I cut the story short last chapter, because I hit a wall. But now I've come up with a few ideas for this chapter. It is now Friday, peeps! T.G.I.F.! Katy Perry, I feel you now. I do not own MBAV, nor am I getting paid for this. That would be pretty cool, though.
He's Just My Everything
Protected
~Erica's P.O.V.~
I woke with a start, then sighed. The same dream errupting my new sence of peace. I got dressed and ready for school. Walking there, I see Ethan. I wanted to wave him down and walk with him, but that might make me look clingy. I just walked forward.
"Erica!" I heard a purr of delight. When I looked, Ethan was approaching me. I caught my breath before it left me and mustered a smile. "Why are you walking alone?"
"I never walk with anyone." I answer simply. He frowned.
"That sounds fun. Walk with me?" I smiled again and nodded. We talked about our project till we got to class.
"Alright, everyone, eyes over here." Mr. Bell said. He looked over at me and Ethan.
"I'm hoping Miss Jones was a good guide?" He asked briskly. All eyes went back to me, scowling faces, furious and jealous eyes... the jealousy was new to me. Ethan again got nervous under the attention. I could tell because he always would tap his fingers, as he was now.
"The best, sir." Mr. Bell nodded boredly, as if he couldn't care less.
All classes passed flawlessly, with Ethan by my side. Lunch was the only time I felt jittery. He brought up my lack of appitite as he didn't yesterday.
"You have a big breakfast?" He asked jokingly. But I still heard the curiousity and concern in the undertone.
"No. I mean, yes." I said quickly. His eyes narrowed.
"Are you feeling bad? I could take you to the nurse's office." He said caringly.
"I feel fine. Just not gonna eat right now is all." I said. He touched my hand.
"I haven't seen you eat yet, Erica. Do you eat?" I looked down, trying to ivoid the concern and dread in his eyes. He guessed the answer and stood. I heard him walk away. My breath caught and I felt tears flood my eyes. Just like that? Just because I didn't eat, he left. I wasn't his friend anymore.
I couldn't take it. I stood and turned to the bathroom, needing the closure of the stalls. Then someone grabbed my wrist roughly. I turned quickly.
"What?" I snapped, only to find Ethan. He loosened his grip in surprise.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to grab you like that."
"No! I'm sorry I snapped." I said, feeling like an idiot. It was now I realize the tray in his hand. He noticed my curious glance.
"I don't mean to sound forceful, but you need to eat, if we sit here all day." I blinked and looked at him. Then back to the food. Then back to him. He smiled reassuringly. I looked back at the food. Ethan let go of my wrist and began to sit.
But then someone bumped me from behind. I fell forward, my breasts landing in the food. My breath held, I turned and saw Jasmine glaring at me, walking away. Ethan walked over to her and smiled, grabbing her hand. His eyes shone at her. She smiled in return.
Oh my god. This was horrifying to watch. Then Ethan turned to me at started walking. I was as confused as the dumb look on Jasmine's face. As they stopped in front of me, Ethan's face turned hard and threatening.
"Apologize." He tightened his grip on Jasmine's hand.
"Why? I'm not sorry." Jasmine scoffed.
"Now." Ethan hissed. She flinched in the slightest and looked at me.
"I'm sorry, Jones. Sorry you exist." Ethan made a snarl-like noise and lost his grip on her hand, starting to walk to me.
"If you won't apologize, then get out of my sight." Jasmine bowed her head and walked away, toward the trash cans where Sarah Fox was waiting. I hadn't noticed the tears falling until Ethan started wiping them away.
"It's alright, Erica. She didn't mean it. Come on, let's get you your shirt from gym. Then you can eat." I nodded and followed him out of the cafateria. When we got there, I went to my locker and grabbed my shirt. It had a little bit of sweat under the unpits, but it was dry and no one will notice.
Without thinking, I wanted the potato salad off of me so much I just started yanking my shirt off. Ethan must have still been looking, because I heard his breath catch and shuffling of feet. I stiffened.
"Sorry! Forgot you were there!"
"It's fine." He said simply. "Just hurry, before lunch is over and you can't eat."
"I don't need to." I mumbled.
"Erica..." He groaned. "You are so stubborn." I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped me. He seemed to have chuckled once before I realized the girly noise I just made. My ears felt hot. "Aw, don't be like that, Erica. You're so cute when you giggle." I blinked.
"Me? How could I be cute?" I thought. He laughed.
"Many ways..." Did I say that out loud? Oh, how embarrassing. But I soon forgot as soon as arms wrapped themselfs around my bare waist. I gasped in surprise.
"E-"
"You look cute when you smile, when you put a little skip in your walk when you're in a good mood, when you have one tiny flaw and you beat yourself over it for hours, when your face shines when you do something right, when you blush, when you look confused, when you're being stubborn, and you look positively adorable in that frilly pink bra." At this point, I was beat red and both of us knew it. He seemed to jump back.
"Eth-"
"Erica, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-! I mean, I did, but I forgot you we're shirtless! And that last remark was completely un-called for! I'm sorry!" I hurriedly put a shirt on and turned to him, trying to tame my face from the flames that felt glued on.
"Etha." He hung his head so his perfect hair fell in his eyes.
"I'm a pervert. I can't believe I said that. I made you uncomfortable by saying that, to make it worse. I can't believe I touched you while your guard was down. I-" I think he could go on forever.
"ETHAN!" I shouted. He jumped and looked at me.
"Yes?"
"Are you done yet?" He blinked.
"I-I suppose." I smiled at him.
"We'll pretend nothing happened, kay? And go on with our day?" After a minute, he smiled back.
"Of course." We went back into the hallways, but the bell rang. The late bell. I paled.
"Oh God. We're late for class." I gasped. I turned to my locker and ran, trying to turn the combination. But I kept messing up. Ethan put his hand on mine.
"Erica, you just need to relax. We'll apologize to Mr. Walton and continue the lesson, right?"
"Right." I breathed. "Right."
"Good. So you get your stuff and I'll get mine, we'll walk to class together and do that."
"Right."
"Yes." He turned to go to his locker on the other side of the hall. I finally got the dial right and collected my books. Ethan came back over to me and we walked to class, him a little behind me. then suddenly, a blow from my right as we passed a hallway, and I was on the floor.
"Erica!" was heard at the same time "Jones!" was. My head pounded as I sat up. My glasses were gone, so I couldn't see much. Ethan seemed to be confronting the deep voice that punched my jaw.
"Why'd you do that!?"
"I-I didn't see her there! Sorry, dude!"
"Don't say sorry to me! You punched Erica!"
"Who's Erica?" The slimmer figure pushed the other against the lockers with a thud.
"Erica Jones. Her name is Erica."
"I-I-I'm sorry, J- Erica!" My name sounded strangled, but it hasn't been said in so long. With the exceptions of Ethan, mom and Jesse.
"Okay." I mumbled, still holding my head.
I think Ethan let go of the other boy, which I reconized as Roy Grushner. Ethan got my glasses and handed them to me and helped me up. I was dizzy, so I fell into Ethan. He caught me and helped me stand upright.
"Erica?"
"I think I'll take that offer for the nurses office, please." I slurred.
"Erica, how fingers am holding up?" His hands raised, and I saw eight fingers. Honestly.
"Well, I'll worry you if I tell the truth, so..." He sighed.
"Alright, let's go."
"Okay." I mumbled again. He walked forward, but I nearly fell again. He sighed.
"Forgive me."
"Wha-" He picked me up bridal-style. I gasped and my hands flew to his chest to feel better. He chuckled a little.
"Just hold on, okay?"
"I might do that." I mumbled.
There! I'll just post this real quick, so ta-ta for now! ~TrampledRose