Whimper

Whimper | Twenty Nine

Whimper

Twenty Nine

Maxeton Collie

The days got weirder and weirder. Eventually, Ethan went home, per my mom's understandable request seeing as he had been at the house for awhile. School was stuffy and uncomfortable. In light of recent events, my paranoia made sense, but God, was it exhausting; Constantly looking over your shoulder, watching everyone around you, wondering who's involved with that. That anxiety was a heavy burden to carry.

Ethan was getting kind of distant, which was more than a bit concerning. I mean, I was already anxious and paranoid half the time – add a situationship with an ex drug dealer who was suddenly giving the cold shoulder to the mix. He hadn't made it a habit to harass me at the end of the day (like he usually does) all week. He'd usually text asking my whereabouts, then we'd meet up, he'd kiss my forehead with a "Be safe, dumbass," and he'd see me off.

But he missed every day this week. Every. Day. And now, here I was at the end of the day on a Friday, texting him about his whereabouts and lack of presence lately. The timing was even more suspicious considering we found Jackson's name under the list of rivals in that kid's phone. Did it have something to do with that? God, it's not him losing interest, is it? Then again, is that really what I should be concerned about given everything else?

My phone dinged. I'd texted him asking where he was, telling him where to meet me and that I wanted to talk to him.

'Omw there rn,' the text read. Where were the emojis? Where was the term of endearment? I had to remind myself he technically wasn't my boyfriend no matter the time we've spent together. Despite all the cuddling, kissing, and intimacy, since we weren't official, I couldn't complain and pout and demand things like I wanted to.

That, in itself, brought an irritated pout to my lips. Being unable to bitch and moan like I wanted to made me wanna do it more.

"Hey."

I swiveled to face him, my arms still crossed and lips still turned down in a frown. He raised a brow at my stance and posture, and I could tell he knew what was coming next. Us not being official be damned, I was gonna complain and pout – I deserved my attention. At the very least, I deserved an answer.

"Don't hey me. Why have you been acting all weird?"

He paused – something he doesn't usually do.

"How have I been weird? I'm here."

"We usually talk like everyay – now, here we are Friday and I haven't heard from you all week."

A slow grin ever so slightly curled the corners of his lips. I almost didn't notice, but after all the time we've spent together recently until this week, I picked up on lots of little things about him. I caught myself observing him a lot. Maybe a bit creepy – he's hot though, so why wouldn't I?

"Sounds like somebody just missed my attention," he cooed, throwing an arm around my shoulder to guide me towards the parking lot.

My face may have flushed slightly – maybe it was a little bit true, but that wasn't the point.

"Not at all," I lied through the skin of my teeth, "just wondering why you've been distant is all. Hasn't bothered me at all though."

"Oh, really? Not in the slightest, huh?"

"No–"

As quickly as I said it, I regretted it. He swiftly removed his arm from my shoulders, hurriedly surrendering his hands as if I told him off.