Ripples of us

3

As Emily's gaze locked with his, memories began to flood back—memories of their childhood, of the countless hours they had spent playing together, laughing, and exploring. They had been inseparable, the very best of friends.

One particular memory rose to the surface, a stark contrast to the idyllic images of their youth. They were teenagers, standing in the middle of a school hallway, arguing heatedly, their once-unbreakable bond strained.

Emily could still hear his voice, raised in anger. "You never even tried to understand, Emily. Why are you so stubborn? You expect me to behave the way you want"

With anger, she replied, her voice shaking. "I am controlling? You should see the way she is controlling you."

Emily blinked away her tears, her mind snapping back to the present as the tension in the room became palpable. She turned away from him, her emotions in turmoil. Their once-close friendship had ended in misunderstanding and hurt feelings. They had both been too stubborn to mend the rift, allowing the distance between them to grow.

She watched as the two men engaged in a conversation, their voices low and serious. Ethan's presence was commanding, and Emily couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

After a few moments, Ethan excused himself and turned towards Emily, his eyes locked on hers. "It's been a long time," he said, his voice soft and filled with meaning.

Emily nodded, her heart racing in her chest. "Too long," she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper.

An awkward silence fell between them, and Emily felt her cheeks flush with heat. She searched for something to say, anything to break the tension, but her mind remained blank.

Ethan cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "How have you been, Emily? I heard you were living abroad."

Emily nodded, grateful for the change in topic. "Yes, I was. But I'm back now, for good this time."

Ethan's eyes widened, and a slow smile spread across his face. "That's wonderful news," he said, his voice filled with genuine happiness.

She thought of him, the memories of their friendship, and the promise they had made.

"Emily! Ethan! Get over here right now!"

The two of them, now in their school uniforms, were caught hiding behind a tree, their faces filled with guilt. One of their classmates pointed them out, and they reluctantly made their way over to the teacher.

Dragging them by the scruff of their necks, the teacher marched them towards the principal's office. As they stood before the principal, they were reprimanded for their misbehavior and reminded of their frequent visits to the office.

The principal's scolding echoed through their ears, but their minds were focused on each other, sharing a conspiratorial glance. As the principal's gaze shifted, they crossed their fingers behind their backs, silently swearing to get into trouble again.

As the door to the principal's office closed behind them, they shared a knowing grin, their mischievous spirits undeterred.

"Race you to the playground?" Ethan whispered, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

Emily nodded, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. They slipped out of the office, their hearts pounding with the thrill of their secret escape.

As they raced towards the playground, their laughter echoed through the schoolyard. They climbed the monkey bars, their hands working in perfect sync, as if they had done this a thousand times before.

They swung on the swings, their feet dragging through the sand, leaving trails of their mischievous adventures. As they spun around on the merry-go-round, Emily's hair flying in the wind, she felt a sense of pure joy and freedom.

In that moment, nothing else mattered except for the two of them, their friendship, and the endless possibilities that lay ahead.

Emily and Ethan had been friends since they were mere toddlers, their bond growing stronger with each passing year. They shared memories from their diaper days, when they would play with their toys, oblivious to the world around them.

As they entered their childhood, they would ride their bikes together, exploring the neighborhood, and getting into innocent trouble. During their school years, they would always sit at the same table during lunch, talking, laughing, and sharing their food, their friendship a comforting constant in their young lives.

One day, as Emily made her way to their usual table, she was surprised to find Ethan with a new girl. Her heart skipped a beat as she approached, a sense of unease settling in her stomach.

Ethan introduced her to the girl, who smiled warmly at Emily. "This is Emily, my best friend since forever," he said, his voice filled with pride.

Emily's mind drifted back to the present, her heart heavy with the weight of the memories. She realized that it was that moment, that introduction, that marked the beginning of the end of their friendship.

As Ethan was about to speak, Richard's voice boomed through the room, announcing the start of the party's main event. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you would please take your seats," he said, his voice resonating through the room.

Emily and Ethan exchanged a brief look, both aware that their moment had been interrupted. She followed the crowd towards the designated seating area, her heart heavy with a mix of disappointment and anticipation.

**********************************************

Who is this new girl in their life?

Thank u guys for reading❤️