I tried as much as possible to avoid scoffing at his gesture, as I decided to pretend.
"Hey. How are you doing Ethan?", I asked, placing more emphasis on his name.
Putting on a sky blue trouser with a blue round neck to match, I must confess he looked almost the same as when we were in secondary school, except that he was taller this time.

Leaning on the counter, his hands resting on it as he looked intently at me.
" I came to get drugs for my allergies, but can we perhaps talk outside?", he asked politely.
The images of Joseph's nice gestures flashed through memory as I felt lost again. I only have a grudge against Ethan because I feel he likes treating ladies like trash, more of toys that are used and then disposed of while tired of using them.
"Oh Ethan, you are here. Michael, he asks of you since he came back from school recently. You guys can leave to talk. I will just sit here", Brother Joe's voice rang through my head making me nod as I left with Ethan to the far right of the Pharmacy where there is a shade from sunlight and a bench to sit on.
To say I was enthusiastic will be a lie, as it seems all my feelings for Ethan have faded. I am angry at him for what he said over 2 years ago but I should not take it seriously. He would learn his lesson of respecting girls one day.
A lady will catch his heart, and the lady will not like him no matter the confession he makes. She would not look at him for a second knowing him as a player. It will just be like a player getting played.
" Are you okay? I tried to contact you on Facebook but your replies are blunt. I don't have your Whatsapp number, and you even refused to give me a call when I sent my number through my cousin Joseph. I hope he did not disturb you at all", Ethan said as I looked at him.
He is quite cocky. He should have just collected the number from his cousin, easy peasy.
"You are quite the same, Ethan. You should have just collected my number from Joseph. Joseph is good but you both are almost the same in characteristics", I explained as he sighs.

The thought of Joseph telling Ethan that we were attracted to each other came to my mind. Joseph won't say such a thing right?', I asked even tho my heart flickers a bit.
He sighs bending his head a bit.
" I thought you were either too busy or angry at me", he said my eyes resting on him.
"Why do you think I am angry with you", I asked trying to figure out something.
" The last time we talked after our high school has the answers. Maybe I said something bad to you", he said.
Maybe I was angry at his use of words and used that as an excuse to stop myself from falling more for him.
"I was only angry at your use of words that day. Not having regard for a girl's feelings even if she should confess to you. Remember that I told you that if you do not like a girl, politely say no to her. Most importantly, do not try to arouse other people's feelings. Making them fall for you even tho you don't like them", I said, enunciating each word.
"Oh, you were only angry with me because of my words. I thought I did something really bad. I have learned my lesson in regards to your words. I will never play with a girl's feelings again", he said reassuringly.
I felt awestruck by his words. After the last time we met, I asked Joshua some things about Ethan. Joshua told me he likes flirting with girls, and when he asks Ethan whether he likes anyone of them. He replied that he wanted to make them fall for him. He is a playboy and that made me keep a far distance away from him ever since then. That helped me in getting over my feelings for him.
I have always tried to help Ethan to think the right way while in school. I never tried to investigate him to know his true intentions, because I believed him. I thought he would change, but I am wrong. Everything lies in his hand.
" Did anything intriguing happened while you were in the university?", I asked as he nodded.
"I am the only son of my parents and that alone made me feel on top of the world. When girls my age started complimenting my looks, I changed into a bad boy to make them fall for me without liking them in return.
It was fun even tho I never had any sexual act with anyone of them. Some tried to seduce me, some confessed to me but I aimed to break their hearts. Make them fall hard, then disappear.
I even caused a rift between two siblings by dating the both of them, causing them to fight each other only to end up breaking up with one at a time, causing an uproar, before breaking up with the other one later on.", Ethan kept ranting as I felt my heartbeat as he confesses.
Like seriously? Why was I blind to all that? He pretended so perfectly as if he was listening to my words of advice. I don't know but I felt weak somehow as my eyes were on him.
" You might think I am wicked. Probably, but the pressure from friends to date as much, and I could not withstand it. Living as the only son of my parents was boring, since girls drool over me, I opted for the fun in it.
I'm sorry I wasted your time by seeking your advice even tho I have my plans. I just feel your words seem…"
"My life is boring so my words are outdated right", I said as he looked shocked.
" You know, there are a lot of things I like about myself. I might be gentle and stubborn, likewise, do I like staying amidst girls, not with the thought of making them fall for me, but setting limits to my interactions with them.
Playing with others' feelings is like using toys and disposing of them off when you feel you seem bored with them. Feelings are cultivated and raised, not to be trampled on as you did", I explained, trying to look at him from another angle.
"I know and I think I should stop. I have this feeling for a girl for 3 months now, but she refused to believe me even when I confessed to her. According to her, I am a player and she does not trust me. I am trying to get her off my head but it is not working ", he said, sighing dejectedly.
I guess what goes around comes around. I hope he gets over it soon.
" I hope you get over her soon. Feelings will fade but it takes time", I consoled him as he chuckled dryly.
He looked up before turning to face me.
"Are you still angry at me?", he asked
" Yes, for treating girls' feelings like trash, but I have forgiven you. Just change for the better" I said as he nodded.
"Thank you. I am changing", he said.
We both continued our conversation and thankfully Ethan never made mention of Joseph's name. I feel less angry seeing how he expressed himself. Being the only son of his parents probably took a turn on him. Peer pressure, another great factor that controlled his mind.
I guess Proverbs was not lying when it said 'THE ONE WALKING WITH THE WISE WILL BECOME WISE, BUT THE ONE WHO HAS DEALINGS WITH THE STUPID ONE WILL FARE BADLY".
One's actions and thoughts might easily be influenced by friends, so watching one's associates is the best. I don't regret advising Ethan, but one thing I know to be sure is that my life is not boring, neither is it too troublesome or too sweet either.
My life is much like a short set of words
WALLOW IN IT. With time, determination and, self-control, I will continue doing the right thing.