In the Last Chapter: 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiJLw6hnJz
In the middle of the night, I realized I still hadn't texted Callie back, nor did I feel the need to. We never really talked too much in the first place, anyway, so it made no sense for me to have a meaningless conversation with her. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kFeV9QGWM
What I did do, though, was check up on Evvie. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiLXnJ4zn4
Me:
Hey. Just checking up on you.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7GtqKZ9KZ
Shoot. I hope that didn’t sound too rude. All I wanted was to be a better friend than what I had been in the past. Maybe she won’t think of it as anything bad. I finished up the last bit of my homework when I got a message from both Evvie and Delcan at the same time. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXTwag47hj
Evvie:
I’m okay, Ezie. You don’t need to be so worried.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG60IIfnoH
Delcan:
Can we talk? 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanaYKSRBOD
Why do I have to be faced with a hard choice? Of course, I wanted to talk to Delcan. The entire day some part of my mind as begging to know what was wrong with him today. He seemed angry like there was something that had happened before school started. Whatever it was, I wanted to make sure he was okay. But at the same time, Evvie had just told me a huge secret, and she probably needed support from me. I also had a duty to fill - becoming a better friend for her.
Then again, Delcan…
Why does life have to be so hard?
I responded to Evvie first, hoping Delcan would be okay if I didn’t respond immediately. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvTCUG1Oa6
Me:
I know. But we don’t have to talk about that, of course. There are other things, too.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0a2s2hEB7
Evvie:
Other things like..? 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CMyF6cCkp
Oh, great. Leave me with something to find out. I spent around five minutes thinking of a topic before texting my best friend back. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1Wljb6ZQd
Me:
The dance?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKLBWUhQGi
Evvie:
Oh, no. Gosh. That’s going to be so annoying! Ugh.
Hey, are you taking anyone specific?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh4AINhn51
Me:
No.
I don’t even think he’s into that stuff in the first place.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2wTfD76tK
Evvie:
Yeah...but I wanna see him in a tux. You’re lying if you don’t wanna.
Oh! My mom said hi.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaxBuIg5JK
Me:
Tell her I said hi back.
Speaking of dancing, how are the dance squad and everything? I know Haven is the captain, but I’m sure it isn’t that bad.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFJLErImXd
Evvie:
No, it honestly isn’t. Haven’s not so bad when you get to know her.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLhl5ofRm0
Me:
I told you!780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewbVfpgOky
Evvie:
Lol, you did.
Speaking of extracurricular activities, how have Adam and Thomas been? I’ve hardly been able to see them that much anymore. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmXZnWxDCd
Me:
I’d hate to admit that it’s kind of the same with me.
Adam has been pretty busy lately, and Thomas is acting pretty weird. He probably has a crush on someone.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc9AtYlHJb
Evvie:
Oh, great. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFhOs33ge7
She sent an emoji that was rolling her eyes, which I actually understood. Thomas was probably one of the only guys I knew who ignored everyone else when he had a crush on someone. He acts pretty paranoid, and also always tries to enter that person in a conversation. I haven’t been paying attention at lunch well enough to know who it could possibly be, though I’m sure it wasn’t too big of a surprise.
But on the contrary, Thomas always had more crushes than he did dates.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFJUxwGrcD
Me:
I guess I’ll find out later or something.
Are you gonna go dress shopping or something? 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcNUuaPGmX
Evvie:
Ha, with who?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvfdPkmqfn
Me:780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYnDkOqVhA
I think Evelyn is going with Callie. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you coming with them. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGeI3kcniw
Evvie:
I think I’ll pass. Dress shopping can be so many hours. And trust me, Ez. When it’s a group, it could be an entire day. Going by myself would just be better.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz4Az9vexO
It wasn’t like I could even relate to her. I went out of her contact and texted Delcan quickly, hoping he’d respond.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoelk9MCjF
Me:
Yeah, of course. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg1a1D5G43
He didn’t even read the message I sent him.
Great.
I went back into Evvie’s contact and began texting her again, sending a laughing emoji before changing the subject.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWycoSHDZbO
Me:
Yeah, that would be pretty crazy.
Have you finished your homework?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjzNTBGqF8
Evvie:780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEhN9jExDP
Holy crap. You’re so annoying!
Of course, I haven’t! I’m guessing you have…780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUplg8cjpD
Me:
Well...yeah.
But while I was doing my homework, my mom said something.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qgpdhiqhl
Evvie:
Spill it.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF637kwutUw
Me:
She said, and I quote “If there’s anything you feel like you can’t say, I wouldn’t judge you. Nobody’s perfect, Ezra, and I don’t expect you to be either. Regardless, sweetheart, I’m still going to love you the same.”780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAAtNE0j0a
Evvie:
….
THAT’S SO SWEET OMFG.
EZ THAT PROBABLY MEANS SHE DOESN’T CARE HOLY CRAP DID YOU TELL HER?!! 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhZHvtCEzd
I read both of her texts like she was shouting, which she probably was right now, or at least she would be smiling or jumping up and down. Evvie never let something like what my mom had just told me to go down. To be honest, though, it made me feel good to know she thought that was good.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwchI78gFpo
Me:
No, I didn’t.
Instead, I used the “I’m not a virgin” card on her.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxjuse4767
Evvie sent three emojis with a heart that was cracked.
Evvie:
Aww. Well, you tell her when you wanna.
I still think that’s ADORABLE.
And that card? Really, dude? I’m sure she already knows.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cNdbmmZey
Me:
She knows because Dad made a huge announcement about it and then bought me a watch.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZscr7HvAw
Evvie:
Lemme guess...Rolex.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjslUPdRbL
Me:
Now guess the watch.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYaBqo9wBH
Evvie:
Oh! The Oyster Perpetual?? I heard that the watch cost a lotta money.
I wasn’t ungrateful for the things my dad bought me, but I didn’t like the way he did it. For instance, there was this one time I got rewarded with a 2,000 dollar jacket after making a comment on a woman who was kissing an African American guy in public. I was really thankful, and fortunate that I was able to have such nice things - but it came at a price that made me feel like a horrible person. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fDQvsbWfL
Me:
Correct.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWV7jXi6BF
Evvie:
Wow. That’s crazy.
Besides that, though...did she believe you?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACRRW4ElPA
Me:780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUnbm6rye0
I couldn’t tell, really. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSBuuglqex
While I was texting the second text, Delcan responded. It had been seven minutes I had sent the message, which was exactly how long it took me to text him back. Actually, I wasn’t too mad about it.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSLBd3ZkDT
Delcan:
I’m not apologizing for what happened at school today, but I do wanna talk.
Plus, I’m bored.
He wasn’t going to explain whatever the issue was this morning, which I was actually okay with. That didn’t bother me too much, but I was confused about him being bored and wanting to talk to me.
Typically, bored for Delcan meant posting a shirtless picture online with him doing something wildly inappropriate for his age. The last time he was “bored,” he posted a picture of him wearing black jeans and white underwear, which were pulled down to the point where you could almost see some type of mark he had on him. I looked at it for 30 minutes straight before giving up and going to sleep, never bothering to ask what it was.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaYdUeQUjt
Me:
Okay.
Whatever you wanna talk about is fine, I guess. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09N1elhEB4
I sent the rest of the text to Evvie, deciding I really didn’t wanna stop texting to her and just focus on Delcan, who would probably ignore my message for a few minutes before he started talking again. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx6fI7YcvQ
Me:
It’s just weird, Eve. I don’t really know. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaRrO8Dwrn
Evvie sent a heart emoji of the rainbow, then following with a laughing emoji. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TpAWcqrcl
Evvie:
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
Seriously. Tonight, I might not get too much sleep.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwfcHDyaEi
Delcan:
Could you please explain the homework to me? I know that I’m right, but the computer doesn’t say that. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXGbfljdsk
What does that even mean?
Delcan seemed to have a desire to be right, but if the online homework said that the answers were wrong, clearly, they were. I’m sure he was talking about the science class I had to take last year, which was highly consisting of online work that would take hours to finish - regardless of your knowledge.
I smiled while texting him back, feeling better that I was smarter. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYBuOZmbEE
Me:
Well...I don’t know. Maybe they’re wrong, Delcan.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0BLcIWAOI
Delcan:
No, they aren’t! I think the program is shutting down or something. It’s an old technology programing, anyways.
Me:
That’ll be a new excuse for Mr. Forkmart. He’ll believe you.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumXSGxPJn5
Delcan:
I’m not lying! The programing is seriously 34 years old. Our parents probably used this ↹.
But...my dad kinda wants me to get good grades, so...help me.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ252dgr0NA1
I wanted to ask how on Earth he knew how old the computer programing was, and also if that number was simply random or something - but it didn’t seem like a time to ask. On top of that, I was trying to decide if I was upset that he was asking for my help, or happy about it. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i96fiTJiV
Me:
Why should I help you?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRx7hEvVvd
Delcan:
Oh, don’t be petty about things, Ezra. I make out with you whenever you want and the second I want something, you’ve gotta be upset? 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN78YuPyJmm
Me:
You kissed me, just for memory.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCyd25eQFJ
Delcan:
I will screenshot this.
Come on. I need your help. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJIzKBX49t
Me:
What do I get out of helping you get an A?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf81CBWb2W
Delcan:
I’m already taking guesses, but ask something, and I’ll see what I can do.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssiWs8lV08
See what he can do? What does that even mean?
I had already decided that I was going to help him. It would suck if he was unable to get into a college, though it was also confusing. Considering how odd he was acting - it was reminding me of Haven. She would always change her mood before I even had time to catch up with the glare she had given me 20 seconds ago.
For two minutes, I had to find the homework from last year and sent the screenshots to Delcan. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5Ziw3tlGM
Delcan:
Thanks. I owe you.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcrUYKkomg
Me:
Yeah, you do.
Is that seriously what you wanted to talk about? 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGG7Ze1hsC
Delcan:
Pretty much.
And in return...
My sister has some type of casting for I don’t know what. My parents (stupidly) went with her. I say you have another 2 hours if you’re interested.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14T7Dj7yMW
I wanted to say yes and no at the same time.
On one side, I did like making out with Delcan. It was exciting, and it seriously got my blood pumping. But at the same time, I wasn’t sure if I was comfortable with just having a relationship that was only making out. If I ever told Adam or Thomas that, they’d probably slap me in the face.
I had a good..person I was dating. He looked much better than I did, and he was experienced enough to know how to make out with someone better than adults do. But, I didn’t want Delcan to think I wanted him for his body as others do. I did want to know him better since I was really getting confused about how desperate I have been feeling. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeLSF8BvRv
Me:
We’re having a family dinner.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qBYRTYvyg
Delcan:
I have some tips on how to get out of them. I’m very good at it.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCBH9U6ew9
Me:
Do we have to make out?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVzAIben4G
Delcan:
If you’re suggesting what I think you are, the answer is no. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLcCwysVgJ
I scrunch my nose up, feeling my cheeks get red. The good thing is, he isn’t able to see it. I laid down on my bed, watching my hands shake as I texted back. That isn’t what I meant, I texted. You know, talking really helps relationships. He read the message but didn’t respond. Sighing, I texted Evvie back. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt2Z5fwS3F
Me:
Stay out of relationships, Eve. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbcPc4GVXn
Evvie:
Lol, I’m not thinking about dating for a LONG time.
Trouble in paradise?
Me:
I think there always is.
Do you think it’s bad that he just wants to make out?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomQGxjZ1Wq
Evvie:
…
You’re complaining about making out with Delcan Heslop? Why, bro? 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nhwb8SufO
Me:
I’m not complaining! I just want something more. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOsbIqsR1g
Evvie:
Then ask him! He’s done it before, Ezra. Just know that a height difference means...ya know. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2aMRjLXDQ
Me:
Evvie!
I meant just talking or something. Going out on a date.
(sorry for mentioning, but it needs to be relatable) I’m sure Rio took you out on dates a lot before things got more serious. We haven’t had a first date.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDqU0OqZ7c
Evvie:
Oh, okay.
What makes you think he doesn’t want a relationship, Ez?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ty8yoRJ62
Any guy would kill to be dating you.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lwsLfQHIp
Me:
No, sorry. I shouldn’t bring this stuff on you.
Do you still like edible cookie dough?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvcMIoI99q
Evvie:
Duh!! Ez, who doesn’t like cookie dough? Edible or not. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak6mh2yAys
Me:
I was thinking we could spend some time together. It’d be nice to forget about boys for a while and just go back to us in 7th grade.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xqMZPMPXG
Evvie:
If that’s what you want, yeah. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhxAYywcKh
She sent me a heart emoji just as Delcan responded to my message. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTjzaHFBOH
Evvie:
Let me see what days my mom is working.
Me:
Cool.
I gotta go.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw80PHGXyFW
Evvie:
Okay. Bye, Ez!
Good luck with your relationship. Love ya. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszanEU1DeV
Me:
Love you too.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gPZb0RVy0
If I didn’t keep my relationship with Delcan, at least Evvie and I were still friends. It made me feel better that neither one of us were hiding too many secrets from each other anymore.
Now to deal with Delcan.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ajh3w6gMu
Delcan:
You’re right. Family time seems pretty important. We could talk some other time. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTiqicmRRS
Me:
Are you sure? I don’t mind staying up and talking afterward. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHhRc176mn
Delcan:
Nope. I’m gonna finish this homework.
See you tomorrow. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt9sTuqLDM
I didn’t respond, but I really wanted to tell him that I wouldn’t mind the two of us just talking with each other. But I knew that he probably wouldn’t listen - or care. I really hoped we weren’t fighting or something. With Haven, it was obvious to know when we're fighting (her friends would always glare at me in class before leaning into each other and talking about how horrible I was) before Haven finally told me she was angry. But with Delcan, there were hardly any hints. It was just there, and I had to try overcoming it.
Then again, I’m sure it’s not exactly great for the few hours I stay mad at him sometimes.
I stood up to put my phone on the charger, but then Delcan posted something online. He wasn’t exactly shirtless or showing his underwear lining, but there was a sense of teasing in the photo. He had taken the picture in the bathroom, his body turned so you could see how slim he was. The caption simply said “what to do…” with an emoji of a dead rose with it.
The picture isn’t what made my heart stop. Well, not exactly. It was the comment from Grayson Williams. What a beautiful burn you have, he commented, along with an emoji that was smirking and then one of those water ones. I straightened my back, feeling my breathing change.
When I looked back at the picture (which already had 2,030 views), I noticed the medium-sized burn he had on his left wrist.
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