Lost and Found

Chapter Sixteen

I don't want to look back in five years and think "We could have been magnificent, but I was afraid." In five years I want to tell how fear tried to cheat me out of the best thing in my life. And how I didn't let it -author unknown

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I found Ethan in the kitchen with a girl from my school. Their lips were locked. I coughed so that he would know I was present. Ethan slowly backed away from the girl.

"Oh hey Foster," he said casually.

"Hi," I responded awkwardly. I prayed that this wasn't actually happening. That I'd wake from this crazy dream in my warm bed at home, my father waking me up for school.

Ethan smirked. "This is Amy."

Something about Amy's look felt familiar. She was being used. That feeling was all too familiar to me. I gritted my teeth. How could you, Ethan? I asked myself. "I know. We go to school together."

The two of us just stood there, challenging each other to make the first move.

Finally, I said, "Can we talk? Alone?"

"Whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of Ally."

"Amy," she corrected. Her head was down. Shame, a feeling I knew too well.

"Fine, I don't even care," I responded. "I'm leaving."

I was almost out the door when Ethan grabbed my wrist, turning me to face him. I smiled, knowing that he would come after me.

"Yes, Ethan?" I asked, smugly.

"Get rid of that smug tone in your voice," he responded.

"No thank you." I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall.

"You're back with Paul?" I nodded. "So we aren't gonna happen?"

I looked down at the ground and whispered, "I'm sorry."

Ethan snorted. "Don't lie to me." I looked up at him. He didn't even look sad, just angry.

"Well, it's not like you're doing anything to reassure me that we could actually work."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You just had your tongue down some girls throat!"

"I'd do that to you."

"I don't want you to do that!" I yelled. What did he think I was, a slut? "I'm not like that!"

"I'm not stupid!"

"You expected me to just jump at the chance to be with you! I want to be with somebody who actually wants to be with me not just for my looks! I want someone who wants me, and I don't mean for sex."

"Why are we even playing these stupid games?"

"What are you talking about? If anything you invented the games!"

"Why won't you just be with me?"

"Because I'm petrified that you'll leave!"

Ethan stopped and stared at me. I looked at him dead in the eyes. The truth was out. Finally, he said, "Look, Juliette, you can date Paul for the rest of your life but it's me that you're gonna miss."

For a second I was speechless. "Same for you."

Then everything went silent. How did I forget that we were at a party? I asked myself.

"Juliette?" asked a familiar voice. I saw Paul walking around the corner.

"Let's go Paul," I responded.