Time•EDxEC~Ethma•

twenty three

There he went, walking alone through the packed corridors, shoving his brown locks beneath the comfort of his hoodie. His head lowered towards the ground, avoiding all stares from each and every wondering eye that focused on him.

His friends watched from afar too, wondering where he was going. Emma had to stop herself from going over there, telling him that he could  still hang out with them, but she knew that it wouldn't work.

Grayson hated him.

Obviously he still loved him, they're twins however he couldn't hide the anger that rose inside of him when he thought of what Ethan did to his best friend. He broke her, but right now, he seemed to be the most damaged out of the pair.

It didn't add up. Ethan dumped her, so why would he seem so gloomy about it. There was no reason for him to be moving around like he actually cared for her, because he made the choice, right?

An excited squeal squeaked from one of the girls mouths, as she ran over to Ethan, smiling brightly. Her friends, and all of the confused people in the corridor, watched as she intertwined her hands with his.

"Hey e" she smiled, making his head raise, and his eyes meet hers.
"Hey Hannah" he mumbled, unenthusiastically, before she placed her lips on his, forcefully, causing him to immediately pull away.
"I said not here" Ethan muttered, and she scowled at his tone, noticing that he was looking over her shoulder at Emma, who's eyes were glued to the new couple.
"Oh her?" Hannah laughed, "e, she's fine, she'll get over it, she's always been dramatic"
"It's Ethan, actually" he corrected, causing her to roll her eyes, "and it's not about her. I just said, not here"
"Fine" she scowled, as the bell rang.

Completely forgetting the conversation they just had, Hannah stood on her tip-toes, placing a sloppy peck to his cheek, before taking off to her locker. He ignored the stares, and went over to his too.

The corridors were almost cleared as he closed his locker, only a couple small groups from before there now. His frame was slammed into the blue metal doors, causing him to instantly wince, and look at the glaring eyes staring down at him.

Of course. Ethan's eyes met his, instantly realising what was going on. Grayson.

"Gray?" He asked, as his twin freed him from his grip, causing Ethan to instantly rub the small spot on the back of his head.
"Don't fucking do that shit, Ethan" Grayson warned, sucking in a deep breath, "she's fucking hurting, don't rub it in her face"
"I wasn't trying to-" he began, though his shoulders were slammed back again.

Ethan took it. He accepted it. He let it happen. He deserved it after all.

"If you do it one more time Ethan, I swear to fucking god, forget what mum said, I will beat your ass. I told you when you first got together, not to hurt her, and yet you did that shit anyway. Don't push your luck, bro"
"Got it" Ethan growled, pushing his brother back, "don't rub it in her face"

He walked away from his angry twin brother, noticing that he had already gone to class around the corner. He was about to enter his classroom, when he noticing a frail girl running down the hallways and to the toilets.

Emma.

Immediately, he followed. He knew he shouldn't, but nothing could stop him. So, he didn't even hesitate when he arrived at the toilet door. He didn't even hesitate when the thought of other girls being in here crossed his mind.

Instead, the sound of Emma violent vomiting in the cubicle in front of him egged him on. He tapped his fingers on the door, creating a shallow knock, which she groaned at.

"Em?" His raspy voice broke through the silence, concern filling his veins when she didn't answer. Before he had chance to call out for her again, the timid voice spoke up, quietly.

"Leave me alone"she whimpered, distance sobs being heard from behind the door.
"Emma, please, let me in" he asked, not even thinking before he spoke.
"Go away, Ethan. I don't need you anymore" she huffed, however he refused to leave, and instead sat on the floor in front of the door, waiting for her to come out.

"I'm not leaving. So, if you don't come out, then people will probably see us together in here" he told her.
"For fucks sake" she muttered, unlocking the door and slamming it open, "I'm out, happy?"
"Tell me what's going on" he demanded, stepping towards her, and she stepped back too.
"What?" Her hands found her hips sassily, even though he could tell she was putting the brave act on.
"You're ill. You should go home, baby" Ethan whispered, attempting to grab her hand.
"I don't take orders from anyone, especially you. And don't call me that, you lost the right to when you broke up with me for her" Emma spat, angrily.

He wanted to tell her it wasn't like that. He wanted to tell her the truth. He just wanted to watch her pain go away. Instead, he was the centre of it all. The reason for all her struggles; yet, all he wished was for her to be happy again.

"Emma, please, just go home and rest" he advised, though it started to sound like a beg.
"I'm fine Ethan. I'm not the person you should be worrying about either" Emma said, attempting to walk off, before his hand on her wrist pulled her back.

"I'll always care for you, Emma. And there wasn't once I told you I don't love you anymore. Please, just promise me, you'll go home and rest?" His eyebrows raised in question, hope flashing over his face.
"Ethan" she started, but couldn't ignore herself falling for him again, as his eyes searched hers in desperation, "I'll go home"

And though she knew it was wrong, that was exactly what she did. She left, gathering her things, and went home like she promised him.

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1025 words

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