Mismatched Compatibility (13)

Dana:

“You should've told me that you wanted to leave.”

I shot up from my position at that voice. Ethan had his arms crossed as he stared at me with a smug look on his face. No doubt he was checking me out before he decided to inform me of his presence.

For some odd reason, I felt a tingling sensation in my stomach, my arms, and my legs. It must be because of the summer night breeze. I didn't want to think about the other option.

“I didn't want to disturb you,” I told him simply.

He snorted. “You've disturbed me the moment you kicked these boys,” he said, pointing to his . . . Er, you know.

I winced. “Sorry about that. You deserved it, though.”

That made him laugh. He was still chortling as he made his way to the lounge chair beside mine. He kicked off his shoes and laid his back, putting his arms behind his head and staring up at the night sky.

I returned to my former position. It was quiet for a couple of moments, then I said, “Your world reminds me of One Tree Hill.”

He whipped his head sideways in surprise. He looked at me, as though he was seeing me for the first time.

“You watch One Tree Hill?” he demanded.

My eyes widened. “You watch One Tree Hill?” I asked in pure disbelief.

I absolutely loved One Tree Hill. No words could explain how much that show saved me. From what, I wasn't sure. However, I learned so much from it.

When I mentioned it, I didn't actually expected him to understand what I said.

“Of course,” he answered a-matter-of-factly. “It's all about Basketball, ain't it?”

I rolled my eyes, amused. Typical of him.

“At least,” he added. “I watched the first four seasons of it.”

“Those were the times they were in high school,” I remarked.

He nodded. “Exactly. But then it got less of Basketball and more of drama. Why the hell would I watch more of that crap?”

“I didn't see you as someone who would watch a television series.”

“Told you,” he smirked. “You don't know me.”

“I'm starting to.”

He stared at me for a moment. It must have been my imagination, but I thought I saw solemnity in his eyes.

“Yeah, me too,” he said. “So what's the deal?”

I looked at him with a confused expression.

“You look like you're running away from something.”

I didn't speak right away. “I'm not,” I mumbled.

“Uh-huh.” He was skeptical. “If you don't explain the thing in the airport, I'm gonna assume that you're a stalker and you have the hots for me all along.”

I rolled my eyes, but I was inwardly smiling. “Fine.”

So I told him about not wanting to come home just for a little while longer. Being away for college didn't quite satisfy my need to be in a different world because the people I was with were basically the same. I admitted to him that I saw an opportunity in the airport to get away and I grabbed it.

Then, Ethan asked the question I couldn't quite explain myself.

“What's up with the kiss?”

If truth be told, it wasn't necessary. I just wanted to show Peter that I moved on and he need not worry about me any longer. I got the shock of my life when I got more than what I bargained for.

I took a deep breath. “You know Allie? I was once like her; pure and innocent to the world outside where I revolved in. And then, I fell in love with my childhood best friend. He was quite the ladies man, too.”

Ethan made a face. “The faggot with the limo?”

“Peter,” I emphasized, fighting the urge to roll my eyes at him again, “didn't feel the same way. Or at least, I thought he didn't. Hence, I left the city to go to a boarding school. I hoped that by staying away, my feelings would be gone.”

It used to hurt seeing Peter with those other girls. I couldn't take it.

“Three years ago,” I continued, “we met again at Brian Wright's wedding.”

“Luke's cousin.”

“Yes. That's where I first met him and Allie.” I paused and looked at the stars above us. “The feelings I buried deep within me came surfacing back when Peter and I went out for dinner. He felt the same way all along.”

Half of me expected Ethan to make some sort of remark, so when I glanced at him and saw him frowning as though he was disturbed surprised me.

“What is it?” I asked.

He flashed me a disapproving look. “If he felt the same way about you, how could he stand going out with other girls?”

I was taken aback at what he said, but I recovered quickly enough.

“He wasn't aware that I was in love with him,” I explained.

“Whatever,” he shrugged, crossing his arms. “Go on.”

I blinked. Perhaps he still had alcohol in him because he looked quite serious tonight. He wasn't making much crude comments like he always did.

“He was loyal to me when we were together,” I proceeded. “He respected me. He loved me enough to protect me . . . from himself.” I sensed Ethan's eyes on me. “He knew what he was capable of. He was afraid that one day he might – he might find satisfaction elsewhere. He feared that he might hurt me in the future.”

I changed since then. I realized that I didn't want to appear weak and hurt like they expected me to be. I wanted to look stronger, so they wouldn't look at me with such pity in their eyes. So I went and lived my life, away from what I was used to.

I was able to go clubs and bars. I was able to party the night away. I was able to dance like there was no tomorrow. However, it still wasn't enough.

Something was still missing.

“That's bullshit,” muttered Ethan.

My eyes landed yet again on him. “What?”

He shook his head. “I don't get it. Why would you think of the future, when today hasn't even finished yet? Why not just enjoy right now and not worry about something that you think might happen tomorrow?” He snorted. “And you say he's smart. Load of bullshit is what it is.”

I . . . I'm speechless. Astonished, really.

I gazed at him for what felt like ages. It was a good thing that he wasn't looking at me so I wasn't caught staring. I just couldn't take my eyes away from him. It was as though I was seeing him for the first time. I was seeing a side to him that he didn't normally show. It was refreshing, interesting.

I wanted to see more.

“I'm sorry,” I murmured.

He raised an eyebrow at me.

“I'm sorry for judging you,” I completed. “I was wrong. You're not who I judged you to be.” I admit it when I make a mistake, though it happens very very rarely.

It was for the briefest moment, but I could swear that I saw him smile – really smile, the genuine one. However, he quickly covered it with a smirk.

“Wow, Dana. You just admitted being wrong. Who f*cking knew this day would arrive?” he added, laughing wholeheartedly.

I would have been enchanted by his carefree laugh if it weren't for the fact that he just called me by my name. Of course, I froze.

“What?” he asked, when he noticed my still frame.

“You just called me by my name,” I breathed out in disbelief.

He shrugged, the infamous smirk was still plastered on his face. “'Princess' is getting old. Besides, you're not pissing me off anymore.”

I wasn't quite sure what it was, but I smiled a little proudly. I guessed not pissing him off was a big thing. I had no plans of telling him, but he didn't irritate me as much as before. In fact, there were numerous moments where I found us getting along.

“That's rather nice to hear,” I admitted. “Does that mean we're friends now?”

He laid his eyes on me for a long while, as if he was studying me.

“Yeah, why not?”

I smiled, not bothering to hide it. “I'd like that.”

I like it quite a lot. It honestly feels like something magical was going to occur in the next few days. I was looking forward to it.

Closing my eyes, I let the sweet silence fell upon us. I embraced the summer night breeze, feeling satisfied for the first time in forever.

“I have to say, though,” blurted out Ethan, “I still want to get into your pants.”

After hearing that, I laughed out loud. I opened my eyes and turned to him. I couldn't stop laughing. But I did so, the moment our eyes met.

His blue eyes looked intense as he stared back at me. His lips were curved into a alluring smile. He looked quite determined, as well.

Good heavens. Who could resist that irresistible look?

“Such a lovely way to ruin the moment, Ethan,” I replied, amused.

His smile turned to an arrogant smirk.

“You didn't say no.”

That's right.

I didn't.

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She didn't, did she? ;)

Info: It's only Friday night on their calendar, peeps. They've only known each other for two days. Coming up next is Saturday morning~ Ethan's POV~ Get ready~ It's gonna be raw~ At least, I think so~ Now, I gotta stop singing the words in my head~