The Rose

Chapter 5

Ethan just looks at me and smiles.
“I guess we’re fighting the same battle then.” He rolled up his sleeves and showed me his scars.

I didn’t say anything to him,  I just enveloped him in a hug. His body tensed up, but soon he returned the embrace. We just stayed  like that for a while, in complete silence.

“Hey uuum Kate, can I ask you something?” he asks as he pulls away and I instantly long for his touch again.

“Yes of course”

“My parents went away to visit my grandparents, taking my sister and brothers with and my older brother is  away at college, so I’m home alone and I’m not scared, because that would be uncool and-” I cut him off.

“It’s fine, Ethan. You can stay as long as you want. I’ll go get the guest bedroom ready for you.”

“Thank you, Kate. I really appreciate it.”

I go upstairs and get some fresh linens to change the old and dusty ones. I find it strange that he insisted on driving home last night and now he wants to stay here. “He is probably afraid of being alone” I reason.

“All done. It’s the third room on the left. You can use my bathroom, just across your room and mine is just next to yours, if you need anything just call. It’s the room with the black door” I say with a wink.

“Thank you so much. I owe you.”

“Don’t mention it, but it’s late so I’m gonna head to bed. Good night.”

I went upstairs and climbed into bed.  As I stared at the roof my mind went wild with thoughts of my parents and sister. I can't fall asleep, I hear noises outside and I'm starting to get paranoid. After convincing myself that  it’s probably just the wind, I daze off.

“Kate! Wake up. Please you’re scaring me” Ethan says while shaking me.

“W-what the hell?” I stutter and sit up.

“You were screaming and crying” he says while wiping a tear from my cheek.

I gently runp my finger down his perfect jawline.

“Ethan” I whisper

“Yes, Kate” he looks at me with his light green eyes. I can't speak and I feel a tear escape. ”Hey are you okay?”

“No not really, I’m having nightmares again. Will you please lay down with me?” I ask while looking down at my hands.

“Wait, what. Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Please Ethan”  I beg letting another tear escape.

He didn’t say anything  and just climbed into bed next to me.

He takes my hand and asks: “So tell me why are you fighting yourself?”
Ethan rolls to his side and I can feel his glare burn into the side of my face. I turn to face him.

“Why can’t I let go?”. I see the confused look in his perfect eyes and he moves closer.

A few tears escape and roll down my cheek. I quickly turn so he wouldn’t see, but it was too late.