I'll Be There (Ethan Karpathy)

Chapter 16

Ethan's POV

I hurry down the hallway and out of the school.

I probably will miss 3rd and 4th period, but who cares.

I walk out the school's front gates and turn left, then start to run down the street.

I keep on running until I arrive at the familiar white building.

I decide that the elevator is too slow.

I take the 12 flights of stairs to Level 13.

Then barge into Zoe's room.

I see Zoe, staring at the wall ahead blankly.

"Zoe?"

"Ethan." she said without turning her head.

I hesitate for a minute, confused by her cold, unfriendly tone.

"Well what do you want, Ethan?"

"To tell you my side of the incident."

"Then go ahead tell me."

"When I left your room yesterday, I came face to face with Claudia. She was waiting in the hallway. She knew I would be at the hospital. Her friend was waiting behind a door with Claudia's phone, ready to take the picture. She backed me into a corner and then started kissing me."

She didn't say anything.

Nothing at all.

"Zoe?"

"I want you to leave." she suddenly said.

"Zoe, are you.."

"Please leave," she said again, quieter.

"Do you want me to get Alysha?"

"No. I can't handle having you here." she said, sounding as if she was holding back tears.

I slowly back out of the room and sprint out of the hospital.

I keep running down the street until I bump into someone.

Claudia Evans.

Great.

"Oh, Ethan sweetheart what is going on?"

I remain silent.

"It's okay, honey, you can tell me anything,"

I sigh and say, " Things aren't going well between me and Zoe."

"Wait you went to see her again?" she said with wide eyes,"Stay away from her, Ethan, she can be dangerous in her situation."

"Here let me get you home."

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Zoe's POV

I finally decide to pull out my phone and dial Ethan's number.

He answers on the second ring.

"Ethan?"

"Bitch what do you want."

"Sorry, did I dial the wrong number?" I ask. I look at the ID. I called the right number.

"Yeah you did, sweetheart, Ethan is not available."

"Claudia?"

"Yeah you can hang up now."

"Please let me talk to him."

"Uh, no way."

"Please."

"No. A no from me is a no. Have you seen what a mess you've turned him into?"

"I will make things right if you let me speak to him."

"You've had your chance. It's mine now."

"No! Claudia stop."

"Stay. Away. From. Him. Freak."

Then she hang up.

I call again.

Declined.

Again.

Declined.

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Ethan's POV

I come back downstairs to hear my phone ringing.

"Claudia, can you pass me my phone?"

"Yeah sure whatever."

She tosses it at me.

Caller ID: Zoe

After a few seconds of debate I answer.

Before I can say anything, Zoe starts talking,"I know, Ethan, I have stuffed up so badly. But please listen to me for the next minute or so."

"Of course."

"I've been thinking.

Ethan, my life is not complete without you.

Every second that you're not by my side, you are in my head and my heart.

I'm sorry, Ethan.

I love you.

I really do."

I love you too." I manage to force out before tears start to fill my eyes. "Please don't ever leave me."

"I won't ever. Leaving you is just impossible."

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Author's Note

I'm sorry I have no time to update.

xx

-Anna