you & i [ethan]

[STERLING WILLIAM RALIEGH]

[atrb=border,0,true] without you there's no reason for my story , WHEN I'M WITH YOU I CAN ACT THE SAME tagged ethan words 473 lyrics you and i by anarbor Sterling had never met anyone as suspicious as Ethan Frost. It had crossed the British boy's mind that he should never have gotten tied up in anything having to do with Ethan Frost. The initial bet had been a miscommunication. Sterling had thought Ethan wanted him under his command in his army, but Ethan had actually meant a more literal translation. Sterling had come to this realization as soon as Ethan had lured him to the beach and kissed him. Since the make-out session on the beach, Sterling had been intent on avoiding Ethan Frost. He had made it more than clear that his interaction with Ethan that night was a one-time thing. Instead of thinking too much about Ethan, Sterling concentrated on more important matters-- like the Phoenix Army. He didn't have a high position in the army, but it didn't matter. All Sterling needed was to prove that he was good enough. The practice had been long and intense. During drills Sterling was unable to wipe the sweat away. His eyes were burning from the sweat and he felt sticky. Sterling could definitely feel how tense and achy his body was. He was no wimp, but even he had to admit when the practice was a little too rigorous. Sterling walked into the locker room. his towel draped around his shoulders. The gray t-shirt he wore was soaked through with sweat and his shorts were sticking to his legs. With a sigh Sterling followed the line of red lockers until he found the one that had his name on it. Almost like clockwork Sterling entered the combination and pulled his locker open. Most all of his personal things were put in there during practice. Sterling checked his cell phone, hoping to see any sign that someone back home was curious about how he was doing. Of course, there was no luck there. Sterling closed his eyes momentarily, taking a moment to dwell on his thoughts. He leaned his head against the metal lockers. It shouldn't surprise Sterling that he hadn't heard from his father. Sterling had been sent away a long time ago. He wasn't even sure his father knew where he was. Still, it hurt Sterling a little bit to realize his father just didn't care where he was or what he was doing with his life. With Sterling off on some random escapade there was no reason to worry about the media finding him. Sterling licked his lips and drew in a deep breath, determined for the thoughts to run their course. It didn't pay to get distracted too easily in a place like Griffin. Anything could happen to anyone and Sterling didn't want to become another statistic. He wasn't always the most security oriented person template credit to brooke!

[ETHAN BAILEY FROST]

Ethan honestly hated being told he couldnt do something so when Sterling said that he wouldnt be able to get him under him, well you can bet that Ethan was going to make it happen. Sterling at least was attractive and he actually did like the kids accent. Usually accents didnt really turn him on like people always went on about accents. And there was something about the way he called him American boy. It kind of made him laugh on the inside. So at least his little bet has bonuses.

When ethan found out that sterling thought he was talking about joining his army he used it slightly. Ethan was never to be taken by his word really. Sure he could be honest about stuff, but usually it was around lies that would make it work. Everything he did and said regardless of which way it sounded like he meant it or which way it went was usually his way of distracting or rerouting or.. well god only knows his reasons for what he did.

When sterling let him make out with him on the beach he told himself it was his doing. He wasnt sure exactly for sure if it was all him, but what else could it be? to him he just couldnt see what else would have brought Sterling to let him do that. Sterling had made it obvious that this would be a one night thing and Ethan hadnt pushed it. He had played the perfect gentlemen. On top of that he hadnt approached sterling after even when he knew sterling was avoiding him. Even though he had told Sterling the bet was off, then bet was definitely not off. He would get sterling under him one way or another. He was still in the game and even though Sterling may not realize it, sterling was going to be in the game as well.

Ethan made his way into the locker rooms having come from the showers. He had a towel around his waist and one around his neck, drying his hair and behind his ear. A lot of the students had already changed and were either finishing up or heading out of the locker room. One caught his eye and he stopped observing him a moment before smirking and walking over. Hey there british boy. he said leaning his back against the lockers next to him as he lifted one end of the towel around his neck up to dry his forehead and then neck.

You alright? he asked making sure there was concern in his tone. It didnt matter if Ethan may or may not have been sincere outside of his objective, because right now he was in complete work mode and anything outside of that kind of disappeared. He had an objective in mind and even if he had true feelings of what he was 'trying' to portray they were gone at the moment replaced by what he wanted the person to believe. Ethan didnt like to seem like he was trying too hard, at the beginning he had pulled off the cocky jerk that was self centered and demanded attention, then he started merging bits of other things into his personality to portray to sterling. You could never just dive in with mr. charming. Not only was that overrated, but he liked to think it helped gain attention more so with that route. At least he could come off some what honest.

Sometimes he wished he could get into the others heads. Honestly that would be very helpful.. unfortunately.. things were that easy. Ethan crossed his arms over his chest then watching sterling his smirk still on his face. You look... very hot sterling. he said I mean.. in a literal sense of course.. he grinned.

[STERLING WILLIAM RALIEGH]

[atrb=border,0,true] without you there's no reason for my story , WHEN I'M WITH YOU I CAN ACT THE SAME tagged ethan words 553 lyrics you and i by anarbor Sterling found himself in every bit of a delicate position. All in one moment he found that he was thinking about his father, his mother, and just how alone he really was. It never took Sterling long to realize that he had no one. In fact, seeing a cellphone that never had any messages on it was a good indicator. Sterling didn't typically like to display that he was having an off moment in public, but he didn't exactly feel like finding a private place either. It should have been no surprise that someone would notice and approach him. The part Sterling didn't expect was for the voice next to him to sound so much like Ethan. For a minute Sterling didn't move. He couldn't decide he he was wanting to believe that this was a figment of his imagination or was actually real. The way Ethan spoke now was completely different from the way things had started off between them. Sterling would have said Ethan was an egomanic with a few unsorted problems. As time went on Ethan did that stunt with sneaking into the Panther bunks and kidnapping him for the night. That night had told Sterling that he had misjudged Ethan. He couldn't believe that he had been so narrow minded. It wasn't Sterling's thoughts on Ethan which kept him avoiding Ethan after the beach night. What kept Sterling avoiding Ethan was knowing that he had done something wrong. He had done something he knew would never make him acceptable. Sterling had done the very thing that made his father not want him around anymore. It was easy for Sterling to overlook what while he was all caught up in the moment, but when he was alone it really sank in. When Ethan asked him if he was alright, Sterling felt awful for the way he had been acting. Sterling looked up, standing straight instead of having his forehead there against the lockers. He looked Ethan over, wondering if it were just a coincidence that Ethan approached him in just a towel. Sterling shrugged, but gave no verbal answer to Ethan's question. He didn't feel like relaying the entire story to someone who he barely knew. Sterling was glad that Ethan wasn't being a creep, but he didn't know how he was supposed to respond quite yet. Was there some unwritten rule about speaking to someone so long after making out with them? The next comment from Ethan made Sterling raise a brow. Perhaps this was his open opportunity to be able to forget everything that was going on with his family. This was his chance to just let those thoughts float away. Sterling managed to smirk as he dried his own face off with his own towel. You think so? He asked as he put his towel back around his neck. You look nice and relaxed. He said, referring to the fact that he could tell Ethan had just gotten out of the showers. Sure it was a bit of a lame reply, but Sterling still needed to be able to get in his happy place. Why are you speaking with me? Sterling asked suddenly, curious as to what Ethan would come up with for an answer. template credit to brooke!

[ETHAN BAILEY FROST]

Ethan watched him with an unwavering gaze. His eyes giving nothing away, then again they never did. He tilted his head as he tried to figure out the things that were warring inside of sterling. Ethan wasnt the type to make things awkward unless it was beneficial to him, which in this case he hasnt decided yet. But he wasnt going to make it awkward yet. Sterling seemed to be doing a fine enough job of that for himself without Ethans help.

Whatever was going on with Sterling you could tell he was pretty troubled over it. Ethan almost had the urge to reach out and put a hand on his shoulder.. without it being a planned move. He pressed his lips together and brought a hand up to rub the back of his neck. Well.. that was just weird. He mentally shook his head pushing that away. No need to dwell on something that was probably a fluke.. The only problem was.... ethan didnt make flukes. Hes strived on winning and winning meant perfection of what he was doing. You didnt win from flukes.

Ethan smirked and nodded in response as he asked if he thought so. all sweaty and hot.he added adn then grunted. im always nice and relaxed. he told him, though the showers here are pretty nice. You plan on taking one? he asked raising a brow and reaching out pulling at sterlings shirt where it was wet from sweat so it pulled away from his body then fell back. Might make you feel better. he said.

Ethans brows rose at his sudden question. He shrugged. Why not? he asked. Didnt know I wasnt allowed to. he dropped his hand. I can leave if youd prefer he said pushing away from the lockers. if you dont want to be around me and all. I know you've been avoiding me so ... I mean.. it would make sense ifyoud prefer me gone now. he dropped his eyes to the floor, running a hand through his hair. He stopped at the towel and pulled it from around his neck and brought it over his head covering his face from sterlings. whatever you want british boy. he said his voice a little more quiet then hed been talking.

[STERLING WILLIAM RALIEGH]

[atrb=border,0,true] without you there's no reason for my story , WHEN I'M WITH YOU I CAN ACT THE SAME tagged ethan words 405 lyrics you and i by anarbor Sterling hadn't meant to make things so awkward with Ethan. He didn't know how to follow up something like that or even if he should follow it up. So much could go wrong. He couldn't understand how Ethan seemed to cool about it. Sterling chalked it up to the fact that Ethan probably had more experience with that sort of thing. Besides, Sterling figured that there was too much he was trying to fix for him to get involved with some random boy. It worried Sterling what might happen were his parents or the British media were to actually find him. At the mention of the showers Sterling looked up and in that direction. It was hard for him to think of taking a shower among several other people. He pressed his lips together and nodded, I probably shall take advantage of the shower. Sterling didn't like feeling sticky and awful a lot more than he hated the idea of taking a shower with other people in there. As Ethan pull at his shirt he could feel the sharp rush of cold again against his chest and abdomen. Sterling decided that it would probably be easier for him to just take his shirt off. He folded the shirt up nicely and placed it in his locker. It probably would make me feel a lot better. He added, wondering if he should just bite the bullet and use the public showers. Sterling sighed at Ethan's reaction to his question. He watched as Ethan pulled the towel out and over his head. It didn't seem right that he had offended Ethan. Sterling looked away for a moment. He did feel bad about avoiding Ethan, and it didn't help that Ethan had called him out for it. Sterling licked his lips nervously and reached up for the towel. He pushed the towel back so that it was still on Ethan's head but was not covering his eyes or face. Stop that. It was wrong of me to avoid you. I just could not think of what to say. Sterling said. You do not have to leave. He watched Ethan a moment, hoping that Ethan would not be too offended to leave. After a quick glance around, as habit, Sterling leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Ethan's lips. He pulled away and nodded, I do not want you gone. template credit to brooke!

[ETHAN BAILEY FROST]

Ethan nodded with a hm.. Showers were good. Ethan didnt mind the open showers, honestly he was more of a private guy even if he didnt care about people seeing him naked. It just would be nicer to have some privacy at some point. He actually wasnt too thrilled about the coed part about it either. Youd think a guy like him would enjoy that, but really he didnt. He thought it was a little ridiculous for women. To him there was a line about equal things with men and women, and changing in from of each other or taking showers in the same stall was a line he didnt like being crossed. Unfortunately he had no say, though he wondered if he could find a way to bring it up to the board or something and... make it happen.

If you wait about ten or fifteen more minutes.. there wont be anyone else in the shower. he told him. in case that botheres you. he shrugged. Sterling didnt seem like the type that would be comfortable going all in with a bunch of people. Maybe he was and Ethan had pegged him wrong on that account, he didnt know, but at least he could do with that information how he wanted. Sterling had surprised him a few times though he would not admit that. Definitely not. Ethan didnt like being surprised he liked be able to peg people and be right about it. Of course he wasnt always right but he always usually found a way around it so it would still work in his favor. STerling was still working in his favor... he was pretty certain. He could tell sterling wasnt avoiding him because of reasons that were not because he didnt want him around. No... sterling definitely still wanted him around.

And if Ethan didnt already know that, Sterlings next words would tell him so. Sterling had pushed the towel back from it covering his face, telling him that he didnt want him to go, that he did, in fact, want him there. Ethan shrugged. Well.. that isnt the kind of message you were sending by avoiding me.. he told him trying to seem like he was hurt by it. I told you I had (god i keep forgetting that word!) morals about things and you .. i know you said it was that one night, but i didnt think you were the type to kiss and just drop. he said and leaned his head back against the lockers.

He watched as sterling looked around and then quickly leaned in kissing him. Ethan gave him a slow smirk as he pulled away, saying he did not want him gone. what do you want then sterling? he asked pulling the ends of the towel so it was aorund his neck again. He watched sterling wondering what his answer would be.

[STERLING WILLIAM RALIEGH]

[atrb=border,0,true] without you there's no reason for my story , WHEN I'M WITH YOU I CAN ACT THE SAME tagged ethan words 429 lyrics you and i by anarbor Sterling absolutely hated the idea of public showers. He hated the idea of showering with an assortment of girls and guys and realizing that he's completely visible to all of them. Sterling usually did wait until most everyone was out of the showers and gone before getting in the showers himself. Even then Sterling didn't like going completely nude. Sterling wasn't exactly a nevernude, but the thought of being naked in front of a bunch of his peers just didn't strike him as a good thing. What if they weren't impressed? What if they were TOO impressed? Sterling didn't know which he was be comfortable with-- if he would be comfortable with any of it. Ethan seemed to catch on to the fact that the shower idea made Sterling uncomfortable. He nodded at Ethan's comment about waiting another fifteen more minutes for the showers to be empty. I assure you, I will not be showering with the rest of them. Sterling said in reply, his British accent obvious on the pronunciation of the word 'you'. His accent often made him wary around the campus. Most of the other students were purely American, and that made it difficult for Sterling to go without people asking him how a British boy landed in American army training. Sterling usually pretended to have no answer for them. The only one to really try and pry his way into the reasoning was Ashton, and Sterling didn't think much of that. Sterling frowned at Ethan's response. He knew it would not be a good thing to avoid Ethan, but he had done it anyway. Avoiding Ethan had seemed like it would be a lot easier than actually confronting the boy. Ethan was right, though. Sterling really hadn't sent out the right message. Then again, Sterling wasn't even sure what message it was that he needed to send. Typically I am not the kiss and drop type as you call it. Sterling said, looking away. I apologize for my actions, Ethan. The fact that he had kissed Ethan, surprised Sterling. Sterling, of course, did not want to ruin Ethan's reputation. Plus, it was a habit for Sterling. He was used to having to watch for cameras and media before leaning in for a kiss. Sterling sighed at Ethan's question. Honestly, Sterling probably should have seen that question coming and ducked for cover. I don't know, Ethan. Sterling admitted, his voice emitting his frustration. I don't know what I want at all. template credit to brooke!

[ETHAN BAILEY FROST]

Ethan smirked his brows raising as Sterling said he would not be showering with the rest of his peers. yes sir.. he said. You know I never understood public showers, sure it probably saved some money, but Im mostly worried about the females. he said. I just.. theres some things that should be private and being naked in front of boys is one of those. he told him. I mean.. thats supposed to be one of those special moments for them, or.. well the majority of them, sure there are few that doesnt count with, but still. he shrugged. I just.. its a bit unfair to make them do that especially at this age. ethan crossed his arms. but what can you do. Ive put in papers with the big heads, but nothing has ever come from it. Guess they just dont care.

Ethan tilted his head watching him as Sterling spoke. hm.. he shrugged. well whats done is done. he told him, I dont know why I seemed to be the exception to your no kissing and dropping rule, but.. I mean.. its.. whatever. he shrugged. dont sweat it. We all have those days ... or .. something. ethan waved his hand a bit as he said the last part. He glanced over at Sterling wondering if he was selling it like he was hoping he was. Something about foreign kids just made it seem like it was easier to fool them. Sure there were times where sterling seemed like he wasnt taking the bs that ethan was giving him but then it was like he felt bad for thinking wrongly of ethan and turned around and made it easy for ethan again. Well whatever works. He was going to win this bet no matter what.

Ethan took in a deep breath letting it out on a heavy sigh. I see.. he said rubbing the back of his neck again. well.. he pushed away from the lockers. I guess... I dont know. If you dont know then.. who knows.. i dont. he shrugged again. When you do find out... come find me. I might still be there. he told him and then turned starting for his locker. He wondered if sterling would come after him or not. either way worked, letting him dwell heavily on the possibility of losing his chance with ethan and forcing him to choose quickly which would clog anyones ability to think absolutely clearly and miss any kind of misgivings ehtan could be giving out. Either way he thought this owould be working in his favor.

[STERLING WILLIAM RALIEGH]

[atrb=border,0,true] without you there's no reason for my story , WHEN I'M WITH YOU I CAN ACT THE SAME tagged ethan words 491 lyrics you and i by anarbor Sterling raised an eyebrow as he listened to Ethan's rant, but pretended not to. It wasn't that Sterling didn't care about Ethan's opinion on the showers. He just didn't think it mattered much because there wasn't anything that they could do to change it. Sterling finally just nodded along. He already agreed with most of what Ethan had said, so the nod would make more sense. "They don't care." Sterling finally answered. "They'll never care." One fact about Griffin remained evident-- they were going to do whatever it took to make the soldiers comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. Sterling was sure that eventually his fear of showering with his peers would be dissolved, just as it seemed to already have been with his peers. What's done is done. Sterling hated that saying. He realized that he couldn't change the past, and that he would have to accept what had happened... but there was another part to "what's done is done." Sterling felt like the saying was just another way of pushing something behind to try and forget it. When Ethan pointed out that he was the only exception to the kiss and drop rule, Sterling looked away. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to be ashamed or what. "Ethan, I'm not even really supposed to be with you." He said. "You're a squad leader. I'm just a soldier... for another army no less." It was a flimsy excuse, but it was all Sterling had. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to be with Ethan or not. A part of him hoped it didn't matter while another side of him told him that it would be a mistake to be involved with him. Sterling felt a little helpless as Ethan reacted in a way that said it was over. He watched Ethan walk away after saying that he MIGHT still be there. It would have been nice had Sterling been able to think right there on the spot about what it was that he actually wanted, but he knew that would be impossible. Sterling knew this would be something that he would have to consider for a while. Ethan Frost was a different kind of person than he was used to dealing with and he only hoped that he made the right decision. How was he even supposed to know what the right one would be? Most would think that going to a school based around building an army would deter some of that kind of drama where boys and relationships were involved. Sterling looked back toward his own locker before sighing heavily and finally shutting it. He turned in the direction that Ethan had walked and stopped at Ethan's locker. "Wait," Sterling said softly. "Tell me what it is you want, Ethan. Perhaps I could want the same thing." He added. template credit to brooke!