A Tough Choice

Chapter Nine

A few weeks had passed since Ethan had lost his mother. He'd finally found the words to tell Caleb. Although he still seemed upset and lonely he seemed asthough he was on the mend.

It still seemed lonely in the house without him. I don't know why I had bonded with him so quickly but it felt strange not having him around. I looked up from my lunch as Lofty walked into the staff room and sat opposite me.

"Have you seen this?" he asked as he slid a piece of paper towards me.

I shook my head and read it.

"Work are having a Christmas night out?" I asked him.

"Yeah, you coming along?" he asked.

"Sounds fun." I smiled.

"It'll be a good way for you to get to know everyone in a different environment, we are quite fun outside of this place." he grinned.

"Not too wild I hope." I teased him.

He laughed and winked at me.

"Ethan, Max are you going to the Christmas party?" he demanded as soon as they entered the room.

"Can't keep me away." Max grinned.

"I'm not really into partying." Ethan said quietly.

"I've seen you when you're drunk, you'll have a great time." I told him.

"Are you going?" he asked.

"Yeah but I won't be able to stay late coz of getting the train home." I pointed out.

"I can give you a lift back if you want?" Ethan offered.

"I thought you weren't going." I teased him.
"I'll come along and keep you company." he said smiling slightly.

"Why thank you Dr Hardy." I grinned.

He rolled his eyes and left the staff room.

"Is there something going on with you two?" Max asked.

"What makes you say that?" I frowned.

"He's usually awkward around people but he seems quite comfortable with you." he answered.

"We're just friends." I told them.

A few days later the night of the party had finally arrived. I'd spent the best part of an hour raking through my wardrobe trying to find something suitable. I'd eventually found a dress and matching heels.

I sat on the train, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the amount of stares that I was getting. I breathed a sigh of relief as the train eventually reached my stop. I climbed off and quickly walked to the pub. I quickly wandered over to the group.

"Hey Emma." Robyn said as she pulled me into a hug.

I smiled and hugged her back.

"Hey gorgeous." Caleb said.

"Hi." I said blushing.

"Can I get you a drink?" he offered.

"Sure." I smiled.

As Caleb wandered over to the bar, I looked around for Ethan but I couldn't see him anywhere.

"He cancelled." Robyn told me.

"Really, why?" I asked.

"Didn't say, but I can give you a lift home, save you getting a train when it's late." she said kindly.

"Thanks." I smiled at her.

As I wandered over to Caleb I couldn't help but feel disappointed with Ethan. At least if he wasn't going to turn up he could have let me know so that I could make alternative travel arrangements.

"Thanks." I smiled at him as he handed me a drink.

"How are you doing?" I asked him.

"Getting there, I think Ethan took it harder because he was really close to her." he admitted.

"Must be difficult." I replied.

He smiled at me and watched me closely as he took a sip of his drink.

"You look stunning tonight." he said randomly.

"Such a charmer." I teased him.

"I try to be." he winked.

I looked over at the group as I heard them all laughing.

"Come on you two, we're doing shots!" Robyn called.

"This isn't going to end well." I smiled at Caleb as we stood up and wandered over to the group.

A few shots later and I began to feel sick.

"No more!" I protested as Robyn handed me another shot.

"Don't be such a lightweight." she slurred.

I stuck my tongue out at her and took another shot. I looked around and saw that Caleb had gone. My eyes scanned the bar until eventually I saw him standing with a group of girls. I felt a strange feeling in my stomach as I watched him laughing with them. My breath caught in my throat as I watched him whisper something in one of their ears.

I had no idea why, but I quickly walked over to him.

"See what I mean about being a charmer." I teased him.

"I'm starting too." he grinned as he turned his back on the girls. I couldn't help but feel a slight sense of satisfaction that I'd got his full attention.

I smiled at him and looked away.

"Look at me." he said quietly.

I looked up into his eyes as he leaned in and kissed me.