Badboy, His Secrets and My Heart

3: Indeed, Indeed.

••••••

Scarlett

••••••

There are days on which you get tired of the excessive drama in your life. And there are days in which you feel very normal. Like it's just another page of a boring book. Not boring, but pretty cliché.

Then there are days that start off pretty clichéd but end up leaving you in an extreme level of exhaustion due to its classical burlesque drama. Finally, there are days you wish that would happen day after day in your life, just because they seem so perfect. This was one of those days. Scarlett's ideal dream days.

"Kay then Scar, I'll ask him about it. Don't forget to get the furnace filters changed. Also, ask Marie to do something about the leak in the guest room on the third floor. Take care!" My sister jabbered as I labeled my final anatomy diagram.

"Sure, Linna. Take care! Say hi to Josh from me." I sang, to which she let out a low chuckle and her face disappeared from the screen of my laptop.

That was my elder sister, who was now in college. She was in a steady long-distance relationship with Josh, her high school sweetheart, and a perfectly poised gentleman.

Linna aka Linnea was a very sweet person until you get into her bad books and she would show you hell. We were very close and she was my best friend as she was the only constant thing in my life. Tada!

"Done?" Logan walked into my room in a pair of sweatpants, toweling his shower wet hair. "Yep," I said popping the 'p' as I shut my laptop.

He had crashed at my place since he had passed out of exhaustion after we dropped off Ci. Mrs. Evans would not have minded but I took up the courtesy of informing last night, to which she had permitted wholeheartedly. Logan crashing at my place was not unnatural considering that we grew up next door for most of our lives.

"You ready?" He asked me, now buttoning his auburn shirt. "Ugh, you head on. I have to pick up Ethan."

He raised eyebrows demanded an explanation. "He's driving his car to town this weekend so I offered to be his ride," I said shrugging on my red plaid shirt over my black tank top. A soft frown settled on his face.

Walking over to him I pinched his cheeks as he groaned exaggeratedly. "Come on, Lo-Bear. I don't want to be late for school." Letting go of his cheeks, I ran out of the door before he got me back.

"You suck! I swear I will get you back for this."

Grinning at his declaration of undying eternal sarcastic revenge, I rushed downstairs. Checking the time as I picked my backpack. Grabbing two home-made breakfast bars, I saw him getting our coffees in styrofoam cups. Settling my phone inside my pocket, I was met by a perturbed Logan outside my door.

He handed me my styrofoam cup of steaming coffee which I gladly accepted catching sight of a similar one in his hand.

I slid into my convertible smirking as he walked next door to check in with his mom.

***

Pulling in front of the whitewashed fence, I sipped on my coffee, waiting. I had taken off pretty early, considering the fact I decided to get a head start on my extra credit. I decided to horn once.

Twice.

Thrice.

Ugh.

I pulled my phone out to call him when I heard the door open slowly. A chubby head framed with blond ringlets poked out. Her bright green eyes twinkling as she looked around for the source of the sound until they landed on the silver car parked out. Oops, that would be me!

She looked right into me as she properly came out of the door onto the porch. s**t, was I at the right address?

Her pink unicorn pajamas, a contrast to the brown teddy bear clutched tightly in her left hand. Looking down at the ground she contemplated something very seriously with a cute little frown on her very pretty face.

Raising her head at me, she waved at me, her frown not dissipating completely. Unsurely, I too waved at her. She raised her right hand and motioned to come over.

Unbuckling my seatbelt and settling my cup down, I headed over to the porch, pulling the latch of the gate myself. Hey, who was I to deny the Queen's orders? Or a princess rather. A very cute heartwarming princess.

"Hey," I said bending down to her. I was not really good with babies. Or kids. Oh, do not mistake me. I love them. They just start crying and bawling when I get closer. All credits to my ugly face and whatever it is that kids don't like in my amazing personality.

Now, now. I did not want to upset this kid. Especially when she was someone who Ethan knew. So I have got to be on my best. Extra careful. Extra gentle. Extra sweet. And a little less scary.

"Hey! I'm Emmy," she peeked at me, pushing her blond ringlets out of her emerald eyes before breaking into a charming big smile.

"Hi, I'm Scar," I beamed accepting her plump little hand to shake.

"Are you here for Ethan?" She asked me out of nowhere to which I nodded. Before I could ask whether he was in, another question came flying my way.

"I am his sister. Are you his girlfriend?" He had a sister?! Take a chill pill, dear me. It is not like he has a dragon for a pet.

She was grinning as if she had asked me about today's weather. "Um, no." Her smile dropped into a pout. "Actually I am his friend," I clarified, trying to restrain my heart from melting at her expression.

"Well, I wish you were. You are really pretty. You know, he knows how to braid and everything," she suggested seriously and wistfully.

I did not whether to laugh at her or to hug her chubby self all to myself and never let her go.

"Well, where is he by the way?" I asked finally deciding to do things with a little laugh. She looked at me as if she was considering the possibilities just now that I might probably be a serial killer or a cannibal.

"He mentioned that his 'friend' was coming to pick him. I thought it might one of his boyfriends," she told me, twirling a strand of her hair and nodding at me.

My eyes popped out of their sockets. Christ! I really hoped she was either meaning guy friends, gay friends, or joking.

"Oh, you asked for him, right? He is busy grabbing his balls."

If I had not already had multiple shots of caffeine in my brain, I probably would have fallen right at her feet.

"He will be back soon. You know, things take time," she shrugged.

I take my words back, I was ready to kiss her toes. And trust me, I was not a foot fetish.

"Emmy!" An unfamiliar feminine voice interrupted our very interesting and engaging conversation.

"Mommy!" She ran to the lady in a slightly rumpled pinstripe pantsuit and a tight low bun, who picked her up with ease.

"What have I told you about coming out here alone? Where is your brother now? Oh hi there!" She noticed me at last.

"You must be Ethan's ride if I'm not wrong?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm Scarlett Mitchell."

"Oh don't 'ma'am' me sweetheart, even though Ethan did mention a ride, he failed to mention that it was a gorgeous young lady," she smiled at me. "Emmy, go call your brother," she told putting her daughter down.

"But mom, he's busy grabbing-"

Let's just say I choked.

"I don't care even if his head split open or his brain gets lost if it hadn't already, that is. I want him down, now. You don't keep girls waiting. March off Emmy. NOW."

That sent her thudding down the wooden flooring. Her mom shook her head at her antics.

"She is- I don't know. Anyways hun, why don't you come in? Waiting out on the porch-"

"Oh no, Mrs. Torres. Thank you though. But we really have to get going. I'm so sorry," I apologized, idly wondering whether my mom would invite my friend in like this too. If she was with me.

"Oh no, sweets. Don't worry. Maybe another time then. Did you mention that your last name was Mitchell?" I nodded in reply to her.

"Do you by any chance know an Elena? Elena Mitchell?" She asked me. Wait, what?! "Yes, of course. She's my mom. Did you know her?"

"Of course I did. Oh my god. I can't believe it's you. I heard the news but we were in Iceland then. I could not come. I am so sorry," her eyes begun watering. Oh my god. Not now.

"It's okay, Mrs. Torres. It was not your fault. You don't need to apologize," I assured awkwardly meddling with my fingers. Years and years of answering questions has finally numbed my senses at this question.

"See, I'm a mess. Ruining your school day morning like this. How is your dad by the way?" She asked me fishing for a handkerchief in her handbag on her side.

"He is recovering. Getting better day by day. Still in the hospital though," I shrugged reminding myself to not forget to visit him today.

"Ah. I should definitely stop by someday. Jacob is such a good man," she smiled wistfully. "Where is your sister by the way?"

"Oh, she is in college. Dartmouth."

"Your family still hasn't killed that Ivy League vibe, huh?" She let out a warm laugh, a slight smile gracing my own lips.

"Now where is this boy again?!"

Ethan walked out from the garage of the house with two balls in his hands. Basketballs.

My bad!

"Where have you been? Scarlett here has been waiting for how long, you know?!"

"Sorry, mom," he groaned, rolling his eyes. Turning to me, he said, "Let us not be late for school. Come on!" Oh yeah, says who?

Mrs. Torres pierced daggers at him, before turning to me, "Thanks hun, for offering to drive him to school. I would give you a hug if only, I had not been this exhausted and in desperate need of a shower after a long night," she shuddered.

I grinned at her, "Anytime, Mrs. Torres."

Walking over to my car, I saw Ethan slipping his backpack over his shoulder lazily and crossing the porch and front yard. Ripping off the wrapper of my bar, I held it out for him. "Want some?"

"Nope. Why the hell are you eating breakfast bars for breakfast?" he asked me with a grimace.

"You do realize that you sound stupid, right?"

"I meant that that stuff is really unhealthy. Full of sugar and carbs," he said looking at the bar in my hand as if it was some amoeba.

"Aww. Thanks for the care. But these 'stuff' are homemade. So chill."

"Oh."

"Still," he began only to be silenced by my interruption. "Screw this, you are not getting your bit anymore. And please let me eat my breakfast in peace."

He went silent only for a minute until he switched on some music and "Mooo" by Doja Cat blares at full volume. Cracking up together, he plucks the bar from my hand as I swatted him playfully.

***

He is a spoilsport. seriously.

Why can he not smile at a few people? Acting all shut off and broody. No, I am not going to mention I liked that though.

"You play ball?" I asked Ethan, who was literally dragging me to show him where to signup. What the hell did I expect, when I saw him carrying a couple of basketballs?

"Yeah," he mumbled nonchalantly. Why can't he be happy if he is actually doing something he likes? Why does he have to put up the nonchalant act?

"Logan plays too. You guys would make a great team," I grinned unaware of my slightly reddened cheeks, due to the tingles arising around my wrist where Ethan's hand was clamped over mine.

I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited for him to finish signing up.

"Do you know any good gyms around here?" His voice alerted me. "Gyms?" "Yep, pancakes. The places where people like me workout to stay fit. Places where there are these machines and dumbbells that would hurt as frick if hit with-"

"Yes. Yes. I know what gym is," I huffed, "Besides do you have any experience getting hit with a dumbbell? Your explanation seems to be pretty deep." He glared at me offended, "Of course not."

"There's one gym around the Maitland Corner. There's where most of our school guys go. Even Lo," I added grinning. "I see," he nodded.

"Are you still up for our plan after school?"

"Yeah, of course," I nodded at him.

***

Buzzzzzz.....

"Argh... crap!"

I put the spatula down trying to get the cream off my hand.

Buzzzzzzz.....

"Yeah, yeah I'm coming!" I yelled walking to the door. Unlocking the door, I let in Ethan, who stood leaning on the porch railing.

"Pancakes, you look cute," he drawled brushing past me. I rolled my eyes as I slam the door. "Oh my god!" He shrieked making me jump. "What!?" I yelled startled.

"You've got powdered sugar on your face," he grinned dragging his thumb across my right cheek.

I swat his hand off, rolling my eyes again but grinning, I pushed past him. "Mm... I think it's sweeter off you." My cheeks heat up and quickly grabbed my spatula, occupying myself in thinking of a better comeback.

"You do realize that you're technically eating my concealer, right?"

His eyes widened and he ticked off.

"Arghhhhh... no wonder it tasted like crap," he stuck his tongue out trying to do god-knows-what. I raised my eyebrows chuckling. But stopped soon as he joined in.

"Pancakes, I know that you're not wearing any makeup right now. I also know that you wear makeup only if hell splits open." I raised my head at him as my eyebrows quirked up at his statement. "And you'll say that concealer is not the makeup. But I know how you look without makeup. I see you jogging in the morning."

"Stalker much?" I asked him tilting my head to the right. "Not quite. You run past my house remember. Besides you've definitely got a body to check out," he nodded seriously and broke out laughing. "Perv."

"I didn't know that you loved me so much that you're celebrating my arrival with cupcakes," he drawled jumping onto one of the bar stools. "Yeah? Dream on, Torres," I laughed rolling my eyes. "They're for the Middle School annual fundraiser."

"Yeah, my mom's is making brownies too for my little shitty a*s brother." "I think that translates right into my loving sweet baby brother in boy language, right? How many siblings do you have by the way?" I asked laughing, tasting the bright blue frosting. Yum.

"Two, younger sister and 'shitty a*s' brother mentioned before. These are for your sister? Brother?" He asked shrugging. "Neither," I shook my head, "they're for Al's sister. Both her and Al have a swimming meet today." "Oh."

As the oven dinged, I put on my mitts and took the cupcakes out, placing them on the cooling rack. Removing the oven mitts, I reach for the fridge. "Soda?" "Please."

***

"Scar.." "Mhm.."

"Scar...." "Mmhmm.."

"Scarr!" "Yeah!" I look at him startled. He flops his head on the table dramatically sighing.

"Just two more minutes and I'll be done," I told him. When he doesn't stir back I close my book, neatly capping my pen, "I'm done." He yanks his head up grinning. We had finished our assignment work finally and I stood up. I knew he was bored as hell. So was I.

"Wanna help me frost some cupcakes?" I asked him. "Sure!" He got up excited with his eyes lit up like it was Christmas.

Dividing the two dozens of cupcakes between us, we began frosting. I finished my set of cupcakes first so I jumped up on the kitchen counter watching him work. I didn't know whether the way he scrunches his forehead contemplating on where to put the monster's eyes or the way he frowned when it gets put wrongly enthralled me. But I found myself eying him.

"I know I'm hot. But I didn't know that I was this irresistible, pancakes."

Shit!

"Ahem, really? You're overestimating your looks, boy. I was just looking at how the eyes of the monster ended up so much away from each other," I said rolling my eyes. He chuckled at me returning to the cupcakes.

"Whatever helps you sleep tight at night, Scar."

Indeed, Ethan Torres. Indeed.