Trust in Her Tricks

Chapter 14: The Bridge Between Us

The following days after Ethan and Eris's conversation felt like walking on a tightrope. There was an unspoken distance between them, and Ethan wasn't sure how to navigate it. They still sat together at lunch, still texted occasionally, but the lightheartedness that had once defined their relationship felt buried under the weight of unresolved emotions.

It was Friday, and Ethan found himself sitting outside Maplewood High after school, his backpack slung over his shoulder, mind heavy with thoughts of Eris. He replayed their last conversation in his head—her need for space, her confusion about her feelings. He wanted to fix it, to make everything right again, but he knew that pushing her would only drive her further away.

As he sat lost in thought, a voice broke through his reverie.

"Yo, Ethan! Mind if I join?"

Ethan looked up to see Juan walking toward him, his usual calm smile in place. Ethan nodded, gesturing to the empty spot beside him on the bench.

Juan sat down and stretched his arms out. "Rough week, huh?"

Ethan let out a deep sigh. "You could say that."

Juan didn't press, but Ethan could tell he was waiting for him to open up. That was the thing about Juan—he was always there, but never in an overbearing way. He knew when to give space and when to step in.

"I don't know what to do," Ethan admitted after a moment. "I'm giving Eris space, but it feels like she's slipping away. I want to be there for her, but I don't know how without making things worse."

Juan leaned back, glancing at the sky as if searching for answers. "Maybe the answer isn't about doing something, but just being present. Sometimes, people need to figure things out on their own, but they also need to know that you're still there, still steady."

Ethan nodded slowly, the frustration still gnawing at him, but Juan's words made sense. "I just... I don't want to lose her. I don't want her to feel like I'm not enough."

Juan gave him a small smile. "From what I've seen, you're more than enough. Eris is dealing with her own stuff, but that doesn't mean she doesn't care about you. Relationships aren't always smooth, you know? They're messy and confusing. But if you're both willing to work through it, you'll come out stronger."

Ethan exhaled, feeling a small weight lift from his chest. "I hope so."

"You will," Juan said confidently. Then, his tone shifted, a teasing edge creeping into his voice. "Besides, you know Eris. She's stubborn, but she's not one to walk away from something—or someone—she cares about."

Ethan chuckled despite himself. "Yeah, she is stubborn."

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a message from Eris.

Eris: Can we talk?

His heart skipped a beat. He quickly typed back.

Ethan: Of course. Where are you?

She responded almost immediately.

Eris: By the old oak tree near the field.

Ethan stood up, feeling a mixture of anxiety and hope swirling inside him. "I gotta go," he said, turning to Juan. "Thanks, man."

Juan waved him off with a grin. "Go get her, Romeo."

Ethan didn't waste any more time. He walked across the school grounds, his mind racing with possibilities. What did she want to talk about? Was this it—the end of their relationship? Or was it a chance to rebuild what had been slipping through their fingers?

He approached the oak tree, spotting Eris standing underneath it. She was looking down, her arms crossed, and when she looked up at him, there was something vulnerable in her expression that made Ethan's heart ache.

"Hey," she said softly as he came closer.

"Hey," Ethan replied, standing a few feet from her. "You wanted to talk?"

Eris nodded, her fingers playing nervously with the hem of her jacket. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately... about us."

Ethan felt his stomach twist, bracing himself for whatever was coming next.

"I've been scared," Eris admitted, her voice quiet but steady. "I've never felt like this about anyone before, and it's... overwhelming. It's not that I don't want to be with you, Ethan. I do. But I didn't know how to deal with how strong my feelings were, and it made me pull back."

Ethan swallowed hard, his chest tight. "I thought I did something wrong. I've been trying to figure out what I did to make you need space."

Eris shook her head, taking a small step closer. "You didn't do anything wrong. I was just scared, and instead of talking to you, I tried to handle it on my own. That wasn't fair to you."

There was a beat of silence before she continued. "I care about you, Ethan. More than I've ever cared about anyone. And that's terrifying because... what if I mess it up? What if I hurt you?"

Ethan's heart softened at her words. He took a step closer, reaching out to gently take her hand. "We're both going to mess up sometimes, Eris. That's just how it goes. But we're in this together, right? We figure it out as we go."

Eris looked up at him, her eyes full of emotion. "I want that. I want to figure this out—with you."

Ethan smiled softly, feeling the warmth of her hand in his. "Me too."

For a moment, they just stood there, the tension between them dissolving. It wasn't perfect, but it was real. They were real. And that was enough.

Eris let out a small, relieved laugh. "I'm sorry I freaked out on you."

Ethan grinned, pulling her a little closer. "Don't worry about it. We're both still learning."

She looked up at him, her eyes twinkling with that familiar mischievous glint. "Still learning, huh? Well, maybe we should start with this."

Before Ethan could ask what she meant, Eris stood on her toes and pressed her lips to his. The kiss was soft and sweet, filled with all the unspoken words and feelings they'd been holding back. It wasn't their first kiss, but it felt like a promise—a promise that they would keep trying, no matter what.

When they finally pulled apart, Eris smiled up at him, her cheeks slightly flushed. "How's that for a start?"

Ethan grinned, feeling lighter than he had in days. "I'd say it's perfect."

With her hand still in his, they stood under the oak tree for a few moments longer, the world around them fading away. Whatever challenges lay ahead, Ethan knew they could face them—together.