In the Last Chapter: 489Please respect copyright.PENANAJlLboIQxxR
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAX5xiLttwJg
What I did do, though, was check up on Evvie. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAy5gPtprbNc
Me:
Hey. Just checking up on you.489Please respect copyright.PENANA6JqkDrHH2q
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAx9Gjqlipzb
Evvie:
I’m okay, Ezie. You don’t need to be so worried.489Please respect copyright.PENANAoJg4zBZysd
Delcan:
Can we talk? 489Please respect copyright.PENANA6EJCq9mWuG
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAKgoSxljZSE
Me:
I know. But we don’t have to talk about that, of course. There are other things, too.489Please respect copyright.PENANAgo4shMnvA3
Evvie:
Other things like..? 489Please respect copyright.PENANAlc5z1bvtOl
Oh, great. Leave me with something to find out. I spent around five minutes thinking of a topic before texting my best friend back. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAoHoO6sDN0p
Me:
The dance?489Please respect copyright.PENANAQZCLDul833
Evvie:
Oh, no. Gosh. That’s going to be so annoying! Ugh.
Hey, are you taking anyone specific?489Please respect copyright.PENANANFpNA0WHw1
Me:
No.
I don’t even think he’s into that stuff in the first place.489Please respect copyright.PENANA8TyuS6WKbS
Evvie:
Yeah...but I wanna see him in a tux. You’re lying if you don’t wanna.
Oh! My mom said hi.489Please respect copyright.PENANA4liRynW7SO
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAZEWzCZRLFX
Evvie:
No, it honestly isn’t. Haven’s not so bad when you get to know her.489Please respect copyright.PENANAxytOo4hxnE
Me:
I told you!489Please respect copyright.PENANA43D2Bh3DMT
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAcGXA08DqQG
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANADjSlpsYhtI
Evvie:
Oh, great. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAluAXsvkykX
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAmWWQiZ0rj2
Me:
I guess I’ll find out later or something.
Are you gonna go dress shopping or something? 489Please respect copyright.PENANADG3aZGTvyV
Evvie:
Ha, with who?489Please respect copyright.PENANAiMqcwXW7Zp
Me:489Please respect copyright.PENANA3Kn3eKaaPh
I think Evelyn is going with Callie. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you coming with them. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAVmClpV42Py
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAvtPGmTUT38
It wasn’t like I could even relate to her. I went out of her contact and texted Delcan quickly, hoping he’d respond.489Please respect copyright.PENANABFZoVoyRWL
Me:
Yeah, of course. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAiRbe7WUQ8A
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAObJR3uyJ2V
Me:
Yeah, that would be pretty crazy.
Have you finished your homework?489Please respect copyright.PENANA5HOO53rWyd
Evvie:489Please respect copyright.PENANACWV3fUodKg
Holy crap. You’re so annoying!
Of course, I haven’t! I’m guessing you have…489Please respect copyright.PENANAlr7XkxcUtj
Me:
Well...yeah.
But while I was doing my homework, my mom said something.489Please respect copyright.PENANADvKdBSbFuz
Evvie:
Spill it.489Please respect copyright.PENANAj32hOeWll1
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.”489Please respect copyright.PENANA713lJkTpZR
Evvie:
….
THAT’S SO SWEET OMFG.
EZ THAT PROBABLY MEANS SHE DOESN’T CARE HOLY CRAP DID YOU TELL HER?!! 489Please respect copyright.PENANAL7cSbfHNZz
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAPgMsEesLv4
Me:
No, I didn’t.
Instead, I used the “I’m not a virgin” card on her.489Please respect copyright.PENANAKc5NlGySpf
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAel2RbK5GY0
Me:
She knows because Dad made a huge announcement about it and then bought me a watch.489Please respect copyright.PENANA8IPsVudfjn
Evvie:
Lemme guess...Rolex.489Please respect copyright.PENANA3NipZhsRxJ
Me:
Now guess the watch.489Please respect copyright.PENANA8f56hSSbcz
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAoNOthurhoo
Me:
Correct.489Please respect copyright.PENANAhQ9YGZIr5x
Evvie:
Wow. That’s crazy.
Besides that, though...did she believe you?489Please respect copyright.PENANAxSjqhC7lJ4
Me:489Please respect copyright.PENANAeuh1scQZo8
I couldn’t tell, really. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAsXCP5ecWLg
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANA1Jl74wpgpO
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAFJpavgLHTH
Me:
Okay.
Whatever you wanna talk about is fine, I guess. 489Please respect copyright.PENANADI9Yr6QsL2
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAIVrcdJd3j9
Me:
It’s just weird, Eve. I don’t really know. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAC3VEp0LsrD
Evvie sent a heart emoji of the rainbow, then following with a laughing emoji. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAqOeMRdt825
Evvie:
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
Seriously. Tonight, I might not get too much sleep.489Please respect copyright.PENANAeRxB82bj8x
Delcan:
Could you please explain the homework to me? I know that I’m right, but the computer doesn’t say that. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAsDAID7Yvvv
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAJELQJxg6fE
Me:
Well...I don’t know. Maybe they’re wrong, Delcan.489Please respect copyright.PENANASW7oPTnUO8
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANA64mgW0gVzi
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAcVvuK4ph3s
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANANlbsvJ3ZLO
Me:
Why should I help you?489Please respect copyright.PENANA0BZ8j2KL11
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? 489Please respect copyright.PENANAJChBgohVbK
Me:
You kissed me, just for memory.489Please respect copyright.PENANAdwHYA1kRbK
Delcan:
I will screenshot this.
Come on. I need your help. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAX1RTmXT2s5
Me:
What do I get out of helping you get an A?489Please respect copyright.PENANAbeFv6B7cj9
Delcan:
I’m already taking guesses, but ask something, and I’ll see what I can do.489Please respect copyright.PENANApREvQu0vem
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAuoB3iQGq7L
Delcan:
Thanks. I owe you.489Please respect copyright.PENANAfoS4Uk3uyy
Me:
Yeah, you do.
Is that seriously what you wanted to talk about? 489Please respect copyright.PENANAfqMBjtMt0U
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5poQWcvCu
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAZpRMdH9SPp
Me:
We’re having a family dinner.489Please respect copyright.PENANAlgR4W0rhOw
Delcan:
I have some tips on how to get out of them. I’m very good at it.489Please respect copyright.PENANAK55eFx7iWR
Me:
Do we have to make out?489Please respect copyright.PENANA1eSZqoTkCS
Delcan:
If you’re suggesting what I think you are, the answer is no. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAtfgXUCxGI6
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. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAKdnmIw96Up
Me:
Stay out of relationships, Eve. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAjcRea5qO16
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?489Please respect copyright.PENANA53VjpyP1Xt
Evvie:
…
You’re complaining about making out with Delcan Heslop? Why, bro? 489Please respect copyright.PENANAJRpjU98q3v
Me:
I’m not complaining! I just want something more. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAtsJzrF9XPO
Evvie:
Then ask him! He’s done it before, Ezra. Just know that a height difference means...ya know. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAGbcO7wKGmf
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAX23SCf7G7M
Evvie:
Oh, okay.
What makes you think he doesn’t want a relationship, Ez?489Please respect copyright.PENANA6NDHawEPXj
Any guy would kill to be dating you.489Please respect copyright.PENANAcXwR4gdWuS
Me:
No, sorry. I shouldn’t bring this stuff on you.
Do you still like edible cookie dough?489Please respect copyright.PENANAb5DREH4J22
Evvie:
Duh!! Ez, who doesn’t like cookie dough? Edible or not. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAClZCGcg6LY
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAo8aEJ91ELw
Evvie:
If that’s what you want, yeah. 489Please respect copyright.PENANANH5QyjlbBW
She sent me a heart emoji just as Delcan responded to my message. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAjkQKQ2sHMr
Evvie:
Let me see what days my mom is working.
Me:
Cool.
I gotta go.489Please respect copyright.PENANA7VXZbfYiD3
Evvie:
Okay. Bye, Ez!
Good luck with your relationship. Love ya. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAI27GVWo84U
Me:
Love you too.489Please respect copyright.PENANAJbpFoN1AxH
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.489Please respect copyright.PENANAtPhRH1QPJz
Delcan:
You’re right. Family time seems pretty important. We could talk some other time. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAm2yNwEuedx
Me:
Are you sure? I don’t mind staying up and talking afterward. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAARLtCCmoe1
Delcan:
Nope. I’m gonna finish this homework.
See you tomorrow. 489Please respect copyright.PENANAcG0XakmoTk
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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