“My life flies away like a dream:Why should I stay behind?”

“You should probably stay away from me," I say, resting my head on my knees. "I'm a mess.”

“Ready to meet my best friend, then?"I clipped my vest together in front and smiled tightly. "Should I bring a bottle of wine? Any taboo topics? Politics, life after death?""Yeah, just stay away from that one entirely.”

“I also knew you wouldn’t stop your staring until you learned the cold, hard truth. So, consider yourself warned. I might not be the kind of guy that reads textbooks at the beach,” he said, glancing back at my open book, “but I’m smart enough to know girls like you should stay away from guys like me. So stay away.”

“I can tell I'm being annoying, the kind of annoying where it feels like I haven't showered for days and everyone should just stay away.”

“Okay, you’ve primped enough. Now go bug someone else,” Ethan said, shooing me out the door. “I have to clean the bathroom.” “That should be interesting,” I quipped. “Maybe I should stay and watch.” “Maybe you should stay and help.” Cupping one hand behind my ear, I grinned, pretending to listen. “I think I hear Marc calling.”