Don't talk to strangers

"Damien... We are waiting for the bus." Allyson replied.

" What? The bus is just till~" He was cut by Lauren. " Yeah till 6:30" Damien chuckle at the brunette's reply.

" Where are your boyfriends? they left you both?" Damien asked making them both cough.

" Excuse me? Those idiots are not our boyfriends. Maybe Ally but not me. " Lauren disagrees at his statement, earning her a nudge coming from the blonde.

"Oh I see, but how can they leave you here?" He asked as he steps out of his car.

" We have a situation and they need to go ahead." Allyson replied.

"Ah okay, I can take you girls home if you like." He offered making the brunette raise a brow.

" I'm sorry, but are you sure? " Allyson asked. " I mean aren't we giving you additional work?" She added.

Damien laughed at her statement. " Not at all, Miss Clarke. I would be honored to take you home. " He slightly bowed with his right hand on his chest. as if he's some kind of a servant.

Allyson blushed at what he said, Sensing the atmosphere. Lauren intrudes on them. "Thanks, Damien. But I don't think it's necessary."

"I would get a pomp pomp if Harris found out about this. " Lauren thought.

Damien scratched his nape. " Oh, I'm sorry if I made you girls uncomfortable. I'm just trying to help. "

Lauren gave him an assuring smile. " Yeah, and we appreciate your kindness, Mr. Collins. we would just call a cab to take us home. "

Damien gave a slight smile as he bows before them. "Alright then, I'll see you girls again when you visit." After that, he went back to his car and off on his way.

Lauren sighed. " Phew! that was a close one."

"Why did you refused? It's a free ride." Allyson whined, earning her a smack at his nape from the brunette.

" Are you insane? We just met that guy. And you're already gonna come with him?" Lauren barked.

" But he looks like a nice guy. " Allyson murmured but Lauren heard it clear.

" Don't make it fool you, Looks can be deceiving, Allyson." Lauren sternly said. making Allyson gulped.

Lauren called a cab and after a few minutes, it finally came. "Let's go, I don't want to go home late again." She called Allyson, who didn't bother to talk after getting scolded by Lauren

_______

Allyson was drop off first since Lauren said so, to make sure she went home safely.

"Thanks and sorry about earlier, wifey." Allyson said her gaze at her shoes while fiddling with her fingers.

She looks like a kid that got caught by her mom...

"It's fine, don't think about it. Next time, don't do it again, okay?" Lauren assured her with a smile.

Seeing her smile makes Allyson smile too. "Aww, thanks wifey you're the best!" She hugs Lauren before getting out of the cab.

"Text me when you got home, okay?" Allyson reminded her, and she responded with a nod.

Lauren closes her window and told the driver to set his way.

"Man... can't wait to get home. I feel so drained." She whined in her thoughts.

____

Meanwhile, the boys arrived at Walker's residence. Ethan turns off the ignition and gets out of the car.

"Thanks for the ride, Dummy." Ethan said to Harris. "It's nothing, but... can I stay for a while?" Gray asked.

"Hmm, sure but I'm telling ya. I don't have food." Ethan warned him. Harris just chuckle and took out his phone.

"Duh! Delivery exists!" Harris stated making Ethan chuckle. "Alright let's go, before change my mind."

Ethan enters his pin as the door opened. " Whoa, why pin?" Harris amazed, asked.

"Cause I'm too lazy to bring keys, plus it's safer than locks by keys." Ethan replied.

Ethan turns on the lights, revealing his fully furnished place. "Whoa! It looks great, but it feels dull." Harris complimented.

"What do you do here?" He asked as he scan the empty living room.

Ethan drops his bag on the sofa and straight to the kitchen to get a drink. "I breathe here at least." He replied without sparing Harris a glance.

Harris sighed. "I still don't get why you came back in the first place. It's not like there is any difference."

Ethan turns to him with a serious gaze. "They're a huge difference than you think, Gray. I'll rather stay alone here than to have company when I feel out of place."

"I see, but do you have plans on telling her?" Harris asked as he moves closer and gets a drink himself.

Ethan drinks his water first. " I don't want to force it, Gray. If not telling make her feel no pain. Then it's better to keep it that way." He explained making Harris silent.

He doesn't know how to react to the situation. As much as he wants to help him. He doesn't know how.

Harris patted Ethan's shoulder. "Everything would turn out fine, bro. Maybe not know, but eventually, it will." he comforted. Earning him an earnest smile from Ethan.

"I hope so, I can't bear to act as if nothing happened. When it caused everyone pain. Harris just nodded as a response.

~~~~~~~

Harris started the ignition with his door open. Ethan was outside waiting for him to leave.

" I'll get going now, dummy. Don't forget to eat FOOD before you go to bed." Harris reminded as he closes the door.

"Yeah sure. now shoo!" Ethan waved him goodbye and the latter soon faded from his sight.

Ethan closed the gate and get inside his home. he walks towards the kitchen to look for something to eat.

Because of the heavy atmosphere a while ago. Harris decided to go home early to give the latter some space, so they didn't bother to order some food.

Luckily, There is a cup noodles good enough for tonight. "Geez! I need to go and get some stocks or else I will eat wood." Ethan sighed at the empty cabinet and shake his head in disbelief.

He boils water and while he was waiting, His phone rang. He picks it up without hesitation.

"Hello?" He asked the other line. "Baby, how's your day?" The other line greeted.

"Oh, it's fine." He briefly replied as he pours hot water into his noodles.

"Have you adapted there?" She added.

"I guess I did. It's not my first time here anyways." he replied longer this time.

"That's good to hear. Don't worry, We'll be together soon." The person on the other line assured him.

"Yeah, can't wait." He replied in a dull tone.

"Hey don't be like that, you sound like you don't want me to come, hmph!" Ethan chuckled as he heard the last word.

"It's not like I don't want to, but yeah, haha" he teased making the other person groan.

"Tss! you don't love me." The woman states making Ethan laugh.

"Whatever, Kate. Just get here already." He responded.

"Fine, fine. have you eaten yet?" Kate asked.

"I'm currently eating." He informed.

"Good, Eat well and don't skip meals okay?" she reminded.

"Yes, mom." Ethan mocked. "Don't call me mom." She barked. making the boy laugh.

"Alright, goodbye." Ethan said.

"Okay, baby. I love you." Kate replied and ended the call.