My entire life, it’s always been hard. I mean, I would’ve expected it to when you keep the biggest secret in the world from everyone else. Okay, not the biggest secret in the world-but you get what I mean. My parents aren’t cool with anything new, no new rules, no new presidents, and especially no new dating tricks. Mainly-this means coming out would ruin all that I’ve lived for. I get straight A’s and I’m quarterback at our school, but none of that would even matter if people found out about who I really am.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtKrJ0DkxY 維尼
Other than the large parts of me I’m keeping, my life seems to be pretty good. I’m considered popular at school, my siblings aren’t always annoying, and I have a girlfriend: Haven Bronx. Haven is one of the most popular girls in school as well, so it made sense for the two of us to be together. Being captain of the cheerleading team, she has a pretty busy schedule, so I don’t always have to see her. But when I do-it’s hard to really be myself around her. Around anyone. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlafOzKZPZ 維尼
I really do like Haven. She’s a sweet girl, and she cares about other people’s feelings. But, I don’t like her in that way. And it wouldn’t even be too bad if we broke up at school, but her entire family loves me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sbFRwaEix 維尼
So that’s where the problem comes in. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBC56YRpZ8 維尼
I would always sit at the dinner table and try to keep my mind off of other things while Haven’s parents continued talking about sports, or cheer, or their older daughter (who’s in Yale, in case anyone really cared). It was just that, I never seemed to keep my mind on anything that was going on at dinner there, and I was the only one to blame. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmExbVQqNY 維尼
“How have you been Ezra?” Mr. Bronx asked me as I calmly sat down next to Haven. Her family was always fancy, so being skittish wouldn’t look good for me. Once I sat down, Haven smiled to me. And I smiled back without showing any teeth.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f25ojaBXZ 維尼
“I’ve been great.” I said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GlUviFIwC 維尼
Lie, but everyone else was going with it. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRTjhardGl 維尼
“I heard there was a game on Saturday, are you ready for that?” Mrs. Bronx asked me. In all honesty, I was excited for the game and all-but I’d much rather be somewhere else on that day instead of whatever I always felt trapped. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnH4GNfHiZ 維尼
But, like always, I smiled and nodded. “I’m ready for it,” I said. “Coach says we’re probably gonna be amazing out there.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCwG179z3X 維尼
“And I get to watch all of it front and center,” Haven said, smiling to me before looking at her parents. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVpxrdmRNh 維尼
Mr. and Mrs. Bronx smiled at their daughter before looking back at their food. It was seafood, which was one of the main reasons why I was trying to continue talking instead of eating something from the sea. “Haven,” Mrs. Bronx said. “Did you mention to tell Ezra about your sister?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CHXydDYdj 維尼
I don’t know why, but my instant thought was that Mrs. Bronx was pregnant. I mean, she was only about 39 or something. I’m sure having a kid wouldn’t be that hard. But then, my mind clicked and told me this was about Angelica. Angelica is Haven’s older half sister, and she’s pretty smart for her age. I’ve only met her a few times, but her family talks about her enough for me to know basically everything I need to. The weirdest thing is, even though Haven and Angelica have different dads, they both really do look the same. Like Haven, Angelica has dark brown hair and hazel eyes, which usually change color depending on the light. And usually they both always know what to say for certain situations, but can also annoy the living ⟴ out of you sometimes. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzfwcRM4aR 維尼
“Oh my gosh,” Haven exclaimed. “I’m so excited to see her!” she grabbed my hand from under the table as I did my best to keep from showing any reaction. “How long is she staying in town?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ773bVWSkyO 維尼
Mrs. Bronx was about to begin eating again, but then set down her fork and looked Haven. “A few days I think, a week at the most. She’s really busy at college, sweetheart.” Haven nodded, but then everyone at the table grew silent as I looked back down at the seafood. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkaPhJCeQ2 維尼
I seriously do hate everything about the thought of eating something from the ocean, but I also hated people not liking me-so I began slowly eating the shrimp. At first, I felt my body trying to bring it back up, but I swallowed it before anything else could happen. I took a long drink of the water Mr. Bronx had given me and then sighed, not even sure if I could finish the food that was set in front of me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHUtEDEZSD 維尼
Once dinner was over, I wasn’t judged for not eating all of the shrimp. But, I still felt a large guilt inside of me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX4XvxAqjv 維尼
Haven’s parents went upstairs, allowing me and her to have some alone time. I hated when people said “I’ll give you two some alone time.” It was like they just expected for two people to begin making out. And I never would do something like that while her parents were upstairs, anyways. I wouldn’t even do something like that with a girl in the first place. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GE832J9LU 維尼
“So…” Haven said, sitting down next to me and grabbing the TV remote. “You nervous about the game?” before I could even answer her, Haven kept on talking. “We have a great cheer that is bomb.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47ADj6Tz4r 維尼
I laughed. “Yes, I’m ready. How long have y’all been working on the cheer?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSyr7dMo8u 維尼
“A couple weeks. I think you’re going to love it, babe.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTvTFwkto6 維尼
Though I hated it when she called me that, I nodded. One of the best ways to get Haven to be quiet would be talking about cheer. All of the girls on the team were really passionate about their work and loved to brag about it. Sometimes, when I was forced to hang out with Haven’s friends, the topic of football and cheer would be the main two things. Which, I was kind of okay with-because at least I was getting attention. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW1OuZ8xW8 維尼
Haven was leaning on me, texting someone on her phone when she suddenly laughed. I looked down at her and said; “What is it?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaTS6pTMjr
Instead of simply answering, she handed me her phone. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnCjuxOA6S 維尼
Angelica:8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT9ZWfIwAh 維尼
Hey sis, you excited about me coming back tomorrow? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡofLOvr4ZNo 維尼
Haven: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtoi6ISTa3 維尼
Obvi! I can’t wait to see you!! 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡquOmdH8SQB 維尼
Angelica: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3sk8HUKnl 維尼
Me too! How’s high school treating you? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ86TI4ecR 維尼
Haven:8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6PUvXvlfX 維尼
Amazing, actually! I’m still captain of the cheerleading team and I’m still dating Ez. On top of that, all my friends and grades are amazing. Things couldn’t be better! 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxkKjMx2nU 維尼
Wbu? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNFaSPCedF 維尼
Angelica: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TAkvHacqJ 維尼
(That’s great!) And I’m pretty good too. I’m just pretty happy I’m keeping up in class.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs11qV5eaQ 維尼
How’s Ezra? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡceN0WqxVJy 維尼
Haven: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9mJNe37As 維尼
Great! Cuter than ever...and stronger, which is good for the football team.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTSbNh5vAz 維尼
Angelica: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv5em4Mu4q 維尼
Awesome! Good thing he’s still cute, right? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUqq4njsR9 維尼
Haven: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHyhZnDsTh 維尼
Oh my gosh, lol! I would’ve still dated him if he wasn’t tho. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z254dD1ZG 維尼
Angelica: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1eXnFuPWK 維尼
Yeah, right. I gotta go soon...is there anything else you need to tell me before I start my homework? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5Z6WshVzc 維尼
Haven: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDtxcNvAKU 維尼
Just one last thing. You excited about the football game? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4UNA7zC6k 維尼
Angelica: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡzopB5lhAtj 維尼
Yup. Aren’t they playing against Oakwood? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MfNYR3Oqw 維尼
Haven:8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YtIKoJ8wX 維尼
Yeah, they are. But Ezra’s got this one in the bad. He always does-8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3aPGrBmZT 維尼
Angelica: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUK0dfMODM 維尼
Right! 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ7wJjAUeW 維尼
Well, I’ve got two more things to say. One, I miss you like crazy (Mom and Dad too). And two, hope Ezra’s as cute as you say he is…8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPMLFqL2Po 維尼
Haven: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Igbu6j9tX 維尼
I’m not sharing him, Angelica.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmzsLPPPrE 維尼
Angelica: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡg16Gvv9nun 維尼
Lol, never said you had to, Hav. Everyone knows men like the smarter girls. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgbvlBXu1r 維尼
I don’t know why, but I had this weird feeling that all I was to Haven was just something she could put on display. And it really did bother me on the inside, but there was nothing I could fix about any of it. If Haven realized I was bothered by crap like that, she’d find some way to ruin my life. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFpVLub0R1 維尼
Instead of saying what I wanted to, I faked a laugh. “That’s sweet,” I said to her, praying she wouldn’t take any of it the wrong way. I was lucky enough for her to smile and then squeeze my arm tightly. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlndp8Q8bF 維尼
“She’s my sister, and I love her. But she better not come near you with any flirty approach.” she said, raising her eyebrows to me. I smiled. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcwX23scD4 維尼
“Don’t worry,” I assured her. “Angelica and I will never have a relationship other than friends.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡKniiePGGul 維尼
Haven smirked. “I know,” she said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSV74M86T0 維尼
I chuckled and then looked down at my phone. Three messages from Dad. Now that was a cue to come home. “Hey, Haven?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVIL21QJig 維尼
“Yeah?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bjr21sFEf 維尼
“As much as I’d love to stay-” Lie. “I need to get home.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNYJtOsaw3 維尼
Haven made a disappointed noise, then sat back on the expensive couch they owned. “That sucks,” she said, sighing. “But...you know, parents rules.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY3pLXLlCI 維尼
Not knowing what else I could say to that, I nodded. “Yeah.” I was standing up when Haven took my wrist and in some way forced me turn back around and look at her. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkpmNmxVtt 維尼
“Love you,” she said, smiling. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRYQIBWFVI 維尼
My insides told me to just say it. Reveal you don’t really love her, and that you never will. At least not like that. But instead, I smiled back and then said; “Love you too.” Dreading the words as they came out of my mouth. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9SsqRcNek 維尼
I release myself from her grip and made it to the doorway. As I was about to leave, I tuned to wave goodbye to her before I closed the door behind me, breathing in the fresh air as I walked outside. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoTQkZHZE5 維尼
⟴⬉⥦⥦⥦⬈⟴8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzK1fXqCVN 維尼
When I got home, I was expecting either Mom or Dad to be waiting for me in the kitchen or living room. But instead, it was only my dad. He smirked at me when I walked in. My dad and I hardly really shared any genetics. I mean, other than the tall-⟴ gene I have from my grandfather, him and I hardly share anything that’s the same. Other than the brown hair and eyelashes, we’re not really the same. Yet, somehow, I became his golden son. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7ayJjHl7p 維尼
“Ezra Gatley, where have you been?” he asked me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpk9zsaBnY 維尼
I looked at him. “At my girlfriend’s house,” I said, smiling. “I didn’t tell you?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3UCsIzm8S
My dad shook his head, his eyebrows raised. The only reason there was no fear inside of me was because I knew he was just joking around. I had to ask him if I could take Eric’s car to go to Haven’s house anyways. He knew where I was, Dad was just giving me a hard time for no reason. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiCOPvRmdm 維尼
“Well, I’m surprised to see you after...what? Three messages from me?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHzXUtGOa2 維尼
This was the part when I looked down at my phone and pretended to act shocked. “Oh gosh,” I said, shrugging. “Guess I forgot to look at those.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6EXRcxIsr 維尼
Dad raised one of his eyebrows, still keeping a straight face. “To your room, young man,” he said, pointing to where the staircase was. I smiled to him before gripping my phone in my hands and walking upstairs to my room, not looking behind me to see if he was laughing or not. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLujblQekO 維尼
Once I walked in, my brothers were sitting on my bed, looking through the photo album I kept in my room. Typical, I thought to myself. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLID4HxfsC 維尼
I have two brothers, one who is older than me and the other whose younger than I am. Eric is my older brother, and Emmanuel is younger than me by six years. Like brothers are, we always tease each other about something, but we also support each other through the weirdest things. Though, I guess that’s kind of normal. I have another sibling, who’s a year older than me. And that’s Evelyn. She’s one of the only people that know my secret, and I want to keep it that way. It’ll basically be like that until I get accepted into college, anyways. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMtsARvbS3 維尼
“What are you doing?” I asked my brothers. Emmanuel popped his head up, some of his dirty-blonde hair falling into his face. Eric looked at me, closed the book, then stood up. Somehow, Eric is taller than me-but only by half an inch. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE2nUwvYjK 維尼
Hitting me on the arm, Eric laughed. “Where were you, man?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9C0lkhPcr 維尼
I hit him in the exact same place where he hit me. And because I was stronger, he winced from the pain. “Why does it matter to you?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlEns20xDM 維尼
“Oh, come on, Ez Ace, where were you?” Emmanuel asked, putting the photo album on my desk. “You’re girlfriend’s house?” I knew he had been listening in on Eric’s conversations, because he completely over exaggerated those last two words. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B0wr0rNyj 維尼
I rolled my eyes. “Get out of my room.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGAFyPfpid 維尼
“Yup,” Eric said, sounding proud of himself. “He was.” Emmanuel laughed, and then began making kissing noises as I glared at him. Eric smiled to Emmanuel before he looked at me, his eyes studying my face for some odd reason. I looked away from him as Emmanuel hugged me. Since he hadn’t hit puberty yet, he went right up to my waist.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50cSk8cPNC 維尼
“Missed you,” he whispered, clutching onto me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjWhVlEP9I 維尼
I knew it was kinda mean, but I pushed him off of me. “You can’t hug after an insult,” I said, smiling to him. “That’s breaking the brother code.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqXzmBuYBS 維尼
“There’s a brother code?” Emmanuel asked, his eyes widening. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡitw35qo1Sf 維尼
Eric rolled his eyes, and then took Emmanuel by his arm. “Come on, E,” he said, looking down at him. “Ezra doesn’t wanna talk to us.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡee6kCQURkP 維尼
I glared at him. “Bye,”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XTY6Gw8TF
Leaving my room, Eric called: “Don’t forget, Ezra Ace, I’m older than you. Much older!” Rolling my eyes again, I closed the door behind me and fell onto my bed, looking up at the ceiling.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj6lWtLVsd 維尼
There wasn’t exactly anything in my head, and for the first time ever I felt really relaxed. Nothing serious was on my mind, plus the only nerves I had were about football, and I wasn’t even worried about any of that happening. Just as he crossed my mind, there was a soft knock on my door.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiMzelEXAc 維尼
Sitting up quickly, I grabbed the door knob and opened it. Evelyn was standing there, her light brown hair now dark from a shower, and her dark blue eyes looking tired. But I was smart enough now not to say anything about it.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVkQySCiUk 維尼
“Hey big bro,” she said, halfly smiling. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2u3KvZjV3 維尼
I let her walk in as I closed the door behind me. “What is it?” I asked her. Instead of my voice coming out calmly like I wanted it to, it came out really demanding. Evelyn raised her eyebrows before she sat down next to me on the bed. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡAymw9K6xdO 維尼
“Where were you?” she asked. I shrugged, looking at the wall for a few moments before I looked back to her.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7tox62mee 維尼
“Why do you need to know?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedRqnvKV1Y
Evelyn sighed, then smiled. “You must’ve been at your secret lover’s house then,” she said, raising her eyebrows. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj7yOMsEBJ 維尼
I looked at her this time, wanting to hit her. “Say it louder,” I snapped. “I don’t think everyone in the entire house heard you.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOICWIAalD 維尼
Evelyn sucked in air, looking at me. “You worry way too much, Ez,” she said. “That’s probably why he has such an attitude all the time.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ANVhUyUZs 維尼
I felt rage bubble up inside of me, but I knew there’d be no point in fighting with her. “He is always like that,” I said, trying not to let his voice get into my head. “Even before I came into his life.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡizCrshLRrZ 維尼
Evelyn ignored me, and began looking at her hair. “What do you think you’d do if Mom and Dad found out, anyways?” she asked.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMi7ahciVT 維尼
Run away, I thought to myself, feeling shameful. Run away, and never look back. Forget the entire life I lived, because I’d never get it back. There were just so many ways they could find out, if it did happen I’d lose it. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqScKZdTwQ 維尼
“Tell them it was a joke,” I said. “Or just lie until they believed me.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9p8Atwia8 維尼
Evelyn had a sad smile on her face before she shook her head. “I wish our parents weren’t such homophobes. It would’ve been nice if they were just cool with your sexuality.” she said, looking at me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcLpzojWBW 維尼
I nodded, hating to know the truth. “Same here,” I muttered. “But some people aren’t about that stuff.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OwlMKxWqY 維尼
“And it’s stupid as ⟴,” Evelyn said. I looked at her, knowing that it was my job to get onto her if she cussed, but the emotions didn’t form in me right now. She was right, it was stupid. Noticing my face, Evelyn put her head down. “Sorry. I know I shouldn’t cuss. It just makes me angry a lot of the time, and-”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEzDcfKLAA 維尼
I put my hand up, cutting her off. “It’s fine,” I said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡajtud3EOkH 維尼
Evelyn nodded, then sat back on one of my pillows. “How is he, anyways?” she asked, looking at me seriously this time.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeXkdK5sIF 維尼
I shrugged, not even knowing the answer to it. I had been trying my best to stay away from him lately, but it never works out like how I want it to. He’s openly gay, while I can’t even get one foot out of the closet. Sometimes, we argue about things like that. Or, about how I go to EastLand, and he goes to Oakwood. But I really do like being around him. It makes me feel good inside, and not like I’m being judged around him, and making sure I can see his smile at least once a day. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0iqeQSRGM 維尼
The warm feeling rose inside of me again, and I looked at Evelyn to try making it fade away. “Wanna call him?” I asked. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhK1egT3qz 維尼
Evelyn straightened her back then, nodding. “Yeah.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVlPGAEL8D 維尼
Evelyn handed me my phone from my bedside table and handed it to me. I took the phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found his name. Delcan. Chills went down my spine when I read his name, but I pushed the feeling down and ignored it as I pressed FaceTime. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI9FM45lBM 維尼
In a matter of seconds, Delcan answered his phone. I took a deep breath and waited until my phone connected. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡes2FYnGcSc 維尼
When it did, there was Delcan. His hair spiked up at the end, and his eyes squinting from the light outside. Still, I found him attractive. And I hated myself for it. He was wearing a grey shirt, and was sitting outside with his sister, Calliannah (but everyone calls her Callie). 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuFOaZltZN 維尼
“Hey,” he said, making exact eye contact with me.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEEVBgxrJ5 維尼
“Hi,” I said. But instead of sounding as confident as I wanted to, my voice came out sounding weak, and I’m sure that if another word went out of my mouth, my voice would’ve cracked. Already, my palms began sweating. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡkatfVOE7qS 維尼
Evelyn rolled her eyes and took my phone. “That’s sad,” she said, looking at me. Glaring at her, she turned back to the camera to look at Delcan, who was raising his eyebrows. “Hi, Delcan. What’s up?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HWJ6y1EyE
He shrugged. “Oh, nothing,” he said. I didn’t see his facial expression, instead I just got up and took some of the clothes off the floor and looked at Evelyn as she raised her eyebrows to me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡobvRjvkefI 維尼
“Okay,” Evelyn said, leaning back on my bed. I wanted to yell at her to get out or something, but she would’ve just shook her head and then would go back to talking to Delcan. “So I have a question for you.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bABHVwgoM 維尼
This time, I stood up, looking at Evelyn. “Yeah?” Delcan said. What was she going to say? I panicked in my mind. Would she tell him something really embarrassing about me? Like how I still have a stuffed animal in my room? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P7COD2N7x 維尼
Okay, that sounded weird. But in my defense, it’s my grandfather’s from when he was a child, and it makes me feel closer to him when I see it. I watched my sister closely as she smiled and then opened her “brilliant” mouth.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u78pjFFpN 維尼
“Are you coming to the football game?” Evelyn questioned.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxoYrMbuuh 維尼
Relieved, I let all the air that was building up inside my legs out as I sat back down on my bed again just when Evelyn sat up. The second I sat down, Delcan moved his eyes (which were now brown. He was questioning me) and looked at me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡw18FjQuNe9 維尼
“If it makes you comfortable,” Delcan said, shrugging.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPJHDjirMa 維尼
It took me a second to answer him. To be honest, I didn’t know if I had a problem with him going to the game or not. He was on the opposing team, number one. But I also never wanted to not allow him to go to something if he wants to. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsvTqbVTX9 維尼
He could be a distraction, a voice in my mind said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2ThYVI5Es 維尼
But it’d be good to have him there. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMNyQYAtRQ 維尼
“Yeah,” I said, ignoring everything telling me to stop. “You can come. Will your family tag along?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbRskDN5qi 維尼
Instead of answering me, he looked over at Callie. She looked at her brother, and then shrugged. “Who are we even cheering on?” she asked, sounding pretty annoyed. “Our school, or your boyfriend?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMn9FkEMtB
“Well, cheer for our school, and also cheer for Ezra secretly, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if one of us lost, right?” Delcan asked. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCWGKOxcNc 維尼
Callie rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Delcan.” she muttered, turning her phone back on again and probably going on social media. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVhJFhdC2a 維尼
“I guess that she’s coming. And even if she doesn’t, I’m sure my mom can do her best to take us there,” Delcan said, looking away from his sister. I nodded, and looked over to my sister as she began leaning into me.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmavfXeh00 維尼
“You wouldn’t mind if I asked him to sit next to us, would you?” she taunted, whispering. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡixleBOUYyZ 維尼
It took everything inside of me not to hit her. “I would, actually. Please don’t.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7CbYTCiWc 維尼
Evelyn laughed, rolling her eyes. “Why don’t I have Delcan’s number?” she asked, turning her head back to the camera.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOuQdhxcdo 維尼
“Because you don’t need it,” both Delcan and I said at the same time. He glanced at me for a second, and the second I saw his beautiful green eyes, I knew that my blood was already rising to my cheeks. Delcan smiled, because he knew what effect he had on me. And gosh, it was strong. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXLaiwgjY1 維尼
“I’m just saying, you’re adorable when you blush,” Delcan said, winking to me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhxQw2hHm3 維尼
“Stop it,” I said laughing. But him and I both knew I wasn’t serious. I couldn’t help it, that made me feel good. It always does when Delcan flirts with me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZrbucWHpL 維尼
Evelyn glanced between the two of us before she looked back at Delcan. “So are you sure you’ll make it to the game?” Evelyn questioned.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡw58qAHj2OQ 維尼
Delcan simply nodded. “Yup,” he said. “So...how’s that girlfriend of yours?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj3kmKYi6o 維尼
I told Delcan about Haven probably the night after we first kissed. It might not have been the best time to have said something about it, but I told him. Even though he’s never met her before, I have a pretty clear thought that he hates Haven. “Don’t be like that,” I said, shaking my head at him. “She’s good, though. I was just over at her house.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCdUvEr5LA
“Did you two kiss?” Evelyn asked, cutting in. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOesbSBY0m 維尼
I shook my head. “No,” I said. But I did say that I loved her, which is much worse than kissing. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl0rtdg7q2 維尼
“Good,” Delcan said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDxF5QZzts 維尼
Evelyn and I both smiled, but I looked at the window in my room instead of back to the camera. It was sometimes hard to be with two different people, especially because one of them has quite an attitude.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCfK0XSsz8
“Hang on,” Evelyn said, holding up her hand. “How did you two even meet if you went to different schools?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4TLJIhVOT 維尼
Delcan raised his eyebrows, looking at me. “Wanna answer that one?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fsy4p3gcD 維尼
I was about to, seriously, this time I was. But then, the thought came into my mind again. It was at a pep rally against Oakwood for our volleyball team tournament. Since it was at Oakwood anyways, we just decided it would be best to allow them there too. So, I was sitting next to Haven and her friends when I could’ve killed myself because of how boring it was. Haven had almost sprained her ankle during practice, she wasn’t able to play in the game. I finally got bored of what she was talking about and went to the bathroom, trying to chill out. I didn’t even use the bathroom, I was just done with being around Haven the entire day. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1HKtU4LTN 維尼
Then, Delcan walked into the bathroom, cursing about something that happened. I was instantly awestruck by him. Delcan is one of those people who clearly look athletic, and you came basically tell from a glance that he has abs. It didn’t help that his eyes change color depending on his mood, one of the things that made me look at him even more. I was still trying to keep my eyes away when he introduced himself to me. I learned quickly that he was from Oakwood, and that he was athletic. We were talking for about three minutes before I just introduced myself as gay, which made him shocked and kind of cool at the same time because his response was: “Cool, I am too.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZGCaO5POB 維尼
I remembered when I tried to act like it was cool by nodding, but I had a feeling my cheeks were already beginning to grow red. He must’ve known I was the quarterback, because he asked me this next: “I’m guessing you aren’t out yet?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHoD7mBLpM
“What makes you think that?” I asked him, my voice coming out like I wanted it to be a challenge. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡL43cQ6igau 維尼
Delcan smiled when I said that, and I remembered my feet feeling weird as I looked at him. He asked me if I’d ever wanted to hang out, and I just responded with a quick nod before I began trying to think of ways that I could ask for his number. Instead, being the person he is, he simply asked to call his younger sister from my phone, but actually put his number in it. Smooth, a lot smoother than I would’ve been. And...it went on from there. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg1nClNtJX 維尼
“Hello…?” Evelyn said, snapping her fingers so I would go back to reality. “Earth to Ezra.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡohTg9jyw7P 維尼
I shook my head and closed my eyes for a few seconds, trying not to think of moments too hard. “Sorry, what were we talking about?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnxY2JQccZ 維尼
“When you and I met. What, were you thinking about it or something?” Delcan asked, smiling to me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW0pyUZP6m 維尼
I shook my head, biting my lip so that I wouldn’t smile. “No,” I said. “I was about to have another great memory, but Miss Evelyn Taylore messed that up.” Evelyn raised her eyebrows when I said her middle name, but had no commentary. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdfOKtBL5i 維尼
“Anyways,” Delcan said, looking at my sister. “My aunt just got to our house. I gotta go.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDhnhTqYOW 維尼
Though I wanted him to stay longer, I knew there’d be no working through Delcan’s parents. Both of them are really formal about dinners, especially when other people are invited to them. One time, I had to wear one of my dad’s ties because of how formal I needed to be presented at their house. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv2Z36GHP3 維尼
“Dang it,” Evelyn said, pressing her nails on her hand. “I thought that I could at least get some answers from you. Ezra never talks about his love life.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡou3Jp2yzge 維尼
“Lower your voice, Evelyn,” I muttered between my teeth. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcYYtq2rRG 維尼
Evelyn looked at me before she rolled her eyes. I don’t care how much she finds out, Mom and Dad won’t be okay with any of it. Delcan, who clearly felt awkward, cleared his throat so that the two of us would look at him. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5DhTrnlSc 維尼
“Well, I have to go,” he said. Callie looked at him before she stood up and left, probably going back to get dressed. “Bye guys. And, I’ll let you know what it’s like to be on the winning team at a football game.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuqKhnTlpU 維尼
I rolled my eyes to that. “Yeah right, Delcan. Bye,” I said, hanging up the phone. I could probably call him later, when everyone else in the house was asleep. You know what, it’d be better to text him than Dad suddenly hearing his voice in the middle of the night. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR4P8wIDkj 維尼
Making herself comfortable, Evelyn sprawled out on my bed. “So...anything you wanna talk about?” she asked, clearly wanting to hear more about Delcan. But I wasn’t giving out that information.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtsgcTb2s0 維尼
“Nope,” I said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPlS6QcuJb 維尼
Evelyn raised one of her eyebrows. “Why can’t I know anything?” she asked Her voice didn’t really seem annoyed, just like she wished I would share more about my life with her, which would never even happen. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlAK9lOqtF 維尼
“Why would you even want to know, Evelyn?” I asked her. “I’ve told you enough as it is.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXhNpmdnyU 維尼
Evelyn nodded. “I know,” she said. “But I feel better when you’re open to me about things, and it makes me feel closer to my older brother who always hides who he is.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8g4NgFcIr 維尼
It wasn’t that I liked hiding who I was, it was just something I’ve grown into over the years. I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut about things when I didn’t need to talk, and for me never to even think about Delcan when I’m in public. Things have worked for most of my life, and I know how to hide things now. It’s just that-opening up to people about things is still really hard for me to do. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡAestiSgp8y 維尼
And things didn’t help that Dad always pressured me to be his perfect son, his perfect example for everyone else to follow. He told everyone in our neighborhood about me. Everyone. People knew who I was, and they knew the expectations that I was meant to follow. Keeping quiet about things just kind of came naturally after 6th grade, I guess. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡi07z77pkks 維尼
“Evelyn,” I said. “You know I try, but some things aren’t always that easy to just say. Plus, whatever you do need to know, you’ll find out when I have to tell you. Not now.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSgVdAGLlf 維尼
Upset, Evelyn sighed. But I knew she understood. My parents had always been this way, even when they were married. “Okay,” she said, beginning to stand up from my bed, her light brown hair falling over her shoulders as she did. “Well, talk to me if you ever need to.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlCbc4pUG6 維尼
I nodded, and then waited for her to leave my room before I laid back down on my bed. Sometimes, I really did wish people knew about who I really was. Most of the time, I hardly even know if I like it, or if I’m ashamed of it all. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEahMirkHR 維尼
Oddly, Delcan was in my mind again. It was his laugh, the one I always loved hearing. With almost everything, Delcan seemed so confident and proud at what he was doing, it was kind of hard not to smile when he talked about his life. I’d always found it weird that I was drawn to him the way I am, but hey, my heart wants what it wants. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZXw6eeImw 維尼
Just as my mind was about to shift away from Delcan and all the extra-credit homework I needed to do, my phone went off, having the ringtone that I’d set for my mom. I picked up my phone and looked at the message. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AkGFvu0cg 維尼
Mom: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhCe4ai59G 維尼
Come see me in my room. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl3Wez9Eor 維尼
Seeing the words just made me freak out. I didn’t know why, but it all just seemed like a lot. I never get in trouble, ever. So whatever this was about, I needed to think of something I could cover myself for. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0Xzj8hzYa 維尼
But there was nothing that popped into my head. My body already felt hopeless, so I just responded with okay, and then walked down the hallway to my parents room. Emmanuel was sitting outside the hallway, playing with some of the toys that Mom had let him keep. I sighed, because I knew how annoyed my dad would’ve been with all of this. Unlike Eric, Evelyn, and I, Emmanuel hasn’t even started on his sports career yet, and Dad gets even more pissed off by the day that he’s still playing with toys. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡymX3lg5E6g 維尼
Emmanuel must’ve heard me, because he looked up and smiled. “Hi, Ez.” I made my way over to him and began picking up some of the toys. Emmanuel’s eyes got wide as he snatched back one of the toys from my hand. “What are you doing?!”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1jw7STLFd 維尼
“Picking these up,” I said. My voice sounded more tired than I’d wanted it to, but I could care less. “You can only play with these in your room, E. I told you that already.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11TIwqnS50 維尼
Emmanuel watched me as I put most of what he was playing with in his room, pressing his lips together as I moved back and forth. When there was one toy left, a car, I handed it to him. “Here.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYeEiVATPK
“What do you want me to do with it?” Emmanuel asked, looking at the toy like it was something Eric had cooked.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpnPdfUcN7 維尼
I shrugged. “Play with it,” I said. “Just make sure Dad doesn’t see you.” I was about to walk off and leave when Emmanuel rushed up behind me and wrapped me in another hug. This time, I let him do it. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Mdg6Vnkz 維尼
“Yes?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpPbunsogZ
“Why are you going in Mom and Dad’s room?” he asked, still holding onto me tightly. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eMfidxSx7 維尼
I turned back around and bended down to his height so that it’d be easier for him to make eye contact with me. “I don’t really know.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu9ePABjpG
“Did you do something?” Emmanuel asked, raising his eyebrows. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW9HAy30OW 維尼
Again, I shrugged. “Maybe,” I said. “But it doesn’t matter, okay? Go play in your room for a little bit.” Emmanuel nodded before he pulled me into a hug again, his hands clutching onto me tightly. I wished we could get some medicine or something to make sure he won’t be so clingy all the time, but Dad believed he would grow out of it or something. But all of us knew that he wouldn’t. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCzexoJeIm 維尼
“Bye, Ez.” he said. I didn’t respond to him and waited for his arms to release around me. When they did, he ran into his room, shutting the door softly behind him. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡE36jCGalTn 維尼
Now that he was out of the way, I took a deep breath before I kept on walking down the hallway. It felt like I was in a horror movie while I was walking down that hallway, checking every corner like someone would step out and murder me at any given second. But our house had high security, and I knew something like that would never really happen. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp6c7VIAYo 維尼
Still, I felt my stomach do a backflip when I opened up the door to my parents room and walked in. Mom was sitting on her bed, flipping through something on the new iPad she’d boughten last week, and Dad was sitting on the other side of the bed, going through some of the fancy ties he owned. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt16v2bJFx 維尼
“Hi, mom,” I said. “You needed me for something?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4AEJdAfuR
My mom looked up and smiled at me. Unlike her first three children, my mom has dirty-blonde hair and blue eyes. Though Eric and Evelyn have the same eye color as her, Emmanuel was the only one to receive her hair color. But all of us got the innocent look from her, which I’ll be honest, helps me a lot. “Hi baby,” she said. When she said ‘baby’ to me, that gave me the hint she didn’t know anything. Maybe I was in the clear. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtAcNZL5Lh 維尼
“Hey,” I said. I gave her a friendly smile and then sat down next to her on her side of the bed. “What’s up?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡm32xhPHR0G 維尼
Mom set down her iPad as she looked at me. “I didn’t even mean to text you to come in here, but I guess this is better, anyways. I really just wanted to know if you’ve been practicing for the game or not.” she said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡusGgrSM2Tu 維尼
I wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, because this meant I wasn’t actually in trouble for anything. But instead, I just smiled to her. “Of course I have, Mom,” I said. My mom wasn’t too hard to please compared to my dad, so I knew just talking to her kindly about things would get the conversation over with quickly. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaS1tAgLOj 維尼
My mom nodded. “That’s good,” she said. She rubbed her temple softly before she looked back at me. “Could I have a hug, sweetheart.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVU0jKDq7A 維尼
I nodded and then wrapped my arms around her. She must have a headache or something, because she seems tired and restless compared to how she usually is at this time period. When I let go of her, I began messing with my hands-but on one side of me so that Dad wouldn’t see it. “Are you feeling sick?” I asked her.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdB8FGC1Nm 維尼
My mom shrugged. “A little bit,” she said. “But nothing I can’t get over in a few days, Ezra.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYA0jFlgVk 維尼
“Okay,” I said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCHbxnTQaQ 維尼
It would’ve been the time for me to leave at that moment, but I knew that leaving when I wasn’t supposed to was one of the main violations to my father. I stayed in place and waited for either my mom to say something, or for my dad to begin asking me about sports. Lucky for me, Mom cleared her throat before she calmly asked me; “Do you want me to make you a plate for dinner?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4W8w9g1ML 維尼
“Yeah,” I said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49IphM638g 維尼
“Didn’t you eat at your girlfriend’s house?” Dad asked me, raising his eyebrows. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7eTAcrm4I 維尼
I looked at him and made sure the words I said were perfectly planned out. “I did,” I said, dragging the word a little bit. “But...seafood isn’t one of my favorite things in the world, so I try my best not to eat as much of it.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzQ2pZ4jOk
“You wasted their food, Ezra?” Mom asked me, giving the same expression that Dad did when I lied about already eating. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUdnHs887n 維尼
I shook my head. “No!” I said. “I did eat it, but I could use something that actually tastes good for a change.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T1rhvpJlm 維尼
This time, both of them were silent, but I could feel my Dad’s glare on me. His eyes were staring at me cold and hard, I just knew it. But looking at him would make the glare even worse, so I kept my eyes on my mom, who was nodding slowly. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD1Ew3X6if 維尼
“Okay then, baby,” she said, patting my thigh. “I’ll make sure to cook a bit more.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq5jsgbkEw
I nodded, still waiting for my signal to go. When Dad gestured towards the doorway, I said goodbye to both of them and then walked out of the room, steadying my heartbeat. It was harder than ever to be in the same room with the two of them. Mom wanted all of her boys to stay “her babies”, while Dad though all of us should’ve grown by the time we were 9. Like always, there’s no winning with my parents. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIe8hFmXb6 維尼
Evelyn was back in her room, doing her homework-so I actually had some space to myself for today. Sitting down on my bed, I had a few seconds to myself before my phone went off. I recognized the ring and smirked. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7MkXTXlFi 維尼
If you asked me why I set Delcan’s ringtone to what it was, I probably still wouldn’t be able to tell you. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡQASkD0jA6h 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn9mn3RyPC 維尼
Hey, I just wanted to ask you if you were actually ok with me going to the game. I wouldn’t want to distract you.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnPSr4WZCU 維尼
Btw, your sister is adorable. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpSqr8sZ79 維尼
I shook my head, smiling. Everyone usually thinks my sister is this adorable teenager who knows nothing other than being a good daughter, but I’ve seen her other side. And believe me when I say this, it isn’t cute. Yeah, she smiles and hugs me in public all the time, but she’s only like that when people are watching. I still have a burn on my chest from a burn she gave me when the two of us were eight. All I did was joke around and steal one of her baby dolls, and she lashed out on me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvIlI9eYam 維尼
Me: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZWcvdv4oD 維尼
I’m fine with you coming to the game, but you’re wrong about my sister. She’s a monster. I have all the scars to prove it. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Cffx28vS 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwW1uhzmT7 維尼
Show me then. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ3b0YtHXP 維尼
Just as I began pulling my shirt over my head, I thought about what would’ve happened if Mom or Dad walked in. How would I even explain that to them? Or worse, Emmanuel could come in here. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx6Osmb20O 維尼
I got off my bed quickly and shut the door, locking it behind me. You never know with siblings in the house. I took a picture of the burn on my chest and then took a picture of the bruise I got from just a few weeks ago. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrlmqreMb0 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFAOkdVlsy 維尼
Dang, I didn’t know she could hit. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWBvoF1wd8 維尼
Me: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMygKkKv1o 維尼
Yup…8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRBMplU8mC 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJtvRDmcie 維尼
I always wondered if that burn was a birthmark or something…8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RCX01hOrU 維尼
Me: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YjgkeTyn6 維尼
I’m deleting that! 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2IjVNN8Qj 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk7FDqLzHi 維尼
Okay, okay, I’ll stop. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6VbYpjWyX 維尼
Anyways, after the game, can we talk about something?8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtpqMOJbCw 維尼
Me:8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOm5sP4znJ 維尼
Is it something bad?8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtO5bNms7c 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWBs3iFrGP 維尼
Depends...can you make it over to my house after football?8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrNbHEvLcR 維尼
I don’t care how desperate or sound this sounds, or whatever, I was willingly saying yes. There was no pauses while I texted him back. I would always ditch anything for Delcan, and I still didn’t know why. It was just something about him that always made me feel good about myself. And whatever I can get of that needs to be as much as possible. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNCWCgkYlK 維尼
Me: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡoejYg48ook 維尼
Yeah. I’ll tell my parents I’m spending the night at my friends house or with Haven. They’ll believe me, promise. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64qyxvxCO3 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzdlewfSOu 維尼
Do your parents even look through your phone? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcRydtLTRC 維尼
Me: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyqQWy2uNq 維尼
Not unless I’ve been acting really strange. Why?8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv49e1P4l4 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxk5QE8lVw 維尼
Well if they do, I suggest that you delete half of this entire conversation, because they’ll know where you are. Is my address in your phone? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡesgIWZHuRv 維尼
If Delcan’s address was in my phone, I should probably delete it by now. I know all of the easiest roads to get to his house, so having it on Google Maps would just be pointless now. I deleted it off my phone before I responded to him, lying anyways. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LbrQBBbPP 維尼
Me:8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N66j7sWrX 維尼
I can’t remember, Delcan. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF38dK5EwJ 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj3cv28XU0 維尼
Of course you can’t. Buy you make up for it because of how cute you are. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoEK7WZ1mp 維尼
Me: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H6bnC5cyE 維尼
Have you been looking at my Instagram? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0d6J4rCU5 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOvkE3jile 維尼
I basically have Instagram for that reason, Ezra. And don’t be weirded out by it, it’s a couple thing. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhUuQxxWep 維尼
Trust me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HkZUWBtDG 維尼
Me: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ5ls7Wmqj 維尼
Whatever. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBNRvVKcaG 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUB8BbfKPe 維尼
Don’t play hard to get when you’ve already been stolen. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3giyzKMKX 維尼
My parents told me to put up the phone and talk to my aunt. Gotta go. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJKhLnGDhH 維尼
Me: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbvc3CMNMZ 維尼
Oh, okay. See you later? 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaIEiNkR5l 維尼
Delcan: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyiPXsz6sv 維尼
As always, Ez. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLwiFOMsIy 維尼
I knew that my cheeks were red, so I put my phone away. He’d sent that kissing face emoji, and I smiled before I sent one back, deleting the message right after that. About three minutes after I’d finally began watching Netflix, my phone went off for the third time. I growled like an animal and grabbed my phone, putting it next to me on my bed. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrqW1fEEXN 維尼
All of the messages were from Haven, and every single one of them made me pretty annoyed by her at the moment. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡx68p3C7gsp 維尼
Haven Bronx: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ouHh1iyh 維尼
Hey! 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUyEZiT9M9 維尼
I know you’re busy, but I need to ask you something…8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAQCNkUIBK 維尼
Do you remember your ex-girlfriend from 7th to 9th grade? If u do, talk to me tomorrow before the game starts. Love you! Oh, and Angelica said hi. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsYdA0g6fB 維尼
It may sound rude, but I could care less about Angelica and her “kindness”. Instead, I was more confused about her second message. First off, what could Haven possibly want to talk to me about now? And second, what was Evvie doing back in town so early. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡscI2dUP2Du 維尼
Evvie and I haven’t talked since she left with her dad, but I’m pretty sure I still had her number. I scrolled through my contacts until I found my “ex-girlfriend”’s name. Evvie Hamill. Her number was still there and everything, and all I had to do was text her. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxXe45CCQM 維尼
Me: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgzhPMEvkl 維尼
Hey, Evvie, it’s Ezra Gatley. I know we haven’t talked in a while but I just wanted to say hi. Well, that’s halfy true. Truth is, one of my friends told me that you were back in town (which is super cool, by the way), and I just wanted to ask you if the two of you talked about anything. The same amount of people still know, including someone else, but I won’t get into that. Anyways, if you wanna meet up somewhere, I’d be fine with that too. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGMJ90hEhA 維尼
Missed you, Eve. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa6Bw4CgdK 維尼
Alright, the message might’ve been a little long, but it was enough information for her to roll with. Plus, I think it was enough considering we haven’t talked in two years. A few seconds later, she replied. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡspKtAOpIaP 維尼
Evvie Hamill: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe0EFEAyVh 維尼
Hi, Ezra! And yup, I’m back in town. Trust me, nobody knows about your secret right now other than who you told. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CCntsh8oT 維尼
But who is the other person??8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGFSc4WVN8 維尼
Me:8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡoakuH3C0Ei 維尼
I don’t want to text about this…8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡxByLLBH52D 維尼
Call?745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnOZBmrZ0g
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStoL9Guxdv
8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrm86YWKJQ 維尼
Evvie Hamill: 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh2GYCVKtJ 維尼
Yeah, sure. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqQyH7NhLz 維尼
When my phone fully showed the contact picture I’d given her, I had completely forgotten about it. It was Evvie and I in her backyard. I was holding her on my back while she had her arms wrapped around my neck. Both of us were laughing, and I think that the two of us were swimming or something-because I was in my swim trunks and she was in a bikini. Evvie’s dark brown hair was in a high ponytail, and her eyes were filled with excitement. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡjffaCIptjP 維尼
I had a feeling her dad knew we were never actually dating. He probably just went with it because that’s what made sense, and he wasn’t bothered by the two of us being such close friends. I actually realized now how much I missed the two of us being friends, because the two of us were always there for each other. But after the falling out of her parents, we tried our best to stay in contact, but Haven hates that I was talking to my “ex” and so the two of us basically drifted away. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIzgzpIh60 維尼
Quickly, I picked up the phone. “Hey.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIAWNqyJiR 維尼
“Ezra, hi!” Evvie exclaimed. I missed that excitement in her voice. “How have you been?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mvMSALOz6 維尼
I shrugged, unlocking my door so that Mom or Dad wouldn’t be suspicious about me having my door locked. “Good,” I said. “You?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ51ylPQuC
“I’m great,” Evvie said, still sounding pretty happy. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxN9547mjf 維尼
There was silence on the phone. Honestly, though, what do you say to your ex-best friend that you haven’t even talked to since the first day of last summer. I had no clue what to even say, which I guess would be my excuse when Evvie suddenly asked; “Who was the other person you told?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt3lSGQct5 維尼
“Told what?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKQPYiVVLn 維尼
Evvie laughed. “Don’t be like that,” she said. “In the text you sent, your exact words-and I quote-were ‘The same amount of people still know, including someone else.’ Who?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡjexhp2Syct 維尼
Crap. I should really check what I’ve texted before I decide to send it. “Right,” I said, already knowing how awkward my voice probably sounded. “No one.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N1f6wMFnh 維尼
“No one?” Evvie laughed. “Are you sure?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZSfiDuFxK 維尼
I nodded. “Yup.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP6TG66mmD
Evvie was silent for a few seconds before she sighed. “Can I at least get a gender…?” she begged. I wondered why, but it felt like she was smiling or something.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcAoSiwv2U 維尼
“Then it’ll give away the person,” I whined, sounding just like Emmanuel did when he was forced to eat something nasty.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUcKX9ncf9
Evvie laughed. “A guy then, right?” When I didn’t answer her, she laughed again. “It’s about time you found someone, Ezra Gatley.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aXw4LW5pG 維尼
I rolled my eyes, but already knew that I was blushing like crazy. “How do you even know it’s a guy I’m dating? It could be Travis, or Adam...or-”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdqlIRyubC 維尼
“Ezra,” Evvie interrupted. “By the way your voice sounds, I have a feeling it’s someone you have a crush on if not dating them. One of the two, tell me about him.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE73pFyAai 維尼
I shook my head, already feeling wrong. “I’m not having girl talk with you, Eve.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZN0Wuj2bJ 維尼
“Already sounds like it, Ez.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcG177e08E 維尼
The saddest thing was, she’s right. I was hardly even acting like a teenage boy at the moment, anyways. Not l really was a normal one, anyways. “Yeah, okay,” I muttered. “His-” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTxG5Psuio 維尼
“It’s okay, Ez,” Evvie said, her voice sounding supportive. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUKoLWjiQc 維尼
No, I wanted to. It felt better when I got things off my chest, especially with people that I seriously trust. “His name is Delcan.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWd3kWzJtI 維尼
“Oh, sounds like someone who’s hot.” Evvie responded. I raised my eyebrows and she must’ve caught herself. “Sorry, that was probably way too much. Last name?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxrrDjz3tj
“Delcan Heslop.” I said. Yeah, you don’t have to tell me, it’s a weird last name. I have no idea why it’s that last name, especially because he’s Cuban, but oh well, I’m going with it. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S6DDSyO7S 維尼
Evvie was hesitant for a second before she said; “Delcan Helsop?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GoPIJd2xH 維尼
I nodded, not understanding why she as acting so weird about all of this. “Yeah,” I said. “What is it?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOXbhHHQiO
“Nothing,” Evvie responded. “How about something else? How has school-”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69p6Wrt4QX 維尼
“Where are you right now?” I asked her.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoqfc2FtjW 維尼
Evvie was silent before she cleared her throat. “At my mom’s house,” Evvie said. “Why?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dpaQX1wqt 維尼
I stood up and pulled my shirt back over my head, putting the phone on speaker so it wouldn’t be so hard. “I wanted to see you,” I said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡf381eTryZp 維尼
“Oh,” Evvie said. It was hard to tell if her voice was shocked or not, but she then laughed. “Sure.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNEb2qgqKJ 維尼
I was putting on my shoes when I began messing my hair up a little bit. “Okay,” I said. “I’ll be there in a few seconds.” Knowing exactly where Evvie’s house was, so I wasn’t worried at all about trying to find her mom’s house. Okay, that sounded creepy. But I didn’t mean it in that way. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡF32sXPIy7R 維尼
“Got it,” Evvie sighed. “Bye, Ezra.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhB0fzR2OZ 維尼
“Peace.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZIwepVPk7 維尼
She hung up the phone so I wouldn’t have to and let me fix my shirt before I left my room. I knew that the keys to my parent’s cars were in their room, so I just went to Eric’s room so I could take his keys. Turns out, he was making out with a girl. Don’t know when, or how she got there, but she was making out with my brother. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡTndzHuNT7h 維尼
I cleared my throat and waited for the both of them to look up at me. The second I saw her blonde hair, I realized it was Janice Hart. She was in my fifth period class, and was also a year younger than Eric was. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRU50Za2Pv 維尼
Eric raised his eyebrows. “What do you want?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdFU2XurO1
“A ride,” I said, making sure to keep my eyes off of Janice, who I’m pretty sure had a hickey on her neck. “I won’t tell Mom and Dad that you and Janice are making out. Deal?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKaLetoPu2 維尼
Eric laughed without any humor in his voice. “⟴ no. Get out.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GzncuxsBA 維尼
I nodded. “Okay, fine. Can I take your car then?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjwMWY60V1 維尼
“Why are you even asking me, dude?” Eric asked, sitting up. Janice moved away from him, but she was looking at me now. “Just be home by ten, okay?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjVovmFS1J
“Got it, Dad.” I said, grabbing the car keys he had on his dresser. I closed the door behind me just before I could hear what Janice was trying to say to me. Going down the stairs quickly, I found where Eric’s car was in the garage. Once I’d gotten in, I turned on the car and began driving over to Evvie’s house. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnQ1qlMuOC 維尼
⟴⬉⥦⥦⥦⬈⟴8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgksB33oNj 維尼
When I pulled into the Hamill driveway, I got out of the car and went up the front steps. The second I rang the doorbell, Evvie’s mom was at the door. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mYzPGhT5i 維尼
Ms. Hamill acted like she seemed to forget all about me. One of her dark brown eyebrows were raised as she put her hand on her hip. “Hello?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zir3LNHmf
“Ezra Gatley,” I said, smiling to her. “I’m here to see Evvie if that’s alright.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAA3pEvAs3 維尼
She slowly nodded, eyeing me up and down. I sighed and wiped my sweating hands on my jeans, feeling the cold stare Ms. Hamill was giving me. “Okay..alright,” she said, as if she was deciding or not that it would be a good idea to say yes or no. “EVVIE!” she yelled. I had to turn away from her because of how much it hurt my ears, but she really didn’t seem to care. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5INncAedl 維尼
A few seconds later, Evvie came downstairs. Her hair color was the same as it was in 9th grade-dark brown and wavy-but it was longer. He smiled to me and it was clear she had lost some weight. She was wearing skinny jeans and a black tank top with a multicolor shaw. Dang, she’d changed a lot. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxQG1HvQtI 維尼
“Ezra!” she cried, now wrapping me in a hug. I returned the hug and breathed in her scent, which was like a weirdly enjoyable smell of cinnamon and vanilla. I really did miss the two of us being best friends. When she pulled away from the hug, she smiled again. “How do you even continue growing?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡMur9RwRtHi 維尼
I smiled. “Don’t know,” I said. Last year, I was 5’11, and I guess the summer just bumped up my height a lot. “How is Alaska?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg1RSfA1z8 維尼
She shrugged, rolling her eyes. “It’s Alaska. But...I missed my best friend and ‘ex-boyfriend.’” she said, winking to me. I laughed, even though there was this really weird feeling that Ms. Hamill was still eyeing me. Evvie looked back at her mom before she grabbed my hand and took me up the stairs, closing the door behind her. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlrtRVzzpk 維尼
Nothing about Evvie’s room had changed. She still had sky blue walls, and pictures of her family members. There was even still pictures of her dad around her room, which I guess is one of the reasons why her mom might never come in here. There were also some pictures from the school danes we used to have in junior high, plus a few pretty weird ones that most of us must’ve taken just for the heck of it. Even some pictures of Mexico and the flag. Yeah, Evvie loves her photography. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbD6uqVHTH 維尼
Evvie fell on her bed and looked up at the ceiling. “I’m so happy that my mom kept my room.” she said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBhpE9bf24 維尼
I laughed and sat down on her bed next to her, remembering all the times we used to just lay on this bed and talk. Mainly, it was all about my issues. But sometimes, there’d be something else that Evvie would be going through. The last time we were in this room together is when she was moving, and she’d asked if I wanted to keep in contact. Of course, I said yes. But we all know how that ended out. She looked over to me and I smiled to her.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EWkZpBdS8 維尼
“So...about Delcan Heslop,” she said, raising her eyebrows. I already could feel myself blushing. “Does he go to school with you?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0mh7LrWsm 維尼
I shook my head. “He actually goes to Oakwood.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfJ98rljq7 維尼
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ1ALOB2i7
Evvie sat up and looked at me. “Hang on...you’re dating someone from our opposing school? Oh my gosh, Ezra!” she said, covering her mouth like I’d said something evil. One thing you’d have to know about teenagers and high schools, there will usually be two of them, and most of the time, those two high schools are always in competition. EastLand against Oakwood, hat’s always as it has been. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Uwm7SOfIM 維尼
“What?” I asked. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqPimtK5KB 維尼
Evvie raised her eyebrows. “This has to be a prank, right? You’re still on the football team I’m guessing, so is Delcan?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gXIrSrTRv 維尼
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKiY8ypqy6
I shook my head. “He’s a boxer,” I said. “And I promise, we already talked about all of that. He hates the guys on the Oakwood football team, anyways.” And I’m not blaming Delcan for it at all. The football guys at Oakwood really aren't the best, and I’m not saying that from how they play, I actually mean their personalities too. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuM9OcVeug 維尼
“Whatever. Have you two kissed?” Evvie asked, sounding eager. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8PIFiR1XC 維尼
I raised my eyebrows. “You're fangirling,” I said. “Please stop.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXf0SmCXMz 維尼
“Sorry,” she said, shaking her head. “But I was just asking you a simple question. And I will make sure my tone isn’t like that, okay?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsls3IHBv5 維尼
This is also one of the reasons why I don’t want to come out. Girls are just weird around a guy-guy couple. I feel like the person I’m dating for sure wouldn’t mind opening his mouth and saying something about it, too. “Yes, we’ve kissed before,” I said. It would’ve been rude to not answer her question, anyways. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9sBrUz1Ej 維尼
“Is he good at kissing?” she asked me. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSXBfMjTG1 維尼
I rolled my eyes, feeling really uncomfortable. “Enough, okay? Why are you suddenly so interested in who I’m dating?” I didn’t mean for my voice to sound so cold, but it came out that way. And on top of that, I couldn’t even call Delcan my boyfriend. It just felt weird. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sQCAkTNaK 維尼
She paused for a second, her face expressionless. “I just wanted to know about him. And in case you wanted to know, I’m not seeing anyone. And if I was, I’m positive you would’ve done the same thing.” she said. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡei0VuKyp1F 維尼
I sighed, because she really did have a point. “So are you coming to the game tomorrow?” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBsKP4D8Mb 維尼
Evvie shrugged. “I didn’t even know there was one,” she said. “But...is Delcan coming to the game?” she asked, teasing me by hitting my arm. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyqRfRGmxX 維尼
I rolled my eyes and laughed, hitting her back. “He is,” I said. “But he’s going for his school, not ours.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY6BU4pmq9 維尼
Evvie pouted her lips. “What a waste,” she said. I looked at her again before she laughed. “Kidding, kidding.”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8U5BcC8cf 維尼
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I smiled to her before I checked the time. It was almost dinner, I’d be fine for another thirty minutes. “Do you know him from something?” I asked her. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzs0o9WNIf 維尼
“Why?” Evvie asked curiously. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡoljsUKmGgF 維尼
“Because,” I said. “You sounded like you knew him on the phone or something.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DL2IDMea5 維尼
Evvie blinked before she nodded slowly. “Yeah,” she said. How does she even know him? “Well, I don’t know him, but I do know his sister. Is her name Calliannah?”8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzMsfysgQQ 維尼
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Delcan told me that if I even called Callie by her actual name, he wouldn’t stop Callie from kicking me in the nuts. Which, I only accepted because I needed to respect the rules their family had, including Callie’s. Because getting Callie to like me meant more of an impact for Delcan’s relationship with me. Okay, I need to stop. Focus on real life, Ezra. Focus on real life.8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNNxsZNCmk 維尼
“Yeah,” I said, not even trying to go into mentioning that she doesn’t like being called that. 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDXD0OMgzo 維尼
Evvie bit her lip. “Yup, I know him,” she said. “I’ve seen him in the police station jail before.” 8964 copyright protection741ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTrX6i0BvF 維尼
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and then Add to home screen.