Evan

I found Leon parked outside. He gestured for me to jump in his red convertible and quickly drove away.

He was the kind of guy who you just become friends with him instantly. You don't even need to try.

As for his intentions, I wasn't quite sure yet.

He took me out to Betsy's and we had a nice lunch.

We talked a little. About him mainly. I didn't wanna talk about what's going on between Zac and I. Mainly because I didn't even comprehend why was he pushing me away. I figured he'd need some time, because to be honest I did too. It was still incomprehensible. We now live in the same house. Separated by only a wall. The idea sent chills down my body.

Leon knew I was tired, knowing that I just finished school so he made sure we didn't take much time.

He also said that he'd try to make it a thing for us to have lunch after school and drive me home, which I did not decline since it meant free food.

We got back in his car for a smooth ride back home.

Halfway there I made him recline the car roof back because I was freezing.

He was wearing a short sleeved t-shirt.

I guess some people aren't as prone to hypothermia as I was.

I thanked him for the ride home and waved when I reached the front porch. The house is usually empty after I get back home from school because now mom worked too.

But I forgot that I don't live alone now.

"Where were you" he spat.

"Sorry? I didn't know I had two moms"

"Where did he take you?"

"Why do you care?"

"I asked first"

"And my answer was interrogative" his face was boiling with anger by that point. I, on the other side, was casually untying my shoes as we spoke.

"You shouldn't go out with people you barely met" he said, calmer than I expected.

"Yet you wanted me since you saw me on the ground. Interesting"

I tried to suppress my amusement. For the first time, it actually worked.

"You still haven't answered my main question"

I wasn't going to. I wanted to take a damn shower and nap for God knows how much.

I walked past him but he grabbed my arm the moment I passed and spun me to face him. Our faces were inches apart. I could feel his warm breath brushing my face.

"Where. Were. You?"

I brushed my lips against his cheek and made my way seductively to his ear. His face was burning red and I knew that I was in control right now.

"Ask again when you're my mother" I whispered softly and left him standing there.

<><><><><><>

"That fucking bastard" Zac grumbled when he was in his room. I heard him since I was there too. My clothes were still in here. I didn't think I needed a shower anymore since I was already being showered with curses.

"Who does he think he is to take my Evan out on car rides to places?" My heart thumped a bit too hard. Apparently I wasn't the one being showered. It was Leon. He was the one being addressed and not me.

And I still couldn't believe that he used 'My Evan'. I internally released a mocking huff.

How was I his when he didn't talk to me? That's if we ignore the threatening I'm-your-superior tone he used downstairs.

He didn't even look me in the eyes for 0.3 straight seconds.

After I had heard what I heard, I didn't want him to know that I was here.

So I waited.

And waited.

He didn't leave his room. Almost 9 minutes passed and he was still here. I wanted to pee so badly but I could hear him fumbling in his room. I looked through the crooked door, which proved that my hearing was correct.

A lot of things were going through my mind. One of them being regret. I totally regretted drinking the extra large cola. It seemed such a good idea at that time. Another thought was that I really wanted to pee but didn't want the embarrassment of storming out Zac's closet right to the bathroom after being here for like 15 minutes. It would be too awkward and It would probably just piss him off more. And frankly I didn't want to piss him off more. Not that I was scared of him, but I just want him to stop his internal struggle. YET I like to push his buttons to increase his struggle you feel?

I silently closed the closet (lol) again and looked around.

I wasn't sure what was I looking for exactly, but when I found the bottle of apple juice I knew it was my solution.

I opened it and started drinking like a champion. A chugging expert. My bladder felt like it was literally going to explode and be all over the place with the extra liquid being gulped down.

After the most stressful two minutes of drinking apple juice, which wasn't my favorite, I started refilling the bottle again. It kinda looked the same which was why I was never going to look at apple juice the same way again. But hey, I was relieved a little.

It seemed like four forevers when I heard Zac's bedroom door close. I quickly got out of the closet that was starting to feel stuffy.

And that was the ironic story of how I came out of the closet again.

A quick shower was all I needed, and a nap. And food for the after-nap.

"Evan are you home?" Mom yell asked from downstairs. I could never learn how her work schedule works. She just comes and leaves at weird times.

"Yes" I shouted back.

"Well come down I got you something"

Something oooo. She got me something. I liked stuff. I bounced downstairs wondering what had she gotten me.

She was already in the kitchen organizing some groceries she bought.

She held something behind her back. I wanted to know what was it so badly.

"Look, I know I shouldn't be encouraging your bizarre obsessions, but this screamed at me to buy it and I knew you were going to love it." She held out a small glass corn cob with a base to sit like a figurine!

"Omg I love it!" I squealed as I took it from her. It immediately slipped out of our hands and shattered on the hardwood floor. "Fuck!"

"Don't worry" she breathed audibly "This is exactly why I bought two" she comforted me as she pulled out another one from her bag.

"You seriously bought two just in case I broke one?"

"Well honey you kinda are a bit of a cluts so I actually bought 5"

"I feel offended! I'm not a cluts!"

The second one fell out of my hand just as I said that.

"On second thought, why don't you just place them in my room. You know the way"

She shook her head and walked out of the kitchen.

She returned a few minutes later. By that time I had already started cleaning up the glassy mess from the floor.

"DON'T TOUCH GLASS WITH YOUR BARE HANDS!" she yelled so loudly I almost fell on them.

I retreated and went back to leaning on the counter, even though we had kitchen seats.

"I bought you and Isaac frozen meals, the good kind don't worry" she unloaded them to the freezer, "They're only to be used when you're starving and very close to death, and I'm not here" she stopped for a second "So basically whenever I'm not around for you"

"I've said it before, Horrible mother"

"I try" she shrugged. "Where is your brother anyway"

"I'M NOT HIS BROTHER" speak of the devil. "We're completely unrelated, we're not connected by blood, and I refuse to be referred to as his brother.

I agreed with Zac. He was right. And I didn't want to be called his brother either because frankly, brothers don't kiss.

"I'm going out for a swim" Zac said.

"I'm going back to work" Mom followed.

"Guess I'll just go take a well deserved nap"

<><><><><>

"EVAN HELP ME!" At first I didn't recognize the scream that woke me up from my nap. It was hysterical pleading and I immediately shot out of bed. It came from the side of the poolside window.

With a rugged breath, and fast heartbeat, I was at the window looking down at Rue, who was pulling a fainted Zac out of the water.

OH MY GOD ZAC! At lightning speed, I was at Rue's side helping her. He wasn't breathing.