In the Last Chapter: 560Please respect copyright.PENANAmlo3j8EFnz
In the middle of the night, I realized I still hadn't texted Callie back, nor did I feel the need to. We never really talked too much in the first place, anyway, so it made no sense for me to have a meaningless conversation with her. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAlZe1AELPCX
What I did do, though, was check up on Evvie. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAbTrPNmb44D
Me:
Hey. Just checking up on you.560Please respect copyright.PENANApOtCu0KQ7c
Shoot. I hope that didn’t sound too rude. All I wanted was to be a better friend than what I had been in the past. Maybe she won’t think of it as anything bad. I finished up the last bit of my homework when I got a message from both Evvie and Delcan at the same time. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAW9vPeuFAAZ
Evvie:
I’m okay, Ezie. You don’t need to be so worried.560Please respect copyright.PENANAnpEwLysftz
Delcan:
Can we talk? 560Please respect copyright.PENANAmJLsXCgTKx
Why do I have to be faced with a hard choice? Of course, I wanted to talk to Delcan. The entire day some part of my mind as begging to know what was wrong with him today. He seemed angry like there was something that had happened before school started. Whatever it was, I wanted to make sure he was okay. But at the same time, Evvie had just told me a huge secret, and she probably needed support from me. I also had a duty to fill - becoming a better friend for her.
Then again, Delcan…
Why does life have to be so hard?
I responded to Evvie first, hoping Delcan would be okay if I didn’t respond immediately. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAP8t9JJcDNc
Me:
I know. But we don’t have to talk about that, of course. There are other things, too.560Please respect copyright.PENANAMjFo8f19bE
Evvie:
Other things like..? 560Please respect copyright.PENANADItmIT1Cg7
Oh, great. Leave me with something to find out. I spent around five minutes thinking of a topic before texting my best friend back. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAnH43qQ7Oqa
Me:
The dance?560Please respect copyright.PENANAx40gzHsA8T
Evvie:
Oh, no. Gosh. That’s going to be so annoying! Ugh.
Hey, are you taking anyone specific?560Please respect copyright.PENANAtB9kP2dzoO
Me:
No.
I don’t even think he’s into that stuff in the first place.560Please respect copyright.PENANAv5UBj9HoiR
Evvie:
Yeah...but I wanna see him in a tux. You’re lying if you don’t wanna.
Oh! My mom said hi.560Please respect copyright.PENANAYxxJ6nRRz5
Me:
Tell her I said hi back.
Speaking of dancing, how are the dance squad and everything? I know Haven is the captain, but I’m sure it isn’t that bad.560Please respect copyright.PENANA83xEZnT0Su
Evvie:
No, it honestly isn’t. Haven’s not so bad when you get to know her.560Please respect copyright.PENANAmrhTWebKjq
Me:
I told you!560Please respect copyright.PENANAVTjoQsxkwe
Evvie:
Lol, you did.
Speaking of extracurricular activities, how have Adam and Thomas been? I’ve hardly been able to see them that much anymore. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAN4Ie82KfkM
Me:
I’d hate to admit that it’s kind of the same with me.
Adam has been pretty busy lately, and Thomas is acting pretty weird. He probably has a crush on someone.560Please respect copyright.PENANAdcqQITgX1m
Evvie:
Oh, great. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAXeLvJhIfq6
She sent an emoji that was rolling her eyes, which I actually understood. Thomas was probably one of the only guys I knew who ignored everyone else when he had a crush on someone. He acts pretty paranoid, and also always tries to enter that person in a conversation. I haven’t been paying attention at lunch well enough to know who it could possibly be, though I’m sure it wasn’t too big of a surprise.
But on the contrary, Thomas always had more crushes than he did dates.560Please respect copyright.PENANA8mF5IxL07u
Me:
I guess I’ll find out later or something.
Are you gonna go dress shopping or something? 560Please respect copyright.PENANALc6QPrMCNd
Evvie:
Ha, with who?560Please respect copyright.PENANA4K9m5nK2fa
Me:560Please respect copyright.PENANA4idkQdtBHF
I think Evelyn is going with Callie. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you coming with them. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAWkZaminpEK
Evvie:
I think I’ll pass. Dress shopping can be so many hours. And trust me, Ez. When it’s a group, it could be an entire day. Going by myself would just be better.560Please respect copyright.PENANAbOuYdxTnaz
It wasn’t like I could even relate to her. I went out of her contact and texted Delcan quickly, hoping he’d respond.560Please respect copyright.PENANANR5dPQCMWd
Me:
Yeah, of course. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAVXr710WNGN
He didn’t even read the message I sent him.
Great.
I went back into Evvie’s contact and began texting her again, sending a laughing emoji before changing the subject.560Please respect copyright.PENANAmVRRuGXQDi
Me:
Yeah, that would be pretty crazy.
Have you finished your homework?560Please respect copyright.PENANA2mxxSw5yQL
Evvie:560Please respect copyright.PENANASghyySvWHV
Holy crap. You’re so annoying!
Of course, I haven’t! I’m guessing you have…560Please respect copyright.PENANACq9sdqpQo8
Me:
Well...yeah.
But while I was doing my homework, my mom said something.560Please respect copyright.PENANAf88WL6bQc7
Evvie:
Spill it.560Please respect copyright.PENANAgiUWQQqFEz
Me:
She said, and I quote “If there’s anything you feel like you can’t say, I wouldn’t judge you. Nobody’s perfect, Ezra, and I don’t expect you to be either. Regardless, sweetheart, I’m still going to love you the same.”560Please respect copyright.PENANAuE7BduCCiP
Evvie:
….
THAT’S SO SWEET OMFG.
EZ THAT PROBABLY MEANS SHE DOESN’T CARE HOLY CRAP DID YOU TELL HER?!! 560Please respect copyright.PENANAYoXLVH3KqH
I read both of her texts like she was shouting, which she probably was right now, or at least she would be smiling or jumping up and down. Evvie never let something like what my mom had just told me to go down. To be honest, though, it made me feel good to know she thought that was good.560Please respect copyright.PENANAVNhXFYsALq
Me:
No, I didn’t.
Instead, I used the “I’m not a virgin” card on her.560Please respect copyright.PENANAIL6vGVXPky
Evvie sent three emojis with a heart that was cracked.
Evvie:
Aww. Well, you tell her when you wanna.
I still think that’s ADORABLE.
And that card? Really, dude? I’m sure she already knows.560Please respect copyright.PENANA3PlbpBCgTz
Me:
She knows because Dad made a huge announcement about it and then bought me a watch.560Please respect copyright.PENANAgVSsqOxNNI
Evvie:
Lemme guess...Rolex.560Please respect copyright.PENANAqaRRM1sxyf
Me:
Now guess the watch.560Please respect copyright.PENANAcFq5Xt4g2O
Evvie:
Oh! The Oyster Perpetual?? I heard that the watch cost a lotta money.
I wasn’t ungrateful for the things my dad bought me, but I didn’t like the way he did it. For instance, there was this one time I got rewarded with a 2,000 dollar jacket after making a comment on a woman who was kissing an African American guy in public. I was really thankful, and fortunate that I was able to have such nice things - but it came at a price that made me feel like a horrible person. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAmr0J1d2ZUu
Me:
Correct.560Please respect copyright.PENANA0B3XwrBNWE
Evvie:
Wow. That’s crazy.
Besides that, though...did she believe you?560Please respect copyright.PENANAhGHmLWHqKf
Me:560Please respect copyright.PENANAKYeZ3LXBct
I couldn’t tell, really. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAtQzxyDsjgU
While I was texting the second text, Delcan responded. It had been seven minutes I had sent the message, which was exactly how long it took me to text him back. Actually, I wasn’t too mad about it.560Please respect copyright.PENANAydNsRFWfet
Delcan:
I’m not apologizing for what happened at school today, but I do wanna talk.
Plus, I’m bored.
He wasn’t going to explain whatever the issue was this morning, which I was actually okay with. That didn’t bother me too much, but I was confused about him being bored and wanting to talk to me.
Typically, bored for Delcan meant posting a shirtless picture online with him doing something wildly inappropriate for his age. The last time he was “bored,” he posted a picture of him wearing black jeans and white underwear, which were pulled down to the point where you could almost see some type of mark he had on him. I looked at it for 30 minutes straight before giving up and going to sleep, never bothering to ask what it was.560Please respect copyright.PENANArWBrd2fiym
Me:
Okay.
Whatever you wanna talk about is fine, I guess. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAeVEUnWK4mi
I sent the rest of the text to Evvie, deciding I really didn’t wanna stop texting to her and just focus on Delcan, who would probably ignore my message for a few minutes before he started talking again. 560Please respect copyright.PENANA6vHaHHywS4
Me:
It’s just weird, Eve. I don’t really know. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAysJX30igu3
Evvie sent a heart emoji of the rainbow, then following with a laughing emoji. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAOj26dwngXL
Evvie:
I don’t know what’s wrong with me!
Seriously. Tonight, I might not get too much sleep.560Please respect copyright.PENANAQPuFBZcnj4
Delcan:
Could you please explain the homework to me? I know that I’m right, but the computer doesn’t say that. 560Please respect copyright.PENANA61O1HlyRrg
What does that even mean?
Delcan seemed to have a desire to be right, but if the online homework said that the answers were wrong, clearly, they were. I’m sure he was talking about the science class I had to take last year, which was highly consisting of online work that would take hours to finish - regardless of your knowledge.
I smiled while texting him back, feeling better that I was smarter. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAxL4YbF7vt4
Me:
Well...I don’t know. Maybe they’re wrong, Delcan.560Please respect copyright.PENANANDuuFn6hAB
Delcan:
No, they aren’t! I think the program is shutting down or something. It’s an old technology programing, anyways.
Me:
That’ll be a new excuse for Mr. Forkmart. He’ll believe you.560Please respect copyright.PENANAoOroLUcv3G
Delcan:
I’m not lying! The programing is seriously 34 years old. Our parents probably used this ↹.
But...my dad kinda wants me to get good grades, so...help me.560Please respect copyright.PENANAKuDb2ybn1a
I wanted to ask how on Earth he knew how old the computer programing was, and also if that number was simply random or something - but it didn’t seem like a time to ask. On top of that, I was trying to decide if I was upset that he was asking for my help, or happy about it. 560Please respect copyright.PENANA8iMC4JFCMx
Me:
Why should I help you?560Please respect copyright.PENANAfYoJ8YlbKx
Delcan:
Oh, don’t be petty about things, Ezra. I make out with you whenever you want and the second I want something, you’ve gotta be upset? 560Please respect copyright.PENANAOScib3bTgn
Me:
You kissed me, just for memory.560Please respect copyright.PENANAZc4YIO8K4u
Delcan:
I will screenshot this.
Come on. I need your help. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAmVHpYA2rH0
Me:
What do I get out of helping you get an A?560Please respect copyright.PENANA8CmWlsroKR
Delcan:
I’m already taking guesses, but ask something, and I’ll see what I can do.560Please respect copyright.PENANA9DNWyDwGrw
See what he can do? What does that even mean?
I had already decided that I was going to help him. It would suck if he was unable to get into a college, though it was also confusing. Considering how odd he was acting - it was reminding me of Haven. She would always change her mood before I even had time to catch up with the glare she had given me 20 seconds ago.
For two minutes, I had to find the homework from last year and sent the screenshots to Delcan. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAyyoOYFbHXi
Delcan:
Thanks. I owe you.560Please respect copyright.PENANAr2jaab7f2U
Me:
Yeah, you do.
Is that seriously what you wanted to talk about? 560Please respect copyright.PENANA7vXsDRjTVE
Delcan:
Pretty much.
And in return...
My sister has some type of casting for I don’t know what. My parents (stupidly) went with her. I say you have another 2 hours if you’re interested.560Please respect copyright.PENANAsogrcQZnPP
I wanted to say yes and no at the same time.
On one side, I did like making out with Delcan. It was exciting, and it seriously got my blood pumping. But at the same time, I wasn’t sure if I was comfortable with just having a relationship that was only making out. If I ever told Adam or Thomas that, they’d probably slap me in the face.
I had a good..person I was dating. He looked much better than I did, and he was experienced enough to know how to make out with someone better than adults do. But, I didn’t want Delcan to think I wanted him for his body as others do. I did want to know him better since I was really getting confused about how desperate I have been feeling. 560Please respect copyright.PENANA1B27LfW9VR
Me:
We’re having a family dinner.560Please respect copyright.PENANAAwVE5Pgp4b
Delcan:
I have some tips on how to get out of them. I’m very good at it.560Please respect copyright.PENANAeYp2YZB49R
Me:
Do we have to make out?560Please respect copyright.PENANAq8dcW0zwor
Delcan:
If you’re suggesting what I think you are, the answer is no. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAR5LPyYGDpW
I scrunch my nose up, feeling my cheeks get red. The good thing is, he isn’t able to see it. I laid down on my bed, watching my hands shake as I texted back. That isn’t what I meant, I texted. You know, talking really helps relationships. He read the message but didn’t respond. Sighing, I texted Evvie back. 560Please respect copyright.PENANA676PpjoQSd
Me:
Stay out of relationships, Eve. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAjiQXgExUWa
Evvie:
Lol, I’m not thinking about dating for a LONG time.
Trouble in paradise?
Me:
I think there always is.
Do you think it’s bad that he just wants to make out?560Please respect copyright.PENANA3uhP8LYPDo
Evvie:
…
You’re complaining about making out with Delcan Heslop? Why, bro? 560Please respect copyright.PENANAOT5wl1Aemd
Me:
I’m not complaining! I just want something more. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAEB8tY8CECb
Evvie:
Then ask him! He’s done it before, Ezra. Just know that a height difference means...ya know. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAle5qiKIpCY
Me:
Evvie!
I meant just talking or something. Going out on a date.
(sorry for mentioning, but it needs to be relatable) I’m sure Rio took you out on dates a lot before things got more serious. We haven’t had a first date.560Please respect copyright.PENANAL3IOGbUQPE
Evvie:
Oh, okay.
What makes you think he doesn’t want a relationship, Ez?560Please respect copyright.PENANAOExoiGWmjS
Any guy would kill to be dating you.560Please respect copyright.PENANALcBvYvwjZ0
Me:
No, sorry. I shouldn’t bring this stuff on you.
Do you still like edible cookie dough?560Please respect copyright.PENANAxqhzS0Tv3C
Evvie:
Duh!! Ez, who doesn’t like cookie dough? Edible or not. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAWcp2h6MyDv
Me:
I was thinking we could spend some time together. It’d be nice to forget about boys for a while and just go back to us in 7th grade.560Please respect copyright.PENANAMYHE3sRDCA
Evvie:
If that’s what you want, yeah. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAswaKlho5Ha
She sent me a heart emoji just as Delcan responded to my message. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAYBAOFlmKM7
Evvie:
Let me see what days my mom is working.
Me:
Cool.
I gotta go.560Please respect copyright.PENANALih9vGNKjk
Evvie:
Okay. Bye, Ez!
Good luck with your relationship. Love ya. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAnbrDTT04VR
Me:
Love you too.560Please respect copyright.PENANAGa6FiDlfpK
If I didn’t keep my relationship with Delcan, at least Evvie and I were still friends. It made me feel better that neither one of us were hiding too many secrets from each other anymore.
Now to deal with Delcan.560Please respect copyright.PENANAFdg7yHUYdZ
Delcan:
You’re right. Family time seems pretty important. We could talk some other time. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAUtUefq0DJQ
Me:
Are you sure? I don’t mind staying up and talking afterward. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAWvtSlKpfCb
Delcan:
Nope. I’m gonna finish this homework.
See you tomorrow. 560Please respect copyright.PENANAbtX3hViFJR
I didn’t respond, but I really wanted to tell him that I wouldn’t mind the two of us just talking with each other. But I knew that he probably wouldn’t listen - or care. I really hoped we weren’t fighting or something. With Haven, it was obvious to know when we're fighting (her friends would always glare at me in class before leaning into each other and talking about how horrible I was) before Haven finally told me she was angry. But with Delcan, there were hardly any hints. It was just there, and I had to try overcoming it.
Then again, I’m sure it’s not exactly great for the few hours I stay mad at him sometimes.
I stood up to put my phone on the charger, but then Delcan posted something online. He wasn’t exactly shirtless or showing his underwear lining, but there was a sense of teasing in the photo. He had taken the picture in the bathroom, his body turned so you could see how slim he was. The caption simply said “what to do…” with an emoji of a dead rose with it.
The picture isn’t what made my heart stop. Well, not exactly. It was the comment from Grayson Williams. What a beautiful burn you have, he commented, along with an emoji that was smirking and then one of those water ones. I straightened my back, feeling my breathing change.
When I looked back at the picture (which already had 2,030 views), I noticed the medium-sized burn he had on his left wrist.
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