The Best Life

Chapter 12

Ameris POV

I was up and ready and waiting for Ethan. First day back after spring break meant graduation was right around the corner. I was ready to get it over with. I text Ethan and let him know I am ready but before I could finish my message he walks in my room. Looking and smelling amazing. The scent of his cologne was enough to drive me wild.

"Good morning beautiful. Are you ready?" He says as he walks in my room. "Good morning handsome. Yes I'm ready." I reply. "Where are you going in that?" "What do you mean? I'm going to school. Just like you." I snap back. "Um no change. Babe you are showing more than I want anyone else to see." "I don't have time. I have never been late and will not be now. You are going to have to be ok with what I have on. I'm sure no one is looking at me. I'm just the nerdy girl who happens to be the youngest member of the senior class." I say and walk out my room. "If someone so much as look in your direction, speak to you or cat call at you. I will kill them." He says following me.

"Have a good day kids." My stepmom says. Handing me what seemed like too much money for lunch. "What's this?" "You father left it for you to go out with later. Something about a dress and shoes for prom." She says. As I'm running out the door I tell her ok and leave it at that.

Prom was coming up and neither I nor Kesha thought about going. Me and Kesha are the youngest seniors. Austin is a junior dating a senior. Mason, Ethan, and Skye are all seniors. After graduation Austin is going to be homeschooled for his senior year I think. He has the option. I had it too but I want to walk.

Arriving at school I immediately look for Kesha and Mason who was parked about three cars away from us. "First day back bitches." Kesha yells. "It's almost over and then freedom." I say as I hug her and Ethan and Mason dap each other up. "Skye and Austin look great together. To think he is about to shock half the people that attended his funeral." I say "They do look great together." Kesha says as we head toward the building. I sigh not cause I didn't want to be at school but because of the females staring at Ethan. I hated how jealous I got when another girl looked at him. "Fix your face sis he is yours." Kesha said. She is right but still. How would she feel if it was "b***h what you looking at." I hear her say taking me out of thought. Some girl was looking at Mason as him and Ethan open their lockers. "Calm yourself sis he is yours." I say to her knowing that wasn't going to make a difference. Ethan takes his hoodie off and gave it to me. I roll my eyes but put it on. Kesha does the same with Mason's.

Ethan walked me to class like always but this time was different. He wasn't my brothers friend looking out for me. He was my boyfriend escorting me to class. He kissed me on the forehead and then the lips and say "I'll meet you for lunch and play nice with the other children. I'm yours. Remember that. I love you Beautiful." "I love you too and I will see you at lunch. No promises on me playing nice." I say and walk into class.

The worst part about going into class was seeing Jessica and the fear on her face. I wanted to apologize so bad but the damage was done. She will never look at me the same. In fact she didn't look at me at all. She got up and moved to the front of the class away from where me and Kesha always sat. "She is still scared." Kesha says. "I know. I would be too if I had just got the crap beat out of me by someone my age and size. I was going to apologize to her but I think I better stay away." I say.

As the day go on I have people coming up to me for one of three reasons. 1. Omg I know you are happy he is back from the dead. 2. Did you really beat up Jessica and now she won't say anything to you? 3. What's the deal with you and Ethan.

Of the three I hated even thinking about one and two. Number three put me in a happy place until lunch time.

Looking around the cafeteria for Ethan he was no where to be found. I text him to see if he forgot that we would be meeting for lunch but he never responded. Mason was acting strange so I knew he knew where Ethan was. So I asked him I know he didn't want to to tell me but by the look on my face I think I left him with no choice. "He is in the gym talking to Aly." Aly was Ethan's ex and as much as I want to think it was innocent I had to see for myself. I grabbed Kesha and we went to the gym. "I was eating you know." "You can go back in a minute. As for now I just need you to witness me playing nice with the other children." We walk into the gym it's quite so I'm starting to think Mason lied to give Ethan a chance to get to the Cafeteria and be looking for me. Boy was I wrong. There was my "boyfriend" lip locked with his ex. I didn't say a word. I backed up slowly and put a hand over Kesha mouth to keep her from saying anything. Lets just go I mouth to her. But it was too late he saw her and knowing that he saw me too. Once out the door I took off. "Mer wait I don't run and you know that." I text dad and asked for permission to check myself out. I told him I didn't feel well and just need to go home and lay down. He called the office and gave them the ok to allow me to check myself out. I went by my last class and got the assignment for the day and I promised my English teacher she would have my complete paper by that evening. I told her I was checking out because I was sick. She totally understand and gave me until the next afternoon to do my paper.

Leaving her class I bumped into Ethan. "Wait can we talk." He says reaching out for me. "Don't touch me. Don't talk to me. Don't look at me. I'm going home." I snatched his hoodie off and threw it at him. "Mer give me a minute to explain myself. Please I promise it wasn't what it looked like." He says. "Really. It never is. But whatever I'm going home." I reply. And start to walk away. "Let me take you at least." He says with defeat in his eyes and voice. "Fine but say nothing to me." I reply. Once he checks himself out we walk out to the parking lot to his car he opens my door and I get in. Still not talking not even a thank you. The ride to the house was silent until he pulled into the park and parked. "What are you doing?" I say "take me home." "Dammit Ameris nothing happened. She kissed me in an effort to get back at you. Aly and Jessica are step sisters which is why I made it clear to Jessica that when me and Aly broke up there was never going to be anything between me and her. Aly told me she needed to clear the air with me about Jessica and of course I thought it was her wanting me to tell you to stay away from her sister but no. She told Jessica we was meeting up to hook up and then Jessica spread it. I never told anyone I was meeting her. Ameris you have to believe. Think about it. I made plans for us to have lunch and not in the cafeteria in the gym. The two of us. Baby I'm sorry if what you seen or heard hurt you but I would never willingly hurt you. I love you baby girl."

I still didn't look at him to see if his face matched his words but what I did look up and see was a text from Kesha begging me to come back to school and finish the day. "Ethan I just want to go home. I.I..I don't know what I'm feeling one feeling being rage. Aly and I never had a problem but now she has a big problem and no I won't handle it at school or at church but I will handle it. As for now can you just take me home."

With that he started the car and backed out. The rest of the ride I held his hand not saying much but giving him the assurance he needed to know that I believed him and I trusted him. When we got to the house. He walked me to the door. He kissed me on my forehead and then on my lips. I wanted him to come in. I knew we would be alone. "Do you want me to stay with you until your dad or step mom gets home?" He asks. "Yes." I reply as I unlock the door.

Sitting on the edge of my bed I pull out some pjs and I decide that I would just lay in bed and complete my homework after taking a shower. Ethan stayed down stairs. He really was afraid of my father and brothers. After I showered and got dressed. I called him upstairs. As bad as I wanted him right then and there it was almost 3 and everyone would be coming in soon. "What's up baby girl? You ok?" "I'm fine. Kiss me." He looks at me confused and so I say it again "kiss me." He leans over and kisses me and I must say this kiss is super different. It like he is kissing me with a different passion. One I really can't explain and by now I don't care who walks in I pull him down to the bed with me and start pulling his shirt over his head. I want him and I know he wants me. "I want you." I say "Mmhmm I want you too baby girl but not here and not like this." He says getting up and putting he shirt back on. "Later. I promise I will give you all of me and then some. I have to run. Duty calls." He says and kisses me again. "You mean Jazz calls." I say rolling my eyes. Giving him the face. "Dammit Mer don't give me that look. You know I hate when you look at me like that. Promise I will see you later." "Ok."

He promised without me saying anything. I guess my look said it all. Still not wanting him to go but it's his job and not knowing the dynamics of it killed me. I start on my homework as my step mom comes in. "Mer I'm home." She says. I go down and greet her. "Hey I know we didn't talk about it but I was wondering if you wanted to go with me to pick out my prom dress. Even though Ethan hasn't asked me yet." I tell her. " you want me to go with you? Why?" She asked looking confused. "Well it was something I dreamed of doing with my mom even after she passed I just wished she would come back for that one day and just help me pick out my prom dress and hair style and stuff. Now that I'm older I know she is not coming back and you have been a mom figure to me since you and my dad been together I just want to share that moment with you. Plus Kesha and Skye moms are coming and I would feel weird not having you there." I say looking down. " I will be honored to go." She hugs me with tears in her eyes. I think we are starting to build something. I liked Janet just hadn't accepted her as my mom. I think my mom would be ok with me loving her like a mom.

Dad comes in while we are in the kitchen. "Feeling better Princess?" He asked. "Yes I feel better dad." I say. "Mer you didn't tell me you didn't feel well. You need me to fix you your favorite?" Janet asked. "I didn't want you fretting about me. I'm ok. Just guess was a little overwhelmed with all that has happened and being back in school. That's all."

Skye, Kesha and I head upstairs to do homework. I want to tell Skye about what happened and Kesha how it ended but I didn't want to stress Skye.

"Is it true? Did he hook up with Aly knowing he is with you?" Skye ask. Way to go avoiding the elephant in the room. "Um no. Her and Jessica wanted to get back at me because of the fight. Jessica and Aly are step sisters and Aly felt the need to protect her. Aly asked him could they talk about the incident between Jessica and I. Aly told Jessica that they were hooking up and Jessica spread it like wild. He didn't tell anyone about him and Aly meeting up to discuss the fight so naturally when she seen us she kissed him to make it look like they were making out the whole time." I say "That b***h. I am going—"nothing you are going to do nothing." I will handle it. Like I told him I never had a problem with her and knowing she is his ex still didn't make me not like her. Now me and Jessica have always had an issue. Not at school or church but I'm going to get her." I say.

After we finish our homework Skye heads into Austin's room and we head downstairs. I'm starving and really want to go out but I want to wait for Ethan to get back too. Austin is home because until he is fully healed Jazz won't let him work.

Austin and Skye head out on a date and me and Kesha watch movies until her parents text call to see what time she is coming home. Her parents are hella cool they let her pretty much do what she wants. As long as she is in before midnight and make good grades they really don't care what she does.

"I'm hungry. I wish they wasn't gone so freaking long. You want to go to the mall or something?" Kesha ask "I'm sick remember. Can't be seen at the mall. Let's just order something." I say. Just as I pick up the phone to call our favorite take out in walks Ethan and Mason. My heart breathes a sigh of relief and Kesha is just happy to see that they brought food.

I grab Ethan and kiss him. I was scared of course because I never know if he will come home or end up in the hospital or worst case dead. In fact ever since I have known he worked with them I always was concerned about them coming home all of them. Mason was my brother from another mother. And well Ethan has always been my crush. He was my forbidden fruit back then oh and I know if he would have attempted any of what we are doing now yes my dad would have killed him.

He takes me out of thought asking me was I hungry. I nod and we head to the kitchen. We sit down to eat and just talk. My dad and step mom come in from their date night. "I take it you all will be spending the night here?" My dad says. "Princess I have a few ground rules but Ethan can sleep in your room with you if he stays. Also Mason and Kesha you guys have a room here too. Hope y'all like it." "Really dad?" "Yes princess. I know he and you share a room at the other house so why not let you here. If your brother trust you I know I can. Baby girl you will start driving lessons too. You will get your license before the end of the month. Ethan I will entrust that task to you. I know you can handle it." Jazz was dad's right hand and Ethan was Jazz right hand. When it came to me they both held Ethan responsible to what I did. "Dad can mom take me. No offense but I would like to spend more time with Ethan but I want to experience some things with mom. This being one of them. I mean Ethan can do some lessons but can mom take me out driving too.?" I asked did I say that? Wow I'm really wanting a mother daughter relationship with her. "Baby girl if that is what you want then as long as she agrees then I'm for it." "Really I would love to help. As long as Ethan, Jazz and your dad don't object." I give Ethan the puppy eyes and of course he is eating out the palm of my hand. "I'm down just talk to Jazz I don't want anything happening to either of you. Because if so I die." He says. So I call Jazz and tell him I want mom to do my driving lessons. Jazz is the protector like dad. Him and dad really do share the "father" role. Jazz says fine as long as Ethan tags along. I roll my eyes and agree.