Here you go Happy_Go_Lucky Ethan's POV just as you asked

Ask and ye will be recieve. I have this weird mediveal thing going on right now. Strange isn't it?

Anyhoo Enjoy!!!

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Chapter 9

Ethan's POV

I was sitting on the green playground bench waiting for someone to get off the swing.

Today was a sunny yet breezy summer day and everyone was out to enjoy it. I watched as a few girls played jump rope singing a rhyme about how boys are stupid. I smiled as they chanted

Boys go to jupiter to get more stupidier

They can't go to college they have no knowledge

Despite the insult they are funny. The playground was outlined with slender dark green trees. Two boys from my class slid down the long rusty colored slide immediately running off to the monkey bars hanging down like viens. I hate the monkey bars they hurt your palms. I can't even get pass the first couple bars before I let go from the tight grip I have on them.

Two girls hopped off the swings causing the chains to jingle behind them as they ran off to play hopscotch. I jumped on one swing pushing myself off the ground. I swung loving the feel of the wind rushing at my face. Blowing my hair back and foward as my feet whipped faster loving the feel of not being on the ground. Just as I was lost in the moment of actually being off the ground a girl ran to the swing next to me.

She grabbed the chain with a smile her long dark brown hair slightly over her yellow headband. She had a white summer dress with yellow poka dots that reached half way down her calve and matching yellow ballet flats with a plastic topaz gem. My feet hit the ground stopping the swing. She was so pretty.

"I beat you Jakie." she chemined her voice so angelic

A boy in blue shorts and a green tee shirt came huffing up to her. His ear length brown hair was on his face, his cheeks a light shade of pink as he held his knees breathing heavily. I'm guessing he is Jake.

"I let you win." he blew out of breath

The girl smiled a toothy smile revealing a small gap on the lower part of her mouth. Her teeth small and prefect except the missing tooth.

"Here you swing first." she offered

Jake hopped on pushing himself off into the air. The girl leaned against the swing poll watching Jake adoringly. I smiled at her selfless act, Jake is a jerk for taking her offer.

I stood up catching her attention. Her eyes widened not realizing I was here. She took a step closer to Jake with fearful eyes. Is she afraid of me? I felt a pang in my chest. I don't want her to fear me.

"You can take my swing." I stepped back against the poll she was leaning on before.

Hestiately she stepped foward before walking over to the swing. She sat down than frowned.

"I don't know how to swing." she mumbled looking over at Jake

He seemed oblivious that she was silently asking for his help.

"I'll push you." I said without thinking

The girl shook her head ready to protest when I came up behind her.

"Hold on tight." I ordered

She held the chains tighter nodding. With a big pull back I pushed the swing foward. She stiffened when I pushed her gently touching her back.

"Swing your legs back and foward to swing on your own."

Obeying her legs long swung outward than foward her flats sparkling in the light. I stepped in front of her but keeping my distance from her legs. With each swing her dress floated around her some what tanned skin. She giggled as she went higher. The sound similair to a little bell chiming.

"Look Jakie I'm going to touch the sky."

She reached a hand upwards rocking the swing. Quickly she held on again slowing her pace. Without realizing it I stepped foward ready to catch her.

"Lily your such a klutz." Jake laughed

"Lily." I repeated the name

Lily looked at me at the sound of her name. Her soft wide caramel eyes holding mine. I felt breathless as her eyes pinned me to my spot. All my thoughts were lost as I searched my brain for something to say. Nothing. My mouth felt dry as her body swung in front of me.

"Its a beautiful name." I whispered barely speaking

Lily blushed looking down. She was so beautiful with that light shade of red. I have never thought that about any girl. I have seen pretty girls but not like this. Not this beauty that made it hard to look away. That made something tingle in my heart.

"Ewww is not. Who would want to be named Lily?"

With his words Lily furrowed her brows a sad frown on her face. I felt anger bubbling inside of me as he smirked at Lily's expression. I didn't like him. My fists clenched tight.

No need to scare her any more than I have, I thought.

"I mean why Lily, why not Rose or Daisy.Do you even like lilies?" Jake continued swinging in the same beat

Lily's feet were firmly on the ground her eyes set on the gem on her shoe. Her eyes squinted almost concentrating but I saw her moistened eyes. She was holding back tears. She shook her head.

"I like tulips, pink tulips." Lily whispered

Jake dropped his feet to stop the swing. He bent his head back and howled into laughter. Lily's face tightened forcing a smile.

"That's even worse." he laughed stepping off the swing

She laughed with him but it was a shaky fake. My fingers dug into my palm as rage flowed through my body. The sad dullness in her eyes fueled my anger.

"Apologize." I said through clenched teeth

Jake was taken back by my request, I was taken back myself. I was taught to stand up for what I belive in and I belive girls should be treated with respect. Although I only met Lily moments ago I feel this strange feeling to protect her. She seems lost and vunerable in a way. I can't explain the far away expression she had like she wasn't paying attention anymore.

"No." he said stepping foward with his chest out

I almost laughed at his pathetic attempt to look intimadating. I knew for a fact I could take him. Jake threw a fist to my face which I saw and dodged. As soon as he retracted his fist I swung mine to his gut causing him to gasp.Jake held his stomach breathing heavily.

He wasn't use to being hit but judging at how he swung first he is no stranger to fights. Lily gasped kneeling by him.

"Jakie?" she asked concern in her voice

I felt jealous of the fact that he was being a jerk yet she still felt concerned for him. Good guys really don't win. I shook the thought away. I wasn't done here.

"Apologize." I repeated

Lily looked up at me her wide light brown eyes containing the same fear as when she first saw me. Except there was a quick flash of a unknown emotion too. Almost graditude. The very thought made me smile.

"S-soory." Jake choked obviously not use to the word

"Its okay." she mumbled her eyes holding mine for a second before turning back to Jake

She helped him up letting him lean on her small body for support. They were by the rust colored slide when she turned around mouthing 'thank you'. I saw a small smile spread slowly across her face, it seemed genuine.

I felt the corners of my mouth tipping upwards. I knew right away that I needed to see her again.

Slowly I came back to the present the chatter of the cafeteria ringing in my ears. That was the first day I met Lily. Jake and I became friends almost instantly. Funny how I punch him in the gut and he wants to be friends.

I was grounded for two weeks for punching him, he snitched of course. But I don't regret it otherwise I wouldn't have met Lily or have Jake a now loyal friend.

I was sitting on the far end of the cafeteria by the enterance. Usually the table would be packed with my friends and their fun of the moment but today I am alone.

I saw Lily sitting with Rachel and her friends again. I knew she didn't like hanging with those girls, they weren't her type of friends. She gave them a nickname too. I figured her sudden change was due to Nick and his relationship with Rachel. I was sitting around with the guys having our usual fun picking on the guys "girls" when I saw Lily sitting with them again.

She had her fake smile firmly on her face and she was nodding with long gazes down. Those were Lily's unconcious way of showing she is uncomfortable. I told the guys I saw an easy group and they did the rest. Jake saw Lily imdiately pulling Cindy over with him.

I watched as Jake pulled Lily closer to his side with Cindy on his lap. A week ago Jake wouldn't look in her direction now he couldn't be apart from her. Lily leaned her head against his shoulder watching him in the same adoring way as always. She loved him so much even after he pushed her away.

The rumors bothered him that one day Jake acted as if Lily was a bug stuck on the side of his windsheild. She'd cry in the girls bathroom and my heart would tear at her silent cries. In those times I'd beat the crap out of him giving him an ear full but he still wouldn't change. Lily missed her brother and it hurt me to see her in such pain.

It was almost midnight when Jake called me a few days ago hystericaly shouting about how Lily fainted in the middle of an arguement with her dad. At the sound of her name I sat up wide awake trying to calm him down to hear the whole story. After another lecture on how stupid Jake is for pushing Lily away and a few harsh curse words Jake promised to fix their relationship.

Things happen for a reason and I'm glad Lily is happy. Even if I am not the direct source of her happiness. I'll always protect her even if I spend forever watching her from a distance.

I stared at Jake's arm around her wishing it was my arm. Wishing it was me she was leaning against. That it was me she missed. That she would atleast speak to me again. It hurt to see her laugh with other people while I yearned to have her notice me.

I rubbed my face with my hand. It was like old times yesterday at the garage. We were playing around in the snow when something just sparked between us. I don't know what but Lily felt something, I felt her tense in my arms. I could still feel her in my arms like she was in them right now. The sweet smell of cinnamon lingering in the air with her uneven breathing. Those wide innocent eyes! I nearly groaned when she slowly looked up at me. If Aidan wasn't there to distract us I would have done something stupid. Something Lily would never look at me again for.

A light finger traced my bottom lip snapping me out of my thoughts. Melissa smiled above me. She stood in between my legs in tight leopard skinny jeans with black knee high boots (that I knew were Lily's) and a very low cut graphic tee that showed much too much of her chest. She was looking as slutty as ever but I don't want to hurt her feelings.

"Hey Melissa what can I do for you?" I said regretting my choice of words

"I saw you here all alone and thought I could keep you company." she said her finger trailing down to my chest.

I wanted to push her away from me. Melissa has been hitting on me for as long as I can remember and its getting annoying. Especcially since she just wants me for a roll in bed. As gently as I could I flicked her finger off of me.

"We have went over this a million times Melissa."

She bent down her butt sticking out giving everyone a good view. She hunched her back so her shirt dipped lower leaving nothing to the imagination. I didn't glance once downwards for the sole purpose that I don't want what Melissa is offering.

I grabbed my coat from beside me draping it over her front. "Melissa please have some respect for yourself." I stated flatly

Melissa stucked her teeth throwing my coat at my chest and storming out of the cafeteria. She is still the same dramatic girl she has been.

"Hey Andy."

I turned to see Ashton standing beside me face tight. Oh shit he saw Melissa. He actually likes her which is new, guys just borrow Melissa. Sadly she doesn't care.

"Ashton I'm ...."

"Nah its okay I know what kind of girl she is." he shrugged

Poor guy he has to watch the girl he likes throwing herself at every male around. Must be hard for him to stand around waiting for her to change her ways.

"Listen Andy I didn't mean to screw up and tell Lily about what you did to Danny. I was thinking out loud and she doesn't seem to have understood what I said." he blurted a fearful expression on his face

A day after the bleacher incident Ashton came running to me about what Danny did. Ashton kept apologizing for not helping Lily which I didn't hear because I went to find Danny. When I found him in the hallway ditching class with his boys I taught him a lesson about touching Lily. With a threat to keep them silent I went on about my day. I didn't care if I got in trouble, nothing new to me. I didn't want to upset Lily. She doesn't like it when I fight especcially when its for her.

That wasn't why I was giving Ashton the death glare. It was for the flowers. I thought Ashton was asking her to the dance which later on I heard he was going with Melissa.

"No harm done just don't tell anyone that I was the one who hit him." I said

Ashton looked as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. He nodded with a wide grin. I knew Ashton wouldn't say a word he feared me too much but I need to remind him. Just as he was turning I said

"If you see or hear anything about her come tell me."

"Sure."

He walked to a full table at the end of the cafeteria leaving me alone again. I promised Lily I'd never forget her and I won't ever.

"I want a full deluxe car wash and a check up. Make sure everything is in tip top shape." a tall red head woman in her forties said

"Yes ma'am you come back in an hour and your car will be set." Jack replied holding his hand out

The woman snorted before handing over the keys to her jaguar. Jack smiled a pearly smile as the woman walked away angerily. I pulled a blue towel from my back pocket wiping my hands from the grease of my latest patient.

"You'd think she'd be nice to the guy that's gonna be under the hood of her car." Jack said shaking his head jingling the keys after her

"Technically I am under the hood." I stated matter factly

Cars this classy and expensive were only treated by me. I knew how to be gentle with any car besides nobody likes to touch these the pricey cars. If you screw up its out of your pocket.

Jack scribbled her order balancing the keys on his index finger. "You heard the lady off you go." he tossed me the keys

"Jack there is nothing wrong with her car she just wants to show it off."

She is like the many snobs who come around to show there expensive cars. She knew damn well her car is fine and is expecting to hear just that. I put the keys in my pocket.

"Where's Aidan?" I asked when I realized how quiet it was

Jack smiled going behind the oak desk to put a copy of her recepit in the drawer. "He's lookin around the place for Lily."

I saw Rachel dragging her into Nick's car. I didn't say anything just shrugged. Jack squinted his glimmering eyes. He is up to something. Jack cleared his throat scribbling something in the binder for the records.

"Speaking of Lily what is going on between you two?" he asked

My back stiffened. How do I explain what really is going on between us? I don't think there are words for our relationship. Can it even be called that?

"Nothing." I said shrugging again

Jack dragged his eyes up to me for a moment. He smiled "Nothing?"

I nodded averting my eyes from his face. I'm not use to lying but you do what you have to do. Lily doesn't want her problems out in the open. If she hadn't gotten drunk she wouldn't have told me. In a way I'm glad she got drunk and told me everything. She has dealt with so much alone. So much she hasn't told anyone about. It amazes me how Lily goes about her life seeming strong and put together, like nothing bad has ever happened to her. But in reality she has gone through more drama than most people do all their lives.

Lily is strong and refuses my help. She has shattered long ago, silently picking up the pieces. The thought of Lily in pain made me feel like useless crap. How could I not notice her suffering? Her pain? Am I that stupid not to see the signs? The fact that Lily was hurting under my watch made me want to smack myself for being an idiot. Lily will never hurt again, I won't let her hurt again.

"Hello earth to Ethan!" Jack said waving his hand in my face

"What?"

"Damn you just snapped out of it didn't you?"

Shaking my head I leaned against the desk. Keep your head on straight Ethan, I thought.

"School stuff, what were you saying." I lied

Jack gave me a dubious look continuing to write in the binder. Jack also keeps the garages books. Fiances was mostly his department as well as taking care of the costumers.

"You okay? I mean you seem out of it lately."

Have I? Everything feels regular except for my constant self conversations.

"Fine, how about you? How are you coping?"

His face fell stiffening with emotion. Jack's wife left him a few months back for another man. He was mad about her, they have been together since the end of high school. Nothing romantic though. One reckless night Aidan was concieved. Jack -being the well mannered gentleman he is- wanted to do things right and married her. Few years later and an affair she decided they're not meant to be.

Jack's eyes stayed down at the binder, his hand tightening on the pen. His jaw clenched and unclenched. Jack loved her.

"Its hard I'm not going to lie. Aidan keeps asking when mommy is coming back."

He slammed the pen against the binder bringing his hard blue eyes up to me. The pain was shining like blue flames.

"How am I suppose to tell an eight year old that his mom doesn't want him? Who the hell am I to ruin the perfect image he has of his mom?" he said through clenched teeth

What can I say to that? There are no words that I could say. I shook my head, unable to even sympathize. Jack is always so happy and full of life you wouldn't think he had these problems under the act he puts. In a way he's like Lily.

"Aidan is not stupid, eventually he'll figure it out." I stated truthfully

Jack rubbed his face pulling his sad gaze from me. He is broken from all of this. Jack sighed dropping his head almost in defeat.

"He is avoiding friends, not talking much. His teachers are worried about his sudden withdraw, as am I."

"Ethan I don't know how to help him. He isn't talking to me and its scaring me. Sitting back watching your kid in pain is torture." Jack said his voice cracking slightly

That was a feeling I knew well. To feel helpless as you watch someone you care about slowly breaking down. Jack's head rose as a smile played across his mouth.

"Than yesterday I see him playing in the snow and I swear my heart soared. He laughed, I haven't heard him laugh in so long."

The happy glimmer returned to his eyes. Wait he was watching us? That would explain the sudden interest in Lily and I. As much as I keep repeating it was nothing the more I wish she was against me right now. Pressed firmly against my body breathing heavily at our closeness. My fingers against her soft skin. Her wide innocent eyes that have seen too much. Her red full lips she bites so sensually I want to take them with mine. To feel the velvety softness of her warm mouth. Her moans from oh so long ago rang in my mind.

Once again I feel the memory of her lips on mine. Her tongue exploring wildly as her hands roamed freely all over me. The way her body responded effectively to mine like they are one. Surpressing a moan at the exact memory I pulled myself back to the present. If I got a hard on -like I normally get when I think of my first kiss- it would be diffucult to explain.

I stepped foward placing a hand on Jack's shoulder. "He'll get through this you both will, together. I'm here for you both and I know for sure Lily is as well."

I could tell how much fun she was having with Aidan yesterday. Maybe being together will benift them both. Maybe they'll help each other open up enough for people to help them. They could heal each others wounds with even knowing it.

"Thanks. Your a good kid and one heck of a friend."

Flashing him a smile I dug for the jaguar keys. That lady is going to get a little surprise when she returns.

"Speaking of good friends I need my number one friend to test out this car." I said wickidly

Jack shook his head as I went to the back looking for Aidan. When the lady comes back I'll have some bad news about her car even if I have to stomp on her engine myself.

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I really wanted to add Jack's story into this seeing how its going to play a part in this story. tell me what you think!!

~LovelyDove43~