Chapter 17

Ethan’s fingers flew across the keyboard, his eyes focused on the computer scree as he wrote the last couple line of codes. Beside him his teammates worked frantically to write their programs  before time went up.

As the timer in the giant screen hit zero, a loud beep signaling the end of the competition echoed through the auditorium. Ethan’s hand stilled on the keyboard. He sighed in relief as he leaned back in his seat.

“I didn’t finish writing the program,” one of his teammates groaned.

“You did well,” their teacher said, patting the classmate’s shoulder. “You all did very well.”

Ethan’s gaze shifted to the stage where the host stood, microphone in hand, to announce the final rankings.

“After compiling the scores of all the teams…”

Ethan’s fingers brushed over the blue hair tie on his wrist. He wondered how Lily was doing, She hadn’t replied to the message he had sent her this morning before the competition, which was unusual.

As celebratory music began to play, the host’s voice rang through the speakers.

“……1st Place — Green team (Westlake High.)”

The auditorium erupted into applause and cheers. Cameras flashed. Ethan’s teammates jumped to their feet, hugging each other and shouting in excitement. Their teacher smiled, clapping along.

“And the Team Champion is…” the host paused for effect. “Ethan Blackwell!”

“Good Job, Ethan,” The teacher called excitedly, his voice filled with pride.

He released a sigh of relief as a smile crossed his face.

They had won.

He had won.

He couldn’t wait to go back home.

The past couple of days had been strangely lonely. Though she had Chloe and Miles by her side, there was a certain emptiness she couldn’t ignore.

The only good thing about Ethan’s absence was that She didn’t have to deal with Stacy. Overtime Stacy had become more and more snarky and sarcastic and too much of a hassle to deal with.

She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her tie. But no matter what she did or tried, it didn’t look right.

With a sigh, she yanked it off and shoved it in her open bag.

As she got downstairs, ready for school she saw her mom and dad still seated in the Living room.

“Dad!” Lily squealed excitedly.

Her dad was usual at work by this time and she only usually saw him in the evening or during weekends.

“Wait, how are you not at work? Federal holiday?”

She noticed the strange mood in the room.

Her mother hesitated before speaking.

“Ethan’s father was involved in a car accident yesterday.”

Lily’s bag slipped from her fingers.

“He passed away this morning.”

The words made her stomach drop.

What was Ethan going to do?

Ethan tapped his fingers against the bus window as trees blurred past. The medal sat around his neck, the symbol of his win.

The excited chattering of his teammates faded into the background as his mind wandered.

He would soon see Lily.

As soon as the bus pulled into the parking lot, Ethan grabbed his bag and rushed out. It was just two in the afternoon, so school wasn’t out yet.

He hurried down the hallways and headed straight to their homeroom. He scanned the class for Lily.

She wasn’t there.

Was she in the bathroom?

Ethan entered the class to the applause of the teacher and his classmates. He took his seat.

“You didn’t disappoint me,” Chloe said with a grin.

“Yes, my lord.” He turned to face her. “Where is Lily?”

“She didn’t come,” Chloe sighed. “I called her phone, but she didn’t answer. This is betrayal. We could have skipped school together.”

Ethan frowned and pulled out his phone. She still hadn’t replied to his message. Was she sick?

Just then, the classroom door opened, his home room teacher, Mr. Clark walked in. Beside him was the teacher who had accompanied them to the competition.

“Ethan, please step outside.”

Thinking it was concerning the competition, Ethan stood up.

“Bring your bag with you.” Mr. Clark added.

Ethan’s brows furrowed, but he turned and picked it up.

When Ethan got outside, he turned to the teacher. “I apologize for running off earlier.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” the teacher hurriedly replied, offering a small, almost forced smile. He patted Ethan’s shoulder with a weird look in his eyes, his mouth opening as if he wanted to say something and closing again. Finally, he shook his head and walked off.

“Your family is here to pick you up.” Mr Clark said to Ethan. “You can take a few days off if you need to.”

Ethan nodded. “Goodbye, sir.”

He walked down the hallway in confusion.

Was this because he performed well at the competition?

Waiting outside was one of his father’s cars.

Ethan paused.

His father was here to pick him up?

It shouldn’t be. These days, his father only cared about his other son.

“Young master,” the driver greeted him and opened the door.

The car ride was silent. Sitting in the backseat, a sense of unease started to creep up on him.

Lily’s absence.

Him being called out early.

His father’s car.

Something was wrong.

When they got to the villa, Ethan’s brow furrowed.

There were too many cars lining the street. The front yard had a lot of people present– neighbors, business partners, and people he didn’t recognize — they never had that many guests.

As he stepped out, he was met with whispers and strange looks.

“The poor boy….”

“...I don’t think he knows yet.”

“...Orphan”

The sense of unease he felt was growing stronger.

He walked into the house, unobstructed. The crowd seemed to part for him.

The first thing he heard was his stepmother’s sobs.

“You have to stay strong for the children,” someone murmured. “They only have you now.”

Ethan froze.

He turned to the butler and asked in a shaky voice. “Where is my father?”

At the sound of his voice, the room quieted.

Lily stood up and ran up to him. She threw her arms around him.

She didn’t say anything.

Nobody did.

They didn’t have to.

He already knew the answer to his question.

His father was dead.