Ethan's P.O.V.
Looking at myself, I was still wondering if the outfit I was wearing complimented my shoes or not. It might seem like a lame thing to overthink about but I was more than serious about it. But then, I just decided to keep on the pair of converse I was already wearing. I picked up my phone as soon as I was done checking for any calls or messages on my phone and not so surprisingly, there were none. I put my phone in the back pocket of my jeans and was just about to leave when I heard my sister call out my name from somewhere behind me.
I turned around and saw her running towards me, startling me for a second. I looked at her with a confused expression. She then said "Ethan, can I please give my school friends a treat for my birthday, please". I saw hope in her eyes as I just stood there looking at her. Just as I was going to say something, she again started "Don't worry. I don't need any money. I know we are in kind of a rough spot right now, but I just want to invite them over to our house and get some snacks".
I couldn't believe those words were coming from a 12 year old. I felt guilty take over me for I couldn't give her a normal life where we could just go out to eat on the weekends, buy new clothes for her every summer, comfort her with heaters in the winters and drive her to the countryside for spring festivals every year. The truth was, I had no money to do so. "I promise you, we'll be rich very soon. And yes, you can invite your friends over for your birthday. Also take this and buy some snacks". I said taking out a 10 dollar bill from my wallet. She took the money happily and nodded. "I'll be home soon" I said to her as I left the house.
I took out my parent's old car keys from my pocket as I started the car which made a weird noise as the engine started. I drove off to my destination. I haven't been there in a long time. The local Deli shop of our town, where I met him for the first time. My Best Friend, or lets just say my Ex-Best friend. I haven't really talked to him in a while now. It's like we don't even know each other anymore. I drifted away in my thoughts as I reached the "Blossom's Deli".
The place where I've experienced the best and the worst days of my life. The place where we used to eat and laugh together or the place where I was informed that my parents died in a fire at the goods factory they used to work in, due to a short-circuit. Anyways, I parked the car as I walked towards the shop as the flashbacks from the last time I was here kept replaying in my head. My heart was beating faster than it ever had. 'I am nervous' was an understatement for that moment.
I opened the door to the shop as I looked around to find him but I found no one. I sat on one of the tables as I waited for him. 10 minutes turned to an hour with me staring at the door with hope. All I could do was just wait or leave. After waiting long enough, I finally decided to leave, not hoping to see him today as well, just like the past few months. Just as I was about to leave, my phone rang. The caller Id said 'Nick'.
I kept staring at my phone not being able to pick it up until one of the waiters patted my shoulder and said "Sir your phone is ringing since the past minute which is disturbing our costumers". I apologised as I hesitantly picked up the phone. As soon as the call connected I heard Nick say "Hey man, I'm sorry but I can't meet up today. Actually my friends are dragging me to this hot chick's party so I thought why not just check her out". He casually told me as I didn't even realise that a sole tear ran down my cheek. "Hello, Are you there?" I heard him say again as I gathered the courage to speak up a little "It's ok".
I felt something I had never felt before. The feeling of betrayal, but I had no right to feel betrayed because he is just my best friend. Or is he? "Cool then" I heard him say followed by the unpleasant beep sound indicating that he had ended the call. I just stood there, frozen with all those emotions messing up with me. I soon pulled myself together as I picked up my wallet and car keys from the table. I exited the shop wanting to go home and get some sleep to forget about all that's happened today until my thoughts were interrupted by a very familiar voice from behind me. "Are you free tonight?".