A New Chapter

Chapter 26

I check my reflection for the hundred time, readjusting my hair and adding another layer of lip balm with my shaking hand.

Tonight is Ethan and I's official first date and I'm terrified. There's not even a reason to be, but I've never actually been on a date before.

I make an unsatisfied face at the sight of my black skinny jeans, black ankle boots, grey sweater and black trench coat. Feeling self conscious I let out a frustrated sigh and rub a hand over my face.

"What's wrong?" My mom questions from the doorway after witnessing my annoyance.

"I look horrible." I mutter, tightening my ponytail.

"Ash, look at me." She cups my face with her moisturised hands.

"I know that in that pretty little head of yours that sometimes you look in the mirror and don't see what other people see. I see a beautiful young woman with a huge heart and I just wish that you could see what Amelia and I and the rest of the world sees." She leans in a kisses my nose before gently placing a scarf over my head.

"I love you mom." I give her a tear filled grin.

"Now go out and have fun. A certain young man is waiting patiently downstairs." She gives me a wink in the mirror before pushing me out the bathroom door and towards the stairs.

I make it to the last step on the stairs when I spot Ethan waiting near the front door holding a bouquet of pink carnations and white lilies in his hands, my heart warms at the sight.

He gives me an enchanting smile before leaning in and kissing my rosy cheek.

"You look wonderful. These are for you." He outstretches the flowers and I immediately give them a whiff and sigh in content at the aroma.

"Thank you." I give him a toothy grin before setting down the bouquet and grabbing his hand, making our way to his car.

"So where are we going?" I ask after a moment of silence; the only sound in the car being the quiet playing of the radio.

"It's a surprise." He says with a giddy tone.

"Ooh I love surprises." I clap my hands together and smile in his direction, earning a quick glance, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Well sit back and relax 'cause it's gonna be awhile." He murmurs, turning up the radio as it starts paying a popular song; both of us singing along.

~~

We pull up outside an ice skating rink, I sneak a glance in Ethan's direction and catch him staring at me with an awestruck smile, his adorable dimples prominent on his cheeks.

"Lets go have fun." He smirks before we both get out of his car and into the cold winters evening.

Ethan goes up to the booth and pays for our time and ice skates before returning to me, both of us taking a seat on an bench and putting on our skates.

"Have you been ice skating before?" I question as I watch him struggle to do up the skates.

"No..." He trails off, a tint of pink colouring his cheeks.

"It's easy once you get used to it." I give him an encouraging smile and finish the laces for him.

We step onto the ice and both wobble; steadying ourselves with the railing and laughing lightly.

"I haven't done this since I was ten." I comment, attempting to balance on two feet.

"This is harder than I thought it was going to be." He mutters, his left foot flying from under him, just before he collapses into a heap he manages to grip onto the railing with both arms. I let out a booming laugh at the sight of his distorted position.

"Don't laugh at me." He mumbles, his cheeks redder than before.

"I-I'm sorry..but I wish you could see how ridiculous you look right now." I burst into another round of laughter, Ethan joining in as I slip and fall right on my ass.

"Ow!" I squeal when I connect with the ice but manage to drag Ethan down with me.

We both lay there, facing each other and cackling like hyenas beside the entrance of the rink.

"Are you okay?" We both look up to see a young girl; around ten, looking down on us with a curious expression.

"Yeah, we're good." I smile up at her as I struggle to get to my knees, Ethan slipping and sliding ungraciously beside me, making her giggle at the sight of us scrambling to our feet.

"We did it!" He cheers once we get to our feet.

"Barely." I state nodding my head towards the exit which we're about two foot from.

"Oh." He sighs before making eye contact with me and laughing.

"Do you wanna just go get some pizza?" He offers as he slowly struggles to get back to solid ground. The young girl showing off as she does circles around the rink with ease.

"That sounds good." I smile, undoing my skates.

~~

After enjoying some pineapple free pizza, Ethan and I drive back to my house.

"Hey you two!" My mom greets us as we enter the threshold.

"Hey mom." I smile undoing my coat, Ethan sliding it off my back and hanging it on the coat rack.

"Hey Colette." He greets her with a charming smile.

"You're welcome to stay over if you want Ethan, we have a blow up bed I could put on Ashley's floor. You'd have to ask your mom first of course." Mom suggests and I give her a grateful smile.

"Thank you, I'll give her a call." He excuses himself from the living room.

"How was it?" Mom whispers as I take a seat beside her.

"Amazing." I chuckle at the thought of us falling around on the ice.

Ethan returns with a satisfied grin and informs us that he's allowed to stay. At least we don't have to worry about him getting caught tonight.

"Tell me in the morning." Mom murmurs to me as I walk past and up the stairs, Ethan close behind.

"This is nice. Actually having permission to sleep in your room." He kisses my cheek before kneeling down and pumping the air mattress.

"I'm going to check on Amelia." I comment after a moment and exit the room.

I slowly push open the door to see her huddled up in bed, Eli squished against her face and her duvet in a ball on the ground.

I silently laugh at the mess and gather up the duvet to place back over her. She lets out a sigh and wraps it further around her before returning to a deep sleep.

I kiss her little forehead before quietly leaving the room and returning to mine; where Ethan is lying on his back on the air mattress, his eyes closed and a grin on his lips.

"Is it comfortable?" I ask as I search my wardrobe for something to wear.

"Yeah." He sighs. "Here wear this." I turn to face him and watch as he takes off his shirt and tosses it in my direction.

I take a moment to appreciate his toned chest, he doesn't have a six pack but you can tell he works out and I'm certainly enjoying the view.

"Like what you see?" He smirks and chuckles when I go red, hopping off the mattress he pulls me into a hug.

"Don't worry baby, I like what I see too." He gives me a quick peck on the lips and turns around for me to change.

I wrap my arms around his stomach and kiss his back when I've finished. He turns around with a smile on his face before he leans in and kisses me.

"I could get used to those kisses." I mumble, inches from his lips.

"Me too." He smirks before closing the gap between us.