6

Chapter 6 

“Hey, Are you free tonight?” I grunted a response and chewed on the fresh slice of apple from the bowl.  

“Is that a yes or no?” Ethan asked from the other side of the end. 

“I think I am busy tonight,” I said with a sigh . I heard him scoff and a sigh of irritation. 

“Please tell me you have friends, What are you doing the whole weekend except sleep and read!?” He asked, sounding incredulous like sleeping was a bad thing. 

“What’s so bad about staying in my comfort zone? I like my life the way it is” I argued hoping he would stop asking me to spend my nights out of my apartment. 

“Chloe…I don't want to sound rude but You gotta enjoy your life! Don't stay holed up in your room like a weirdo!” 

“Staying in my room doesn't make me a weirdo!” There was his scoffing again which I chose to ignore. 

“Get ready for tonight, I'll pick you up” He ended the call before I could retort with another  excuse. 

I looked at the time and noted that it was close to seven. If it was a week ago, My hands would have been busy peeling potatoes or onions while Mr Young did the cooking. Sighing in distress, I stood up from the couch and ten minutes later, I found myself standing under the shower,rinsing my misery off with warm water that soothes my tense muscles and scrawny arms and legs. 

Ethan showed up twenty minutes later after I was dressed in a clean pair of fresh clothes. 

“What happened to you? You look like a wounded puppy” My friend teased me the moment his gaze landed on my face. 

“Where are you taking me? Please tell me there is food” I made my way towards his car and settled comfortably next to the driver seat. 

“Of course, we are going for movies” 

“Like a date!?” I sputtered in pure horror. 

“Nah, I just feel sorry for your boring ass,might as well take you to enjoy horror movies” He grinned mischievously and ignored the look I was giving. 

Despite my reluctance to enjoy a horror movie, I couldn't deny the fact that Ethan was a great person to hang out with. 

                               ****

“I can't believe you brought me here to watch Chucky! It's not even scary- Why are those humans scared of a ugly fat doll? I hate that he's perverted too” I stated my displeasure and chomped down on my delicious pasta. 

Ethan chuckled and shook his head, slurping on  his Lassi. 

“Come to think of it, Your hair reminds of Chucky,” He teased. I gawked at him. “My red hair has got nothing to do with Chucky!” I scowled at him. 

 “Don't disappointment me by saying you hit on girls with those ridiculous lines” 

“I don't disappoint them,  I make them scream.”  His smug face made me realise the meaning of his words. I shut my eyes and fake-gagged at him. Although Ethan looked nowhere as hot as our certain English teacher, I knew without a  doubt that girls are crazy for him. 

I went back to eating and slurping on my lemonade occasionally when I felt a sudden kick on my leg that made me yelp in pain. 

“Why would you do that?” I whispered-yelled  in shock. 

“Isn’t that Mr Young?” Ethan's eyes are skidded towards the left direction. On Instinct my head snapped towards the direction and there I saw Mr Young who isn't hard to find, his face stood out everywhere among hundreds of crowds or a diner where there are low chances of meeting him. 

“He looked hot” The words escaped my lips in a whisper and by the look on Ethan's face, he had heard it. 

“I mean- the lady with him looked hot and beautiful, Don't you think?'' My pathetic excuse made him grin wider but he didn't comment on  it, thankfully.

“Stop staring at them Ethan, He will see you! My god! He's looking this way” In my attempt to get hold of Ethan's shoulder, my frantic hands knocked over my glass of lemonade and it fell down on the tiled floor followed by a loud shattering of glasses. 

“Holy Shit! CHLOE!” I might as well just hand him a microphone. 

The waitress scurried over to us with a worried expression, my hands covered my cheeks and my red locks did a little help to cover my embarrassed blushing cheeks. 

“I am so sorry, let you help you clean up” I got down from my seat and picked up the piece of  glass and in my blushing state my movements were frantic and careless, the glass pricked the tip of my finger and blood oozed out, followed by a careless rubbing. 

“Chloe,You are bleeding” the deep voice stiffened and immobilised my body. Mr Young stared down at me, lips tight and as usual stood in his glory. 

“Come on get up, What is so interesting about the tiles?” I heard the amusement in his tone, Shakily I stood up, hiding my injured finger behind her Jean shorts. 

“Uh-Mr Young,What are you doing here?” I asked, blinking back my confusion. He squinted his eyes as if trying to figure me out.

“I was having dinner with my old friend there and I saw that you were on a…. date” his eyes moved towards Ethan. 

My eyes snapped towards Ethan who watched our exchange in complete curiosity. I frowned, he smiled. 

“Please take care of your fingers, I don't want you lagging behind on assignments because of an infection” I sulked like a kid . He looked over his table and smiled at the brunette who he referred to as his old friend. 

The sinking feeling in my stomach isn't unmistakable this time. I wanted to run and watch him interact with the attractive brunette at the same time. 

“Nice to meet you here. I'll see you tomorrow at school” The smile never wavered from his face. 

“Sure. See you tomorrow” I replied in a polite way. He narrowed his eyes but left with one last look towards Ethan. 

“Come on, Let's get you to clean up and get you an ice cream. Ethan joined me within seconds, giving me a look that resembles sympathy and a brotherly love. 

When we passed by Mr Young's table, I kept my head high and ignored the look of happiness on his face as he conversed with his girl-friend.  

Asshole 

“Britney,I should drop you home before it's too late” 

“Yeah right” 

The rest of the conversation cut off when the door shut behind me. 

Ethan dragged me out of the diner and abruptly halted his steps in front of me. My feet stumbled a couple of steps backward and looked up at his tall height. There was an unmistakable grin on his face, he looked as if he was on  cloud nine and riding on a wave of radiation. 

“Will you tell me what that is about! You are so jealous” he exclaimed and clapped a little. 

“What do you mean?” I pointed out, emphasizing my words loud and clear. He rolled his eyes. 

“Don’t pretend like you don't know what I am talking about. You have the hots for Mr Young” He chortled and pinched my cheeks. 

“You know that is wrong! Prohibited” I crossed my fingers, showing him how wrong it was. 

“Whatever. From what I see, it's not exactly hopeless” he drew out, and tugged me away towards his car. 

“Huh!?” 

“Nothing” he shrugged and cranked up the music,almost making my ears bleed. 

After an endless hour of driving around the city with ice-cream and mindless chatting, Ethan finally dropped me in my apartment. 

“Oh! Just so you know, You have my blessings” He called out before he drove away. 

I turned towards him, confused. He gave me a big grin. 

“I don't need your blessing!” I called back. 

“You love me” he blew me a kiss and laughed rather loudly. 

Getting tired of his antics, I scoffed and mumbled ‘goodnight’ before hurrying and disappearing inside the building. 

When the elevator dings, I walk out and meet Mr Young who was standing in the hallways. The sight made my heart clench. 

“Mr Young, Is everything Okay? ” I moseyed towards where he stood. 

He held out the small plastic bag which I tooked willingly. 

“ I want to make sure your fingers don't get infected, clean the wound and wrap the band-aid neatly.” He instructed. 

“Thank you, You don't have to do this” 

“I should, You are my student and it is my job to take care of you” I rolled my eyes. 

“Right! You are my teacher” I mumbled in distaste. 

“Umm I should - I should go to sleep.. Goodnight Chloe” I nodded and turned to leave. 

“Chloe” 

“Yeah?” 

“Are you dating that kid?” 

“Kid? You mean Ethan?” I asked, confused. 

“I guess, Good night” He gave me a tight smile and left abruptly, shutting his door with a bang.