Chapter 3 – I was right!

"grandma! I'm heading over to Ethan's now!" I shouted out as I grabbed my hoodie, this time it was one of my own. It was a light lavender color that a lot of people mistook as pink, and said never normal on it.

"okay dear, have fun," she replied from somewhere in the house. Sounded like she was in the basement, why she spent her time down there was a mystery to me. I nodded to myself and put my hoodie on and was just about to open the door to head out when benny came running down the stairs, a bunch of stuff in his arms.

"do think this stuff will impress Erica?" he asked trying to show it all to me without dropping anything, to no success as a pair of fake vampire fangs fell to the ground. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"wait what? Where did you even get this stuff from?" I asked looking at the dusk movies and dusk related things in his arms. Did he raid a dusk store or something on the way home?

"I know people, not the point," he said shrugging. "do you think Erica will like me if I show up with this stuff?" I rolled my eyes. Leave it to benny to do something actually kind of nice for a girl, getting her favorite movie and things related to 'bond' with her. I'm sure though, he didn't have the most innocent of intentions. Scratching my head I walked closer to him to get a closer look at everything.

"really?" I said reaching down to pick up the fake vampire fangs that fell to the ground earlier. "why are you asking me? I don't know the girl. I don't even know how you knew who she is."

"you're a girl right? You're supposed to know what girls like."

"yeah, maybe. But not dusk obsessed girls. You know I cant stand those movies, or when someone talks about them nonstop. So why would I know? Uh, just go with your gut, lover boy." I said shrugging and moving away. "now if you'll excuse me, I have homework to do with a friend." Benny scoffed.

"yeah more like you're going to go stare at Ethan while pretending to do homework. God its so obvious that you guys like each other yet you guys cant see." I rolled my eyes at him and walked back to the door, opening it.

"whatever benny, ill see you in a little bit. Try not to scare the poor girl away with your 'love'" and with that I left the house and made my way over to Ethan's. When I got to his house I debated just walking in and announcing my presence like my brother does, like 99% of the time, but figured it'd be best to knock. While I waited for someone to open the door, I looked around. It was just getting dark so I could still see, but man was it still creepy as heck. Suddenly it felt like the hairs on the back of my neck were standing straight. Feeling eyes on me I looked around. There! I swear I saw something moving in the trees across the street. Is it a person or some wild animal? Oh my god. Come on Morgans, open the door. I'm getting seriously scared right now. Just as my panic was about to kick into full gear, the front door opened.

"hey Katie wh-" I didn't let Ethan finish as I practically ran into the house and slammed the door shut. I locked it for good measure too. I leaned against the door with my hand on my chest, out of breath. "uh, Katie, are you okay? What happened out there? You look like you've seen a ghost." Ethan asked me as he slowly got close enough to grab my arm and drag me from the door. I shook my head and took a seat at the table.

"I just scared myself is all. Overthinking and all that." He nodded and went upstairs to get his homework and I took mine out. "hey Jane, whatcha doing?" I looked over at her. She looked adorable in her little pink shirt.

"just looking at some stickers," she shrugged going back to what she was doing. I was about to ask her something else when Ethan's parents walked into the room.

"oh Katie! We didn't know you were coming over?" Ethan's mom said coming up to me to give me a hug.

"oh I'm sorry Mrs. m. I thought Ethan would've told you I was coming over for a bit to work on homework before the babysitter got here." I hugged ross and Sam, Ethan's parents, and rubbed my head. I honestly thought Ethan was going to tell his parents. Boys.

"oh its fine dear, you can stay and keep Ethan out of trouble in case your brother shows up. Maybe help the babysitter with Jane."

"god knows that benny gets into all sorts of trouble with Ethan when you're not around." Blushing, I just giggled.

"well you know my brother, always the trickster." Well this kind of just got awkward, where was Ethan? Did it really take this long to get homework? We didn't even have that much seeing as it was the first day of school. Just then, Ethan came into the room with his work. Saving me from more embarrassing talks with his parents, for the moment at least. After a little bit of idle chit chat, they left us to go get ready for their date night. I think its super cute that even after all these years they still have date nights. I hope when I get married me and my spouse will be like that. Keep the love alive. After a short while I was done with my homework and was just sitting there doodling, Ethan still looked like he had a couple questions left.

"it must be pretty embarrassing needing a babysitter in high school." Jane said still looking at her stickers. Just as Ethan was about to reply his parents came back into the room all dolled up. Ethan's mom looked so cute in her slightly frilly purple dress. And his dad matched her! Well, sort of. He had on this cowboy looking outfit with green and purple triangle like spots on the shoulders. Still super adorable. I wonder where they were going.

"howdy partners," Ethan's dad said as he stood next to his wife. "aint she perdy as a 20 dollar bill in a 10 gallon hat?" uh, what? Come again sir? I no doubt looked confused.

"oh well thank you kind sir." I looked over at Ethan, confusion all over my face, and was met with a shrug and his 'I'm embarrassed' smile. Grinning back, I shook my head and looked back at his parents.

"nice outfits Mr. and Mrs. m. looking might fine." I gave them two thumbs up.

"awh, Katie, you're so sweet. I can always expect a compliment from you," Ethan's mom said as she walked over to me to give me a hug. After the hug she walked back over to ross only to have him spin her around and cause her to giggle. "we're going country line dancing." Ooo, exciting.

"yeah, I kinda noticed. Um, mom? Dad? I just wanna say you were right. I shouldn't have left Jane unattended last week, even though Katie was there. Even with Katie being there with her I still should have been watching her. I learned my lesson. So you can cancel the sitter and save 25 dollars." Ethan said trying to convince his parents to give up on the babysitter plan. I'm like 100% positive it wont work. Ethan's parents are strict with their word. If they say babysitter, there's going to be a babysitter. No amount of sucking up will stop that. But hey, nice try bud.

"Ethan, I already told you. I'm not leaving you alone with Jane until I know you can be trusted." And with that Ethan's mom left the room in the direction of the front door.

"sorry pal, she's a sheriff." He too left the room, but not before he did this weird little dance.

"fine, then ill be in my room. With Katie!" Ethan gathered all his things and started to his room before looking back at me. "come on," he said motioning me to get my stuff as well. "alone!" he practically shouted before we headed to his room. Once in his room we put our things down on the floor next to his bed. While I sat down on said bed and got comfy, Ethan played some music. While laying down on my back on the bed, I pulled out a book to read while Ethan sat at his computer to do who knows what. After an unknown amount of time, a beeping sound could be heard over the music. Sitting up I looked over at Ethan at his computer to see an incoming video call message popping up.

"who is it, benny?" I got up and stood next to Ethan, leaning over a bit so I could see the computer screen and be seen in the chat. And it was infact benny. With his big ol' head.

"hey man, sis. Any sign of that babe-o-sitter yet?" benny said as soon as Ethan entered the chat. I rolled my eyes and got closer to Ethan.

"I don't appreciate the weirdo 'babe' words. The made up words." Benny scoffed and rolled his eyes too.

"well, no one asked you sister from hell."

"no sign of Erica yet. Me and Katie are staying in my room as a form of protest." I looked at Ethan.

"I thought you just wanted to get me alone and do dastardly things to me," I joked. Ethan looked panicked and started waving his arms around and flushing like crazy. "chill, E. I'm joking. Take a joke dude." I smacked his shoulder and turned back to benny.

"okay, well. First sign of babezilla approaching and I am there," having enough of the boy talk I plopped back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

"good luck with that," Ethan said before he disconnected from the chat.

"I'm embarrassed to be related to him sometimes." I turned on the bed so I was facing Ethan. I had a grin on my face so he knew I wasn't being 100% serious. There's only so much benny one can take.

"I would be too. I mean, he's a little too dorky sometimes." Ethan said with a laugh as he turned to me, making me laugh along with him. After we calmed down I stood up and walked over to the radio.

"how about we have some fun?" I changed the station till I heard a nice upbeat song and started to dance along with it. Still dancing, I made my way over to him and grabbed his hands. "come on, dance with me?" I pulled him up to his feet, still holding onto his hands. He shook his head and tried to sit back down. "oh come on! Please?" I put on my best puppy dog eyes. "we have to have some form of fun and entertainment while being stuck up here until the babysitter or I leaves." He looked at my and shook his head sighing.

"fine" I smiled and turned the music up a little louder and started to dance again, this time Ethan joining in. we danced to a few songs, laughing and goofing off. It was great. I really really like this kid. I swear. I was so tempted to kiss him at one point. After a bit Ethan said he was getting tired and sat back down. I pouted but decided that I took was getting a little out of breath. With it decided that dance time was now over, I turned the volume back down and laid back down on the bed while Ethan went back to what he was doing before. I picked up the book I was reading before and started in again. Just as I was getting to the good part a noise outside made me stop. What the heck was that? I sat up and listened closely, sounded like animals fighting, loudly, outside. I looked over at Ethan to make sure he heard it to and that I wasn't going crazy and he did. He got up to look out his window and seeing nothing went back to his computer and called benny, who answered immediately.

"you guys hear that? Sounds like," I could hear exactly what his said but it sounded like raccoons? "fighting in our back yards. Sounds huge!" benny held up this sound enhancer thing.

"yeah, but its most likely just some wild animals benny." I said getting up and standing behind Ethan. Just as I reached Ethan, a loud crashing sound happened. And what sounded like someone screaming? "that didn't sound like an animal" just then, the doorbell rang. Animal sounds forgotten, Ethan perked up a bit.

"must be the babysitter," he said getting up from the chair. "wanna go check it out?" I nodded and we both headed down the stairs. About halfway down the stairs and we could see who was at the door. It was the girl that Ethan spilled food on at school, pretty but rude. I stopped just shy of the bottom of the stairs and looked back up at Ethan after I noticed he wasn't right behind me anymore. He looked like a deer caught in headlights. I glanced back at the pretty but rude girl and then back at Ethan, who was all eyes for her. Ouch, my heart.

"uh, earth to Ethan?" Ethan's mom said looking at her son and then back to the girl.

"hey," she said, waving awkwardly. Then out pops Jane.

"do you like dance dance revolution?" Jane asked. I swear she's obsessed with that game. She's made me play it soo many times. I have the arrows to certain songs memorized at this point.

"I'm a brutal dancer. I'm pretty sure you'd kick my butt every time." And that was the worse thing to say to try to get out playing the game. Jane loves to win, hence why she doesn't ask me as much to play. I kick her butt.

"perfect, you're up first." Jane reached out and grabbed ahold of pretty but rude and started to drag her into the living room. The entire time, I noticed, Ethan hasn't moved. Hasn't said anything, hasn't done anything outside of stare. Did I miss my shot?

"oh, hang on a second hunny, you're bleeding." Mrs. Morgan said grabbing pretty but rudes arm, where she in fact was bleeding. Didn't look anything serious, just a scrape. Pretty but rude looked at her arm.

"oh. Its nothing I tripped on the way here," she said as she covered the spot with her other hand. I finished walking down the stairs and stood there leaning against the railing. "I, uh, it doesn't even hurt."

"you know, ill go get some bandages." Ethan finally spoke as he all but ran upstairs, leaving me feeling awkward in the face of well, a new face. Gathering the little confidence I had, I walked up to pretty but rude and held out my hand.

"uh, hi. I'm Katelyn, one of Ethan's best friends. Its nice to meet you." I said with a smile, even though I was kind of jealous of her. I mean of course Ethan would like her and not me, she's gorgeous. And like I've said before, I'm average.

"I'm Sarah. And you guys are only friends? I thought you were dating." Sarah said shaking my hand with a confused smile on her face. I instantly blushed and looked away, laughing nervously. Oh god, this chick doesn't even know us and she thought we were dating? Jeez.

"oh no, we are just friends." I looked back at her and rubbed my head. "even though id love nothing more than to be more," was said under my breath.

"are you sure you're okay Sarah?" Ethan's mom said, still concerned.

"oh yeah. Uh, shortcut." Sarah took a leaf out of her hair. "through the woods." She laughed a little bit and Mrs. Morgan joined in.

"okay, well listen, my cell number is on the fridge. And Jane has to be in bed no later than 8:30." Ethan's mom explained to Sarah. She nodded and looked over at Jane. "bye sweetie." Ethan's parents started grabbing their things to leave when Jane ran up to her mom and gave her a hug.

"love you"

"love you too." Mrs. Morgan said kissing Jane on the head. She looked over at me and smiled. "love you too Katelyn dear." This made me blush and walk over to her to get a hug goodbye as well.

"night sweetheart, see you later." Mr. Morgan said as he too gave Jane a kiss on the head. "and you too miss. Katelyn." And a hug from Mr. Morgan was received. Mrs. Morgan yelled bye up the stairs to Ethan, who simply replied with a bye. The morgans, minus the children, opened the door and were on their way out when Jane grabbed onto Sarah again. Most likely trying to get her to play DDR again.

"have fun at the rodeo or whatever." Sarah said as she was being dragged out.

"thanks." And the parents were gone. Time to make some food. While I enjoyed my time with Ethan this evening, he forgot to feed me. so I am starved.

"well, I'm hungry, soo I'm going to make some food." I said heading off into the kitchen. First stop, the pantry to make sure what I needed was there. Which it was. Grabbing out what I needed I made my way over to the stove. Grabbing a pan out of the cabinet I filled it with water and some salt and set it on a burner to boil.

"Katie, look! Me and Sarah found the secret stash of fudgesicles!" I looked behind me at Jane, who had chocolate already all over her face, and giggled.

"that's awesome! Don't eat them all and make sure to save me at least one, got it?" I pointed at her with a grin on my face. She nodded and continued to eat. Finally, after way to long to get bandages, Ethan could be heard coming down the stairs.

"I got the bandages," I heard him say on his way down. I followed behind Jane as she ran up to her brother to show her the ice cream.

"and we found our secret stash of fudgesicles!" she said bumping into him. I make a choking sound as I tried not to laugh at the scene. Ethan's pants now had a nice brown stain, right on the crotch. Wait, did he change clothes? And was that the faint scent of cologne? Was he trying to impress Sarah? Again, ouch, my heart.

"ahh, Jane!" Ethan said with his arms out. Sarah and I walked a bit closer to the two, with Sarah giggling and me just grinning.

"I guess this is what you get for taking forever, to get Band-Aids." I said crossing my arms. Ethan looked at me, almost like he forgot I was here and was now panicking.

"nice" Sarah said, drawing Ethan's attention back to her and where she was pointing. "I guess now, we're even." Ethan sighed and tossed the Band-Aids at her.

"here." Just then, someone knocked on the door. Must be benny, took him long enough. I looked back into the kitchen to see how the water was doing and caught the slightly scared look on Sarah's face. Weird. "I got it," Ethan said as he walked to the door.

"no no no no no" Sarah said as she looked around and then grabbed an umbrella. With umbrella in hand she ran towards the door. Giving her a weird look I followed behind.

"whoa there." I mumbled. Ethan opened the door and in burst my idiot of a brother.

"I got pop, chips, and the first season of the blood sucker dairies." Benny said as soon as the door was opened. He hasn't even looked up yet. Oh, there he goes. "who," he started as he pulled those fake fangs up to his mouth as he looked up. Looking at us and not seeing his 'babe', he quickly put the fangs in his mouth. Sarah sighed like she was relieved and put the umbrella down after Ethan shut the door.

"where's your bathroom?" she asked turning to Ethan.

"oh um," Ethan started. Sarah looked over at benny and then back to Ethan.

"its right down the hall and to the left." I answered for Ethan, pointing back towards the kitchen. She thanked me and walked away, Jane following behind.

"dude. Is that your robo babe(rewatching the movie and it still sounds like that to me, I'm not sure if its really what he says though.) from school?" benny said removing the fangs from his mouth. I rolled my eyes and remembered I was cooking something and made my way back into the kitchen.

"yes. And I guess Erica couldn't come so she sent her instead." Ethan said as he and benny followed me. the noodles I had put in shortly before Ethan came downstairs were now done. I tipped the pot over the sink and let the strainer catch the noodles. I set the pot back on the stove and was about to make my way to fridge when benny opened his big mouth.

"so, she's like a substitute babe?" he asked causing me to walk up to him and smack him in the back of the head.

"dude, don't" Ethan had said at the same time.

"dude, sweet! And ow! Hit me again and I will personally tell everyone how you still sleep with a stuffed animal!" benny said glaring at me and pointing his finger in my face.

"like you could prove it. And what did I say about pointing your finger in my face? Ill bite it off! Don't test me Benjamin!" I said grabbing the milk out of the fridge. Benny gasped and held his hand to his chest and then stuck his tongue out at me. "ill cut that off too." I said walking back to the stove.

"no, no not sweet. Sheesh can you be less of a geek for once?" Ethan said while I mixed together some stuff and added the noodles back into the pot, mixing those in as well. "and stop picking on Katelyn, we all know that you still have a nightlight." Ethan said standing next to the counter. I grabbed two bowls and spoons and make myself, and Jane, a bowl of mac and cheese. I set hers of to the side for her to grab later if she so wishes.

"yeah, this coming from the guy who looks like he pooped his pants from the front," benny replied making me laugh. "nice job by the way."

"its fudgesicle."

"anyway, lets order some za, I'm starving." I pointed to the pot of mac and cheese I just made and benny made a face. "nah I'm good. Not to say your cooking is bad, I just want za." I shrugged and continued to eat as benny pulled his phone out. "hey, its me." Ethan walked over to where Jane was standing by the bathroom that Sarah was in. and speaking of Sarah, I could just barely make out the sounds of her arguing with someone on the phone. "give me the usual and super size that puppy. I'm next door. Its, uh, exactly 7:19 and you have 30 minutes or its free. ENGAGE!" benny hung up and put his phone back into his pocket. I finished my bowl and put it in the sink when Jane walked over to where benny was.

"I made mac and cheese if you want any Jane."

"thanks Katie" she said grabbing the bowl I made for her and taking a couple bites before putting it back on the counter. I looked over at the bathroom and saw Ethan was still over there. Then, he appeared to have opened the door and was just stood looking shocked. Way to be creepy Ethan. Nice one.

"are you looking for something or are you just an incredible perv?" I heard Sarah say. Ethan didn't reply, he just looked over at benny and I. after like a second he started stuttering.

"uh, no, uh" Ethan quickly closed the door and walked back over to us. "benny," he looked creeped out. What did he see that made him look so freaked?

"alright dude, this new galactic spin off is on tonight and we should totally," benny started, not reading the room very well. "kay, what's up?" he said finally noticing something was up with Ethan.

"I just saw Sarah. She was in front of the mirror, but not in it!" I frowned. No reflection? Maybe my joke earlier had some truth?

"I told you guys," I started leaning my head on my hand as I leaned against the counter. "vampires," I moved my arms like SpongeBob in that one episode where he goes, 'imagination'.

"okay, hold on. How much after shave did you drink? And how much did you give to my sister? Ow!" benny said holding his arm. I hit him again. I try not to make it a habit, but he deserves it sometimes.

"dude, I'm serious. Katie you believe me right?" I nodded, its not like Ethan to make up such tales. "her reflection was all wonky. She's not normal okay? She's like a," he didn't get to finish his sentence cause Sarah chose that moment to exit the bathroom and walk up to us.

"hey, look. You guys don't really need a sitter do you?" she asked.

"depends on what you mean by need." Benny said winking, which soon turned into him whimpering and rubbing his arm. I hit him in the arm again.

"no, no. we're fine. My mom just likes to humiliate me to make a point."

"okay good. I need to find my friend Erica. I think she's in trouble." But, didn't she say that Erica was sick and that she sent her here? There's holes in this story Sarah.

"maybe I should come with you. You know for protection." Ethan said walking up to Sarah. Maybe I should rib my heart out, you know, to save me from the pain of watching the guy you like, basically hit on someone else. I frowned and huffed causing benny to look at me. he, too, frowned and looked back at Ethan. Sarah dropped her phone so Ethan picked it up for her. When he handed it back to her, their hands brushed. Ethan gasped and went rigid. It was strange. I've never seen him do that before.

"trust me, you don't wanna go out tonight. And save those muscles for saving someone else," Sarah said laughing and looking at me. I blushed and looked away, I never noticed that the ceiling had such an interesting design on it!