Page 3 of Unfolding Ethan

Liam crouched in pain, protecting his family jewels, and I rushed to them, Kiara’s blazing brown eyes flashing toward me. Her anger died down a little. I took her away from there, holding her back before they both started clawing at each other’s faces.

“No, let me go, E,” she growled, “I am not done with him.”

“Calm down, Jhansi Ki Rani,” I whispered in her ear, my arms cinching around her small waist.

Her face relaxed and she let out an adorable snort.

Kiara Sharma, my best friend since I could learn to walk, is Indian. I had the honor to befriend her when her family moved next to our apartment and her parents took every opportunity to tell us stories about great Indian warriors. Especially Jhansi Ki Rani as she was our favorite.

Before I could talk to her, there was an announcement that Kiara and Liam had to meet in the principal’s office for causing a commotion in the hallway.

And now here we were. Me ogling the Skittles while they both bantered in front of our principal.

“This is the first day of Senior High and two of my most honorable students are fighting each other like cats in heat,” she commented, removing her glasses and massaging her temples.

I shifted in my seat and glared at Liam’s blond hair. If he had told me about Ariana from the beginning, this would have never happened.

“I am sorry, Mrs. Inez, but I wouldn’t have punched him in his di—er, baby maker if he hadn’t pushed me and said—”

Liam interrupted, “But she started it! I was merrily enjoying my existence and then the next thing I know is—”

Our history teacher barged in. “Some freshmen are rioting outside to bring back the candy machine in the toilet.”

I hid my smile and looked back at the principal.

She gave both of them a sharp look. “If I hear any complaints from anyone about you twoandbruised penises, you both will have detention for the whole year.Got it?”

I couldn’t help my grin when they both nodded and said in unison, “Yes, ma’am.”

Her eyes landed on me. “You can have the Skittles, Ethan.”

With that, she left the office, leaving all three of us alone. After two seconds of silence, we all jumped from our seats to grab the Skittles and almost started another fight emptying the whole bowl in our pockets.

If it weren’t for my broken friendship with Liam, it would’ve been just like old times.

I dragged Kiara away before they could start fighting each other and opened my locker for my AP Chemistry notes. She leaned on the lockers, staring at me with her wide brown eyes, and I tried to pretend that her sharp gaze didn’t affect me. But who was I lying to? Of course it did. It’s Kiara Sharma we are talking about.

“What? Why are you staring at me like that?”

She kept her hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes at me. Although standing at five-foot-four and barely reaching my shoulder, she had a strong aura that demanded attention.

“I’m worried about you, Ethan. You haven’t talked about the breakup or Ari—”

I shut the locker and the smell of chlorine died down. My locker always smelled like chlorine. “Please don’t say her name. And I am fine.”

I wasfarfrom fine. And she knew it.

Her palm landed on my balled fist as we walked to our class together and I felt my nerves relax under her small touch. “You don’t need to lie, Ethan. Text me if you need to hide someone’s body.” She leaned up on her toes and I held my breath when her lips landed on my cheek, grazing my stubble, and pulled away before I could react.

“Yeah, I will,” I said, staring at her lithe figure when she turned around with a small grin and disappeared into the crowd.

I touched my tingling cheek, still feeling the light pressure of her soft lips. With my cheeks warm, I rushed to my next class.

???

Slamming the food tray down on the table, I looked at everyone and asked, “Did anyone know?”

“Of course—”

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