Shades of Desire

Ivy

It had been a few days since the accident, and I was finally feeling a bit more like myself, though the ache in my body still reminded me of the crash. The doctors said it would take time to fully recover, but they assured me that I was healing well. Ethan had been by my side the whole time, and it felt like a dream—a beautiful dream that I was afraid to wake up from.

Every day, he was there, bringing me food and feeding me with his own hands when I didn't have the energy to do it myself. "Here, just a few more bites, Ivy," he'd say, his voice calm and soothing. I could see the worry in his eyes, but I also saw something else—a warmth that made me feel safe.

The way he cared for me made my heart flutter. This was the Ethan I had started to fall for all those months ago—the one who was kind, understanding, and there for me when I needed him the most. As I lay in the hospital bed, I realized how much I missed his presence. It felt good to have someone who genuinely cared.

One afternoon, my friends Mia and Jess came to visit, their faces lighting up the dull hospital room.

"Ivy!" Mia exclaimed, rushing over and wrapping her arms around me. "We were so worried about you!"

"Yeah, you scared us," Jess added, her voice tinged with concern. "What happened?"

"I—I don't really know," I admitted, looking at Ethan for support. He sat beside me, giving me an encouraging nod.

"We're just glad you're okay," Mia said, taking a seat next to Ethan. "Ethan has been your knight in shining armor this whole time, huh?"

I couldn't help but smile at that. "Yeah, he really has," I said, glancing at Ethan. He looked away, a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks.

"Are you ready to come back to school?" Jess asked, her expression serious.

"I applied for leave for a while," I said softly. "Ethan helped me with that so I can recover properly."

"That's smart," Mia replied. "You need to take care of yourself first. We'll be here whenever you need us."

As the days passed, I found comfort in Ethan's company. He was always there, ensuring I had everything I needed. One evening, as I was preparing to leave the hospital, he looked at me seriously. "Ivy, do you want to stay at the frat house with me for a bit? It might be easier for you to recover there," he suggested.

I thought about it for a moment. The idea of being in the same place with him, sharing the same bed, sounded perfect. "Yeah, I think I'd like that," I replied, feeling a warmth spread through me at the thought of spending more time together.

Once we arrived at the frat house, I was amazed at how comfortable it felt. It was warm and inviting, with the faint smell of pizza lingering in the air. Ethan set up a cozy space for me, making sure I had everything I needed.

As days turned into a week, I found myself healing not just physically but emotionally too. Ethan took care of me like I was his most precious treasure. He would read to me in bed, and we'd talk about everything and nothing. I felt like I was rediscovering the connection we once had, but this time it was different—it was deeper.

Then one night, after we had watched a movie and I was nestled against him in bed, he turned to me with a serious expression. "Ivy, can you tell me what really happened that night?"

I felt my heart race, knowing I couldn't keep it from him any longer. This was the moment I had to share my truth. I took a deep breath, looking into his eyes, feeling the weight of the moment. "I promise I will, Ethan. I need to tell you everything," I said, my voice steadying as I prepared to reveal the truth that had haunted me since that night.