Our Toxic Love

Chapter Sixteen

*Ariana's POV*

No. No, no, no.

I don't have a mirror but I just know Ethan gave me a hickey. A fucking hickey.

I gather my hair and let it fall over my left shoulder, hopefully hiding the hideous thing.

But what if I can't hide it well enough and my dad and Ethan's mom see it? What would I do then? Obviously, Ethan wouldn't care if they saw it since he already did it carelessly.

I take a deep breath before walking back inside the restaurant, tugging at a strand of my hair the way I always do when I'm nervous or impatient. I just have to make it through dessert and then I'm free to go.

I sit back down on my chair and try to ignore Ethan's smirk as I smile at Ronda who reciprocates the action.

I pick up my spoon to take a bite out of my banana split but am interrupted by Ethan.

"You sure do like bananas," he says, stifling a laugh.

I roll my eyes. Maybe my choice for dessert wasn't very well thought out tonight.

"You should probably move your hair away or the food's gonna get in the strands," Ethan advises.

I almost choke as I try to swallow the bite I just took. I begin to cough.

"Are you okay?" Ronda asks.

I smile at her, reassuring her that I'm fine, and take a sip of my water.

Ethan, you dumbfuck.

"Ethan's probably right, you should tie your hair so it doesn't get in the way," Luke says.

Why, Luke? Why would you say that?

Judging by the look on his face, he's suspicious. And why wouldn't he be? Ethan and I have been acting extremely weird all night.

"I'm fine like this," I smile at him.

"I think I have a hairband in here if you want," Ronda says, rummaging in her purse.

Oh my God, can't you people just leave my hair alone?

"No, really I'm fine," I say, trying to hide my impatience but failing.

"So, do you take any classes together?" Ronda asks me.

"Uh, yeah," I repsond.

"Like math, English, biology, sex ed," Ethan counts.

At the mention of sex ed I almost choke on my dessert again.

My father nods awkwardly. "That's nice... Um, how are your grades Ethan?"

I can just tell that my dad feels uncomfortable with Ethan.

"They're fine," he says. "Mostly C's. I got a D in math."

Ronda purses her lips. "We're still working on those."

"But Ariana likes my D, don't you, Ari?" He smirks.

I wanna slap that smirk off his face so badly. He did not just make that joke right now.

I feign a smile.

"Ariana gets straight A's," my father says proudly.

Great, now he's showing off.

"No," I say, "my grades have dropped a little this year. I can't concentrate on my lessons much anymore."

Ronda tilts her head. "Why, dear? Is something wrong."

I want to say: yes, your son. But decide against it.