Chapter 5
In the original story, Ethan was always dark, guarded, and cautious.
He'd stayed alone his whole life, all for Sabrina.
But his weakness was just as fatal.
Just a few suggestive words from me, and his ears went so red that they could've set off a fire alarm.
He didn't even grab his backpack. He turned and hurried away, as if the ground were burning beneath him.
He shot me a deadly glare on his way out.
"Don't you dare let anyone hear that," he snapped.
See? It wasn't that he minded me saying it. He just didn't want anyone else to hear it.
Teen boys in love? They're absolute pros at making up their own romance stories and getting lost in their own fantasies.
*****
Neither Lucas nor Ethan came home that night.
With the house finally quiet, I took the chance to enjoy a long, relaxing bath.
Steam swirling around me, I was so comfortable that I nearly dozed off until a knock sounded at the door.
I hurriedly wrapped a towel around myself and opened the door to see Ethan standing there, stiff as a board.
His fingertips were bright red from the heat, and he was holding a black bowl.
"Making it up to you. Didn't you say you wanted cornmeal mush?" he muttered, trying to sound casual.
The warm steam and the scent of shampoo washed over him, and his cheeks turned even redder.
I swung the door open, my eyes bright as I looked at him.
"Aren't you coming in, Ethan?" I asked, tilting my head.
Of course, with his pride, he'd never step in on his own.
So I just dragged him in myself.
The room was not that big, but for me, it was more than enough.
With Ethan there, though, it suddenly felt close, almost cramped.
He couldn't help sneaking a glance at me, then cleared his throat, trying to seem unaffected.
"There are way bigger rooms in this house. Why did you pick this one?" he grumbled.
I didn't say anything, but instinctively glanced out the window—the one that faced directly across to his.
He caught on. I quickly waved a hand.
"Ethan, if it bothers you, I can move out right now." I offered.
"You don't have to..." he said, a little awkward, his voice trailing off.
Ethan looked away, focusing on the steaming cornmeal mush.
"Don't overthink it. It's getting cold," he muttered, trying to sound casual.
Ethan ended up staying in my room until late.
He walked me through a bunch of problems Lucas had barely covered.
He stopped dead when he caught sight of the limited-edition jacket hanging by the door, his eyes locking onto it.
"How did you get your hands on this?" he demanded, his voice suddenly tense and suspicious.
My hands balled up, nerves written all over my face as I tried to look as anxious as possible.
Of course, just when things were getting interesting, there came two sharp knocks at the door.
Lucas was never one to wait.
"Yvette, about what I promised you..." he began, already stepping inside.
His words died in his throat.
His gaze collided with Ethan's, both of them freezing for a split second.
"What are you doing here?" Lucas blurted out, his voice full of surprise.
He shot Ethan a look, then gave me a quick once-over, noticing I was just wrapped in a towel.
Ethan immediately stepped in front of me, blocking Lucas' view, and smirked.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Ethan retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
The tension between Ethan and Lucas was so thick that it felt like they were about to go at each other's throats.
Then, from behind me, I heard a faint, shaky sob.