chapter 10 Coincidence
I was feeling a lot better this morning, but since I fainted earlier, I slept instead.I woke up to my phone ringing. I checked the caller I.D. and saw that it was Chloe.
Chloe: Hey girl. How are you feeling?
Me: Much better. I miss you and Brooke, though.
Chloe: We miss you too, bitch.
Me: So how was class?
Chloe: It was boring as usual but something happened during P.E.
Me: What happened?
Chloe: Ethan and Ryan were fighting. I still don't know what the fight was about, but I am pretty sure that we heard Ryan mention your name before Ethan punched him.
Me: WHAT?! Are you sure?
Chloe: Is there something that happened earlier that I did not know?
Me: Nothing happened.
Chloe: I am still wondering if it's a coincidence that Ethan was there when you fainted. You know you can tell me anything, right?
Me: Of course, Chlo. Is Ethan ok though?
Chloe: Ethan has no bruises at all, but Ryan has a black eye. They both have detention for a week, though.
Me: Detention?! Poor Ethan.
Chloe: You should have seen Brittany's horrified face earlier. Anyway, I wanted to check up on you and gossip you the news a little. I got to go though because we have dance practice. Talk to you later. Take lots of rest, okay?
Me: Sure thing. Take care. Love yah.
Chloe: right back at yah.
The call ended, and I was worried about Ethan. I checked the time and saw that it was only 4:30 pm. Detention finishes at 5 pm. The next 30 minutes were excruciating. I did my History essay to kill time. By the time I finished my History essay, it was already 5:20 pm.
I could not decide whether to call him or just text him instead, so I went with my guts and dialed his number. His phone rang for like 30 seconds before he answered.
Ethan: Hey Maddie. How are you? Are you feeling better?
Me: Yeah. I am good. By the way, I wanted to thank you for bringing me to the clinic earlier. You were already gone, and I did not get to thank you.
Ethan: Oh, it's nothing.
Me: Uhm. I heard you got in a fight with Ryan.
Ethan: Oh, that! It was just a brotherly fight. Nothing big.
Me: Is it about what happened in the hallway before I fainted?
Ethan: Huh?
Me: Ethan, I only fainted, but I did not lose my memory. You know what I am talking about.
Ethan: Look Maddie. Ryan is stupid, so please stay away from him and the rest of the basketball team.
Me: Why? Is there something that I should know about?
Ethan: NO! It's just you know how they can do stupid stuff. Just stay away from those jocks and don't go alone.
Me: That is creepy. What the hell is going on, Ethan?!
Ethan: Maddie, there is nothing you should worry about, okay? I am just giving you a friendly reminder.
Me: You know what ,this is a mistake. Bye.
I did not give him the chance to say something after that. I ended the call and laid down on my bed. Something is fishy and I need to know. Chloe and Brooke do not know about what happened in the hallway before I fainted, so I can't possibly ask either of them. If they find out what Ryan did, Chloe will get so mad at me for not telling her, and I am sure that she will go after Ryan and she might get in trouble. Another question that was lingering in my mind is, "What was Etan doing in the hallway?" "Was he a part of what Ryan was about to do?" I was brought out of my thinking when Mom came into my room.
"Sweety, what happened? I got a text from Chloe earlier, but I was having my shift." she said with worry.
"Mom, I am fine. I just fainted earlier and Chloe drove me home during lunch. I am feeling much better now." I assured her.
She checked my forehead if I had any fever and checked my head for any bruise of some sort.
"Okay. I will make you soup. Just lay down and don't do any studying for now. I will be right back." Mom said.
I called Chloe and tell her what happened in the hallway with Ryan. I called Chloe and connected Brooke in the call as well.
Brooke: How are you doing, Madd? I was so worried earlier.
Me: I am doing better now. Mom just got home, and she is making me some soup so everything is alright. Nothing to worry about. But there is something I want to tell you both.
Chloe: What is it? Are you in the hospital?
Me: No. Before I tell you about this promise that you won't get mad at me.
Chloe: What did you do, Madison Carter?
Chloe: Let's hear her out first, Sophie.
Me: I did nothing stupid.
Chloe: Fine. Start talking, young lady.
I told Chloe and Brooke about what happened in the hallway with Ryan. I also told them about the call I had with Ethan.
Chloe: That asshole!! How dare he try something like that?!
Brooke: What a prick?! I will kick him in the nuts tomorrow. We'll see how cocky he will get afterwards.
Me: Girls!
Chloe: But that is true. What was Ethan doing in the hallway? Was it just a coincidence?
Me: I don't know. I mean, Ethan was with me in the house a week ago and he did nothing that seems suspicious.
Brooke: I don't think Ethan is like that, though. He does not even have any history of sleeping around with girls. Let alone trying to kiss them in the hallway.
Chloe: Brooke is right, though. Ethan might have been there accidentally. Or....
Me: or what??
Chloe: Or he might have known what was about to happen and he was trying to look out for you.
Me: Remember, I asked him earlier about it and he just brushed off the topic?
Brooke: Maybe he is trying to keep you out of it,Madd.
Chloe: Brooke is right. Besides, Ethan never really did anything suspicious, right?
Me: I don't know what to think.
Chloe: Let us not overthink it, but we should be cautious. Always watch your back Madd whenever you are going to walk on empty hallways, even in packed hallways.
Me: I will.
We talked some more until Mom called for me from the kitchen. We said our goodbyes and ended the call. I went straight to the kitchen. Mom and I had dinner since Dad will come home late from work. Mom told me not to study tonight and just rest instead.
I went straight to my room after helping Mom with the dishes. I checked the time on my phone and saw that I had a text. It was from Ethan. I opened the message.
'I am sorry Maddie.'
Why was he saying sorry? As much as I wanted to know what he is sorry about, I decided not to text him back. I placed my phone on my table and went to sleep. Today has been more than exhausting.
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To be continued...