In the Last Chapter: 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzyfoobU7U
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWIQ2m9WwZ
What I did do, though, was check up on Evvie. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSBV9QvZU4
Me:
Hey. Just checking up on you.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBBLSf1IL5
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3in9W0tpav
Evvie:
I’m okay, Ezie. You don’t need to be so worried.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1Ns2IzIT9
Delcan:
Can we talk? 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN6hmp13nq
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjroY3sXn5
Me:
I know. But we don’t have to talk about that, of course. There are other things, too.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZqpZIpaAX
Evvie:
Other things like..? 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPqKYltco6
Oh, great. Leave me with something to find out. I spent around five minutes thinking of a topic before texting my best friend back. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWky1KcBAie
Me:
The dance?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP43orsOPoY
Evvie:
Oh, no. Gosh. That’s going to be so annoying! Ugh.
Hey, are you taking anyone specific?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh4c3Wdhq8
Me:
No.
I don’t even think he’s into that stuff in the first place.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hobu7Rpjh
Evvie:
Yeah...but I wanna see him in a tux. You’re lying if you don’t wanna.
Oh! My mom said hi.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdN4X6mFTq
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwnB1crv41
Evvie:
No, it honestly isn’t. Haven’s not so bad when you get to know her.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZHV1e4mbK
Me:
I told you!1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmLraHo2pZ
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLgnDNqYe3
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VMWVek54z
Evvie:
Oh, great. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wVLZdROfW
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GoVs1IFe7
Me:
I guess I’ll find out later or something.
Are you gonna go dress shopping or something? 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wEC32zTRs
Evvie:
Ha, with who?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtM2boX1r7
Me:1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQHNB4tADG
I think Evelyn is going with Callie. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you coming with them. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJoIEEpxUf
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR1gL7XvQ4
It wasn’t like I could even relate to her. I went out of her contact and texted Delcan quickly, hoping he’d respond.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTmHHOFlOi
Me:
Yeah, of course. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iDjvnY167
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GwOVV4abR
Me:
Yeah, that would be pretty crazy.
Have you finished your homework?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdILHndlwW
Evvie:1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtldae0g9FG
Holy crap. You’re so annoying!
Of course, I haven’t! I’m guessing you have…1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbc6OPj9eZ
Me:
Well...yeah.
But while I was doing my homework, my mom said something.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8QM78gzbU
Evvie:
Spill it.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIzkQOre8O
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.”1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtek3aePbK
Evvie:
….
THAT’S SO SWEET OMFG.
EZ THAT PROBABLY MEANS SHE DOESN’T CARE HOLY CRAP DID YOU TELL HER?!! 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SBEExCbtq
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtBr8Pbw7U
Me:
No, I didn’t.
Instead, I used the “I’m not a virgin” card on her.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov5FAtHnHo
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi8EjnPF6N
Me:
She knows because Dad made a huge announcement about it and then bought me a watch.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PTDsUVp4u
Evvie:
Lemme guess...Rolex.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b8wqwFSbq
Me:
Now guess the watch.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIXc52xmJD
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQhSNrA77p
Me:
Correct.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyTAeMNL7V
Evvie:
Wow. That’s crazy.
Besides that, though...did she believe you?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkcgxf8rGh
Me:1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7RnQn9TIc
I couldn’t tell, really. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEcAdIlKWT
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwmka8HgnO
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuebEfW12eJ
Me:
Okay.
Whatever you wanna talk about is fine, I guess. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xEcW4itJn
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjrsjkq6xf
Me:
It’s just weird, Eve. I don’t really know. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvGsStUU4z
Evvie sent a heart emoji of the rainbow, then following with a laughing emoji. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfqXi7pgCq
Evvie:
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
Seriously. Tonight, I might not get too much sleep.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OmaaRrgJe
Delcan:
Could you please explain the homework to me? I know that I’m right, but the computer doesn’t say that. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzCESE3Nu2
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzKTN8RJnp
Me:
Well...I don’t know. Maybe they’re wrong, Delcan.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrqahSxEtQ
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwY6f7oBCv
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4VtRiq8Z3
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAmi4BP6Q1
Me:
Why should I help you?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn8Bbc4SVI
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? 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYBhExhr94
Me:
You kissed me, just for memory.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIxFMRx1ZT
Delcan:
I will screenshot this.
Come on. I need your help. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGlD0ojPF0
Me:
What do I get out of helping you get an A?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmeIk9xoqq
Delcan:
I’m already taking guesses, but ask something, and I’ll see what I can do.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL76XlslQH
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHf3I85Ana
Delcan:
Thanks. I owe you.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV8to0GXQR
Me:
Yeah, you do.
Is that seriously what you wanted to talk about? 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcCIoKdblt
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPMQqr1Sh9
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGEDlpMXu7
Me:
We’re having a family dinner.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtm27h9p0M
Delcan:
I have some tips on how to get out of them. I’m very good at it.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMME5GUQmDG
Me:
Do we have to make out?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwboVQTJJNJ
Delcan:
If you’re suggesting what I think you are, the answer is no. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51LQEZpCTt
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. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCjdvENtZH
Me:
Stay out of relationships, Eve. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0hnuYhwWM
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?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT4CrQaLlK
Evvie:
…
You’re complaining about making out with Delcan Heslop? Why, bro? 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawUvT9YHn9
Me:
I’m not complaining! I just want something more. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpCMfTH9vl
Evvie:
Then ask him! He’s done it before, Ezra. Just know that a height difference means...ya know. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lfN57z1b4
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyVAuqBAMe
Evvie:
Oh, okay.
What makes you think he doesn’t want a relationship, Ez?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWtQ3dRIAa
Any guy would kill to be dating you.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYql9CbHBk
Me:
No, sorry. I shouldn’t bring this stuff on you.
Do you still like edible cookie dough?1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7FoFfNxtn
Evvie:
Duh!! Ez, who doesn’t like cookie dough? Edible or not. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGa0S5Tpt5
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA22xVAXD4u
Evvie:
If that’s what you want, yeah. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4UCrjtJ6K
She sent me a heart emoji just as Delcan responded to my message. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr4jZpBFIi
Evvie:
Let me see what days my mom is working.
Me:
Cool.
I gotta go.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk8giWXwPy
Evvie:
Okay. Bye, Ez!
Good luck with your relationship. Love ya. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHaMJRrTEF
Me:
Love you too.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDWtm5DtRI
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.1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt2HqVT8kS
Delcan:
You’re right. Family time seems pretty important. We could talk some other time. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua74jY5Yqe
Me:
Are you sure? I don’t mind staying up and talking afterward. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVUS8jlcR3
Delcan:
Nope. I’m gonna finish this homework.
See you tomorrow. 1017Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Mv5dpR52
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.
ns216.73.217.114da2
and then Add to home screen.