Always & Forever 2: On The Road

Chapter 5

Ethan was silently driving to Virginia Beach as Katherine slept peacefully in the passenger seat. He kept his eyes straight on the road, but his mind was racing. He was thinking about Noah and Katherine. As much as he wanted Katherine all to himself, Katherine was happiest with Noah. She loves Noah. It will always be Noah, not me. Ethan thought to himself as he sighed softly and continued to drive. 

 Being around Katherine made Ethan feel alive. Her smile brightened his entire world. Her laughter was so infectious that he would always laugh with her.  Katherine was one of a kind and not even Stella made him smile or laugh as much as Katherine did. Ethan wanted to be a better man because Katherine inspired him by showing him kindness even after she lost three of the most important people in her life. As much as Ethan didn't want to admit it, he was in love with Katherine, but he knew he could never tell her that when her heart belonged to someone else. So, Ethan decided to find Noah while taking Katherine on the road trip. All you have to do is distract Katherine, find Noah and Stella, kill Stella and bring Noah back to Katherine. Ethan reminded himself. Ethan knew it would be dangerous bringing Katherine along, but he knew it was better if she were right there by his side than alone and unprotected. 

"Katherine, wake up!" Ethan shouted and tapped Katherine on the shoulder, making her jump and wake up.

"Where are we?" Katherine yawned and stretched her arms.

"Virginia Beach." Ethan answered.

"We are?"

"Yeah," Ethan answered and nodded. "So, where is your mom?" 

"At a coffee shop called, Love You a Latte." 

"Cool, do you know where the address is?" 

"Hold on, let me set up the GPS on my cell." Katherine responded and got her phone from her purse.

"And you are sure about this?" Ethan asked with a frown. "Are you sure you want to meet your mom?" 

"I have to see her," Katherine sighed. "I want answers." Katherine murmured as she set up the GPS. 

"Well, while you see her," Ethan paused, trying to come up with a good excuse. "I have to do something."

"You aren't coming with me?" Katherine asked and looked up at him and put her phone in her purse. 

"I can't, I have a quick errand and I promise I will come back as soon as I can."

"You promise?" Katherine asked. 

"I promise." Ethan reassured her.

Katherine then froze and cringed as she looked straight ahead of the road, remembering Ashley and making her promise that she would tell her details about her first date with Noah. 

"He's here," Katherine mumbled. "And just in time too." Katherine whispered to Ashley as Ashley fixed curling Katherine's hair.

"On the dot." Ashley responded with a grin.

"You have to tell me everything when you get back, okay?" Ashley giggled.

"I will." Katherine laughed and nodded.

"Promise?" Ashley asked as she held out her pinky finger.

"What are you? Five?" Katherine laughed more as she rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"I am dead serious, kitty Kat," Ashley sighed and giggled as she dropped her hand. "I have never seen you interested in a boy before, I am just really happy and excited for you, you are my best friend, and you deserve to be happy."

"Thanks, Ash." Katherine responded with a warm smile.

"Pinky promise?" Ashley mumbled with a grin as she lifted her pinky finger.

"Yes," Katherine chuckled as she rolled her eyes and showed her pinky finger. "Pinky promise." Katherine sighed as she wrapped her pinky finger around Ashley and they both giggled.

"Katherine? Katherine, are you okay?" Ethan asked, snapping Katherine out of her mind. 

"Yeah," Katherine sighed and forced a laugh. "I am fine." Katherine lied, fighting tears.