A New Chapter

Chapter 27

After a week of exams and last minute studying I hand in my last paper and step outside into the crisp December air. I tuck my scarf closer to my neck and make my way to the other side of the school campus where Ethan is finishing up his last exam before the Christmas holidays.

"Ash!" I turn at the sound of Sophie's voice and see her running over to me with a huge smile on her face.

"I definitely nailed calculus!" She cheers, fist-bumping the air with enthusiasm.

"Well done!" I squeal and pull her into a hug. She's been stressing about that exam for weeks.

"Where are you off to?" She asks, linking our arms as we continue walking.

"Ethan's finishing his geography exam as we speak."

"We should go get something to eat. You, Ethan, Jake and I." She smiles brightly.

"What about Sebby?" I query, not wanting to leave him out.

"I just spoke to him, he and Riley are going off somewhere together." She replies before seeing Jake and Ethan emerging from the other building, she sprints over to them and jumps into Jake's arms to tell him the good news.

Ethan walks over to me with a proud smirk, just as he reaches me he grabs my hips and lifts me up in the air, spinning me in circles. I throw my head back and laugh at his behaviour.

When he places me back onto the ground I get onto my tiptoes and give him a soft kiss, holding his freshly shaved face in my hands.

"Alright love birds, lets go get some burgers!" Jake shouts, his arm around Sophie's waist as she giggles at his goofy voice.

~~

"Someone needs to roll me to the car." I mumble, laying my head on Ethan's shoulder.

"I think I'm having a food baby." Sophie moans and rubs her stomach.

"Can we get some wheelchair assistance please!" Jake grumbles making us all laugh.

"Seriously though, I think I might die." I mutter but reach for another fry anyways.

"That's my girl." Ethan playfully grins and eats the fry from my hand making me gasp and glare at him before kissing his nose, his face scrunching up.

"You two are so perfect together." Sophie coos with an adoring smile.

"I agree." I comment kissing his cheek, making them heat up. He leans in and hides in the crook of my neck, attempting to cover his blush.

Ethan's phone rings and he sighs into my collar bone before checking the caller ID and answering.

"Hey mom." He greets.

"What? What do you mean you-" He looks up at us watching him in silence and excuses himself from the table.

"I wonder what that's about." Sophie ponders aloud and I can't help but watch as Ethan frustratedly runs a hand repeatedly through his hair. I hope everything's okay.

I watch as Ethan removes the phone from his ear and launches it across the parking lot and rubs his face with his hand. He sits down on the curb with his head bowed.

"I'll be right back." I mumble to Jake and Sophie as I make my way out to him.

Once I reach him, I take a seat beside him and lay a hand on his shoulder. His head snaps up and he looks at me, a tear trailing down his cheek.

"Oh Ethan. What's wrong?" I ask as I lay a hand on his face and rub his cheek with my thumb.

"Nothing." He snaps before abruptly standing up and walking a few feet away.

I ignore the feeling in my chest and stand behind him. "Come on Ethan. You can tell me." I coax him to explain.

"Why can't you just drop it!" He screams, his shoulders rising and falling quickly.

A tear drops from my eye and slowly runs down my cheek, his blue-green eyes follow it and a pained expression overcomes his face.

"I just want to help you." I whisper and quickly wipe the moisture from my face.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that baby." He pulls me into his arms and I get lost in his warmth.

"My mom lost her job." He states after a minute.

"Oh Ethan, it's going to be okay." I take his hands in my own and give them a supportive squeeze.

"We can't afford a turkey or-or vegetables. We spent all of our money on the twins presents and we were depending on moms pay check for Christmas food." He rambles, frustration and annoyance overcoming him.

"Have Christmas with us." I state and cut him off when he tries to argue. "It's just been my mom, Amelia and I for years. It would be nice to have a bigger crowd around, and plus mom always buys way more food than necessary." I take his face between my hands and lean in; "Please." I whisper and wait until he nods his head, before I lean in and kiss him.

"I love you." He murmurs making me smile and connect our lips again.

~~

The front door blows open before I get the chance to open it myself.

"Woah." Mom shouts then laughs at the sight of me bundled up and covered in snow trying to close the door.

When it finally bangs shut I let out a sigh and strip off some of my many layers.

"How was your last exams?" She asks as she slides a cup of hot chocolate across the table.

"Good actually. I wanted to ask you something." I stir the melting marshmallows around the cup, not looking up to her eyes.

"Do you think Ethan and his family could spend Christmas with us?" I quickly blurt out.

"I don't see why not." I immediately look up and give her a bright smile; "Really?" I squeal as I hop up and pull her into a tight embrace.

"I always do have enough food to feed an army, so why not." She smiles just as Amelia comes running into the kitchen and towards me.

I pick her up and repeatedly kiss her face.

"Evan, Elena and Ethan are coming for Christmas!" I cheer and Amelia's face lights up as she starts doing a 'happy dance'.

How bad could it be.