Chapter 16: Ethan POV - Confrontation
I stayed in my car the whole lunch time trying to calm myself down. I was hitting the steering wheel out of frustration when I saw Chloe and Maddie in the parking lot. They got in the car and Chloe drove away. I called Tyler and told him to come to the parking lot.
"Hey. You alright?" Tyler asked.
"No man! I am mad and pissed off. I want to punch Ryan until his face is erased." I exclaimed with anger.
"Ethan, calm down. Relax before you do something stupid. Focus on the fact that Maddie is fine, and she is safe." he said.
He stayed with me in the car until I was able to calm down. We were about to head inside the school when Chloe's car pulled up in the parking lot. I told Tyler that I will go ahead of him. I was able to contain my anger during the 3rd Period since Ryan is not in my class. I lost my cool during the 4th Period.
I was sitting on one bench with Chloe and Brooke when I overheard Ryan talking to the boys.
"I was so close earlier. I was inches away. That $100 should have been mine already." he exclaimed.
I went over to him and did what I should have done earlier. I punched him right across his jaw. He fought back, and I kept punching him until we were separated.
"You should have left Maddie alone, just like I warned you," I spat before walking away.
I was given detention until the end of the week because of fighting. We both did, but I didn't really care because he deserved it. After detention, I went straight home. I just got home when my phone rang. It was Maddie.
Ethan: Hey Maddie. How are you? Are you feeling better?
Me: Yeah. I am good. By the way, I wanted to thank you for bringing me to the clinic earlier. You were already gone, and I did not get to thank you.
Ethan: Oh, it's nothing.
Me: Uhm. I heard you got in a fight with Ryan.
Ethan: Oh, that! It was just a brotherly fight. Nothing big.
Me: Is it about what happened in the hallway before I fainted?
Ethan: Huh?
Me: Ethan, I only fainted, but I did not lose my memory. You know what I am talking about.
Ethan: Look Maddie. Ryan is stupid, so please stay away from him and the rest of the basketball team.
Me: Why? Is there something that I should know about?
Ethan: NO! It's just you know how they can do stupid stuff. Just stay away from those jocks and don't go alone.
Me: That is creepy. What the hell is going on, Ethan?!
Ethan: Maddie, there is nothing you should worry about, okay? I am just giving you a friendly reminder.
Me: You know what this is a mistake. Bye.
Before I could even have the chance to explain, Maddie ended the call. I screwed up. I wanted to call her again, but then contemplated on doing so.
I took a shower and called Tyler and told her about the call. Tyler told me to give her some time after what just happened to her in the hallway. After dinner, I sent her a text telling her I am sorry. I tried to sleep that night, but I was having a hard time doing so. I fell asleep around 2 in the morning.
The week passed by and the boys did nothing. Well, I guess I spoke too soon because when I got in the room I saw Zach give Maddie a chocolate and offered to give her a ride home, which Maddie declined. During the 2nd Period, we were all paired for a debate in Literature class. I was paired with Shasha and Maddie was paired with Ryan. I went to the teacher and asked him if I could trade partners with Ryan, which he surprisingly allowed. We were given time to brainstorm about the topic that was given to us. Maddie was facing me.
"If you think I will just believe in what you told me yesterday, then I'm calling it bullshit. Clearly you know what is going on and you just don't want to speak up. Why would you even trade partners with Ryan if you know nothing, right?" she said before taking her pen and starting taking down notes.
"Maddie, can we not do this now? I promise I will explain but not now." I told her before getting up and leaving the room.
I seriously could not handle her getting mad at me right now. School is not the time nor the place to discuss it. The class finished, and I spent the whole lunch break in my car calming myself down. The bell rang for the 3rd Period. I got out of my car and went straight to the room. I was already 5 minutes late, but I didn't really care. When I arrived at the door of our classroom, I did not see the teacher. Instead, I saw Maddie by the wall and Ryan is hovering over her.
My vision went dark, and I immediately punched him.
"Did I not warn you?" I yelled.
I punched him again in the face. The whole class was shocked with what happened. Maddie was still by the wall, shaking with fear. I went to her right away and held her by her shoulders and got her out of the room. I led her in my car.
"Here. Drink this." I said, giving her my water bottle.
She took a sip when she panicked slightly.
"Where is Chloe?" she asked.
"She is with Tyler right now, and Brooke is with Logan. Brooke called me and told me what happened. They are okay." I told her, assuring her that her friends are fine.
She just nodded her head and stared at the space. I don't know what is going on in her mind right now. I was worried, so I had to ask her.
"Maddie, did Ryan or any of them try or do anything to you?" I asked.
She shook her head no. I was relieved by that.
"I am really sorry about what happened. I tried keeping you out of it thinking that I can think the matter into my own hands, but I was wrong. He could have done something to you earlier and I do not know if I could forgive myself if something happened to you." I apologized.
"What do you mean? Did you know about this? Were you a part of this bullshit? Answer me!" she said, shouting at me.
"Yes, and NO." I replied. "Let me explain."
"Explain? What more could you explain, huh?" she said.
I can sense anger and hurt in her words, and that broke my heart.
"Madison, I knew about the bet they wanted to do, but I was not a part of it. I warned them not to do it, but they did not listen. I have been secretly monitoring you to make sure they won't be able to make any move on you or whatsoever. That day you were not feeling well, I followed you. I was worried about you because you looked pale and you might faint. I was waiting by the stairs when I heard you leave the comfort room. I waited for a few minutes before approaching you because I don't want you to think that I was stalking you. When I got up from the stairs, that is when I saw Ryan pushing you to the wall. I ran over and pushed him off you." I tried explaining to her.
She did not reply to what I said. Instead, she left the parking lot. I called her and told her I will drive her home, but she ignored me.
Instead of going back to the class, I just drove home. I tried calling her a lot of times when I got home, but her phone was unattended. I sent her hundreds of text messages begging her to talk to me. I was so mad. I went to our gym and throw some punches on the punching bag.
I did not know how long I was in the gym. I just kept punching and punching until my phone rang. I checked who the caller was hoping it was Maddie but saw that it was my Dad.
Dad: Are you home, Ethan?
Me: Yes, Dad. I am in the gym.
Dad: Oh, okay. We have some visitors coming over for dinner. Come up and take a shower before they arrive. They are on their way.
Me: Okay.
I was not really in the mood for any visitors right now, but I went anyway and took a shower. I was staring at my phone, waiting for Maddie to call me or reply to any of my messages, when one of the maids knocked on my door.
"Sir Ethan, your Mom wants you in the living room. The visitors have arrived." she said.
"Ok. Please let Mom know I am on my way." I replied and
placed my phone in vibrate.
Whenever there is a gathering or any visitors in the house, Mom hates it when my phone is not placed in silent or vibrate.
I went downstairs and headed to the living room with my best calm face.
"There you are, Ethan. Say hi to our visitors. Madison said she goes to Eastbrook High as well." Mom said.
I was checking my phone for the last time if there is any text from Maddie. I locked my phone and put it in my pocket to greet the visitors.
I was surprised with who I came face to face with. It was Maddie and her parents.
"Maddie." I said.
"You two know each other?" Mom asked.
"He is Ethan?" Maddie's Mom asked.
"Yea why?" Mom asked with confusion.
"Ethan was in the house once. They are partners in one project. You have grown so much, Ethan. The last time I saw you, you were so young." Maddie's Mom said.
"Well, isn't this amazing? Our kids are friends, and they go to the same school together. It sure feels like us all over again when we were in high school." Mom replied.
Maddie seemed to be surprised, just as I am.
"Ethan, why don't you show Madison around?" Mom suggested.
"Sure." I replied. "Let's go?" I said to Maddie.
She just nodded and followed me. I brought her by the pool. I stopped by the grass when Maddie hit my back. "Uhm sorry." she apologized.
I can sense the tension in the air. I want to talk to her about earlier, but I don't want to upset her.
"I'm sorry. I should have not gotten mad at you earlier when you were just trying to help me." she said, looking at the grass.
I was quiet for some time. I was thinking of how I can tell her it's not her fault but not get her upset at the same time.
"I understand. I made you doubt my intentions and my actions, and for that I am also sorry. I am also sorry for not trying hard enough in stopping Zach and the boys with their bet." I explained.
"It's not your fault to begin with, and it's not your job to protect me. I appreciate you trying to protect me but you don't have to blame yourself for what happened." she
replied.
"Even so, I should have...
I was trying to explain and let her know that it's my fault when she suddenly kissed me.
It was not like a long kiss. It was like a 5 second kiss. When she tried to leave, I pulled her back and kissed her. To be honest, she is my first kiss. I do not know how long the kiss was, but it was amazing. After the kiss, she was just looking at the grass. I immediately panicked. I do not want her to think that I am like the boys.
"I'm sorry about that. I just got caught in the moment." I said, giving her a small smile.
"I... I.. uhmm.. I am so sorry for what I just did. I did not know what I was even thinking." she said nervously.
I laughed at her sweet, innocent self and said, "Madison Carter, you are adorably cute, especially when you are nervous."
She seemed to be surprised with what I said.
I wanted to hug her, but then one of the maids came and called us for dinner. I took her hand and led her back into the house.
We had dinner, and after dessert Maddie and her parents left.
I could not sleep that night. I was so happy that I can feel my heart exploding out of happiness. I do not know what time I fell asleep, but I told myself that I will call her tomorrow.