I woke up in Ethan's arms. I was a little confused, though, because I was in his bed rather than the couch. He must have woken up at some point and carried me in here. He must've been incredibly gentle because I hadn't woken up for a second since I fell asleep. I was the luckiest girl in the world. I turned around so I was facing him. His sleeping face was so peaceful, I didn't want to wake him. Besides, I knew he hardly got enough sleep. He deserved to get a little extra rest.
I slipped out from his arms as quietly as I could so I wouldn't disturb him. I wanted to keep laying next to him and wrap my arms around him, but I only had an hour before class started, so I had to get home. I planned on running home or stealing a skateboard, but Grayson was awake in the living room. "Do you mind running me to my apartment? I know it's early, but I have class in an hour and I couldn't wake up Ethan. He looked too peaceful." I said. Gray looked tired but of course he agreed. He was always kind and looking for a way to help people. I hoped Ethan got plenty more sleep.
"Thanks, Gray. I'm sorry to ask for a ride so early. I was just gonna steal a skateboard, but I am already gonna be pushing it trying to skateboard to the college in time for class." I told him apologetically.
"It's alright, I was up anyway. It was nice of you to let Ethan sleep." He said. I put on some Kid Cudi on the way there because I knew it was Gray's favorite. He seemed to appreciate it even though he looked exhausted. "Hey, are you okay? I know you and Ethan don't always get a ton of sleep, but you look especially tired." I said. He sighed and smiled faintly.
"Yeah, I'm alright. There's just this girl I met the other day that I have been texted a lot and we texted most of last night. But from the way our conversation went I just don't think it's gonna work out. She's great but I don't think she would be a good fit with my fans and how much I have to work to put out videos. You are flexible with Ethan needing to film and you care so much for our fans. I don't know. I just feel like I will never be able to find a girl who can make me and my fans happy. And I don't know if me being happy can justify upsetting my fans. I have everything because of them." He seemed really upset about this. I reached out to touch his arm.
"Grayson, your fans want you to be happy. Yes, a lot of them are in love with you and they would be sad if you were with someone. But they know you can't be with all of them and more than anything, they want you to be happy. You don't have to fake happiness for them or set aside everything in your life for them. Someday, you're going to stop doing youtube and have a family of your own, so you can't make them happy forever. They will love and support you no matter what. As long as this girl understands your fans and isn't around to brag and show off that she's with you, they can learn to love her.
I received thousands of hate comments when that picture of me with you guys was posted, and they didn't even know about me and Ethan. But once they got to know me, most of them changed their minds. By not giving it a shot, you're underestimating both your fans and this girl you like. I say give it a shot. You deserve to be happy too." I told him. I hated seeing him so low. He seemed to really be contemplating my words.
"You think so? I will think about it. Maybe you're right. Thanks, Vi." He said. I hugged him tightly before I got out of the car at my place. He looked like he needed it. Maybe I was repaying him for the hug I really needed on the beach. "Now go home and get some sleep. You need it." I smiled.
"I will. Your advice settled my thoughts a bit. I think I could actually sleep now." Gray said, smiling his normal smile now. I rushed inside as he pulled away and hauled my butt to class. I just made it before the professor walked in. The day went by quickly. I checked my phone to find a text from Ethan.
"No good morning kiss?" He said. Ugh. I wish I had thought of that.
"Sorry I just left. You looked so peaceful sleeping, I couldn't wake you up. You rarely get enough sleep as it is." I said. When he put it like that, it sounded like I slipped out like a thief in the night.
"It's okay. You can make it up to me later on our date." He said. My cheeks heated up.
"You know I have school tomorrow, don't you?" I said.
"Don't worry, I'll have you home before late." He said. Stupid school. I couldn't say I would mind spending all night with Ethan again. I walked home, enjoying the afternoon sun. Hopefully it would keep up the nice tan I had going for me. When I got home, I didn't have any homework for once, so I was almost at a loss for what to do. First, I talked myself into going for a run. But that didn't take up much time, so I decided to go to the store and restock my already pathetic supply of groceries. The last couple weeks had been such a whirlwind that I was almost out of food.
As I roamed the aisles of the store trying to remember everything I needed, I stumbled upon the hair dye section. My sea green ends had been tragically fading to a lighter and lighter blonde as the days went by, so I figured it was a good time to update my look. Green didn't seem like the right shade anymore, though. It was time to change it up. I grabbed a box labeled "lovely lavender" and hurried home excitedly.
Once the groceries were away, I spent a while carefully applying the bleach and then dye over the faded ends of my hair, doing the best ombre I could. In the end, I was pretty happy with my work. My hair faded from my natural rich brown to a girly lavender. I hoped Ethan liked it. Judging from how many colors he had dyed his hair, I imagined he would. I curled my hair loosely and pinned up one side. Just as I was finishing that, I got another text from Ethan.
"Pick you up in half an hour?" He asked. I smiled. I couldn't imagine a day my heart wouldn't beat faster when I got to see this boy.
"Can't wait." I said. Crap. I need to figure out what to wear. I checked my makeup and hair one more time then stood and went to my closet. Fifteen minutes before Ethan was going to knock on my door, my floor was littered with clothes and I still had no outfit to wear. Then I remembered I had received a few new outfits I had ordered that I never opened. I opened up the boxes and sighed a sigh of relief as I saw an outfit would do just the trick. I put on a white off the shoulder blouse with flowy bell sleeves and paired it with my black chuck taylors and an overall dress that was cut off about mid thigh. Cute but casual. Just as I was fixing up my hair, the doorbell rang. Perfect timing.
I opened the door, smiling. Ethan was wearing a simple beige long sleeve top with black jeans and combat boots. He looks good. Thank God I am his girlfriend so I don't have to hold back my reactions so much. Ethan laughed at the look on my face as I looked him up and down.
"I like the hair." He said. "But I especially like the outfit." He raised an eyebrow. I bit my lip and then leaned forward and kissed him a few times. Once wasn't enough.
"Sorry I ran off this morning. I won't do it again." I said. He still looked a little tired, but I could tell the extra sleep helped him.
"Good. I like sleep but I like you a whole lot more." Then he kissed me again, pulling me into him. His arms were so strong and his stature towered over me. I had to go on my tiptoes to kiss him. If we didn't stop, he was going to mess up my makeup before we even went and did anything. I pulled back and looked at him.
"You can mess up my makeup later." I said, taking his hand and closing my door.
"Is that a promise?" He said seductively. I just winked at him and kept walked. I smiled as I heard him sigh behind me. He opened the door for me again, then smoothly climbed into his car and turned on the ignition. He even made driving look cool. I sang along to the radio on the way to wherever he was taking me because I knew he liked hearing me sing. Also, all the best songs came on the radio and I couldn't resist in my good mood. About twenty minutes later, we pulled up to a little restaurant that looked pretty fancy. All the cars in the parking lot, including Ethan's BMW, were shiny, new cars that looked like they cost way more than I could afford any time soon. I looked at him with wide eyes.
"Is this restaurant gonna cost as much as my college loans?" He laughed.
"Don't worry about it." He smiled, rubbing his thumb along my hand as he held it.
"I should have worn something different, I didn't know it was going to be this fancy." I worried.
"I'm just wearing jeans and combat boots. Trust me, it's okay. If it was that formal, I would have told you." He said. I couldn't stay worried with him around. He always made me feel better. I got out of the car and followed him inside. It was decorated with simple, modern artwork and decorations. More importantly, though, was that it smelled incredible. Whatever they were cooking right then was what wanted.
We sat down at a nice, secluded table in the corner where we could talk without the prying eyes and ears of everyone else in the restaurant. I grasped Ethan's hand and smiled at him when he looked up. "Thank you, this place is really special." I said. I still couldn't tell you why he chose me to be his girlfriend but I would always thank the rain for causing me to stand up to walk toward my car and bump into him. He smiled back at me and leaned across the table to kiss me.
"I knew you'd like it. And you're welcome. You look beautiful, by the way."
"And you look very handsome." I replied.
"I feel like no girl I have ever dated has understood me as well as you do. I can just totally be myself and I never worry that you will be intimidated or weirded out."
"I feel the same way. I never expected Ethan Dolan, youtube star and teen heartthrob to live up to everything he does in his videos, but you're even more amazing in real life." I said.
"That brings me to the reason I brought you here, actually." He said. My heart dropped and the smile left my face. Was he going to break up with me already? Did the fans hate me? Was it because I left this morning? Or had he been uncertain all along? He saw my face change and took my hand.
"It's nothing bad. It just may be a little tricky is all." I furrowed my brows.
"Should I be worried?" I asked. He sighed.
"No, don't be worried. We'll get through it together. We are officially a couple now. I love you, Viola. And the fans know that you hang out with Grayson and I but they don't know how close we are. You talk to them every day, but you aren't able to be honest because of me. And they're my fans, so I should be honest with them." I could see where he was going with this now.
"So you want to tell the fans about us." I interrupted. He smiles nervously.
"Well, yeah. I can do it myself. I know they will still blow up your phone and stuff, but I think it should come from me. What do you think? Are you okay with going public?" He asked. I thought for a moment. I had promised myself that I would always be honest. These girls were just as much my responsibility as Ethan's now. I smiled happily at him.
"Of course I am. I love you and I want everyone to know it." He smiled wider than I had ever seen and kissed me again.
"You're the girl of my dreams, Viola." Then our food came, and we talked as we ate. The food was absolutely amazing. I had never eaten anything so good in my life, and I was sure the price would reflect that. But Ethan knew I wasn't with him because of his money, so I didn't let myself feel guilty. After dinner, we got back into his car and headed back to his place.
"So Grayson isn't home right now." He said, helping me out of the car. I felt the butterflies in my stomach flutter. I had wondered when this moment would come. This time, I didn't want to tease him or joke around.
"Will he be back any time soon?" I asked, trying to be casual and hide my nerves.
"No." He said simply. I nodded. We both knew what this meant. We walked inside, holding hands, saying nothing. We didn't stop to hang up our coats or leave my purse in the living room. Instead, he just walked me straight to his bedroom and closed the door behind him.
"I love you, Viola." He told me. I looked up at him. He had turned around and grabbed my waist with his hands, pulling me close gently.
"I love you too, Ethan." Our lips locked and we became lost in each other's kisses for what felt like hours. The butterflies never left me, but I felt comfortable with Ethan because he took it slow. After kisses came the real nerves as he began to take off more and more of his clothes and then mine. His body was incredibly defined and strong and I loved every piece of it. He seemed to love my body as well, as he slowly surveyed me with his eyes and then his hands.
"You're the most beautiful girl in the world." He said between kisses. I just kissed him back harder. Then we lay on the bed together and continued late into the night. Up until that point, I didn't think it was possible for Ethan to make me any happier, but I was wrong. I thought he made my mind go crazy, but he made my body go even crazier. There was no way I was going to be able to focus in class tomorrow. Every movement Ethan made would be on my mind and all I would be able to think about would be doing it again.
I woke up in Ethan's bed, blissfully happy and well rested. He was next to me, still mostly naked with his arms wrapped around my mostly naked body. I blushed a little thinking about the night before. I turned to him and kissed him slowly a few times until he started to wake up. He blinked his eyes and immediately pulled me closer to kiss me passionately and feel my body again.
"Morning beautiful." He said.
"Good morning." I replied. "I thought you said you were going to have me home before late last night."
"You are home." he said. I couldn't argue with that, I felt at home. It was hard not to get too excited with Ethan laying next to me shirtless in bed.
"I want to stay, but I really need to shower and get ready for class." I said. He sighed and hugged me tightly.
"Alright. I'll give you a ride to your apartment." He said, pulling on some jeans and tshirt. He kissed me a little more ferociously as I stepped out of his car that time. I liked this side of Ethan. Class was hard to sit through, as predicted but I got through it and even made some friends in my classes. When I checked my phone, my notifications were blowing up again. What is it this time? I opened up instagram and found that Ethan had posted a new picture. It was of me and him last night before we went into the restaurant. I had forgotten we asked someone to take our picture. I was smiling and Ethan kissed my cheek and had his arm around me. The caption was pretty long.
"Everyone, meet my girlfriend, Vi. I know a lot of you recognize her by now. But let me introduce you properly. She is the sweetest, funniest, prettiest, most adventurous girl I know. Sure, she sucks at mini golf, but she can't be perfect, right? Most of all- she loves every single one of you guys as much as I do. I hope you all can grow to love her." People stared as I cried over my phone in the middle of the commons. Ethan Dolan loved me and now the whole world knew it.
This time, I ignored all the hate comments. I didn't feel sad at all. I commented on his post with a single red heart and then put away my phone and grabbed my skateboard. I needed to see Ethan as soon as possible. I beamed the whole way there.
