Taken- e.d

Chapter 5

...
Then we continue our drive

"One more question." I say

"Okay." He says.

"Do you still love me?" I ask

"Of course I do." He says. "How could I not. I mean you're so sweet, you have such a bubbly personality which I love, you're kind to everyone you meet, and you're just flat out gorgeous. I love how adventurous you are and how you won't take no for an answer but you also use it as an answer all the time." He laughs at the last part and so do I.

"Wow...thanks E. I really needed that." I say smiling and tearing up a bit. He pulls the car over.

"Hey what's wrong." He says rubbing my leg.

"For the past year or so I've been really self conscious about almost everything, my legs, my stomach, my arms, even the way I act around people.  I just needed someone to help with that but I had no one there for me. I tell my best friend about it and she just compliments me and tells me I'm beautiful and I just smile. I'm sorry for just telling you everything right now." I say with a little laugh at the end and I look out the window.

"Hey Ari don't ever think low of yourself please. I'm gonna tell you what almost everyone else will and it's that you're beautiful inside and out. I'm sorry that you think of yourself this way and I really hope you don't anymore but if you do just come to me and I'll try my best to help."

"Thank you Ethan." I say hugging him.

"Anytime." He says rubbing my back. I wipe the tears from my eyes and take a deep breath.

"Let's go to wherever we were gonna go. Shall we?" I say smiling.

"Yeah. Let's go." Ethan says holding my hand.

We drive for a little bit longer and end up at a Verizon store to get my phone. It takes forever but after about an hour we finally get it. I got the rose gold iPhone 6+.

"You ready to go to our actual destination?" He says

"Yup. Leggo." I say.

We get in the car, and the drive is about an hour until we get somewhere. I honestly don't know where. We're in a parking lot surrounded by trees. It looks kinda creepy since it's like 10 at night.

"Follow me." Ethan says.

I do as he says and start walking with him. It's actually quite beautiful in here. Very calming too.

It's about a 5 minute walk through the woods but we finally end up in this opening and it's absolutely beautiful. (Pic in media). I look to the side and there's a little pathway to somewhere.

"Ethan, this is.... amazing!" I say in awe, not taking my eyes off the scenery.

"Just like you." He says.

"How original." I laugh. "But thank you." I say hugging him.

"Anytime. Wanna go for a swim?" He asks.

"Um...I guess." I say rubbing my arm. I do that when I get nervous.

"Okay lemme get our bag." He says turning to walk back to the car.

"Can I go with you?" I ask.

"I guess." He says shrugging his shoulders.

"Sorry it's just that it's dark and I don't wanna be left alone here." I say looking around.

"It's okay." He laughs. "Come on."

I follow him and he motions for me to get on his back and I do as suggested. He starts running and we get to the car faster than I thought.

"Wanna just change here? I have my swim shorts on already. I won't look don't worry." He says.

"Sure, um, where's my bathing suit?" I ask laughing a bit.

"Oh yeah haha. Here." He says handing it to me. It's my favorite one. (pic also in media lol) I put it on and walk over to Ethan with my arms around me.

"Wow." Ethan says.

"What..." I say

"You're beautiful." He says smiling.

"No I'm not." I say looking down.

"Hey." He lifts my head up with his finger on my chin. "Yes you are. Don't think bad about yourself. You'll always be beautiful to me."

I smile, sigh, and look to the side and down again.

"Why do you do that?" Ethan asks.

"Do what?" I ask

"Rub your arm, I've notice you doing it since I asked if you wanted to go swimming." He says. I didn't even realize I was doing it.

"Oh um...I do it when I'm nervous." I say.

"Don't be nervous okay? You don't need to be nervous around me." He says lifting my head up again. But this time he leans in...