Aphrodite strolls through the halls, sipping on a large coffee as she walks away from her locker. It was way too early in the morning, yet she was at school on time. A little bit early for once, actually.
Friday morning was always the best and worst of the week. Friday's were always good, but Friday morning was bittersweet because it was so close to being the weekend, but she still needed to wake up and go to school.
Being there early, she actually spots Ethan at his own locker on her way to class. They didn't have much time to speak the day before, so she approaches him with a smile.
"Hey, E. What's up?"
"Hey, Aph," he nods, biting his lip. "You're here early."
"Yeah, I guess," she shrugs. Her fingers tap along the side of his locker while he grabs his books for the first couple of periods. "Got your date with Miranda tomorrow, right? How do you feel?"
Obviously, he's jittery. "Nervous. I-I know it's just her house, but... it's gonna be a lot."
For some reason, Aphrodite actually feels a little better hearing that he's still nervous and not just excited. She reaches into her pocket, pulling out a bag of gummy bears and pops two in her mouth before putting them away, but Ethan pouts at her for some. "You don't want those, E. They're edibles."
"...got it," he chuckles awkwardly. They weren't the strongest, but they'd definitely help Aphrodite get through her boring Friday, and Ethan wasn't interested in feeling like that at school. He wasn't mad about the brownie, but he wished he would've known. He wished it would've just been him and Aphrodite. "Um--hey, sorry if anything I said was, I don't know, weird the other day. They didn't--I didn't know it was a pot brownie. Thanks for uh, for helping me out."
"Someone had to make sure you didn't freak out, and it sure as hell wasn't gonna be those dumbasses," Aphrodite says with a laugh, pulling Ethan's face to hers to plant a kiss on his quickly reddening cheek. She seemed to do that often, and it always made him blush more. "I'll text you later. I have work, but maybe after we can talk on the phone and I can help you prepare for tomorrow?"
"Sounds good," he smiles, shoving his hands into his pockets and watching her walk away. When he turns around, he bumps into someone, causing them to drop a few of their books. "Oh! Shit, I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean--"
"It's okay," Rachel brushes it off, not moving. She lets Ethan scramble to pickup her things and hand them back to her. "Are you busy this weekend?"
Ethan chokes, making her laugh. He wouldn't ever get used to her being nice, but asking to hangout was a whole different ballgame. "I--uh--why?"
"I was hoping you'd come over... I have something I wanna show you."
He wasn't stupid. He knew exactly what she was referring to, and was just glad he actually had an excuse to get out of it. "S-sorry, I've got plans with Miranda and then Aphrodite."
"That's no fun," the girl pouts, wiping an eyelash off of his face with her thumb. "Miranda always gets the guys first. I swear, she has a fucking virgin fetish. But maybe next weekend, sugar? There's so much I could teach you."
"Uh--maybe."
What she says about Miranda gets his heart racing, wiping sweaty palms off on his jacket. What if that was the only reason she'd been so nice to him? Ethan didn't even consider that she invited him over just for that, it sounded tame in her texts, but maybe he was stupid. After making a mental note to ask Aphrodite about both of those things later, he finds his way to class.
There's a possibility Rachel was just trying to get in his head, he couldn't rule that out. He couldn't just take her word for anything, she's not even a good person.
His head is too fixed on other things to focus on class, which is rare. It lasts the whole day, in and out of his thoughts. Thoughts about Miranda, about Rachel, about Grayson, and about Aphrodite.
--
Ethan groans, shoving his face into his pillow. His internet friends were busy, his headphones weren't blocking enough noise, and Aphrodite wasn't out of work yet.
"Oh, yes! Grayson! Harder!"
The headboard next door slams against the wall adjacent to Ethan's. Whoever Grayson was with was so fucking loud, and honestly, her moans were more annoying than anything. They were over-exaggerated and nasally, and giving Ethan a headache.
Muttering annoyed curses under his breath, he rolls out of bed and goes downstairs. It was Friday night, so his parents were out on a date, therefore Grayson was being pretty inconsiderate with his hookup.
The moans and other noises are much quieter downstairs, but still there if he was silent. Ethan scratches his bare stomach while opening the fridge, grabbing a clementine and eating it right at the counter to avoid going back to his room. A miracle comes in the next few seconds--the noise ceases.
Thank god, he thinks, hoping they don't start up again. And they don't, their footsteps coming down the stairs are heard while Ethan's washing his hands a few minutes later.
"That was fun," she giggles, Ethan's eyes shooting open at the sound of her voice. He turns around to see Miranda. "Oh! Hey, little Dolan. You look good--see you tomorrow?"
"I--"
Grayson smirks, slapping her ass as she skips out the door before turning toward Ethan. "Sorry, bro."
"You... Grayson, what the fuck?" He asks slowly, feeling rage bubbling up under his skin. "How did you even know that I--why would you--"
"Aphrodite mentioned she was helping you get with Miranda," he chuckles. Ethan balls his fists up, sickness filling every inch of him. "But you got with Aphie. So, now we're even."
"You're a shitty fucking brother."
"You don't even know Miranda! How the hell can you even like her? It's just some stupid fantasy, Ethan--"
From there, Ethan can't hear him. He's up the stairs, slamming his bedroom door shut and reaching for whatever he can find. He doesn't want to be home right now, he doesn't want to see Grayson right now. All he wants is to see Aphrodite.
After pulling on an orange and black checkered jacket over his mock-neck, he tucks his hair under a beanie and reaches for his phone. She's still working, but he texts her anyway.
Ethan: i know you're at work
Ethan: but can we hangout after please
Ethan: i'll wait in the parking lot or something for you i just
Ethan: please
Aphrodite: what's wrong E?
Ethan: stuff
Aphrodite: theaters pretty quiet, last movie is almost over. come inside when you get here, it's too cold to be waiting in the parking lot
Ethan: thank you
Slipping clumsily into his Air Force 1's, he stumbles out of his bedroom door and down the stairs two at a time. Grayson's in the kitchen still, twirling the car keys around his finger.
"Give me the keys."
"No, dumbass, where are you gonna go anyway?" Grayson scoffs, grabbing him by the arm. "Dude, seriously, calm down. I'm sorry, I didn't think it would be--"
"Fuck off, Grayson," Ethan huffs and shoves him out of the way. "I'm going out."
The movie theater Aphrodite worked at wasn't a far walk, so instead of fighting with Grayson more, he just left. He really couldn't stand to look at him longer anyway. Grayson was still upset about Ethan and Aphrodite, as if he had some claim on her when he knew damn well that he didn't.
As if it mattered, Aphrodite and Ethan were just friends. Even if there might've been something--she was trying to help set him up with another girl, so it wouldn't be reciprocated. Ethan couldn't get feelings for the first girl he's friends with.
He made it to the movie theater ten minutes before closing, seeing a bored Aphrodite blowing bubbles with her gum at the counter. Her hair was tied back, which for a second brought up interesting memories that Ethan pushes down. It was not the time. He was way too upset with his brother anyway.
Obviously, he wasn't going to see Miranda tomorrow. Ethan couldn't pretend that was really what was upsetting him, because after everything, it was only a small pinch of pain. What really hurt was Grayson's intention.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Aphrodite asks, coming out from behind the counter. Ethan doesn't say anything, tentatively wrapping his arms around her and sinking into her touch. "E, baby, talk to me."
"Grayson slept with Miranda."
"...that fucking asshole," she spits, shaking her head and hugging him tighter. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned her to him."
"S'not your fault," Ethan mumbles against her hair. "The funny thing is... he--Grayson said I probably didn't like her that much, and he's right. I just--can't believe he would do that to spite me."
Aphrodite pauses, pulling back from the hug with a slight laugh. "You didn't even like her?"
"Thought I did," he shrugs. "I-I think I'm gonna cancel on her for tomorrow. I... don't think she was looking for a date."
With a nod, Aphrodite walks toward the doors to lock them. "It's just us here now. What do you say we watch a movie?"
"Can we do that?"
"No ones gonna stop us, so yeah."
The theater was officially closed, and she was the one supposed to lock up and turn everything off by herself. No one would be checking in, no one would notice if she started up a movie for her and Ethan.
She sent him into one of the theaters, with a bucket of popcorn, while she went to get a movie playing. Aphrodite dimmed the lights, skipping back to where he was sitting. Quite awkwardly, if we're being honest.
His hands were folded in his lap, sitting up way too straight to be comfortable, looking around to make sure no one was waking in. It was actually pretty cute.
"No ones coming, E," she laughs and hops into the seat next to him. She kicks her feet up on the seats in front of them, and hesitantly, he does the same. "Relax! It's just us. And if anything does happen, you won't be getting in trouble."
"Okay," he mumbles, flinching when she interlocks their fingers as the movie starts to play. "Thanks, Aph."
She smiles in response, resting her head on his shoulder. The scent of warm vanilla and almonds fills her nose, playing with his fingers instead of focusing on the movie.
Ethan bites his lip, staring at their joined hands, feeling his heart speed up and ignoring it as best he can. That wasn't good.
They're quiet, focused on each other as a romantic scene unfolds in front of them onscreen. Sharing popcorn, arms pressed up against each other, watching a couple make out.
Aphrodite hums, sitting up and turning in her seat to look at him. He gives her his full attention, her lips shining in the dark as she leans forward wordlessly.
Even though he knows, he's taken aback, gasping at her soft lips on his. Only for a small second before gently tangling his fingers in her hair and pulling her closer for more.
He still tastes of citrus somehow, his lips partially chapped but she doesn't mind. They move together effortlessly, and she's the one to pull away.
"I think I like you, Ethan."
"I-I think I like you too, Aph."
A/N
gonna leave it there
little bit of a late update today bc i was at workkkk but I hope everyone has a good weekend <3