red | e.d

seventeen

EDEN-JADE THURLOW

I grabbed my phone and my purse quickly, shoving it into the pocket of the hoodie I was wearing. It wasn't just any old hoodie, it was Ethan's red hoodie that he'd left at my house. I just couldn't help myself.

I locked my bedroom door before climbing out of my bedroom window, being careful not to make too much noise. If my brother heard me doing this he'd probably break my door down, only to attack the poor boy in the car.

I left my window slightly open so that I could re- enter later, before running across the grass, my excitement growing. I spotted the car in the middle of the road and quickly jumped in, shutting the door after me and buckling my belt.
The boy in the drivers seat didn't move. Instead he just stared at me with a smile, his eyes fixated on what I was wearing, and on the growing blush that appeared onto the apples of my cheeks. He looked so pleased.
" Ethan, drive! " I laughed, burying my face into the palm of my hands before Ethan quickly drove down the road, leading me away from the hell-like house.

I looked over at the boy who was driving, his eyes fixated on the road, with both of his hands gripping the steering wheel. I couldn't help but stare at him, trying to be as subtle as I could, though I couldn't tear my eyes away. He was the most beautiful human being I had ever met, and there was not a doubt in my mind that this was the case. From his gorgeous face to his tiny, almost unnoticeable freckles and his adorable smile, he was breathtaking. He had a heart of gold, something so fragile and so perfect that I never wanted to break. I never would.

Ethan obviously felt that I was staring, his eyes turning to look at me slowly, a small smile curving up onto his lips as he did this. That was when he let one hand fall from the steering wheel and land on my leg, sliding up to my thigh. I couldn't help but shiver at this, lacing his fingers with my own, as I held his hand in my lap.
" You really like that hoodie, don't you? " Ethan chuckled gently, turning right and pulling onto an empty road, leading through the forest.
I laughed at this, nodding my head instantly. I fucking loved this hoodie, it looked amazing on him and it was possibly the most comfortable thing I had ever worn. It also had a delightful smell that came from it, a smell that was extremely familiar. Ethan.

I snuggled further into the hoodie and turned to look out of the window, the sky a mixture of orange and red. It looked extremely picturesque, with the trees surrounding us blocking the limited amount of light that there was. We went up yet another hill, and soon enough, we had reached an empty car park. Ethan instantly climbed out of the car and rushed to my side, opening the door for me with a cheesy grin. I rolled my eyes playfully at this, though my heart swarmed inside. He was too sweet.

" Where are we even going? " I asked with a gentle laugh, only for Ethan to suddenly come to a stop.
I had no time to think before Ethan had placed both of his large hands on my hips, picking me up so that my legs were wrapped around his waist. I let out a small squeal of surprise at this, the two of us laughing gently, as my hand became tangled in his soft brown hair. His lips remained close to my own as he smirked, sending goosebumps across my skin as he placed my body down again his car bonnet.
" Nowhere " Was what he said, sitting down beside me on the top of his car.
I raised a brow at this, still speechless by the look in his beautiful hazel eyes, until I turned to see the breathtaking view ahead of us. The sun was setting, painting the sky a mix of amazing colours, with the lake glowing down below it. The fields in the distance were shadowed slightly, some parts of the freshly cut grass shining with orange. It was the perfect view of a perfect place, with a perfect boy.

" Pretty, isn't it? " Ethan spoke up, snapping me out of my short daydream.
I smiled, nodding my head instantly. It was more than pretty, it was mesmerising.
" It's amazing. Why did you bring me here? " I asked out of intrigue, shuffling a little closer to Ethan to keep me warm.
Ethan noticed this, jumping down from the car bonnet and walking around his car. I heard him fumble around in the trunk and before I knew it, he had reappeared with a blanket, and two bags of McDonald's. This boy had really thought this through.
" I-I was going to lie and make up some cute story about how special this place is to me, but to be completely honest I just asked Luke where to take you and he said that you secretly loved this stuff "

I laughed at this, as Ethan placed the soft blanket over my shoulders, it instantly warming me up a little. However, when he placed the bag of delicious fast food into my lap, which was still hot, I smiled.
I thanked him before pulling out my go to order, as well as some extra snacks that he had put inside the bag. I didn't even know Luke paid any attention at all to this kind of stuff.

" Thinking about it now, Luke could have just set us up for the worst date of a lifetime. You could have ended up hating sunsets and hating McDonald's, or something " Ethan laughed, doing what he usually did when he got nervous: rambling.
" I would have deserved it, though. I can tell he still wants to kick my ass deep down, for treating you like I did "

When Ethan said this I shook my head, realising just how protective Luke was. However, this wasn't what stuck in my mind the most. It was what Ethan had referred to this night as, that made me smirk.
" Date? " I raised an eyebrow naturally, staring at the boy as I awaited a response.
Ethan's cheeks turned beat red, his once playful demeanour now vanishing, as he became overcome by his nervousness and embarrassment.
" Well, I-I mean.. if you w-want it to be? I-" He stuttered, coughing awkwardly, whilst trying to look to the side so that I wouldn't see his pink cheeks.

This was the Ethan that I had grown to like so much. The shy, awkward and quirky boy, who was also as mischievous as ever. I was so glad I had met him, and so glad we were here together, on a date.

I giggled like an amused child at this, the intimidating look that was once resting on my face now being replaced by a look of joy. Ethan had been making me so happy recently, and I had no clue how.
However, when I saw that Ethan still stared down at the ground, his face unsure, I felt myself bite down on my lip slightly. I didn't even realise I was doing it, until now.

That was when I turned his face towards me by his chin, my eyes fluttering shut before I planted my lips against his own in a sweet and short kiss. He kissed back quickly, his hand reaching towards my cheek, where the pad of his thumb ran across my skin. A feeling that I had never experienced before Ethan rushed throughout my body at his actions, the pit of my stomach filled with butterflies. I had no clue what word I would use to describe this feeling, but it was pure bliss. Could it possibly, be lov-

When I pulled away, he looked mesmerised. He looked surprised, just like he always did when I kissed him. It was almost as if he could never get used to the feeling. But neither could I, and I quickly separated from him before it could become too much, too quick. Far, too quick.
" Does that answer your question? " I grinned at the expression on his pretty face, eventually his lips curving upwards like my own.
He shrugged, running a hand through his brown locks, his hair already messy. It was a cute messy, though, I liked it. A lot.
" I guess so. A date it is "