Sudden Changes || e.d

~5~

I week later

Ethan and I had gradually gotten closer over the last week. I began driving him to the park about halfway through school. I know I shouldn't be skipping but, I've lost all interest in going to school. He started talking more and came out of his shell. I see pain in his eyes, and if it weren't for Jack, I probably wouldn't ever see it. Us humans seem to see the things we can relate to in others.

I've learned that Ethan lives in a foster home. He says his foster family treats him well, and that he's really close with the brother. He scratched the surface of his real family once, only that he had two siblings and married parents. When I tried to ask him more he clammed up and left. I understood quickly that he doesn't like to talk about them. If he ever wants to tell me, he will.

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It's an ordinary day and Ethan and I are walking to my car for our daily skipping of school. When we get in the car he turns the radio down and looks at me. I turn to him and see a serious look in his eyes. "I want to go somewhere else today, not the park." He says. "Uh ok, where do you wanna go?" I ask, being prepared for him to not want me to come. "145th street, down Camelot," he answers, "I want to show you something." I nod my head and internally scream.

I'm glad that he's finally getting to trust me. And I have to admit that I've gained slight feelings for him, but he puts off the atmosphere that he's not looking for anyone, so I keep my mouth shut.

The drive is about an hour and 35 minutes away. The entire time he kept smiling to himself. Oof that smile, it makes my heart flutter.

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When we get to the address it's an old brick building. It looks like it could've been a bakery or some other small shop at some point. He jumps out of the car and signals for me to follow. I leave my bag but take my phone and keys, catching up to Ethan I lock the doors.

As we're walking, Ethan starts going around the building to the back. I get this feeling deep in my stomach, I hate it. I trust Ethan a lot, I really don't thing he'd ever do what Jack did but, I'll always have that feeling now. Shaking my head I toss that feeling to the back of my mind as I see a small table. All around is lit up by fairy lights. There are roses everywhere, of all colors. I feel my face light up and I can't help but smile. I look over to Ethan and see him smiling at me. It's a real smile, his real smile. I feel myself glowing from within.

He gestures for me to sit. I'm taking in the smells of all the roses as I sit down. He runs around the table and sits in front of me. I look at him and see him looking at me, with lights in his eyes. They were beautiful. "How did you do this?" I ask still amazed. "I remembered all the things you told me about, like how you love fairy lights and roses." He shyly says. "I also really like you." He says that last part quiet. But I hear him. My heart is exploding with happiness. Even Jack never made me feel this happy. I smile at him and say "It's amazing Ethan!" He blushes at my comment and I giggle, "It's so beautiful," I say as I look at my surroundings again. "I really like you too." I say while looking down.

I hear him get up and come over to me. He picks up my hand and guides me to my feet. We stand there, in silence, looking at each other. Looking in each other. We saw everything, the pain, the happiness. Then, very slowly, our lips met. It was the best kiss ever, the way we melted into each other. The way we moved in sync. I loved every moment and I never wanted it to end.

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The drive back we both couldn't stop smiling. Ethan had told me that he was the unknown number texting me. At first I was a little confused but I quickly got over it. After I dropped him at the park, I squealed and giggled all the way home. I got in my house and ran through my new door. I jumped on my bed and looked up at the ceiling. I could tell that my life was about to get better than it ever had been.