Chapter 54 ....

Chapter 54 ....
Selene's pov

I was the only one left out of the sudden reunion between the Campbell's and Mallory, Ethan's childhood sweetheart.

My mom actively joined in the conversation as though she's been a part of their family for a very long time.

I felt my heart getting squeezed the more I watched them chat and laugh.

"Ohh my God Mallory, it's great to have you around, I wish you can stay back and not return to you mom. Your presence will have a huge impact."

I stood up and my chair fell back, still, none of them noticed.

A huge impact on Ethan indeed, what about the help given with his tutoring.

Wasn't that a huge impact?

I carried my untouched plate to the kitchen and dropped it in the sink like that.

When I returned to the dining section, I heard Mallory asking Ethan to hang out.

"Please, for old times sake." She pouted.

I waited for Ethan to turn her down, today was supposed to be for just me and him.

No pretty thing was going to ruin it for me.

"Of course, you kids can go, take the jeep." Alfred handed Ethan the keys to the Jeep.

He keeps making things worse by supporting whatever Mallory says.

I stayed half hidden watching them, Ethan's eyes caught mine.

"Selene, you should join us, all three of us, it'll be fun."

"Selene, would you like to come along."

Finally, he sees me.

I looked at Mallory's face to see if she'd be displeased by the idea, but she was all smiles and calm about it.

"Who's going to do the dishes, I think Selene should stay behind. Let Ethan and Mallory catch up." Mother said.

I grind my teeth in fury, she really wants me to stay behind and do the dishes.

"Let them go darling, we'd do the dishes instead." Alfred offered, and I was grateful.

"If you insist on doing it, no problem. I won't be assisting you." Mom said cryptly.

Ethan beckoned to me.

"Let's go."

I followed silently, I really don't want to be in the same space with mom

Ethan opened the front door of the jeep and Mallory entered.

I was supposed to sit at the front with him, not her and he wasn't even looking at my face to see how displeased I was by all of this.

I opened the back door myself and entered.

It wasn't just about her getting in front, in all of my rides with Ethan. He has never opened the car door for me.

I felt like a third party watching two lovers go on a date.

As the car sped out of the beach house, they resumed talking, all the conversations in the house were not enough.

"So where do we go?" Ethan asked her.

"You already know where I want to go." She laughed.

"Say no more."

I zoned out their voices from my head. Maybe I should have stayed at home and did the dishes instead. Like, how many minutes would that have taken me?

Then play some board games on my own till I fall asleep instead of this torture.

I don't even understand Ethan, the fact that he doesn't even see me made everything once.

The jeep stopped in front of an old arcade, which surprisingly is still very much running.

It was still along the beach not far from the beach house, not a walking distance though.

I looked through the window without stepping out.

"So, are we here to play some games or what?"

Mallory stepped out first, I was expecting her to wait for Ethan to come open the door for her.

"No, we are actually here for the cave. It's like a historical spot for people who come here a lot."

I rolled my eyes in frustration, wondering what could possibly be interesting about a cave.

"Isn't it dangerous to enter a cave near the sea?"

Mallory gave an innocent awkward look as we trudged ahead.

Then she faced Ethan.

"Is this her first time here?"

"Yeah it is."

I wonder what that has to do with trying to be safe.

"At this time of the day, the tide is still low, although it's a restricted place, but we can sneak in, we've done it a lot of times." She assured me

"Are you referring to the ocean cycle? Because that's still dangerous and it can change anytime."

Mallory nods.

"Wow, you must be smart."

"She is, best in the school." Ethan interrupted.

She linked her fingers with Ethan and they led me towards the area where the cave was.

I had no choice, I just had to believe that it was actually safe.

Since there were not many people on the beach. It was easy to sneak into the cave entrance.

The light from the sun penetrated into it, giving it a clear view.

There was a lot of graffiti on the wall.

It felt really cool inside.

"There it is." Mallory pointed at the wall of the cave.

I followed foolishly to check what it was.

It was a huge love sign, with the name Mallory and Ethan carved in it.

"This was where we had our first kiss." Mallory leaned and rested her head on Ethan's arm.

Something hit my stomach hard and I suddenly felt the need to throw up or I might faint.

This was their love nest and they brought me here.

I took quiet steps backwards and snuck out of the cave before they'd realise

Outside, I tried to wretch, but nothing came out of my stomach. I inhaled the salty air, but it did no good. So I sat on one of the little rocks that laid everywhere.

I was bitter and hurt.

I felt something touch my shoulder, it was Ethan.

I tried to act like all was well.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with your girlfriend?"

"Girlfriend? Mallory is an old friend, we are just really close."

"Oh yeah, so close that you kissed her."

"We were kids Selene, I beg you not to attach any meaning to what's going on."

I turned my back to him, but he came and faced me

"Are you jealous, Selene Greasely?"

I was jealous, incredibly jealous but I wasn't about to admit that.

"Leave me alone." I frowned

He took both my hands in his.

"You know I can't, not after last night. When we said we love each other."

I looked into his beautiful blue eyes, and my face softened.

"What about Mallory?"

"There's nothing to worry about, you know she's just here to visit, we'd soon go our separate ways again."

I felt assured by that, at least I can put up with whatever they'd be doing for the time being.

Mallory came out holding her phone, she jumped at Ethan.

"Guess what, mom says we're moving to Wellsbury!”