Happy Mistakes

Chapter 7: Back

Alex POV
The early morning light filtered through the blinds, casting a soft glow across my dorm room. I stared at the ceiling, the weight of everything pressing down on me. It had been weeks since Ethan and I had that heart-to-heart over FaceTime, and while things had improved slightly, there was still an underlying tension between us that I couldn't shake.

I rolled out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face in an attempt to wake myself up. My reflection looked back at me, tired and worn. I knew I wasn't the only one struggling—Ethan had his own battles—but it didn't make it any easier to deal with. I missed the days when things were simple, when our biggest worry was deciding where to go for dinner.

After getting dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make a quick breakfast. My phone buzzed with a new message, and I picked it up, hoping it was Ethan.

"Morning, babe. Just wanted to say I love you and hope you have a good day."

I smiled, my heart warming at his words. "Good morning. I love you too. Hope you have a great day as well."

Despite the lingering worries, moments like these gave me hope. Ethan and I were still trying, and that had to count for something. I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door, determined to make the best of the day.

Classes were a blur of lectures and note-taking, but my mind kept drifting back to Ethan. I wondered how he was doing, if he was managing to keep his head above water. I wanted to be there for him, to help him through whatever he was going through, but I also knew I couldn't force him to open up. He had to come to me when he was ready.

During a break between classes, I found a quiet spot on campus and pulled out my phone. I hesitated for a moment before sending Ethan a quick message. "Thinking of you. Can't wait to see you tonight."

His reply came a few minutes later. "Thinking of you too. See you soon."

I sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. Tonight was supposed to be our date night, a chance for us to reconnect and spend some quality time together. I hoped it would help bridge the gap that had formed between us.

The rest of the day passed in a haze, and by the time my last class ended, I was more than ready to see Ethan. I made my way back to my dorm, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I wanted everything to be perfect tonight, to remind Ethan how much I loved him.

I freshened up quickly, checking my reflection in the mirror one last time before heading out. As I walked to Ethan's dorm, I tried to push away the nagging doubts and focus on the positive. We'd get through this—we had to.

When I reached his door, I knocked lightly, my stomach in knots. The door opened, and there he was, looking as tired as I felt but with a small smile on his face.

"Hey," he said softly.

"Hey," I replied, stepping inside and pulling him into a hug. He felt warm and familiar, and for a moment, everything felt right again.

We settled on his bed, the awkwardness between us palpable. I took a deep breath, determined to break through the barrier. "How was your day?"

He shrugged, avoiding my eyes. "It was okay. Busy."

I reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I know things have been tough lately, but I'm here for you, Ethan. You don't have to go through this alone."

He nodded, his eyes downcast. "I know. I'm sorry, Alex. I'm trying."

"I know you are," I said softly. "And I'm proud of you for that. We'll get through this together."