Fragile // Sequel to Torn

2. |

// Chris' point of view //

The hardest part of leaving Melbourne was leaving Melika. We knew it couldn't last long from the beginning but I still wish it could have. As the weeks went by, I found myself caring more and more about her and how I don't see her at all. We tried a long distance relationship but I'm too busy with work and she's too busy with school. I think about that phone call a lot. We were both crying but we knew it had to be done. We still talk but nowhere near as much.

Sydney is good, though. I have the boys living with me still but in a bigger place. Jakob and Ethan are no longer angry at each other and I have Lara again. Things are good at the moment. Ethan's still wrapped up in Kade but I guess in a way, I am too. I have one of his drawings hanging up in my room. It's a charcoal drawing of a girl's face, every single line perfect. That guy had talents way better than a lot of gifted people.

I unlock the door to the house and walk inside, instantly spotting Jakob sitting on the couch. He mumbles a hello and I mumble one back but make my way straight to my room. I put my stuff down and then walk into the ensuite, getting ready to take a shower. I wash away my stressful day before stepping out and changing into clean clothes. As I step out of the ensuite, I almost get the shock of my life. Ethan is right in front of me, looking through my wardrobe.

"I'm looking for that white Authority Clothing top." He tells me, completely unfazed.

"It's in Jakob's room." I reply, my heart still recovering from my shock.

"Oh," Ethan says, looking up at me. Something changes in his eyes before he looks away. "I'll get it later."

Since when did he not want to go into Jakob's room? I thought everything was okay between them again. Whatever it was, it's gone now. Ethan sits down on my bed and watches as I put my old clothes down. Sometimes he's like a lost puppy; he doesn't know what to do with himself.

"Let's go out for dinner." I suggest, feeling a little bored myself.

"Where are we going to go?" He asks.

"That new restaurant down the road? Invite Ashley and I'll invite Lara." I suggest.

"Yeah, okay."

An hour later, we're seated at a table at the restaurant. We're all talking except for Ethan who is looking between Ashley and Jakob, watching them have an overly friendly talk. Ashley is touching Jake's arm and laughing, him not seeming uncomfortable about it at all. Is something going on there? Jakob is bisexual but I thought he still liked Ethan. Maybe this is the start of him finally moving on? I really hope so.

Our meals come and my mouth is already watering. I haven't eaten since breakfast so I finish my meal first, just waiting for everyone else. I watch as Jakob moves some of his salad off of his plate and onto Ashley's. Ethan seems to notice this too and watches secretly out the corner of his eye. He has a forkful of food half in his mouth and is leaning on his elbow, just watching. I can't even work out what he's thinking.

"Ethan?" I ask, worried someone will catch him staring. He snaps his head towards me.

"Mm?"

I just look at him until he looks away. He knows that means we'll talk later. Ethan goes back to picking at his food, trying to ignore the things going on next to him. After a few minutes, he stands up and grabs his stuff from under the table.

"I just remembered I have something to do. I'll see you guys at home." He announces before walking past and out the door of the restaurant. We took two cars here because Ethan had to pick Ashley up.

I stand up from the table after a few seconds of thinking and follow him towards the door. As soon as I get to the carpark, I see him getting into his car. I pick up my pace into a run and open the passenger side door, getting in too before he can stop me.

"What's going on?" I ask, catching a slightly annoyed and confused look on his face. It disappears as soon as he looks at me.

"I have stuff to do," Ethan tells me, putting the car into gear. "You should go back inside."

"Does it have something to do with Jakob and Ashley?" I ask. This hits something inside of me because he drops his fake happy expression.

"No? Maybe... I don't know." He mumbles, leaning back in the seat.

"I can't work out if you're jealous about Ashley or Jakob. You obviously have a problem with it." I try, knowing this will hit something.

"I'm not jealous!" Ethan quickly retaliates, looking at me with a harsh expression. "That's my ex boyfriend with my dead boyfriends' cousin."

"There we go." I sigh, feeling like I've accomplished something. There's always a way to crack Ethan's acts.

"Look, can I please just go so I don't have to watch that PDA?" He asks, looking at me again as he leans forward.

"Sure," I nod, putting on the seatbelt. "Drive."

"Go back inside, Chris."

"I'm not letting you go home alone like this."

"I'm fine!" Ethan insists.

"If you were fine you wouldn't be going home."

"Fine."

Ethan drives us both home in silence. When we arrive, he gets out and walks inside quickly, disappearing straight to his room. Even though it is a little weird from Ethan's point of view, Jakob moving on is a good thing. It must be weird for Ethan to see him moving on with a girl, let alone Kade's cousin but he should be glad to have Jake off his back, right? 

I forget everything to do with that and lay down on my own bed. Lara has texted me asking if I'm okay. As soon as I reply, I hear the door open and close downstairs. As soon as I hear keys being put down on the bench, I know it's Jakob. Maybe I can find out what's going on. I quickly get up off my bed and walk quietly past Ethan's closed door and down the stairs. Jakob is at the fridge, getting himself a glass of water.

"So what's with you and Ashley?" I get straight to the point. Jakob always tells me what's going on if I ask.

"She's nice," he smiles, but then it turns into more of a smirk. "And she's hot."

"Mm." I agree, waiting for him to keep talking. I know there's more he wants to say because he keeps hesitating. 

"I really just think I need to get over Ethan. For real. And she's doing that for me."

"Don't use her." I warn him.

"No, I like her... It's okay, Chris. I know what I'm doing." Jakob decides, finishing his water before walking out of the kitchen.