𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 |𝟏𝟖+|

17

Miguel Raffetò POV

You know those moments where the silence is indecipherable?

Well the walk up to Etta's apartment was one of those moments.

We'd not spoken a word since I'd given her my riddled truth, but whilst I was met with tears, I don't regret any of it.

I want, no I need Etta to know I'm not interested seeing other people. I don't know why it was such a burning necessity of mine to give her that knowledge, but I'm glad I did.

Her tears killed me inside but something told me they weren't directed at me. Do I feel like shit for being the reason behind why they exist? Absofuckinglutely.

But am I to gonna leave her tonight without seeing a smile on her face? Absofuckinglutely not.

Right now I was just currently riding the wave until she came out the other side of the private moment I think she needed to have. I don't think it helps that the poor things exhausted though.

Walking barefoot towards her apartment door, Etta undid the lock and headed inside, leaving the door open in silent invitation for me to follow behind.

That brought a faint smile to my lips.

So did watching her crawl along the couch and curl up with a cushion clutched against her stomach.

Shutting the door behind me, I took my shoes off and placed her heels beside them. Wanting to be useful but not knowing where to start, I went and poured Etta a glass of water, only to hear her sniffle when I turned the tap off.

I rushed over to her, setting the glass upon the coffee table and dropping to my knees beside the couch.

Etta heard me approach and had pulled the cushion to shield her face.

I reached out to pull it away but this girl had a grip of steel on her.

Our back and forth pulling soon turned into a tug of war. "Etta." I chuckled after sensing the air easing into a lighter atmosphere, her body not as rigid as it was mere moments ago, so much so she finally let me have the damn cushion.

She looked up at me from the couch, her eyes smudged with mascara but still just as bright.

"I'm sorry." She whispered out, pulling herself to sit cross legged to make space for me beside her.

"Sorry for what, Etts? You've not done anything?"

"I'm sorry if what I'm about to say will hurt you, but I need to say it." My heart sank. I've ruined it. I must have done. Fuck Miguel, it was only a matter of time.

"You want me to go don't you? You want me to leave and never come back-" My voice came out just as dejected and distraught as I felt, but when I went to stand, Etta clamped her fingers around my wrist and stopped me from moving.

"No Mickey. I do not want you to leave and never come back." She offered a sweet smile and lighthearted laugh. "I just need to remind you of a few things."

"Boundaries?" I guessed, but she shook her head.

"No...More like a free pass." Etta sighed and I could tell she was fucking struggling on the inside. I wish she would share what's going on in that head of hers, I need her to know I'd never pass judgement, only understanding.