Chapter 6

To say I didn't think much about what Ethan said was a lie because I thought long and hard about it. No matter how hard I tried not to, I just couldn't. I was definitely becoming crazy. Replaying and evaluating his every move and searching for small signals.

After we finished lunch, we went back to the hotel for some free time. Once again, I sat alone on the bus. But this time, every time I was caught staring at the buildings that we passed, Ethan would occasionally give me friendly grins as our eyes met.

Leighton hesitated at first but decided to sit next to Ethan, even after his sudden outburst. She apologized with a pout, and he said it was okay — it wasn't — but I wasn't going to say that out loud. I mentally curse at Ethan for being way too kind and forgiving her way too quickly.

I was currently sitting alone in the lobby, waiting for Leah to come back. The bright light in the room acted as the perfect reading light as I tried to escape the loneliness by burying myself in Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I only brought one book with me on this trip, but one thousand and thirty-seven pages were probably enough to keep me company for the reminder of the trip.

My little moment of peace was interrupted by a group of large boys walking down the stairs, dressed in athletic clothes. Connor had two black stripes painted across his cheeks to show that he was in the team spirit. Not long later, Ethan came down with a muscle tee and a pair of casual black shorts. His body was lean and hard, and he was looking far too fine for someone who wasn't even trying.

Leighton took the elevator instead, coming out with her long blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail secured with a pink scrunchie. Obviously, she was going to join the boys in playing capture the flag. There was a large field behind the hotel which is available for guests if you book through the reception.

She was wearing one of the tightest booty shorts I've ever seen and a white tank top which she made sure clearly showed how perky her boobs were. I couldn't imagine myself ever running in something so uncomfortable.

She reached her hand out to rest on one guy's arm as he was flexing his muscles. I tried to stay unnoticed by hiding my face behind my book. I must be the biggest loser here, reading instead of exploring this beautiful country or hanging out with friends. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from panicking.

He turned his head and flickered his eyes over at me. He took his time to gaze at me and then sent me a warm smile. Maybe he wasn't staring at me, but wondering to himself why the hell I was sitting alone reading a book.

When I noticed he was coming this way, I held my book tighter, like I was holding onto my dear life.

"What are you reading?" He asked.

"Gone with the Wind."

"Oh, by Margaret Mitchell right?"

He never fails to surprise me with his extensive knowledge of writers.

I nodded.

"I've read it a few times."

"What do you think about it?" I asked, genuinely curious about his opinion of one of my favorite books.

"It's a ruthless book for sure," he chuckled, "the last fifty pages was the most tragic and upsetting thing I've ever read."

"I agree. Once I finished the book, I had to tell Leah to burn it and never let me see it again."

I continued. "But any book is considered a great book if it has such a strong effect on the reader."

The entrance door opens, spilling light towards me. I see Leah standing by the door, finally back from her activity. She raises her eyebrows, and her lips turn into a smirk upon the sight of Ethan and me together.

"Oh my god." She mouthed, slowly making her way toward me. As Leah comes up to the couch, Ethan greets her with a friendly smile.

"Do you guys want to join us?" he said, "We're playing capture the flag."

Before I get the chance to pass up the opportunity, she agrees.

"I think I'll just watch," I said quietly.

He took a step forward to me. "Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not a very sporty person," I said with a determined grimace.

All my high school sports memories were my least fond ones. We played basketball, softball, volleyball and basically any other sport you could think of in Physical Education class, and I hated every single one of them. I remember every time I came to class late, Mr. Duncan made me run around the school playing field four times to learn my lesson.

I couldn't help that my class was on the other side of the school. Not to mention the horrid changing rooms that gave you absolutely no privacy whatsoever. All in all, whenever I hear anything sports-related, I get shudders from the bad memories.

Ethan chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you get your chance to capture the flag."

"If that's the case, then we're in!" Leah cuts me off before I get the chance to refuse his convincing offer.

"Great, get comfortable and I'll see you out back," he says before disappearing to the back.

A grin lifts from Leah's mouth as she gushes about how Ethan was helplessly flirting with me. She pinched her lips together to refrain from smiling again. "He was totally flirting with you!"

"He was just being nice." I defended myself. But I really wished that he was flirting with me.

"I'll make sure you get your chance to capture the flag." She mocked, pulling off the best raspy Ethan impression she could. It did Ethan no justice.

"He doesn't sound like that!" I laughed.

"Maya, you know there's a fine line between being friendly and being flirty," she said, "and Ethan obviously just fucking hurdled across that line."

I tried to change the topic by asking about her morning trip. I didn't need her to tease me about Ethan anymore. "How was your tour today?"

She was dancing back and forth on her feet as she continued to tell me about what she did. I laughed and shook my head.

"What about you?" she asked, "How was the Colosseum?"

"It was breath-taking, but lunch was a disaster. I got attacked by Leighton and her group of friends."

Instantly, she stopped dancing and came closer to me. Her eyes were widening with surprise. "Tell me what that demon said to you. I'll let her have a piece of me afterward."

"She asked why I was sitting by myself, probably making fun of the fact that I had no friends in the group."

Leah cocked her eyebrow in disbelief. "One true friend is worth more than three fake friends!"

"Well, she doesn't understand the meaning of a true friend anyway."

She leaned forward and propped her elbows on the armrest. "If I were there, I'd bitch slap her face for you."

I chuckled. "At least Ethan did something about it, again."

"No way!"

"Yeah, he asked her if she had anything better to do than be a bitch."

"Ethan swore at Leighton?"

I nodded and chuckled at her surprised expression.

"This day keeps getting better and better!" She exclaimed.

Leah put both of her hands out to pull me up from the couch. She was determined to have me join her in a game of capture the flag. Apparently, it only consisted of running and nothing extreme. Little did she know, I was incapable of running too.

After going to the extreme length of threatening to rip my precious hardcover book, I put my hands up in defeat and joined her to change into something more movable.

Fifteen minutes later, I was wearing black shorts and a plain white v-neck shirt. I pulled my hair into the rubber band I kept on my wrist as a habit. The breeze was gentle, and although it tangled my hair a bit, I couldn't care less.

Leighton looks at me, barely concealing her scowl. Anxiety flew through me as I walked to the field, feeling a few eyes land on me. They were probably wondering why someone disabled like me was joining them in a game of capture the flag.

Just as things couldn't get worse, I see Leighton approach me with her group of friends, strutting in sync with each other.

"Sorry, this game is for people who actually know how to play sports." She said with a sly, piercing look.

"Yeah, and society is for non-bitches only!" Leah shot back at Leighton.

Leighton looked horrified, and I wasn't sure if it was because Leah just called her a bitch or was it the fact that the boys were chuckling at Leah's comeback.

I didn't say a word, just thankfully smiling at Leah. She seems to get the memo as she smiles at me. She takes my hand and leads me across the field and towards Ethan.

"So, what are the teams?" Leah asked.

"Maya, you're mine. Leah, you're on Connors."

"I thought we were talking about teams, not favorites." Leah jokes.

I had my head down to avoid any eye contact, feeling my face heat up once again as Leah openly jokes about me and Ethan. He takes it better than I thought and shrugs it off with a chuckle.

"Alright, you ladies ready to play?" He asked.

I gave a wary nod. This was going to be the biggest mistake ever. Leah joins her team as they plan out a strategy.

Ethan was explaining the rules, and I couldn't help but stand awkwardly, trying to release the nervousness that I was feeling. No matter what, I always knew that sports and I never went well together, meaning this game can't possibly turn out any good. I was somehow going to fuck up, either by tripping on my own feet or capturing the wrong flag. Was that even possible.

Without looking at his friends, his eyes gazed at mine as he shot me a smile. "You're going to do great."

His hands were resting on my shoulders, making my stomach flutter. I really do appreciate his non-stop encouragement. Don't get me started about when those damn dimples appeared, making my heart stop a beat. For a moment, my breath stalled, and I felt like a giant balloon was inflating inside my body. He noticed my uncertain look but still held no doubts.

"Let's do this," I said, half trying to persuade myself.