The cool winter air brushed Ethan's cheek bones and made them numb. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked home from school, down the short sidewalks, making sharp turns every few steps. Ethan hated this part of the day; coming home. He had always loathed opening the front door to the sound of someone arguing. In most cases, the arguing dies down after a while, but in his house, the yelling never stops.

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Seven cups of coffee and four hours later, Ethan still was not even close to finishing his homework. Ethan threw his head back in annoyance and looked at the door. As if on cue, the coffee shop bell rang and the door swung open, revealing the same girl who took his seat the day before. She ordered her drink and stepped away from the counter as she waited for it to be ready. Ethan did his best to ignore her, but it was too difficult for him to do so. She noticed him and smiled,

his eyes lingered this time, but in the end, he looked away.