masked

#29-Simon

Jealousy hit me in the face and pushed me back so hard I felt faint. This emotion, it was so strong. Seeing him even touch her made me want to punch him square in the jaw. I held myself back, curling my hands into fists to stop them shaking. Surely I should do something about this?

She's happy.

That's what I told myself as she walked away from me, with that other guy. I needed to let her be happy. Why was I so selfish? I was the one who hurt her and she deserves happiness.

That's what she can have with this other guy.

Charlie.

Stupid name. With his perfect hair and stupid posh accent. How could I compete? I should've know that we were right for each other and this was how it was supposed to be. Willow gets her perfect Prince Charming and I don't get a happy ending because the bad guys never get a happy ending.

I had a job to do for Eric but Josh and JJ hasn't shown up. Where the fuck were they? I felt a little uneasy waiting at the office without them, Eric hadn't come out either. So I was here waiting on the steps and it had started to rain.

I cursed and pulled my hood up but the rain got everywhere, soaking me and I started to shiver uncontrollably. Reluctantly, I rang on the buzzer even though I did not want to go into that building for more than I had to.

A boy opened the door, where did I recognise him from?

"Ethan!" I exclaimed, he was the boy who was so kind to me.

He looked behind him and bit his lip, he was probably not allowed to let me in. But he grabbed me and pulled me inside, raising a finger to his lips.

The hallways was startlingly empty.

"Where is everyone?" I whispered.

Ethan shook his head. "They're upstairs, all of them. In the meeting room so we have to be quiet."

I frowned, "but Eric had a job for me, it's not likely that he forgot."

"I dunno, he was pretty pissed off about something this morning." Ethan replied. "I think you're off the hook."

I smiled, then. "Maybe you are too, if they're all upstairs."

Ethan widened his eyes at what I was suggesting. He looked wistfully at the door and then back to me again. "I haven't left the building ever since I can remember."

I laughed, "Well come on then Rapunzel, there's a first time for everything."

Ethan laughed, and his laugh was amazing. So contagious that I laughed along with him, his happiness spreading even in this hell hole of a place. I took his hand and pulled him out the door, giggling like schoolgirls.

-

"Tell me about yourself. What are your hobbies? What school do you go? Have you got a girlfriend?" Ethan smiled, we were sitting in a café drinking tea with some pastries.

"Uh, I enjoy architecture and football and I go to Westminster Preparatory." I answered.

"So, no girlfriend?" Ethan asked, eagerly.

"It's...complicated." I said vaguely, the muscles in my jaw clenching slightly.

Ethan laughed, "I was brought up by Eric, trust me I know complicated. Spill."

Maybe it was because he genuinely looked interested in my life or maybe because his eyes sparkled in a way I'd never seen before but I found myself explaining everything to this literal stranger. Pouring out everything I'd kept inside for so long.