In the Last Chapter: 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeXbmYlZBM
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkem3ml6pw
What I did do, though, was check up on Evvie. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwtkak1wCD
Me:
Hey. Just checking up on you.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy092FqLNQ
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxViVVVeOm
Evvie:
I’m okay, Ezie. You don’t need to be so worried.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNAisNl8x5
Delcan:
Can we talk? 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL9pDr61YZ
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp2ttSJOcr
Me:
I know. But we don’t have to talk about that, of course. There are other things, too.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uLuSfgCQQ
Evvie:
Other things like..? 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOBox8YDpF
Oh, great. Leave me with something to find out. I spent around five minutes thinking of a topic before texting my best friend back. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtrDPo7vEW
Me:
The dance?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDpBZq9vSx
Evvie:
Oh, no. Gosh. That’s going to be so annoying! Ugh.
Hey, are you taking anyone specific?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKuQkVZ4e3
Me:
No.
I don’t even think he’s into that stuff in the first place.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjmldpweVH
Evvie:
Yeah...but I wanna see him in a tux. You’re lying if you don’t wanna.
Oh! My mom said hi.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuF1enUj8k
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU4HbEwSwC
Evvie:
No, it honestly isn’t. Haven’s not so bad when you get to know her.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDFwjTvXtO
Me:
I told you!801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGhwatPikV
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnQxQXOpqO
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ay4arEZe6
Evvie:
Oh, great. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuHCnwGrPo
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO5aRZNVr5
Me:
I guess I’ll find out later or something.
Are you gonna go dress shopping or something? 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7reXgGOjM
Evvie:
Ha, with who?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL33awxxlJ6
Me:801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcXPmYNZTA
I think Evelyn is going with Callie. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you coming with them. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAobp2Am4WL
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci553UQJ0E
It wasn’t like I could even relate to her. I went out of her contact and texted Delcan quickly, hoping he’d respond.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1elQpWz2hs
Me:
Yeah, of course. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlyzIFJFaZ
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD4dkT7dRI
Me:
Yeah, that would be pretty crazy.
Have you finished your homework?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pbzKTuiF4
Evvie:801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBULm6iVV0
Holy crap. You’re so annoying!
Of course, I haven’t! I’m guessing you have…801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvfph5nYsi
Me:
Well...yeah.
But while I was doing my homework, my mom said something.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZpKx7eXs5
Evvie:
Spill it.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRusTUpMnWt
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.”801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeMMBG2FPs
Evvie:
….
THAT’S SO SWEET OMFG.
EZ THAT PROBABLY MEANS SHE DOESN’T CARE HOLY CRAP DID YOU TELL HER?!! 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5IqvNAbVd
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lLHijhl52
Me:
No, I didn’t.
Instead, I used the “I’m not a virgin” card on her.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVUmZn6ED4
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawwhSokQ3A
Me:
She knows because Dad made a huge announcement about it and then bought me a watch.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dfPzR6Dqk
Evvie:
Lemme guess...Rolex.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA06nKBGclk
Me:
Now guess the watch.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcnQb1B7Lc
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt5Zfymcbk
Me:
Correct.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nbm3KKK3P
Evvie:
Wow. That’s crazy.
Besides that, though...did she believe you?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY73RSpwG5
Me:801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGjk5eyktj
I couldn’t tell, really. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1w1wtdGYT
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnH5yC8yHr
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxw4ec2S27
Me:
Okay.
Whatever you wanna talk about is fine, I guess. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOfT53hOKj
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqYagSqnmo
Me:
It’s just weird, Eve. I don’t really know. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5aW0UiWrZ
Evvie sent a heart emoji of the rainbow, then following with a laughing emoji. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJORoByrJKn
Evvie:
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
Seriously. Tonight, I might not get too much sleep.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVePgV9ij0
Delcan:
Could you please explain the homework to me? I know that I’m right, but the computer doesn’t say that. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu46TvqAl19
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU4uyB4HdU
Me:
Well...I don’t know. Maybe they’re wrong, Delcan.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PsUIeEdar
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIbATX1hCS
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99uIMthRmu
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K6QdxBHRj
Me:
Why should I help you?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56hgSJXmK2
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? 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykjOMc5qt4
Me:
You kissed me, just for memory.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIyOUb3HOJ
Delcan:
I will screenshot this.
Come on. I need your help. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E34a5bkhR
Me:
What do I get out of helping you get an A?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHoE3J77Bm
Delcan:
I’m already taking guesses, but ask something, and I’ll see what I can do.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxED60PlTt
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAaGedF1Cr
Delcan:
Thanks. I owe you.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQcmtxFkQ9
Me:
Yeah, you do.
Is that seriously what you wanted to talk about? 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzV4xTollo
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrT8Op0fEo
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmTNSEbv99
Me:
We’re having a family dinner.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQb3TeTBhp
Delcan:
I have some tips on how to get out of them. I’m very good at it.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4pPEuEno9
Me:
Do we have to make out?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8r5le3ASb
Delcan:
If you’re suggesting what I think you are, the answer is no. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gCnYOq7iZ
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. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD6C3aTNi0
Me:
Stay out of relationships, Eve. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedPLoAYOiV
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?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEXEUFWt0d
Evvie:
…
You’re complaining about making out with Delcan Heslop? Why, bro? 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB3o2bDu0b
Me:
I’m not complaining! I just want something more. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRaQdbN1GD
Evvie:
Then ask him! He’s done it before, Ezra. Just know that a height difference means...ya know. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6XfBE0HYZ
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPrJEoo51i
Evvie:
Oh, okay.
What makes you think he doesn’t want a relationship, Ez?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ogRBe3Hlu
Any guy would kill to be dating you.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ6jIjCXJP
Me:
No, sorry. I shouldn’t bring this stuff on you.
Do you still like edible cookie dough?801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCAk21cotf
Evvie:
Duh!! Ez, who doesn’t like cookie dough? Edible or not. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU14tDTcQd
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh062hT2mi
Evvie:
If that’s what you want, yeah. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicJmIwZpQb
She sent me a heart emoji just as Delcan responded to my message. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoq1mHWrgp
Evvie:
Let me see what days my mom is working.
Me:
Cool.
I gotta go.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq69qgibNh
Evvie:
Okay. Bye, Ez!
Good luck with your relationship. Love ya. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uEpkbn37U
Me:
Love you too.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq9x4USk2Y
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.801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLFWFAsg2h
Delcan:
You’re right. Family time seems pretty important. We could talk some other time. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0u6OYRN1H
Me:
Are you sure? I don’t mind staying up and talking afterward. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZxQGQl3Vl
Delcan:
Nope. I’m gonna finish this homework.
See you tomorrow. 801Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLj13Iv4VY
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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