Mismatched Compatibility (16)

Dana:

It wasn't as dirty as Ethan said it would be. I knew he was joking. However, he was right about one thing; I shouldn't have wondered alone.

I had no idea where I was. The teenagers in films made it so easy, going around in an unfamiliar place and seeming like they've lived all their lives there by the end of the day. It wasn't quite like that in real life.

Although, I had to say, I felt slightly giddy because this high school looked exactly like what I expected. So instead of worrying about being lost, I just enjoyed my time roaming around. The people walking around didn't mind me, which I was more than grateful for. I simply wanted to inhale my moment here in this normality.

My phone beeped, informing me that I received a text message. I took it out from my pocket and saw that Ethan texted me.

Ethan Tyler:

Where R U?

I looked around the hallway, and replied.

Daniella Howard:

I'm by the trophy case.

I wonder why he asked that. He couldn't possibly be here already. It was only three in the afternoon. Knowing him, he was probably only checking up on me to see if I was still alive.

Imagine my startle when a few minutes later, someone spoke behind me.

“Yo,” he grinned, looking very pleased with himself.

There Ethan was, looking just as good as he did this morning. Oh, how humiliating that was. I didn't want to remember how easily my mind got filled with fantasies of him. I honestly needed to get a grip.

“What are you doing here this early?” I almost stuttered.

“I wanna check the place out before the game,” he easily answered, his eyes wandering around. “So far, nothing has changed.” His eyes landed on me again, quite obviously checking me out. “Why aren't you wearing my jersey?”

I tilted my head at that. “You said to wear it during the game.”

“Right.” He nodded. “I changed my mind. Go wear it now,” he added in a very bossy tone that always got me feeling challenged.

I raised an eyebrow. “Who are you to order me?”

He smirked. “You're telling me that you don't want to wear it?”

I didn't say that.

“I'm telling you not to tell me what to do,” I countered. “Why are you in such a hurry, anyway? Are you that desperate to claim me?” I added as a joke.

“Maybe,” he said, without breaking eye contact.

I wasn't able to answer, taken aback by his straightforwardness.

Why did I feel like he's not joking?

Because he isn't, a part of me said.

I know when someone is playing with words. I know how to tell when someone is saying one thing but mean another. I know when someone is being truthful.

Ethan meant “yes” when he answered “maybe.” I could see it in his eyes.

“I'm going to change,” was the only thing I could say.

He looked triumphant. “Do it quick. I'm going to tour you around school, so you have an idea what a real high school looks like.”

“Okay.” I shrugged like it was no big deal. The moment my back was turned to him, my face broke into the biggest smile I've ever had. It immediately crumbled down when I saw who was in the ladies room.

It was the girl Ethan . . . had an alone time with last night. Trixie, was it?

I let out a sigh. What was I doing? I shouldn't be giddily silly. Ethan wouldn't change his ways for me. He said so himself last night that he wouldn't touch another girl if he like someone else. If he was able to do it with this Trixie girl, he clearly did not have feelings for me.

I quietly entered one of the cubicles, without getting the attention of Trixie and her friend. They were fixing their hair in front of the mirror. If truth be told, there was nothing to fix. They had terrible hair.

All right, that was quite rude of me. I shouldn't have thought of it. I was just bitter that she had Ethan last night with her. As much as I didn't want to admit it, I hated knowing that fact.

Honestly, though. They needed to go to the salon.

“I can't believe Ethan would do that. It's not like him.”

I stiffened, listening more to their conversation.

“Well, believe it. He looked so distracted. I mean, his dick won't even stand up.”

I shouldn't be hearing this.

“Are you serious?”

I'm curious, but I don't want to eavesdrop. Then again, it's not as if I have a choice in the matter.

“Of course! He stopped all of a sudden, then he told me I should find someone else to fuck. Unbelievable.”

My heart was beating so hard. Ethan and Trixie didn't do it last night. From what I've heard, he wasn't able to. If it was possible, my heart felt like it was pounding against my chest that I had to put my hand on it.

“What happened next?”

“He got a text. After that, he just bolted. Douchebag.”

“He's Ethan Tyler, what did you expect?”

“A good sex. I expected a good sex, which didn't happen. Not even close.”

Oh, thank heavens.

“Do you think it has something to do with the blonde he was with last night?”

I held my breath, waiting.

“Don't know, don't care.”

“Did you see his face when he told everyone to back off from her? It was effing hot. What if he secretly likes her? What if they date each other in the future? Because girl, no one can resist that fine piece of ass.”

There was a resentful laugh.

“Bri, Ethan Tyler doesn't do dates.”

Silence. After a moment, I heard the door shutting. I didn't realize that my hand was over my mouth until I had to lean on the divider for support.

Ethan was clean. He didn't touch any girl last night.

I'm so relieved.

The possibility of him having feelings for me was getting higher. It wasn't rocket science, really. He left Trixie the moment he received Nigel's text about me going home before him. He was worried about me.

He wanted me. I was sure of it. He never denied it either.

Not to mention, he continuously implied that he wanted to claim me in front of everyone. He must think that he fooled me, but it was quite obvious from his actions.

'Ethan Tyler doesn't do dates.'

Unfortunately, there was that. I shook my head and willed myself not to think too much about it. I was already wearing a white tank top, so I only had to take off the cardigan. I held and stared at Ethan's jersey for a moment longer, faintly knowing that I had a small smile on my lips.

When I came outside to meet him, I pretended that I didn't just hear the fact that he didn't get some last night.

Ethan did that thing where he shakes his head while smiling as though he found something amusing, causing me to look down at myself. I remember him doing the exact same action last night.

It was really quite unfair that I didn't get to read him as well as he did me. I've never had someone who could see me like that. For the first time in my life, that made me feel comforted. Suddenly, I felt this tingly feeling in my stomach and all I wanted to do was hug him. I inwardly stopped myself.

Oh, no. I'm in trouble.

“Let's go to the Cafeteria first,” he declared.

I nodded, because I couldn't speak.

“You hungry?” he asked me when we got to the Cafeteria.

“No,” I managed to say – or choke out, more like. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Honestly, I shouldn't be nervous. He was just a guy.

“Good. The food here sucks. For me, at least.”

The Cafeteria was almost empty. Everyone was either outside setting up the carnival for tonight or at home getting ready for the basketball game.

“I caused a food fight here once,” stated Ethan, grinning. “Some kid accidentally poured his food tray all over my shirt. I threw a bagel at him in his seat to get back at him. He tried to do the same, but he missed. Then, I yelled 'Food fight!' and everybody just joined in.”

I laughed wholeheartedly. “That sounds really fun.”

“Yeah, it was,” he nodded thoughtfully. “The detention sucked, though. I had to clean up the mess.”

“You did waste a good amount of food.”

“If having fun was a crime, I'd break the law every chance I get.”

“Don't you already?” I said skeptically.

He only smirked.

He then proceeded on giving me a tour. He seemed to have a story on every corner of the high school. It was quite obvious that this place brought very fond memories. I was reminded again of how much fun he had in his life.

I envied him, yes. However, I was also fascinated.

“This is where Evans licked my fucking palm,” he told me, pointing to what looked like a radio station.

“Why did she do that?” I asked curiously.

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, his head leaning back as though telling the story ached his neck. He spoke, anyway.

“I was preventing her from stopping Aaron in declaring his love and all that cheesy shit on the school radio. My hand was over her mouth and the next thing I knew, it was wet and gross. Seriously, what kind of girl does that?”

I pressed my lips to stop myself from giggling. His irritated expression made him look like a child being deprived from watching cartoons.

It was cute.

“I'll kiss you if you laugh,” he warned.

Well, shoot. Now I was even more tempted to do so.

Ethan's smirk widened, and he said in a low and husky voice, “Go on. Laugh.”

I didn't. I couldn't possibly laugh after what he said and how he said it. Thanks to him, I was hot and bothered yet again.

“Ethan?”

We both turned at the voice. A young man with a clean cut blonde hair stood tall, almost as tall as Ethan. He had a great build, as well.

I tilted my head, staring intently at him. He looked quite familiar to me but I couldn't put a finger on it. He gave off that presence of dark superiority, which I didn't know anyone who acquired such characteristic – except for one family.

“Oz?” asked Ethan in pleasant disbelief.

They did the man hug thing, pulled away, and grinned at each other. I had a strong feeling that they haven't seen each other for a long while.

“Damn, kid,” laughed Ethan. “You've grown.”

Oz smiled lopsidedly. “Not the preppy lanky kid anymore, eh?”

Ethan nodded, impressed. “Football does you good.” He glanced at me. “Ah, this is Dana. Dana, this cocky-looking kid is Oz, already like a brother to me.”

“Hi.” I smiled politely at him.

On the contrary, Oz didn't 'cocky-looking' at all. He had that look that said he didn't need to act arrogant. People just knew that he was to be respected.

Oz studied me. “Howard? Dana Howard?”

He knew me. That actually explained a lot, why he looked so familiar to me. Something told me that I knew who he was already.

“Yes,” I answered carefully.

“I'm Oz Lacy,” he said.

I knew it. He's a Lacy.

“Oh, yes.” I smiled sheepishly. He looked different from the gangly kid I last saw three years ago. “Wow. You're bigger than what I remember.”

“Hold up,” said Ethan, raising a hand. “You two know each other?”

Oz simply nodded.

“My older sister is friends with Oz's sister, Diana,” I explained. “We met during their college graduation about three years ago.”

I hadn't met another like the Lacy's. It was as though each and everyone of them were dangerous as an enemy, deceitful as a snake in business, but loyal as a friend.

Father warned us about them even when we haven't met them personally before. My sister, being the rebel she was, still made friends with Diana Lacy. When our families got together during their graduation, we all somehow became friends.

Father was still cautious, though. So was I.

“How is Annabelle?” I asked Oz. “I haven't seen her in ages.”

Before Oz could reply, Ethan made a choking sound. His eyes looked as if they were about to pop out form their sockets.

“You know Annabelle?”

“I just said so.” My brows furrowed at his reaction, but understanding filled my eyes. He knew Annabelle. He knew Oz. He knew the Lacy's.

He knew how strange their family was – how high maintenance they all were. After knowing me for quite some time now, it was clear that he didn't expect me to be friends with someone like Annabelle.

Although, she could be a bit of a bitch to most people, she was a good friend.

I felt Oz watching us, making me glance at him. He looked as though he was putting pieces of a puzzle together. That was another thing about the Lacy's: they were as sharp as a needle.

“Anyway, how are you and that Snow chick?” Ethan asked Oz, smoothly changing the subject. “I heard it's getting serious.”

Oz face darkened. “We broke up.” Even his voice changed; it turned colder.

“Should I ask?”

“She chose blood,” shrugged Oz, looking away. When he looked back, his eyes turned icier. I honestly wanted to avoid his eyes.

Aaron Ford slightly intimidated me, without him knowing. No one else had that effect on me aside from my father. Ethan Tyler challenged my authority, which no one have ever done before either. Oz Lacy, though . . . He made me want to back down on an argument. The silliest thing? There was no argument.

I've only been outside my world for a few days, and already my eyes have been opened to the realization that I'm not as impressive as I thought I was. At least, not in Ethan's world.

“Not that I blame her,” chuckled Oz humorlessly. “Her brother's a real dick, though – in a self-righteous kind of way. Speaking of, you're playing them today.”

Ethan looked like something clicked in his mind. “Basketball team versus the football team,” he murmured, amused. “Why doesn't that surprise me?”

“Been a long feud in this school. Same story, different players. Only this time, we're getting all the glory.”

“All that's because of you?”

Oz shook his head. “Nah. I couldn't do it on my own.”

I caught something in Ethan's eyes. Was it . . . pride?

“You remind me of someone I know,” he smiled. “Pretty respectable man.”

I looked at him curiously. Who was he referring to?

“You?” snorted Oz.

“Although, I'd love to say that it's me,” began Ethan, “it's not.”

“Drew Anderson?”

Ethan made a gagging sound. “That moron who used to be football captain in my senior year here? No. Dude, I mean Aaron Ford.”

Oh. Of course. No wonder Ethan respected him so much.

“Ah,” replied Oz.

Ethan laughed. “So who's this dick you're talking about?”

Oz glanced behind him. We didn't even realize that a small group formed. They seemed to be waiting for him.

“Just do me a favor, Ethan,” said Oz, turning back to face Ethan. He looked serious. “Don't let Scout Crimson rule the court. Show 'em who owns it.”

Ethan stared at him for a moment, before a smirk formed his lips.

“My pleasure, kid.”

“Thanks. I kinda missed you around, you know.”

“Getting mushy, are we?” chortled Ethan. He waved his hand dismissively. “Get lost before I start crying on your shoulder.”

“If you wanna be alone with your girl, all you gotta do is ask.”

“He got that from me,” Ethan told me.

“I figured,” I nodded, smiling in amusement.

“Learned from the master,” grinned Oz, lazily saluting to Ethan.

“Oz!” yelled someone from the group.

“That's my cue,” Oz informed us. “See you guys around.”

“It was nice to see you again,” I said.

Ethan gave a nod. “Later.”

With his back turned to us, Oz called over, “Nice top, Dana.”

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks in embarrassment.

It made me wonder just how many more people would stare and whisper about the jersey I was wearing, since Ethan was a known bad boy. I guess it was a good thing I was used to people saying things behind my back. Strangely, I didn't mind it.

Before, I would be almost perfect just so people wouldn't make bad comments about me or my father. When I was on my wild party girl phase, I was still inwardly worried what others might say even though I didn't show it.

Now, I honestly couldn't care less. Whether it was good or bad, I didn't care what they would say. I wanted to wear this. In fact, I was honored to wear this.

I looked up at Ethan. He was giving me that suggestive smile of his.

“It is a nice top,” he said.

I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself. “Oh, shut up.”

“Make me.”

At that moment, the bell rang. It was four o'clock. That meant Ethan needed to go to the boys locker room.

Ethan shook his head. “Saved by the bell.”

“Divine intervention.”

He pursed his lips, looking like he was trying to make up his mind. Several minutes passed, and he still didn't speak. Naturally, I got impatient.

“What?” I urged.

“Why don't we go to the carnival later tonight?” he asked casually.

“Are you asking me out?” I teased.

“Yeah.”

I blinked, not quite expecting that. I wasn't sure if I should be impressed with his confidence or if I should be disappointed because he seemed to have done it a million times before. Nevertheless, I couldn't deny that I wanted to.

“So, you wanna go or what?”

I thought I caught a flash of worry in his eyes, but it was gone too fast for me to tell.

“I'd love to,” I said a little too quickly. Way to act excited, Daniella.

The corner of his mouth twitched as if it was about to break into a wide smile, but he stopped it. Ethan smiled smugly, instead.

“It's a date, then.”

I smiled. "It's a date."

'Ethan Tyler doesn't do dates.'

Apparently, he does with me.

_____________

Barely edited. Sorry!

Ethan's opening up, baby! ;) You guys met Oz! *cough* future story *cough*

By the way, you guys should really thank my cousin Dana. She made me update early. Haha. Love ya, cuz! xx

Confession: I kinda miss my westen readers. But then, I remember you guys don't usually comment. Haha. I put back A and D for you, you know. Oh, and you can buy the ebook of A and D in the app 'Buqo' (the app's free to download). The epilogue's there. ;)

Anyhoo, I love Y'ALL! Every single one of ya. Just wanted to put it out there. :) x