The Escape that lead to Another Reason

Chapter 18: Aravis

I forgot about this, but I was going through some of my stuff and realized I hadn't posted some things I've had written for a long while. So ima just go ahead and put them out there...

Okay, so my cousin had this one friend. And, well, you could say I was quite attracted to him. I didn't know he was invited though. I also didn't know he had a girlfriend, from the looks of it. I hated her at once. Why did she have to look so pretty. She seemed so perfect in every way. Her hair was perfect, she had a nice body, her face was flawless and I hated that her smile could be perfectly seen from a far way off. I loathed her. But, he looked happy with her. If he was happy then I guess I should be happy... I guess if you really love someone, though, all you want for them is to be happy whether it's because of you or not.

I'm trying really hard right now not to look at them. Connor and Ethan were talking about something but I keep getting distracted. "Right, Aravis?" Ethan said snapping me out of my thoughts, "What? Oh! Um yeah." He looked slightly annoyed by this for some reason and snapped his fingers in my face. "Are you even paying attention to us?"

"Uh, yeah yeah. Of course I am." I replied trying to see where they had gotten to.

Connor, noticing that I wasn't fully there with them, spoke up with a smirk on his face, "Just leave her, Ethan. Obviously something more important than us is going through her mind."

"What?" I said alarmed, "No! No, that's not why. It's just, erm-"

"Just drop it ok." Ethan replied sharply.

I stood up deciding to track them down. Okay, maybe I sound a bit like a stalker right now but I'm just curious. "I'll be right back." I told the guys. Connor was totally okay with this, probably guessing I needed to use the restroom or something. Ethan, though, looked at me suspiciously. I just smiled and left. I started to walk around a bit pretending to look for a restroom. As I was walking nearer to the opposite side of the entrance, I noticed a narrow path leading down hill. I then decided to follow it.

As I'm walking I could see all these pretty christmas lights decorating the trees. The sun was just beginning to set and you could faintly see the moon starting to take it's shape. What a romantic place to have a night time stroll, I thought. But this just made me walk faster. As I'm finally deciding that I should just go back, I heard someone talking. I walked a little further and off to my left was a bench facing out towards the open. You could see all the car lights and building ahead. I stood there watching and trying to catch what they were saying. I knew it was them.

Right when I was able to actually make out a few words of the conversation, they stopped speaking. I turned to look at them, I was facing to the right trying to hear with my good ear, and saw them leaning in. I stood there, not knowing what to do. Should I run for it? Do I just stand here? Then I saw their lips meet. It felt as though all my insides just dropped. I felt a warm tear run down my cheek. I knew this would happen. I'm so stupid. Yeah, one time he admitted to me he had feelings for me. After that though we didn't get a chance to talk again. Why had I been so stupid as to think he would still like me like that.

***

"What's wrong?!" - "Where are we going?"- "Are we WALKING back?"- "You're crazy, it's getting late how are-"

"Shut up!" I yelled as I walked further down the road. They went quiet, but I could hear them walking behind me trying to catch up. Suddenly I felt a yank at my arm that stopped me in my tracks. "What!?" I yelled as I felt tears starting to swell up in my eyes. It was Connor who had stopped me from walking any further.

"What happened? I thought your mom was supposed to take us home in a couple of hours."

I looked down at my shoes as Ethan went to stand next to him. I could feel them both staring at me. "I don't know," I mumbled. Ethan took a step closer and put his hand on my shoulder. I slowly lifted my head up to look at him, Connor behind him obviously feeling a little tense because I saw him shift awkwardly.

Suddenly though I forgot about Connor. I was just looking at Ethan. Into his eyes... those beautiful bright blue eyes. Could it be possible for me to be catching feelings for him?..

"Aravis," he said softly, snapping me out of my thoughts, "it's okay. He's an idiot and lost a chance to be with the most amazing person there is."

"Oh..." I said, "you knew?" He smiled, "yeah it was a little obvious." I stared at him smiling. He just stood there staring back at me, then he hugged me. It didn't feel like any old hug you get from anyone. It made me feel warm inside and honestly made me feel a whole lot better... as if all problems in the world just ended. I shut my eyes tightly and just took in that amazing moment. Then I heard him whisper, "I'm right here," as he laid his hand on the top of my head. I smiled. Then I opened my eyes and saw Connor standing there staring at us. Quickly and awkwardly I let go of Ethan.

Connor cleared his throat in the awkward silence. "So," I said as I let out a deep breath, "I'm ready..."