{24}

: (Ethan's POV) "What do you want?" I sighed, looking at Justin who was making his way up my driveway, and over to us. "I need to talk to Liv," he said, glancing at her. "I told you already, I don't want to speak to you," she said, rolling her eyes. "It's important, will you please just listen to me?" he huffed in frustration, getting agitated. "I'm really starting to contemplate doing what you said," I mumbled to Olivia. "No, don't do that, Ethan. Please," she sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Are you okay?" I asked, getting concerned, she seemed a little pale. "I'm feeling a little faint, can we please just go in…" Her eyes were rolling back into her head and she wasn't able to stand very straight. "If she's on her period-" "Then I start feeling faint and sometimes pass out," she said, grabbing onto my arm. "Liv, just two minutes, please?" Justin asked. "Ethan," she slurred. "I got you," I said, bending at my knees and putting my arms under her, scooping her up. "Get out of here, Justin," I said before taking her inside and closing the door with my foot, making sure it locked itself by kicking it hard enough. I lay her down on the couch because it was the closest to us. She chuckled, "I want a bed," she said, rubbing her eyes. "I thought you were passing out," I said, looking at her wide-eyed. "I might if I don't get a bed and some water," she said. "I'm getting you water, don't fall off the couch," I said, watching her while running into the kitchen and pouring her a glass of water which I gave to her, kneeling beside the couch. She sat up slowly while I helped her and drank the water, half chugging it. "Hydrate yourself, please," I said, letting out a breath when the color returned to her face. "Bed," she cleared her throat, handing me the glass. I placed it on the coffee table and picked her back up, taking her to my room. I lay her down and then stood beside her. "Can I get you anything? Some more water? Medicine? Anything?" She sighed, running her hands over her face. "Cuddles will do," she smiled. I sighed, smiling, and slowly shaking my head before lying beside her. She turned around to face me and put her arms around me. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer. She let out a sigh, half of relief, half of satisfaction when I kissed her neck. I smiled in response. "Don't smile, it means you're enjoying this too much," she mumbled. "I'm enjoying it, indeed," I chuckled. "I'm tired," she whispered. "Go to sleep," I said, tracing circles on her lower back under her shirt. I felt her smile against the skin on my neck. "Don't smile, it means you're enjoying this too much," I said mockingly. "Shh," she replied. A couple of minutes later, her breathing evened out and her grip around me loosened, suggesting that she'd fallen asleep. I must have fallen asleep as well because when I woke up, the sun was setting. I was now spooning her and her hand was holding mine as she slept. I sighed, blinking slowly and waking up as she shuffled around, groaning as she turned to face me, now awake as well. She cleared her throat before rubbing her eyes. I lay flat on my back, stretching, my arms going up, palms facing the ceiling. She sighed, climbing on top of me and putting her head down on my chest, arms around my neck. "Ethan," she mumbled in my ear, her voice still sleepy and hoarse. It sounded good. "Hmm?" I asked. "Are you going to the party this coming Friday? Mr. Thomas is hosting it, my parents will be back by then. And as per their orders," she inhaled, "I have to go. Will you come?" She lifted her head up and looked at me. "Are you asking me to be your date?" I smirked. "I most certainly am," she smiled, brushing my hair out of my eyes. "If Mr. Thomas is the host, I'm sure my parents will be going as well. I'll be there," I nodded. "As my date?" she grinned. "As your date," I chuckled. Her smile only widened as she pressed kisses to my cheek. I held onto her waist even after she stopped. "My parents come back Thursday, they'll be there," she said looking down at me. "Then I'll make sure to meet them," I shrugged. "Just don't introduce yourself as my boyfriend, okay? We're-" "Not there yet, I know," I nodded. She traced my eyebrow with her pointer finger lightly, then trailing it down the side of my face and along my jaw while her eyes traveled across my face, settling on my lips. She chuckled. "What?" I smiled. "You are very pretty, Ethan Miles Archer," she whispered. "Am I?" I asked, grabbing her hand that was holding the side of my face. "Mm-hmm," she nodded. I pulled her hand to my lips and kissed her palm that made her smile even bigger. "In that case, you're even prettier than I am," I shrugged. She shook her head slowly, laughing softly. "Does that make me out of your league or you out of mine?" she arched a brow at me. "You always have been way out of my league, I've known that," I laughed, "That makes you the prettier one," I smirked. "Well, I hand my prettiness over to you," she giggled. "It suits you better," I mumbled. She stared at my lips for a long time, both of us absolutely silent. "You do know that you can kiss me, right?" I whispered. "Right," she rolled her eyes before leaning down, pressing her lips to mine gently. After a while of kissing that way, I turned us around and hovered on top of her, neither of us breaking the kiss. *＊✿❀○❀✿＊* I stared at her while she stood on her porch, one step above, looking down at me. "So, I pick you up tomorrow for school?" I asked. "Yeah, sounds like a plan," she nodded with a smile. "Goodnight," I smirked. "Goodnight," she mumbled while leaning in. She kissed me slowly and stopped abruptly when her phone started ringing. Both of us let out a sigh as she pulled back and looked down at the screen. "Skylar," she said, showing me the screen. "Let it ring," I said, putting my arms around her waist. "No can do," she sang while answering the phone. "Hello?" She put it to her ear. "When? Tomorrow?" she asked while looking at me. I tried kissing her but she smiled, pulling away as she went to unlock her front door. "Afterschool?" she asked while I stood behind her. "Who else is coming?" I looked at her quizzically but she just signaled me to wait. "Oh, way to go, Sky," she said teasingly. "Whatever floats your boat. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye," she said before hanging up, turning to me. I raised my eyebrows at her expectantly. "We're going out tomorrow." "Where? With who?" I asked. "Ice skating. You, me, Skylar, Daniel, and Austin. Apparently, Austin called her asking if we all should hang out to 'know each other better,'" she said, putting air quotes around the last bit. "Why the air quotes?" I narrowed my eyes at her. "Because I think Austin has a thing for Skylar." I froze, staring at her. "Wow, you're terrible at hiding the truth," she laughed. "How did you know?" I asked. "I didn't," she shrugged, "She used to like him too, I just assumed. It doesn't really make sense for him to call her if he wants all of us to hang out, he would have told you. We're the common link connecting your friends with mine. Why would he ask her if he wasn't indirectly asking her, in particular, to hang out?" she arched a brow at me sharply. I simply shrugged. "Dummy," she laughed, unlocking her door and stepping inside, setting the keys on the table behind the door. "Anyway, goodnight," she grinned. "Can't I stay?" I whispered, taking a step closer to her. She shook her head slowly. "Why?" I whined. "Your parents just got home, that's why," she whispered, going on her toes and giving me a soft kiss. "Night," she smiled. I glanced at my driveway where, sure enough, my parents were home. My mom was at least. "Night," I sighed. I kissed her cheek before turning around and heading to my place, watching her as she closed the door, hearing the lock click behind me. It's a safe neighborhood, earlier I never understood why she always locked the door, but I guess it's a good thing that she does. I mean, I don't want to say that Justin showing up to her house out of nowhere is suspicious but that's exactly what I'm saying. So, I guess it's good that she locks her door. "Hi, honey, where were you?" mom asked while locking her car. "I was just telling her goodnight," I answered. "Hmm, I saw," she looked at me knowingly. "You see everything, ma, isn't that right?" I chuckled as we walked up our driveway and into the house. "Damn right," she said while ruffling my hair. . . . . . Chapter 24 SO