the street, trying to find a Walmart. My maps told me I found my destination, but I don't see it.

"Siri, where is Walmart?" I ask for the 5th time and finally I see it.

I walk down the sports Aisle trying to find a football, I know it's weird, but I actually like footballs and I was trying to find a colorful one to add to my room's decor.

When I had my eyes scrolling on the different footballs and a hand that grazed each I looked at, I heard a very familiar voice.

I look up to see Ethan and a small boy, looking at toys in the aisle in front of me. He didn't see me yet and when I tried to haul ass out of there, my hand that was touching a football, moved a little too swiftly and knocked down about 5 of them.

I jump, startled with the noise and anxiously started to pick them up, I knew Ethan had saw me. I felt his eyes burn the side of my face and I was so scared to look his way.

Of course he'd be here. Either fate is bringing to him, or He's stalking me.
After I was done fixing my mess I slowly looked in his direction and saw that he was closer, with a football in his hand and the small boy was still looking through the toy aisle.

"Sammy...." He says, looking me in my eyes and I look to the ground.

"I thought I told you not to call me that." I say lowly so the small child wouldn't hear my venom.

"I heard you're dating Alex." He says and I look up.

He seemed...upset? It's really no way of telling by his voice, but his face said it all.

"We went on a date, yeah...but why does that concern you?" I ask, truly and honestly curious.

"I just heard. Wanted to make sure no one was making up rumors about you." He says and I sigh.

"Ethan, what if they were? It's not like you would have done anything." I say. It seems like he's just making an excuse to talk to me and it's one-hundred percent annoying.

   "I would have stuck up for you. I know we stopped talking and all, but I care about you. You're the one who stopped caring about me, remember?" He says lifting an eyebrow and looking me in my eyes.

   "I didn't stop caring about you, you left me out in the cold at night, hungry and crying. I don't think people do that when they care about you." I say quickly grabbing the first colorful football I see and buying it, and booking it out of that stupid Walmart.

I sat in my car and that's when I finally got to look at the football....it was hideous.

I paid $19.90 for an ugly football.

I sigh and rest my head on the steering wheel.

    I can't wait to wash Ethan out of my head for good. He's so annoying, he said he cared about me. How could he lie to himself like that?

    I start my car and right as I pulled off I saw Ethan and the small boy walking out with a buzz light year toy in his hand.

     I smile at the kid and death glare Ethan as I continue to drive off.

   When I got home I placed the stupid football on my dresser and crashed on my bed, looking at the ceiling and reminiscing on my life.

    I really like Alex, but I can't ever see myself being in a committed relationship with him. He seems like a fun, outgoing, flirt who enjoys being free. I don't think anybody can tie him down and what's crazy is, I like him just the way he is. I wouldn't change a thing about him. I can have fun, go on dates, and whatever comes next with him without ever really thinking too serious.

But when I was with Ethan, not like we were even dating, but just when I was around him, I felt like he trusted me, like he let his guard down with me and that that was extremely serious. I got extremely serious with him so quickly, and I let my feelings and what I wanted and what I knew deep down he wanted get the best of me.

   To be honest, I know what I SAW in that alley, but I don't actually know what was happening and I should have him a chance to explain, but I was scared and I still am.

All I know is, I really miss him. I miss the vulnerability I felt when I talked to him.

Lots of people hate being vulnerable, but I think it's a rare feeling you get, when you meet the right person.

   I want him to know that, I do,but now that I've doubted him, he made my vulnerability a negative thing. He'll have to talk to me. Not the other way around.

As I sit in silence longer and dwell on my love life I hear my name being called from downstairs.

   I run downstairs to see my Aunt Rosie staring down Ethan.

   "What are you doing here?"