In the Last Chapter: 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAIyrKdR4W
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy47PUU5fA
What I did do, though, was check up on Evvie. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr7rLjnESH
Me:
Hey. Just checking up on you.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGXzQpqOZp
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaEjg1ZQOD
Evvie:
I’m okay, Ezie. You don’t need to be so worried.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXQ54ovbsk
Delcan:
Can we talk? 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3Scs4KGsU
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLvHh74UMX
Me:
I know. But we don’t have to talk about that, of course. There are other things, too.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pQUBerDT5
Evvie:
Other things like..? 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9075btf57r
Oh, great. Leave me with something to find out. I spent around five minutes thinking of a topic before texting my best friend back. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gBqMEM7t8
Me:
The dance?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4vV46Mcu2
Evvie:
Oh, no. Gosh. That’s going to be so annoying! Ugh.
Hey, are you taking anyone specific?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZCJHB35jR
Me:
No.
I don’t even think he’s into that stuff in the first place.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJWfdsGCnM
Evvie:
Yeah...but I wanna see him in a tux. You’re lying if you don’t wanna.
Oh! My mom said hi.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9g6w4t8JR
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4XQB3b9X5
Evvie:
No, it honestly isn’t. Haven’s not so bad when you get to know her.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZlxsFrDSc
Me:
I told you!836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAEmgCvdQb
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK3FbyxuWq
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuxUaVA7j8
Evvie:
Oh, great. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo3i0nv3gq
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DiNGN5ELV
Me:
I guess I’ll find out later or something.
Are you gonna go dress shopping or something? 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C5e6REWGy
Evvie:
Ha, with who?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjNUP5awIN
Me:836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb0dzkkX6c
I think Evelyn is going with Callie. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you coming with them. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1SPSgHbgu
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHNgzy8Hik
It wasn’t like I could even relate to her. I went out of her contact and texted Delcan quickly, hoping he’d respond.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBqLNzoMlS
Me:
Yeah, of course. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxGyFd8tZY
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhgJFDhVkH
Me:
Yeah, that would be pretty crazy.
Have you finished your homework?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJMAwKGQMS
Evvie:836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqlpx8Di1B
Holy crap. You’re so annoying!
Of course, I haven’t! I’m guessing you have…836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF7W72CiwV
Me:
Well...yeah.
But while I was doing my homework, my mom said something.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0udUicd9Uu
Evvie:
Spill it.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixNjit9WCc
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.”836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvfEroJvsq
Evvie:
….
THAT’S SO SWEET OMFG.
EZ THAT PROBABLY MEANS SHE DOESN’T CARE HOLY CRAP DID YOU TELL HER?!! 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouENGbt85w
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpaHXxpEIZ
Me:
No, I didn’t.
Instead, I used the “I’m not a virgin” card on her.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz2LVMtD1j
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIomDaoupl
Me:
She knows because Dad made a huge announcement about it and then bought me a watch.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEH21aqLCX
Evvie:
Lemme guess...Rolex.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR6UBE4zmt
Me:
Now guess the watch.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSkwMITNWr
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVXkSxvWl9
Me:
Correct.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXItoR8tna
Evvie:
Wow. That’s crazy.
Besides that, though...did she believe you?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPW9zrQhdm
Me:836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0f8noy1DT
I couldn’t tell, really. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXlCbxFo1L
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvUygnslRi
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn1jWRcsi0
Me:
Okay.
Whatever you wanna talk about is fine, I guess. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopr4wJlxqD
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfMqZcqTYs
Me:
It’s just weird, Eve. I don’t really know. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALfkUkMu5a
Evvie sent a heart emoji of the rainbow, then following with a laughing emoji. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRI4POR4jQ
Evvie:
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
Seriously. Tonight, I might not get too much sleep.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlHUEZQmYC
Delcan:
Could you please explain the homework to me? I know that I’m right, but the computer doesn’t say that. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyC4K2XuHo
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiSTQMhjjI
Me:
Well...I don’t know. Maybe they’re wrong, Delcan.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg1oL8kCcp
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvbT4diBvj
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREJTvFdyfn
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKsErit0Fq
Me:
Why should I help you?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitcTbYqjOq
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? 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcWjp6wnZD
Me:
You kissed me, just for memory.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxlFRdWnyN
Delcan:
I will screenshot this.
Come on. I need your help. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC2SBql0Zq
Me:
What do I get out of helping you get an A?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdG8y4Juy7
Delcan:
I’m already taking guesses, but ask something, and I’ll see what I can do.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4NRMKI1qT
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEiMtjoNKh
Delcan:
Thanks. I owe you.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQtuRntQSo
Me:
Yeah, you do.
Is that seriously what you wanted to talk about? 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANdkr2jD6F
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7L9azw0ZP
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsADqKSx47
Me:
We’re having a family dinner.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUWuKQaxUQ
Delcan:
I have some tips on how to get out of them. I’m very good at it.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaq9HzjDeI
Me:
Do we have to make out?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAHhaKD6ep
Delcan:
If you’re suggesting what I think you are, the answer is no. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOkqF9M92Y
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. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2zKXlJaGa
Me:
Stay out of relationships, Eve. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiaeePeHSn
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?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdem4evN5Vw
Evvie:
…
You’re complaining about making out with Delcan Heslop? Why, bro? 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8CGZfmyX7
Me:
I’m not complaining! I just want something more. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteFMgNmVzw
Evvie:
Then ask him! He’s done it before, Ezra. Just know that a height difference means...ya know. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCVXum6o1z
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCP2RvVGMP
Evvie:
Oh, okay.
What makes you think he doesn’t want a relationship, Ez?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTqA2jybxi
Any guy would kill to be dating you.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBe63ilCtO
Me:
No, sorry. I shouldn’t bring this stuff on you.
Do you still like edible cookie dough?836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUpf5wCGDs
Evvie:
Duh!! Ez, who doesn’t like cookie dough? Edible or not. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKXJ8TFciy
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo3uhk9Ku0
Evvie:
If that’s what you want, yeah. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtkLJPJKlF
She sent me a heart emoji just as Delcan responded to my message. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMwJmWuhZt
Evvie:
Let me see what days my mom is working.
Me:
Cool.
I gotta go.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvAzUCgbil
Evvie:
Okay. Bye, Ez!
Good luck with your relationship. Love ya. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GtlfpuiiL
Me:
Love you too.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1XWhXolMH
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.836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jLoAd39Q3
Delcan:
You’re right. Family time seems pretty important. We could talk some other time. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4co8kr8cgc
Me:
Are you sure? I don’t mind staying up and talking afterward. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8TnnmXNF8
Delcan:
Nope. I’m gonna finish this homework.
See you tomorrow. 836Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaqTaqC7yL
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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