magnets | ethma

19

Emma felt a hole in her chest, which was once filled. Her eyes watched her drive away from Ethan's home, watching him stand there alone- unaware of what's happening. She is too.

Emma was yet to know that Michelle planned to move away permanently with Emma's grandparents but had only told Emma they would be staying for a week- clueless as to how she would get Emma away from Ethan.

That was Emma's goodbye. One glance. Fear in both their eyes. It was almost like their hearts knew that it would be the last time.

"He was sweet Emma, maybe you need some time apart though." Michelle smiled whilst munching on a carrot which was apart of Mary's dinner.

"No." Emma crossed her arms like a child. She found this all too weird, she hadn't seen her grandparents in years and now she's randomly having dinner with them?

"Look-," Mary started to talk but was quickly shut off by Michelle.

They were talking about the robbery and how Michelle wanted to get away for awhile.

"Nona I love it here, I do honestly but Mom you're letting him win." Emma sipped on my water, feeling awkward with all eyes on her.

Pa wasn't really bothered though. He just sat at the table to trying to watch the football game.

"I agree." His attention was brought to Emma.

Emma smiled. "Thank you."

"Michelle you're letting that little shitbag rule your life as much as you say you're aren't. He wanted you out, you left." His attention went back to the TV.

They disregarded what Pa had to say completely and went back to Emma

But she was listening to him.

"We have something to tell you Emma." Michelle said.

"You're staying." Mary blurted out.

"I know." Emma said confused.

"Permanently."

Emma immediately had giggles fall out of her mouth, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, okay." She said sarcastically.

She didn't care about what they had to say and started to watch the game with her Grandpa. "They are playing this game good tonight, Pa."

"Emma,"

"What?" Emma's head snapped back to Mary.

"We are not joking!" Michelle stood.

Muffles of Mary and Michelle was what Emma could hear. 'It's what is best for you.' and 'Theres nothing in that town for you anyway!' But Emma just stared into space.

Sitting in shock. Utter and complete shock. She couldn't leave. That's her home.

Her school, Olivia, her favourite cafe and everything that reminded her of growing up was there.

As she thought through her head of all the stuff she would miss, nothing compared to his face.

It was sewing itself down into her brain. Everything about him she realised she loved.

He was so careful and so kind.

Something this world didn't deserve.

He waited for her and she was with his brother. But it's then she realised he was right. She was with the wrong brother before.

It was him all along.

Emma

I pulled away from my seat and grabbed my phone. I heard them call my name but all I could hear was Ethan.

I felt my mind play tricks. Visions of him as I tried to grab the door knob. I need him.

I've never needed him so much in my life.

I thought in these few moments, a life without him and I saw black. Pure darkness.

It made me realise that during all these rough times, he's held my hand. He's guided me through it and he's taught me how to get out of it. I never helped him yet he always helped me.

I can't leave him.

The door was locked. I turned quickly and faced Mom and Nona. It was like out of a movie Ethan and I watched. I felt scared.

"Mom I'm going home."

"No you're not Emma. This is your new life, on the farm. You're gonna forget about that town and you're gonna live for yourself. Make new friends and most importantly forget about him."

I dropped to the floor immediately.

Ethan

It has been a week since Emma went away to her grandparents and I was having the biggest withdrawal symptoms.

I've never needed a small hand in mine more than ever.

This past month was a dream that I was so grateful for. Waking up next to her after she fell asleep in my bed, watching movies, taking her to her favourite cafe for some iced coffee and just being- like always, completely in love.

I didn't care if she didn't love me as much as I loved her because being around her again blinded me to care about much.

I was riding the happy wave for once. Not caring about anything but the moment.

After spending time with her, I didn't home in bed and wonder about tomorrow with her like I used to and overthink things. I just let them happen.

But I'm doing it again. Sitting here and wondering what she is doing.

I thought she would be back in a week. I called and texted her millions of times but it said her phone was off.

Maybe she just wanted to enjoy being at her grandparents without a phone for awhile.

It did pain me that I got no text or call. So fucking much but I didn't wanna smother her or make her feel bad for being away.

So I distracted myself and I painted. A lot.

I painted her body and I painted everything about her but her face. It wasn't in a obsessive, weird way.

Just my mind releasing memories on a canvas so I didn't cry or get in my car and find out her grandparents car.

I was smitten. I always have been.

A big loser who paints the girls he misses, smitten.