Underage

[47] The Story of Us

MATURE CONTENT BELOW. 

Read with caution. It's not very long, but it is there. 
** means mature content. When you see the second set, it is finished. 

[47] The Story of Us

I once found a list of all the places Ethan wanted to take me to this summer. It's a crumpled piece of paper stuck to the door of my refrigerator. Every item on the list has a thin black line crossing them out.

It's been a long week filled with everything Ethan and I could do together. With a single week left before he leaves, it doesn't seem like enough time. Every waking moment we're together, stealing long kisses and whispering sweet words whenever we get the chance. It's like shoving four years of romance into two weeks.

We had made it to Disney Springs and the fair that was still in town for a few more days. The Keys we hadn't made it to but scratched it off anyway as it was a long way to drive and cost money we didn't have. We spent a lot of time at the beach though. Early in the morning we'd leave and spend the day on the sand and in the waves. Grace and Cooper joined us once, but Ethan wanted it to just be the two of us from now on.

Considering they weren't the ones saying goodbye.

Now, he won't tell me where we're going. He said nothing as he laid out a pair of clothes for me, identical to the ones he has on—a dark pair of a jeans, a light grey v-neck, and a pair of white converse.

We're heading into Kinley. The drive is familiar as we take the same roads that lead to Misfit Lane. We pass the broken pay meter that makes me smile and for a split second I can see into the alley. It's dark, despite the early morning sun, and the door to Miss Kannle's room is propped open.

I watch the people as they walk down the sidewalks and wait for traffic lights to turn red. Some of them are carrying some sort of coffee in their hands. Others are jogging with headphones in their ears and no care for the people around them. Curtains are opening in homes. Men and women are leaving for work. The city is waking up.

Kinley is a small city with tall buildings that reach into the sky. Three blocks from Misfit Lane is a walking path. It's called Artists Corner. It's an entire city block of grass with a single sidewalk weaving through the different sculptures.

Today they're having an art show. Canvas upon canvas has been propped up within the park. Chalk drawings cover the concrete. Murals decorate the brick buildings around us. Spray painted pictures even grace the grass surrounding the sidewalk.

Ethan parks Evan's Mustang on the edge of Artists Corner. My eyes can't take in the art fast enough. There are people lingering everywhere, captivated by the artists' works.

"I heard about this yesterday. I thought you would like it."

I capture Ethan's lips with mine as he steps up beside me. "Thank you,"

"I would do anything for you."

I smile at his words and grab his hand. Ethan slips a few quarters into the parking meter before he lets me drag him away from the car. I know he doesn't like this, that he can't wait until we get home, but I stop at every piece of work I see. The first one is of a starry night. The couple is laying on the grass below, a blanket beneath them and an empty bottle of champagne lying on its side. They're staring up at the sky and the girl is pointing at a cluster of stars. The boy has his head turned towards the girl and all you can see is the love in his eyes. It's a simple painting, but a strong one.

The second one is a string of lines, the brush having never been picked up. It's of a girl. She's staring at a mirror, but the mirrored version is staring at me. Her eyes are full of tears as she stares at the mirror in front of her. In the reflection she's bigger than she really is in life. When in reality, she's tiny, her ribs showing as she lifts up her shirt.