Chapter Ten

“So, have you crossed anything else off your list over the past few weeks?” Kacey questions Ada as they sit down for their lunch at school.

The lunchroom was packed full of students, as usual.

“No.” She states a bit irritated, looking past Kacey. “Not even something as simple as finishing one of the movies I wanted to watch.”

Kacey follows Ada’s eye line to see that her friend was staring at a guy. “Oh, you have the hots for Kevin?” She teases.

“More like an annoyance.” Ada blurts out in annoyance. “For the past two weeks, that guy has been staring at me every time I turn a corner.”

“Ooh la la.”

Ada glares at her friend.

“Oh, I’m just teasing.” Kacey retorts while picking up a grape from her plate.

“Who is he?”

“He’s a very popular guy. I’m surprised you don’t know who he is actually.” Kacey responds absentmindedly.

“I like to keep to myself,” Ada responds with a shrug.

“He plays football,” Kacey states matter-of-factly. “He’s not too bright but I wouldn’t mind having a go at him.”

Both girls laugh.

“Excuse me?” A male voice cuts through their laughter, making both girls break away from their conversation. “Your name is Ada, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Ada stares at the guy before her in disbelief. The man that stood before her was tall and muscular with short blonde hair and baby blue eyes; the epitome of an Adonis high school football player.

“I’ve noticed you around. Are you new?”

“Not that new…” Ada began dumbfounded. “I mean, I am, yes.”

A smile played on his lips. “I thought maybe you would enjoy going out sometime.”

“Um… What?” Ada stared at him in confusion. “Are you asking me out or telling me that I need to go out?”

Kevin laughed. “I’m asking if you’d like to go on a date with me.”

Ada was baffled. “I’m sorry, but it’s just, I don’t even know you.” She responds with hesitation.

“That’s why I’m asking you out. Isn’t that what people do on dates?”

She looks at Kacey who is slack-jawed in astonishment.

"I-I—" Ada stammered. “I’m not, I’m not really sure.” She starts shaking with anxiety, wishing that this awkward encounter would end.

Kevin chuckles, showing off his straight, pearly white teeth, “It’s okay. Here.” He writes on a piece of paper. “This is my number. Call me when you’ve had a chance to think about it.” He hands it over, giving Ada a wink.

“Okay,” Ada replies, staring at the piece of paper in amazement.

“Check you later.” He calls out.

“What the hell just happened?” Kacey questions, watching Kevin’s butt as he walked back to his jock friends.

“It has to be some type of a prank, right?”

“But what if it’s not!” Kacey exclaims with excitement.

“It has to be,” Ada states, staring at the piece of paper. "There’s no way—"

Ewan and Hal show up and sit at the table with the girls.

“You guys will never believe what just happened!” Kacey begins as she blurts out the events that just unfolded.

Ewan’s jaw tightened when he heard about the guy who asked Ada out. His nostrils started to flare. “Hey, Ada, I’m going to need help with an assignment in English.” He states, unsuccessful in trying to cover the rage that painted his voice.

“Yeah, just come over tonight and I’ll help.” She replied, staring at him curiously.

“Aren’t you gonna give Kevin a call?” Hal teases.

“Shut up, Hal.” Ewan retorts, glaring at his friend.

“Ewan, what’s wrong?” Ada asked with concern. “He was just joking.”

“I’m sorry.” He says, standing up. “It’s nothing. Just forget it.”

“Ewan?” Ada calls after him.

Kacey and Hal share a look as Ada watches Ewan storm off.

“Don’t worry about it, Ada.” Hal starts, trying to reassure her. “He’s going through a lot.”

“Like what?”

He pauses. “I’m not supposed to tell you.”

“Well, now you have to.” Ada glared at him.

“Yeah! Spill!” Kacey chimed in.

Hal lets out a deep sigh. “Don’t tell him I told you.” He began slowly. “His brother and cousin have been getting to him lately.”

“About what?” Ada replies in shock.

Hal’s face contorted as if to say “really?”

Then it dawned on her; the brother and cousin that he used to deal drugs with. They must want something from him.

“Aren’t they still in jail?” She continues to question.

“No,” Hal responded. “They were released a few weeks ago.”

Could that be the reason why he showed up at my house drunk late that night?

Sadness consumed her. Why wouldn’t he confide this to her? Did he think she wouldn’t understand, which how could she truly understand? Regardless, she would still listen and try to help in any way she could.

*********************

Later that night Ewan showed up late for their studying session, which was unusual for him.

“You’re late,” Ada said in a matter of fact kind of tone. “What happened?”

“Nothing,” Ewan states as he walks through the door. He didn’t seem to want to talk to her, nor did he want to make eye contact.

Ada thought of how unlike him this was but remembered that Hal told her he was being harassed by his family, so she just chalked his aggravation up to that.

Unfortunately, Ewan’s became increasingly distant. He had completely withdrawn himself.

“Ewan, what’s wrong?” Ada asked concerned. Even though she knew what was troubling him, it appeared to be something more than just his family.

“It’s nothing, Ada.”

“I can clearly see that it’s something.”

He sits in silence, doing some homework, refusing to acknowledge Ada’s concern.

Ada waits for him to say something, but the room was silent. The ticking of the wall clock became louder and louder as she focused on Ewan, who refused to look at her. “Ewan… Please…” She finally replied saddened.

This was the first time he actually looked at her since he arrived. His jaw relaxed after he saw the saddened expression on Ada’s face. Her pleading eyes seemed to soften him.

To Ada, it appeared as if he allowed his guard down finally. She watched him as he scratched the back of his head and waited as it looked as though he was about to explain or say something. But he never did.

Closing his book, he began throwing it in his backpack. “I think it’s time for me to go,” Ewan states as he pries his eyes from Ada.

“Really?” Her heart broke while trying to keep her voice steady. “But I haven’t checked over your paper.”

“It’s fine. I’m pretty sure I got it.” He responded, tossing his backpack over his shoulder and heading out.

“Then why did you ask for my help?”

He shrugged. “I thought I needed help.” He continues towards the door.

“Ewan!” Ada called his name. A wave of emotion flowed through her. Why is he acting like this? What did I do?

Her sudden screech made Ewan stop in his tracks.

“Why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?” She questions, becoming defensive. “I know I didn’t do anything to upset you, so why won’t you look at me? You asked for my help and you act like I don’t even exist in my own house!”

His head falls. “I’m sorry.” He responds apologetically. “I’ll leave now.” Ewan quickly bolts for the door, leaving Ada confused and hurt.