Page 65 of Taking Care of You
The few daysI spend at home are quiet. I run into my dad again and we have another short conversation. It’s less awkward than the first one but still weird. I wish our conversation could flow effortlessly, but it’s better than nothing.
On Friday, school is boring in the morning. Ethan has a doctor’s appointment, so he leaves after first period, leaving me to walk to class alone.
I didn’t think anyone would pay me any mind since Ethan isn’t with me, but I still get waves, and people speak to me between classes. I guess Ethan’s plan has worked and I’m having a good senior year.
Up until my class after lunch.
I’m almost late, since I sat and talked to Mitch and Elle about their Christmas plans.
I hustle to my locker to get my books, then walk to class. I’m sad that I’m walking alone—so used to having Ethan beside me—but whatever. I always walked alone before I got with Ethan.
He’s spoiled me, though.
I’m so in my head that I don’t even notice Dawn standing near the library with her faithful followers, waiting for me.
She starts in on me immediately and I can’t find a way to get away from her. I look around, but it seems like most of the people I know that could help me aren’t around and everyone else is rushing to class.
“He’s only with you because you look like a girl,” she says snootily. “You’re pretty like a girl, so he’s confused.”
I feel my face heat and my eyes start to water. That can’t be true, right? I personally think I’m rather odd-looking, but not like a girl at all. Yes, I’m small, but that doesn’t mean I look like a girl.
“But Ethan’s not gay. He was with me, so I know.”
I turn down another hall, walking past my class, hoping she’ll leave me alone. The bell rang already, but she’s still following me, talking shit and her friends are giggling like what she’s saying is the best stand-up comedy routine they’ve ever heard.
Dawn continues to taunt and needle me, even though we’re the only ones in the hallway and she’s practically shouting at me. “He doesn’t like men like you do. He doesn’t like sucking?—”
“Dawn, what the fuck?”
I almost run right into Ethan because I’m trying to lower my head and look smaller against her insults. And she was obviously so focused on me that she didn’t see him either.
He pulls me into his arms and I drop my head against his chest, breathing him in and discreetly wiping away tears.
I look back at Dawn and see how wide her eyes are. Her mouth opens and closes like she’s trying to come up with an answer.
Ethan pulls my head back to his chest and I feel him breathing heavily, heart racing, like he’s barely containing his anger.
She finds her voice and says, “Oh, I…uh…we. We were?—”
“You were fucking with my boyfriend. You were being a fucking bully to someone who’s never done anything to you. What’s your fucking problem?” he practically roars.
Hearing the anger in Ethan’s voice makes me sad. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have to act out of character, Dawn wouldn’t be upset with him and his life wouldn’t be crazy like this. He wouldn’t have to come to my defense.
In. a low voice, he says, “Hear me when I say this: stop this shit. Now. Or I’ll report you for harassment and bullying. I imagine that won’t go over well with the college you applied for. Do you understand?”
I turn around to see her eyes narrowed on us. “You don’t really want him, though. You’re only with him to make me jealous.”
Her friends look at her like they think she’s crazy. I think the same thing. They’ve been over her shit since the summer. At this point, she’s making herself look stupid.
Ethan scoffs and guides me down the hallway, saying over his shoulder, “I haven’t wanted you in months. Don’t fool yourself, Dawn.”
“This isn’t over!” she shouts at our backs and I’m not sure if she’s talking to me or Ethan.
He shouts back, “It is now!” He leans closer to my ear when we’re a few feet away. “You okay?” I shake my head, because I’m not. “Come on.”
We leave the building and head to his car. I’ve never skipped school before, but I don’t want to be there anymore. Ethan has track practice, but I’m sure he’s skipping that too. I feel bad about it because track is his future. I’ll mention it later, hoping he at least goes back for practice.
We don’t speak on the drive to his house. I’m still thinking about what Dawn said. I know she’s trying to be hurtful. Of course I'm not pretty like a girl. And it wouldn't matter if I was, Ethan knows I'm a guy.
