Break Up

Warning foul language and violence ahead.

Echoed of conversations merging with one another cascaded around the wide and spacious halls as stores lined either side of the path. From food to clothing everything was lighted in glowing sides and wide shop windows full of products for sale. The roof of the shopping mall was glass and allowed for the sun to shine through.

And there you felt free.

Music numbed your ears silly as you walked around aimlessly with your hands in your pockets. You kept to yourself as you glanced into the stores, only here to calm yourself after what Nate said to you.

He's the one who's wrong not you.

And there you stopped in front of a small cafe. The food and drinks inside catching your eye you smiled to yourself. You didn't bother reading the name only focusing on getting yourself a treat. You admired the modern masculine vibe from the place, finding comfort in the darker colors and industrial hanging lights.

'Nate would like it here.'

It was a simple thought that you roughly casted aside.

'No. I'm still mad at him.'

Shaking your head clear you left the cafe and wandered around with your treat in hand, trying to find a place to eat peacefully. There by the fountain sitting under the large glass chandelier you sat on a bench that was across from the lovely sight. It was quieter here as the fountain sat in one of the forgotten corners of the mall. Admiring is what you did for a while, watching as the light caught in the glass above danced around as pedestrians walked back and forth.

You snapped out of your thoughts when you heard someone behind you mumbling. From the other side of the plant display a small boy with blonde hair sat hunched over and crying. Through his tears you can hear him cursing out names as you watched as he frustratingly whipped away his own tears.

"Stupid fucking assholes...hic...fuck them..."

You we quickly turned your attention away from the scene and tried to mind your own business. But the more you sat and listened the more you cringed inside. It's not like there was anything you could do anyways.

Fuck it.

"The suns pretty bright, it's kinda annoying right?"

You started blabbering the first thing that came to mind. Though the boy did realize you were talking to him you still kept yapping away.

"I mean seriously on days like these I can't see anything outside because of it. And now even inside its a bother."

You tapped on the granite wall as your socially awkward start sunk into your head. You were now partly turned around, looking at the boy through your peripheral. On the other hand the boy became quite and turned to face you. You could feel confusion and anger roll off him as he bore holes in your face.

"The fuck you want?" He spat harshly.

'Yeah I shouldn't have butted in.'

"I don't know complain about stupid shit." You shrugged.

"What the fuck you say?"

'Yeah bad choice of words.'

"I don't know. I've had a shit day too, thought maybe...you would agree the suns a bitch."

He looked at you like you were crazy.

"S-Sorry, I'm bothering you aren't I? Just ignore me," you stuttered finally meeting his brown eyes before quickly looking away. You rubbed your neck awkwardly. "...sorry I didn't mean to piss you off, I'll leave you alone."

You watched as he rolled his eyes, the no longer flowed with tears. His face was flushed red and was covered in snot and dried tears while his short hair was combed over to the side. He whipped his nose with his black leather jacket as a glare was shot at you once again. He did say anything as he turned around not bothering with tears anymore and instead opted to stew in his own internal monologue. You didn't move from your seat as you held your treat awkwardly. You played it in your hand as you tried to fix your gaze onto something beyond your line of sight.

"The sun is a bitch...." His voice trailed out as you turn back to face him. You give him a small smile as you relaxed your body to face him again. "But not as much as teenagers can be."

You nod your head in agreement, happy to think that you didn't piss him off as much as you thought previously.

"Yeah, living with them is even worse than just socializing."

"You...live with one too?"

He relaxes slightly as curiosity stews over. He didn't realize it but he looked at you less aggressively while whipping away the remains of snot. You fiddled with your treat again and avoided his gaze.

"I...live with two. They're my older brothers, actually my day has been pretty piss poor because of one of them."

"...mine to...I only have one brother though..." He slouches down to rest his head on the division between the two of you. His eyes never left your form as you adjusted as well allowing him to regain some snark in his voice. "You curious as to why?"

"Kind of," you shrugged your shoulders as honesty became you. "But you're a stranger, not really my business unless you want to tell me. I know I would rather talk about anything else in your shoes."

He snorted at that and gave a breathy laugh. "Yeah you're right," his personality became more awkward as time passed. It was quite for another moment as he avoided your eyes this time. His eyes and cheeks where less red by the time he spoke again.

"So.....do you....uh...have anything better to do?"

"I don't," sitting up a bit straighter as the atmosphere began to thaw. "Honestly think it the best part of my day so far."

"Hah, really now? Look don't lie to make me feel any better-"

"I'm not," those bold words left you effortlessly as you held the most serious tone you could muster. "It probably the nicest conversation I've had all day."

"Guess you're having as much of a shit day as me," he snorted. "Do you...know of any fun places around here? It's actually my first time in this mall."

I struggled to suppress the forming smile.

'Finally this day is getting better.'

I thought. And it did, for a while it was perfect. We went to the arcade, talked to each other about our interests, and even went into a few shops together. My face felt swollen with how much I was smiling from how much fun I was having with this boy.

He was shorter than me, waring black rip jeans and a hoodie. He was pale under the light as his hair was swept to the side revealing a beauty mark under his right eye. I must have been staring too long because our laughter had faded and he was looking at me curiously.

"What?"

I blinked and brought myself back to reality.

"Nothing, I just realized I never caught your name."

His smile faded into a thin line.

"Yeah I didn't mention it did I?"

He fidgeted slightly under his own words, almost like he was debating with himself to tell me. The bubbling in my chest started to fade the longer I waited. Once I realized he wasn't gonna be to tell me for whatever reason I decided it was time to go.

"Look it's cool if you don't want to tell me," I cringed at my own lie. "I'm just happy to spend some time having fun. I hope you've had fun too."

"You're leaving?" He sounded a bit disappointed.

"Yeah I should be heading home now, it's getting pretty late after all," I shrugged trying to hide my disappointment. "You have a way home, right?"

"I-"

"Brother-!"

Someone shouted before barreling towards us. His short blonde hair caught in the light as his green eyes reflected our faces. A look of worry was crossed over his face as he grabbed my acquaintance by the shoulders. The boy wore a badge cardigan over a white shirt, towering over me by a foot.

"I've been looking for you everywhere!"

The boy with brown eyes stiffened before shoving the blonde stranger away.

"You left me here!"

The stranger didn't move far and looked as though he wasn't surprised by the outburst. The stranger sighed in disappointment as his gaze flickered between his 'brother' and I.

"I- look I know that's how you would feel but we didn't leave you. We where in the mall trying to find you." The stranger shrugged his shoulders at the fumming blonde and gave me a sly glance. "Besides, it looks like you were having fun without me anyways-"

"Fuck you-"

"Language." The stranger spoke sternly, a sudden shift in character that caused my acquaintance and I to flinch. His green eyes seemed to be a shade darker under the lack of character to them, like unpolished gems. "Say your goodbyes to your friend. We are leaving." The stranger ordered.

I could help but feel awkward in that moment as my acquaintance turned to say goodbye. His eyes watered slightly and I couldn't help but feel pity grow in my stomach.

"Hey it's fine, we can just meet here again some other time." I grinned solemnly and punched his shoulder playfully. "Maybe next time you'll tell me your name even."

He gave me a guilty look.

"I-" He glanced back at he brother. Quickly he embraced me while I was left stunned. "It's Ronald." He whispered. I looked at him questionably as he pulled away. I waved it off as soon as I watched as tears blurred his vision.

"Meet here same time next week?"

"Sounds perfect to me," The stranger interjected. "Let's go now, little brother." The boy struggled as he was pulled away.

Sadly I never got to see that boy again like we planned. I was instead mourning my dead brother, watching as he was buried six feet under while my last word to him rung out in my head.

"I hate you! You call me selfish but you're just the loser who can't spare time for me! Just say it! You hate me! You can't stand me!" I shouted through my fuming tears.

"Yore so annoying! Leave me alone you under developed fly! I can't stand you alright? Just leave! Maybe I can die in peace then!"

Nate shouted through his closed bedroom door that I had been banging on.

"Maybe you should!"

I regret those words.

I regret those tears.

Why couldn't I say what I wanted to?

That I missed him and his attention.

That I wanted to spend time with him.

That I loved him like the best big brother he was.

"Will you ever forgive me Nate? Because I can't forgive myself."

The world seemed to be at a stand still as Ethan processed your words.

"You want to...leave?"

His throat felt dry.

"Yeah, I've figured I've bother the two of you long enough and it's time for me to head back to my routine." You rubbed the back of your neck awkwardly which left Ethan speechless.

"Back to your routine?"

You stiffened slightly. "Well whatever I can get back to after everything."

Ethan tightened his grip on the spatula as he slammed it down onto the counter. He turned to look at you and saw the determined look in your eyes. He thought you would rely on him longer, not leave just as he was figuring out his feelings. Not when he had just figured out how dangerous the situation really is.

"Did Jarah do something? Did I do something?" He kept his voice steady and low, almost like a whisper with how quiet it was.

You shook your head dismissively.

"It's nothing like that. Trust me I've dealt with worse." You chuckled at that but it didn't make things better for Ethan, if anything it strengthened his resolved.

"It's still dangerous, what if those murdering-"

"Look," you interrupted. "I owe you a lot. A lot a lot. I don't even know how I can pay it back! You...." Tears prickled at the edge of your eyes. "I respect you too much to leech off of you."

Leaning back on the counter Ethan let out a long breath of air as he ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't stand seeing you so worked up.

"I see," he rasped, keeping his cool for as long as he could to comfort you. "You shouldn't leave here though it's not safe, not at your home at least. If you fell so bad about it then you could become my roommate."

"What?" Your eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Well...I mean I think it would be a fair arrangement. Think about it you won't have to leave and live alone but you would be contributing for rent. I mean that's more than what Jarah has ever done." Ethan grinned as he watched you think it over.

"That sounds great and all but what are the logistics? I don't even have a job."

He flicked your head playfully and gave you his signature smirk.

"Are you really worrying about the legality of things? Look I'll figure a reasonable amount for you to pay. With you job on the other hand just leave that to me. I'm sure one of our branches needs new hires and you're the perfect candidate!"

You eyed him skeptically. "Nepotism eh? Man I'm going to owe you even more," you chewed on your lip as you thought about living in your empty home all alone with the very likely danger still lurking around. Even if this was the rougher neighborhood thinking back to the night Ethan saved you, your safety was reassured in your head. "But...I guess it's not that bad but only on one condition."

"And what condition is that?" Ethan quirked his brow.

"Let me work some of the debt I have by taking care of things around here," you gestured around in the air. "I'll handle the meals for the both of us and clean a bit. I still owe you a lot after all."

Ethan's smirk widened playfully at the thought as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well I didn't expect getting a cute girl to offer that up to me today but I'm not going to complain. What's next you going to wear a maid dress-"

Reaching over the table you gave him a harsh shove against his shoulder while your cheeks flushed red. "That's not what I meant by it!"

"Sorry, your right. More like a housewife~" the boy wriggled his brows as he continued to tease you. You groaned and rolled your eyes at his antics, after all at the end of the day this was Ethan you were talking to.

"Please, if anything you've been the housewife." You grumbled causing a pink tint to dust his cheeks.

"Is this our first couples spat~?" He poked your cheek only for you to stand up to wash your dish. He finished his own plate and washed his after you.

"Aw, I'm sorry honey~ I didn't mean to make you upset." He trailed after you like a puppy as you sulked off trying to ignore his flirtatious tone feeling your face redden the longer he did it. On the other hand Ethan was eating up this experience as he watched your reaction to his pet name. He rested his head on your shoulder as you tried to put your stuff back in the bathroom you first cleared it from.

"Oh...if you're going to live here officially we need to get stuff in order huh," As he stood outside the bathroom doorframe his lips formed a thin line as the left himself in thought for a moment before replacing it with one of his signature smiles. "Are we going to share a bed~?"

"No, I ban you to the couch. You are in the dog house mister." With that you shut the bathroom door unable to keep up with the flirtatious but any longer as you thought of Ronnie the first time in a while. Did you really like him? It's been a while since you last thought of him, granted lots of life changing crap flipped you over your own head.

"I can't believe it! You ban me from my own bed! I can't believe how heartless you are sweetheart~." Ethan muffled voice whined through the other side of the door.

You groaned as you slid your hands down your face. Ronnie left your thoughts once again as you began to regret staying here, at least that's what you told yourself in the moment.