In the Last Chapter: 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nsFiJ0FiA
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGf5bD2TDu
What I did do, though, was check up on Evvie. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAEfyu6T4i
Me:
Hey. Just checking up on you.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AxexN9raz
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkMGmwvRAg
Evvie:
I’m okay, Ezie. You don’t need to be so worried.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2d8gP5bXe
Delcan:
Can we talk? 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DC4u6sgvu
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbkP4SjEaG
Me:
I know. But we don’t have to talk about that, of course. There are other things, too.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF5WqgBLP9
Evvie:
Other things like..? 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJZatGYwbP
Oh, great. Leave me with something to find out. I spent around five minutes thinking of a topic before texting my best friend back. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u8jOt70g6
Me:
The dance?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlflrCsUaQ
Evvie:
Oh, no. Gosh. That’s going to be so annoying! Ugh.
Hey, are you taking anyone specific?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5AMUOM4i1
Me:
No.
I don’t even think he’s into that stuff in the first place.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiqzL96Jwt
Evvie:
Yeah...but I wanna see him in a tux. You’re lying if you don’t wanna.
Oh! My mom said hi.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJy5IZDlSb
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtoeHb6BHx
Evvie:
No, it honestly isn’t. Haven’s not so bad when you get to know her.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSB8OGPCwy
Me:
I told you!762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfQV46pEeq
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LuULrrYx4
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUs0YqsArM
Evvie:
Oh, great. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HHzBzNE10
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBASPuzQyI
Me:
I guess I’ll find out later or something.
Are you gonna go dress shopping or something? 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA19pZu43J
Evvie:
Ha, with who?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0TCxxjyho
Me:762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0ewoaM5Bp
I think Evelyn is going with Callie. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you coming with them. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fXEOxSuiC
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg2cMZGJYL
It wasn’t like I could even relate to her. I went out of her contact and texted Delcan quickly, hoping he’d respond.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XRv1kRkiK
Me:
Yeah, of course. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H6ZQJlLjI
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksfZ3uEMoA
Me:
Yeah, that would be pretty crazy.
Have you finished your homework?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEkPKdqQ3p
Evvie:762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogmeJzfFVo
Holy crap. You’re so annoying!
Of course, I haven’t! I’m guessing you have…762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rNdMWEHkQ
Me:
Well...yeah.
But while I was doing my homework, my mom said something.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY3mcfKc7s
Evvie:
Spill it.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiIKMa7ds1
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.”762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeEBOCiWho
Evvie:
….
THAT’S SO SWEET OMFG.
EZ THAT PROBABLY MEANS SHE DOESN’T CARE HOLY CRAP DID YOU TELL HER?!! 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ9iLxXkYV
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J4qVELgZp
Me:
No, I didn’t.
Instead, I used the “I’m not a virgin” card on her.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOLZWNiqSE
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUYdugVcNJ
Me:
She knows because Dad made a huge announcement about it and then bought me a watch.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jmsp0e9P6
Evvie:
Lemme guess...Rolex.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrbfiiJ9ak
Me:
Now guess the watch.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiednCFedjA
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8wyjTQKTB
Me:
Correct.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsozFI0opwZ
Evvie:
Wow. That’s crazy.
Besides that, though...did she believe you?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsUeH6P4MC
Me:762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGJILAWMnt
I couldn’t tell, really. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD57haVUrv7
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99Spydh6Gd
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdpUKKYKL8
Me:
Okay.
Whatever you wanna talk about is fine, I guess. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUJO6BGOZQ
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM20lAAUry
Me:
It’s just weird, Eve. I don’t really know. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPGNSGRB3P
Evvie sent a heart emoji of the rainbow, then following with a laughing emoji. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KPDu7CjPW
Evvie:
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
Seriously. Tonight, I might not get too much sleep.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IEiQJF4u5
Delcan:
Could you please explain the homework to me? I know that I’m right, but the computer doesn’t say that. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m4RC2p2u1
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKf6iixOye
Me:
Well...I don’t know. Maybe they’re wrong, Delcan.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOtRUHfa4R
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoccNuipPDU
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpNW3LlLx9
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggmMRRFfPi
Me:
Why should I help you?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuUvE5WyNV
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? 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29FyLXXslb
Me:
You kissed me, just for memory.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22fInijX7T
Delcan:
I will screenshot this.
Come on. I need your help. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIF0hGLNJa
Me:
What do I get out of helping you get an A?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFUTWUZjAt
Delcan:
I’m already taking guesses, but ask something, and I’ll see what I can do.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmSr1J8WCS
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLUmduwbcO
Delcan:
Thanks. I owe you.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyGQ6NhsAZ
Me:
Yeah, you do.
Is that seriously what you wanted to talk about? 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTnthjQ2ZU
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJA6mQl5Hg
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ph6lK9PxL
Me:
We’re having a family dinner.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwQGmM37ys
Delcan:
I have some tips on how to get out of them. I’m very good at it.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThsrFNHeUy
Me:
Do we have to make out?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzVYskimkC
Delcan:
If you’re suggesting what I think you are, the answer is no. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBfDD3gYHJ
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. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtNdn7ZvNI
Me:
Stay out of relationships, Eve. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWcQ9hJK0p
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?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqWqHP3bEV
Evvie:
…
You’re complaining about making out with Delcan Heslop? Why, bro? 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiBDhUg1Or
Me:
I’m not complaining! I just want something more. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i3dKLRzW8
Evvie:
Then ask him! He’s done it before, Ezra. Just know that a height difference means...ya know. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVtTIBhn0r
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgSpEm6RGa
Evvie:
Oh, okay.
What makes you think he doesn’t want a relationship, Ez?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU3g0WNKoU
Any guy would kill to be dating you.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPZ5LZBLBa
Me:
No, sorry. I shouldn’t bring this stuff on you.
Do you still like edible cookie dough?762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvDzHoCQMr
Evvie:
Duh!! Ez, who doesn’t like cookie dough? Edible or not. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbImc4Qyn13
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPPmbrlcdt
Evvie:
If that’s what you want, yeah. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv7Vh0knws
She sent me a heart emoji just as Delcan responded to my message. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwTZVnfgjf
Evvie:
Let me see what days my mom is working.
Me:
Cool.
I gotta go.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeVLpWyZJs
Evvie:
Okay. Bye, Ez!
Good luck with your relationship. Love ya. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjVMxoSHZF
Me:
Love you too.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuln4Ct5KvC
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.762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bTXgJDzRy
Delcan:
You’re right. Family time seems pretty important. We could talk some other time. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyEO7gggj6
Me:
Are you sure? I don’t mind staying up and talking afterward. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkjMnrDswl
Delcan:
Nope. I’m gonna finish this homework.
See you tomorrow. 762Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQDY8lJLaR
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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