In the Last Chapter: 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAlocfsUEQ
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTR5z9guPU
What I did do, though, was check up on Evvie. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj4WDLCyoc
Me:
Hey. Just checking up on you.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyJeAEeCui
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80AFGHhfNI
Evvie:
I’m okay, Ezie. You don’t need to be so worried.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEuigfV7mo
Delcan:
Can we talk? 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgplhHYriZ
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiDQNobYZL
Me:
I know. But we don’t have to talk about that, of course. There are other things, too.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMJnFJ73Do
Evvie:
Other things like..? 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj768p71le
Oh, great. Leave me with something to find out. I spent around five minutes thinking of a topic before texting my best friend back. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjXO00VK0J
Me:
The dance?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRO2BllbdG
Evvie:
Oh, no. Gosh. That’s going to be so annoying! Ugh.
Hey, are you taking anyone specific?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURfx2iPFgv
Me:
No.
I don’t even think he’s into that stuff in the first place.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOA5BXxf1I
Evvie:
Yeah...but I wanna see him in a tux. You’re lying if you don’t wanna.
Oh! My mom said hi.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vyFrY4Nxm
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADH78o0LJl
Evvie:
No, it honestly isn’t. Haven’s not so bad when you get to know her.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfc19Olcz2
Me:
I told you!760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdjiEbEXbG
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQnHQLSKSs
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F19SZIvUq
Evvie:
Oh, great. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngfYxD2Yv3
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNcmFh7aX6
Me:
I guess I’ll find out later or something.
Are you gonna go dress shopping or something? 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0XyN1y2Qe
Evvie:
Ha, with who?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDsTpAI8kG
Me:760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6INfHFcrJI
I think Evelyn is going with Callie. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you coming with them. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBNrfP71hM
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaSPWqpVkq
It wasn’t like I could even relate to her. I went out of her contact and texted Delcan quickly, hoping he’d respond.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEZvhxngdU
Me:
Yeah, of course. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl52BnvJUkl
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7OaVskLzu
Me:
Yeah, that would be pretty crazy.
Have you finished your homework?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAq4Dzaubg
Evvie:760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW67kZ38Wau
Holy crap. You’re so annoying!
Of course, I haven’t! I’m guessing you have…760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4cNAvJMKZ
Me:
Well...yeah.
But while I was doing my homework, my mom said something.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp8kaJmupg
Evvie:
Spill it.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8unAXqFfok
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.”760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXMpVs7bFb
Evvie:
….
THAT’S SO SWEET OMFG.
EZ THAT PROBABLY MEANS SHE DOESN’T CARE HOLY CRAP DID YOU TELL HER?!! 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ToGhAnU03
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj30zXITpk
Me:
No, I didn’t.
Instead, I used the “I’m not a virgin” card on her.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7kOeTXWgi
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Mtsg3FUp
Me:
She knows because Dad made a huge announcement about it and then bought me a watch.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYekqVX00l
Evvie:
Lemme guess...Rolex.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfVTm5Yj2x
Me:
Now guess the watch.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYQAVMprLt
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioQ6brotmB
Me:
Correct.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX7tEQ03UI
Evvie:
Wow. That’s crazy.
Besides that, though...did she believe you?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRs2oEb3UW
Me:760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkMuOFIgLg
I couldn’t tell, really. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv7FroOGxh
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnUo48FQxg
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbsYA6BPh1
Me:
Okay.
Whatever you wanna talk about is fine, I guess. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7A38VPbjP
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPT27ps9zC
Me:
It’s just weird, Eve. I don’t really know. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9apQ7KXtV
Evvie sent a heart emoji of the rainbow, then following with a laughing emoji. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr6N6hSZOf
Evvie:
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
Seriously. Tonight, I might not get too much sleep.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHANbOyvZZz
Delcan:
Could you please explain the homework to me? I know that I’m right, but the computer doesn’t say that. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEeKXhPC3F
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbpsI65pLv
Me:
Well...I don’t know. Maybe they’re wrong, Delcan.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBd5rl95Nc
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRLTM3ZP3f
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJcpEn4ylY
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wBOkU98bh
Me:
Why should I help you?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95n4DdOFmS
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? 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U7GBcJg44
Me:
You kissed me, just for memory.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgPfq5bQmo
Delcan:
I will screenshot this.
Come on. I need your help. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkV57TuknY
Me:
What do I get out of helping you get an A?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFkb3EOkmw
Delcan:
I’m already taking guesses, but ask something, and I’ll see what I can do.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO5i9UsCqB
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeyZsASgbU
Delcan:
Thanks. I owe you.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FIFyxxRfX
Me:
Yeah, you do.
Is that seriously what you wanted to talk about? 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf5Jlyx4XZ
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYRNjSFv2x
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0kAtBiRU5
Me:
We’re having a family dinner.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBi53Asek8
Delcan:
I have some tips on how to get out of them. I’m very good at it.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRq1tveEc4
Me:
Do we have to make out?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21t3KAS47j
Delcan:
If you’re suggesting what I think you are, the answer is no. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6jjFixLAz
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. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHapCNObXm
Me:
Stay out of relationships, Eve. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm42KSx44gy
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?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiVWYw4jjE
Evvie:
…
You’re complaining about making out with Delcan Heslop? Why, bro? 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXN95M7Wbu
Me:
I’m not complaining! I just want something more. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5MOcs4MWL
Evvie:
Then ask him! He’s done it before, Ezra. Just know that a height difference means...ya know. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LaPeLuQ1X
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6TneTwws4
Evvie:
Oh, okay.
What makes you think he doesn’t want a relationship, Ez?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tw3fMegIw
Any guy would kill to be dating you.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeV6jf91Y9
Me:
No, sorry. I shouldn’t bring this stuff on you.
Do you still like edible cookie dough?760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfbdPCop7d
Evvie:
Duh!! Ez, who doesn’t like cookie dough? Edible or not. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN4ygR9tDN
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf66RWWHVB
Evvie:
If that’s what you want, yeah. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lsRjfNG11
She sent me a heart emoji just as Delcan responded to my message. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT73GWkCrn
Evvie:
Let me see what days my mom is working.
Me:
Cool.
I gotta go.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvM3f4Db2O
Evvie:
Okay. Bye, Ez!
Good luck with your relationship. Love ya. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEEuuHlDa4
Me:
Love you too.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MxEQF90OS
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.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOxR81qTIW
Delcan:
You’re right. Family time seems pretty important. We could talk some other time. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBpber2RdJ
Me:
Are you sure? I don’t mind staying up and talking afterward. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAqyYoUoK2
Delcan:
Nope. I’m gonna finish this homework.
See you tomorrow. 760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTE5KRHOpc
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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