In the Last Chapter: 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55N5BLVQfn
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdz8NChYjU
What I did do, though, was check up on Evvie. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZEcY1SJCa
Me:
Hey. Just checking up on you.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlne6jX00wt
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ9uvig06v
Evvie:
I’m okay, Ezie. You don’t need to be so worried.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJOdmqbe7F
Delcan:
Can we talk? 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhRe4A5OUR
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4Tjth3Plf
Me:
I know. But we don’t have to talk about that, of course. There are other things, too.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUTWA9FTHn
Evvie:
Other things like..? 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPntt6Cxzc
Oh, great. Leave me with something to find out. I spent around five minutes thinking of a topic before texting my best friend back. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gS86lpvP1
Me:
The dance?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYHwb7iHTA
Evvie:
Oh, no. Gosh. That’s going to be so annoying! Ugh.
Hey, are you taking anyone specific?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhYjguUGTr
Me:
No.
I don’t even think he’s into that stuff in the first place.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnHYaS6tMl
Evvie:
Yeah...but I wanna see him in a tux. You’re lying if you don’t wanna.
Oh! My mom said hi.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEbDTI9BUG
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sUavKXD4a
Evvie:
No, it honestly isn’t. Haven’s not so bad when you get to know her.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzi2FGMKbO
Me:
I told you!871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGNoeraKk5
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyq1rRptlP
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA58RlEZqz
Evvie:
Oh, great. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1c3AgWwtC
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg6VFobX2c
Me:
I guess I’ll find out later or something.
Are you gonna go dress shopping or something? 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0EibRylse
Evvie:
Ha, with who?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FY1G0ra4t
Me:871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcPzlUS4OI
I think Evelyn is going with Callie. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you coming with them. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0lfkUm2CW
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fvjQlTFPM
It wasn’t like I could even relate to her. I went out of her contact and texted Delcan quickly, hoping he’d respond.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyiBZ3VevR
Me:
Yeah, of course. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62N97AxTHY
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfNWlKvn5B
Me:
Yeah, that would be pretty crazy.
Have you finished your homework?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlnDRkvRSq
Evvie:871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaA2ILFXzI
Holy crap. You’re so annoying!
Of course, I haven’t! I’m guessing you have…871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwr15vbAAU
Me:
Well...yeah.
But while I was doing my homework, my mom said something.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlf0Q7rCbO
Evvie:
Spill it.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV7h4PrLJV
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.”871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQOr2xgXVe
Evvie:
….
THAT’S SO SWEET OMFG.
EZ THAT PROBABLY MEANS SHE DOESN’T CARE HOLY CRAP DID YOU TELL HER?!! 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ671vXVvhG
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbMh30XLuW
Me:
No, I didn’t.
Instead, I used the “I’m not a virgin” card on her.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iO6iVrGAa
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mocv5TZ44
Me:
She knows because Dad made a huge announcement about it and then bought me a watch.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGWebdsNhy
Evvie:
Lemme guess...Rolex.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ4Dk7pUBy
Me:
Now guess the watch.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnUcyR8MSV
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPiUJJdBzf
Me:
Correct.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETW0I0atLT
Evvie:
Wow. That’s crazy.
Besides that, though...did she believe you?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIF6H5VjGE
Me:871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrgRubJdeo
I couldn’t tell, really. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqINexEtGE
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjvKvcIaTg
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2zwvN5c9C
Me:
Okay.
Whatever you wanna talk about is fine, I guess. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdZZocWvTI
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEW21xANk1
Me:
It’s just weird, Eve. I don’t really know. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFrSOuO8DY
Evvie sent a heart emoji of the rainbow, then following with a laughing emoji. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0TyEIPZgh
Evvie:
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
Seriously. Tonight, I might not get too much sleep.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GFg8jWiNE
Delcan:
Could you please explain the homework to me? I know that I’m right, but the computer doesn’t say that. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst4GpRpomu
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwpNUEof6y
Me:
Well...I don’t know. Maybe they’re wrong, Delcan.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpLkALqPr9
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VUKnVKnZ3
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoRWylexyK
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KImBNKHnU
Me:
Why should I help you?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjxXDuR8We
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? 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43C5kJcfF0
Me:
You kissed me, just for memory.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpgo68ggFz
Delcan:
I will screenshot this.
Come on. I need your help. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW3IFqMuED
Me:
What do I get out of helping you get an A?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlAuLyBPWY
Delcan:
I’m already taking guesses, but ask something, and I’ll see what I can do.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg6Vot5t6P
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Kyh3tp2C
Delcan:
Thanks. I owe you.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJv1RiN4Ls
Me:
Yeah, you do.
Is that seriously what you wanted to talk about? 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZv4iXZsMd
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEXdroYUhw
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhBAlqtBcu
Me:
We’re having a family dinner.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTpa02xaXk
Delcan:
I have some tips on how to get out of them. I’m very good at it.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreprQMgmT8
Me:
Do we have to make out?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevNMiMm462
Delcan:
If you’re suggesting what I think you are, the answer is no. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PwZNYev9S
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. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdBUzHLtM4
Me:
Stay out of relationships, Eve. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyXigBRKzT
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?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErTwwQXWQc
Evvie:
…
You’re complaining about making out with Delcan Heslop? Why, bro? 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo0epb9rlc
Me:
I’m not complaining! I just want something more. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DBXGPVE1e
Evvie:
Then ask him! He’s done it before, Ezra. Just know that a height difference means...ya know. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJTDF9GQ7h
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp3AeD8j4M
Evvie:
Oh, okay.
What makes you think he doesn’t want a relationship, Ez?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1aRg4Vm1f
Any guy would kill to be dating you.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFk6qQTTYe
Me:
No, sorry. I shouldn’t bring this stuff on you.
Do you still like edible cookie dough?871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbzM3JTVbp
Evvie:
Duh!! Ez, who doesn’t like cookie dough? Edible or not. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBof3R8LcHz
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv2iuZPAkF
Evvie:
If that’s what you want, yeah. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwRjdDinq7
She sent me a heart emoji just as Delcan responded to my message. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlLJZrfimt
Evvie:
Let me see what days my mom is working.
Me:
Cool.
I gotta go.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX0wKe46Mr
Evvie:
Okay. Bye, Ez!
Good luck with your relationship. Love ya. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuEfHaxXBh
Me:
Love you too.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIzoyi9seW
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.871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwMIW76L6R
Delcan:
You’re right. Family time seems pretty important. We could talk some other time. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQqpd2F5pi
Me:
Are you sure? I don’t mind staying up and talking afterward. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJpnTRGNO4
Delcan:
Nope. I’m gonna finish this homework.
See you tomorrow. 871Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDurDMuiJP4
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.
ns216.73.216.79da2
