Just Friends (23 page)

“Now watch closely.” Ethan said, holding the ring against the bottle. He moved them apart from one another before snapping them together, transporting the ring inside the bottle. The jolt startled Natasha, but amazement soon followed. “Oh wow!” She said as she snatched the bottle off him, tapping away at it. “How am I supposed to get this out now?” She flirted. She was definitely flirting. The bitch.

I snarled at the TV over her overreaction and perfection. Ethan held the bottle over her hands, and the ring dropped back into them. Just like that. Astounded, Natasha gazed down at her ring. I could have gone into further detail regarding this encounter, but it’s annoying me and I’m jealous. I also wasn’t too fond of the trick Ethan did for the Brazilian girls on the beach. Let’s just say their breasts were rather noticeable, well huge. With these girls, instead of putting the card in their flip-flops, Ethan was slightly more adventurous with the placement of the hidden card. I’m sure you can guess it was placed in one of their bikini tops. I shook my head at Ethan, he didn’t notice though. He was too busy giggling at himself. They performed a magic trick of their own by slipping their phone numbers into his pocket.

I’m so pleased for Ethan, his show is doing great. The amount of viewers he received for his second show tripled the viewers from the first. The first two episodes were brilliant. I just get jealous easily when I see him performing another trick for another girl. I’m his magic girl.

He’s leaving again in a few days to film the next series ahead of the New Year. They’ve made a huge profit from it already just with advertising so they want him straight back out there ahead of the New Year. He’s also got to plan everything ahead of his special appearance on Patrick Miller’s show on Christmas Eve. I’m starting to develop a real dislike for magic.

Tonight we’re having a Halloween costume party that Eleanor has arranged. Ethan and I have spent all day shopping for costumes. Ethan was insistent that he wasn’t wearing make up or face paint. My upmost best to persuade him otherwise, failed. He was decisive that he would go as a magician. I went along with his decision and sat on the stool in the store, watching him try on a million top hats.

“I’m getting you one.” Ethan said as he tilted the hat on his head.

“No, no you’re not!” I joked.

Ethan took the hat off and turned to the assistant beside him. “Can I get two of these, but one in the smallest size, please?”

The assistant bowed their head and took the hat away.

“You’re having a hat August. We need matching suits now.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Do I not get a say in this?”

He shook his head, “
Naa
.”

NEW EMAIL FROM LEONARD PHILLIPS

Hi August,

Sorry I haven’t replied. I’ve not checked my emails for a while. There is no need to apologise. I’ve spent a lot of time re-watching the footage of the crash. However, I’m still no closer to solving it. I watched Ethan’s show and I must admit it was impressive. He has a certain swagger about him. I think it will take him far in the world of magic. As for bringing a building down on top of myself, I would pre-record it, using special effects. I’d sit and watch myself perform from my trailer without lifting a finger. I hope this helps, Leonard.

“Ethan, isn’t there any way you can use special effects to bring the building down on top of you instead of risking your life?” I asked while we were looking through suit colours and materials.

He looked at me with disappointment. “How would that make it the best trick ever, August? Magic is about leaving people on the edge of their seats. The audience wants to feel like this could genuinely kill me, and they’re waiting to find out if I’m alive or not. That’s the beauty of it. Never knowing how they did it. Everyone has their suspicions, but they’ll never be told if they were correct or not. If anything slips up from one of the special effects people, the entire press will jump on it and call me a joke. Then for the rest of my life I’ll be known as the coward who used special effects.”

I couldn’t argue with him, he was right. “Please come back in one piece.”

He grabbed a top hat off a shelf and popped it on my head.

“I will.” The hat slipped over my ears and covered my eyes.

“I’m serious Ethan. We both know what happened last time.”

“What’s got into you lately? You’re always worrying. Don’t you trust me?”

I removed the hat from my head, examining it in my hands. “Of course I trust you. But bringing a building down on top of yourself has nothing to do with trust. I’m making one rule.”

Ethan winced his eyes. “Ok, let’s hear it.”

I rolled the hat around in my hands. “If you even so much as receive a scratch from this, I’ll beat you up and you can go back to putting cards down Brazilian chicks’ bikinis.”

My eyes didn’t blink to make my intentions clear and then I brought out the
poop
stare. Ethan tucked my hair behind my ears and then pulled a small section forward so my ears poked out. He thinks this makes me look like an elf.

“Ok my tiny mean elf wife. You’re so demanding!”

I karate chopped his hands away and ruffled my hair.

Ethan couldn’t choose a suit for us to wear, so he chose one at random since I was uninterested in doing so. I sulked through the entire measuring fitting as an elderly lady with her tape measure, sized us up.

“You’re so adorable when you’re grumpy.” Ethan said with a grin on his face as he sat and watched the elderly lady measure me to his amusement.

“I hate you.” I replied. I wanted to dress up as someone hot, like
Catwoman
or some other sexy character. Not some ridiculous sidekick for Ethan wearing stupid top hats.

Ethan grinned. “You love me.”

I remained silent because it was true, but not in the way he implied. The suit Ethan had chosen was green, a hideous green. Like the colour furniture your Grandparents would have in their house, green.

“Why New York Ethan?” I asked as we drove home. We hadn’t spoken about the sudden idea of moving to America and buying an expensive apartment.

“I wanted to move somewhere we would enjoy. I figured with your acting career taking off as well it would be perfect for you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “So, you did this all for me?”

Ethan gazed out of the window. “Well, yeah. Who else do I have to spoil? If your acting career took off, I decided being in New York meant I would be closer to wherever you would be filming, and we’d be able to see each other more than me being in England.”

My stomach fluttered from his cute considerableness. I quickly peeked over at him before returning my attention to the road. Why couldn’t he tell me he loved me too? If he ever did. He must do. If what Mum explained was true that means all those years growing up together and he never mentioned it once. Why?

November 1
st

L
ast night’s party was, let’s say, eventful. Around fifty or sixty came, thanks to Eleanor’s organisation skills. I felt utterly ridiculous having to wear my top hat and suit. Ethan thought we looked cute, I disagreed.

We met some interesting new people. I doubt we’ll become friends with any of them. Their egos are too big and came across as snotty.

I did meet the singer, Alex Farrell. His new album has broken nearly every record in music. He’s super sweet and not to mention gorgeous. Ethan was standing beside me, though, so I tried my best to keep my cool. The girl he had with him was lovely, too. She was called Wednesday. We clicked because both our names are based on the calendar. When I asked if she was his friend or girlfriend she smirked and glanced over at Alex.

“We dated before fame interrupted, now we’re just friends… it’s complicated.” She whispered.

“I’m in a complicated situation myself.” I hinted over to Ethan discreetly.

Wednesday winked, nodded, and then zipped her lips shut.

I enjoyed talking to Her and Alex. It was a shame they had to leave early. Max still hadn’t spoken to Eleanor properly since the day Ethan returned. He spent his night on the balcony sulking in his hilarious dragon costume. By the far the best costume of the evening, maybe ever. Everyone else had focused on showing cleavage or being a metaphorical emotion.

“Why don’t you talk to her, Max?” I said, wearily standing beside him.

“It’s pointless, August. She won’t be interested in my pathetic speech of how much I love her.”

“Max, she’s a normal girl. Ethan told me she’s been away filming. That’s why you haven’t heard from her. She deserves someone to love her after the horrible previous relationships she’s had. The last one she kinda messed up by herself, with your help of course. She likes you more than you think.”

My encouraging words raised his head. Ethan then joined us out on the balcony. “What’s wrong with you, grumpy?” He was wearing the tie I bought him for Halloween a few years back, it’s black, and covered in a pattern of bright orange pumpkins with various scary faces carved into them. Ethan was drunker than I assumed, he appeared high-spirited due to their recent circumstances.

“Nothing, just enjoying the view.” Max replied.

“Max, buddy, I will do a magic trick for you. As an apology for my unnecessary behaviour.” Ethan slurred.

Max frowned, and so did I.

“Hold your arms out in front of yourself, please, keep them strong.”

Max followed as instructed and held out his green and red dragon arms.

“Now, I will count to ten in a moment. When I start, I want you to reverse into the apartment, ok?”

Max closed his eyes and laughed once in amusement.

“Ten-nine-eight-keep those arms strong, Max-six-five.”

Ethan grabbed my arm as Max walked back, “Look at the bottle at the door there.” he whispered in my ear.

It confused me, still, I did as he instructed. An empty wine bottle laid alone on the floor inside the apartment stared back at me.

“Three-two-one…” Max stopped. Then a loud cry came from the apartment. Eleanor suddenly came flying out of nowhere and landed straight into Max’s arms. Her eyes closed, with a look of shock on her face. Max was equally astounded for another reason. The bottle Ethan asked me to focus on was behind Eleanor’s foot while she stood chatting. She fell over the bottle and straight into Max’s arms.

“Thanks, Max! Cool outfit.” Eleanor cried out desperately in his arms.

“Dragons are cool, aren’t they?” It was a cringeful moment, but cute.

I rolled my eyes at his blabbering comment and turned to Ethan while they got reacquainted.

“It’s all about timing sometimes, dear. Let’s move before she sees us.”

He grabbed my hand and walked around the balcony towards the other door. As we re-entered Max and Eleanor were busy sticking their tongues down each other’s throat to notice everyone was staring at them.

“Ethan, if you hadn’t had died for me. I’d have to admit that was the best trick you have ever done.”

He let go of my hand. I didn’t want him to, it was nice.

“They needed a small push.” He replied. “I’m going to grab us a drink, I’ll be back in a second, ok?”

“Ok, I’ll stay here.” Ethan swiveled and wandered towards the kitchen. Max and Eleanor were now stood talking on the balcony and kissing every three seconds. Things then plummeted downhill. A drunk guy walked over after Ethan left, he was one of Eleanor’s ex-boyfriends. But they were now friends. I don’t understand how people can do that. I spoke to him as he swayed beside me. The longer he stood with me the more I began to feel more and more uncomfortable. I was having flashbacks of my time with Mark and I needed to get some air. I excused myself and tried to exit, but he grabbed my wrist.

“Where are you going?” He asked. His breath stunk of liquor. I could feel a rush come over myself, like I was about to have a panic attack. My pulse throbbed in my ears as my heartrate rose.

“Let go of me.” I quietly and politely said.

“I’d do as she says.” Ethan appeared from behind me.

“Sorry, I meant nothing by it!” He replied, holding up his hands.

“Who are you here with? Maybe you should go find them and leave.” Ethan said, stepping in front of me.

“Well I came with your Mother, she disappeared a while ago so I’m just waiting on her.” Of all the shit comebacks for this fool to say he had chosen by far, the worst possible one. And then that’s when Ethan knocked him out, and his two friends who came rushing over to his aid. Security seemed to have no issues dragging them out of the apartment and escorting them from the building.

I announced to everyone that the party was over and that they should all leave peacefully. Max and Eleanor stayed. Eleanor wasn’t pleased with Ethan knocking out three of her guests including her ex-boyfriend, but she understood. Her and Max tidied up the apartment while I fixed Ethan with some ice for his bruised knuckles.

“I’m sorry.” Ethan said, rocking back his head.

I grabbed his cheeks with my hand and pushed them together. “You’re being silly. Don’t waste another second thinking about it, ok?”

Ethan couldn’t say or do anything because I’d squeezed his cheeks together. He looked cute with them squished together. I don’t know why I don’t do it more often. Max wandered over and hugged Ethan from behind, wrapping his arms around his waist.