Unraveling Eden ✔ [ONC 2021]

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Ethan's gaze had rarely left mine since my episode last night. It was like he thought I would break at any given moment. I didn't blame him, it scared me too. So I didn't mind his overly protective nature. Oddly enough, it offered me a sense of comfort. If it happened again, at least he would be there.

He sipped on his cup of coffee as I dunked my spoon into the bowl of cereal he made me. His arm was stretched over the counter, tracing the lines on my palm as if he was trying to read my future.

"Hurry up or it's going to get soggy," he teased, nodding toward the untouched bowl as I twirled my spoon around mindlessly.

"But I like it soggy," I pouted.

"Ew." He grimaced and let out a low chuckle, smiling for the first time today. "That's so weird."

"Maybe you're the weird one," I teased back, glad my weird taste could brighten him up at least a little bit. I loved seeing him smile, it sent warmth radiating throughout my whole body.

"Maybe." He shot me a boyish smirk, looking down at me through his bedhead. "So what's the plan for today anyway?"

"What do you mean?"

He waltzed around the kitchen and placed his now empty mug in the sink as I took my first bite of cereal. Ethan walked up behind me before leaning over the counter, nudging me lightly. "I've been thinking, maybe we should try and figure out if your dreams really are real. See if we can find proof of the people existing. There might be something at the town archives that could give us a lead. Once we know for sure, then we can go from there."

I stared at him in disbelief. He never ceased to amaze me. Part of me thought that he would have changed his mind or fallen short on his promise to help me figure this all out. But only hours later, he had more of a plan than I had these last few weeks. My mouth hung ajar as I nodded, forcing out words. "Yeah, sounds good."

"When you're done with your cereal we can go. I'm just going to get dressed," he informed me and kissed my forehead, his eyes lingering momentarily on me before turning back toward his room.

"Ethan?" I muttered and he quickly looked back, his brows raised. "Can I take a quick shower? I just...I feel kinda gross after last night."

"Yeah, of course you can. The bathroom is this door here." He pointed to the door on his right. "I'll get you a towel and stuff."

"Thanks."

I heaved a sigh and stared down at my cereal. It was now just the way I liked it, a soggy hodgepodge of thick milk. I quickly finished it off and poured the left-over liquid into my mouth. Shifting my neck from side to side, I waited for the satisfying crack and tried to erase the knots that were forming in the pit of my stomach. I was thrilled that Ethan believed me, but I couldn't help worrying about what we would find. What if I didn't like the outcome?

"Here," Ethan said, breaking my train of thought. I jumped slightly and spun around to face him. He was holding out a towel to me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay, I was just thinking," I told him.

He sauntered over to me and draped the towel over his shoulder. "Penny for your thoughts?"

I heaved a sigh and let my chin press against my chest. "What if they are real? Then what?"

He pursed his lips and shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know. I guess I hadn't really thought that far. Even if I had I'm not sure I'd know the answer, Eden. But whatever it is, we'll figure it out. You and me." He slipped the towel off his shoulder and wrapped it around my neck, pulling me in close. Ethan pecked my lips. "Now, go shower so we can get a move on."