Three's Company

2.25 | A Night of Emotions

A Night of Emotions

extend: [ik-stend]; verb; to increase the length or duration of; lengthen; prolong.

First period Psychology came the next morning and with it came the moment Ethan had been working up to: the moment he didn't let Nova decide how the rest of the week would go.

He had gotten in a fight with Scarlet when he chased after her the night before, and it had been an ugly one. A fight that had almost led to their relationship ending altogether. But in the end, Scarlet had said she wasn't ready to throw away two and a half years of her life over a few months of jealousy. She wanted Ethan, and he wanted her, and after the upcoming weekend, she wouldn't have to deal with Nova at all.

She had even agreed to Ethan practicing lines with Nova Tuesday afternoon, saying that she had felt that what she saw of their performance "needed work." And that was how Ethan was taking control of his situation with Nova: he was establishing that everything was fine by inviting her to practice lines after rehearsal that night.

Nova arrived to Psychology just a few seconds before the bell rang, and her eyes met Ethan's instantly. She smiled slightly, taking Ethan by surprise as he approached her, wanting to have this conversation away from Jessica and Felix.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Ethan took Nova's arm and led her towards the side of the room, away from any prying eyes.

"Of course." Nova nodded.

"I received some feedback about our performances yesterday, and apparently they need work." He laughed slightly, "So I was wondering if you'd be interested in coming to my house to practice lines tonight after rehearsal? Just run through a few important scenes, really nail everything before the show?"

Nova nodded.

"Sure, that sounds great. But can it be at my house? I don't have a car tonight and it would be easier to not have to ask Felix for a ride."

"Sure thing." Ethan nodded, smiling. "I'll see you at rehearsal, but after that, you want to go for seven o'clock?"

Nova nodded.

"Seven o'clock, my place. Running lines."

"Running lines."

Ethan reviewed those words in his head over a hundred times before walking up to Nova's doorstep that night, the script clutched in his right hand. Running lines. They were just running lines.

Running lines.

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Nova didn't even have to wait for the doorbell to ring this time; she was waiting at her bedroom window, ready for Ethan to arrive. When she saw his headlights, she checked herself in the mirror one last time: her makeup looked flawless yet subtle, her outfit was casual but flattering, and her hair was tossed up in a messy bun that Jessica Anastos herself had taught Nova how to accomplish: the perfect way to look hot while giving off the impression of not caring.

Because she wasn't supposed to care about what Ethan thought. And yet she did. She cared more than she had ever cared about anything.

The doorbell rang and she walked down the stairs slowly, trying not to rush. She reached the door and took a deep breath before opening it, reminding herself about what they were doing tonight.

Running lines.

"Hey." She smiled as Ethan came into her line of sight, "Come on in."

"Thanks." He grinned, stepping into the house as she closed the door behind him. "I brought the script."