We Meet Again

Chapter 3

Zara was convinced her eyes were deceiving her. How could Ethan Rhodes be before her and so... casual? Doesn't he remember how it ended? Naila stood next to him and smiled. Suddenly, Zara saw red. It was Naila's fault. Not only did she tell a horrendous lie and completely dismissed Zara's wishes for Ethan to not be in their lives again.

They were both looking at her expectantly but Zara couldn't speak. She narrowed her eyes at Naila until she got the hint.

"See me in the living room, Zara" Naila said meekly. She led the way and Zara glanced at Ethan a last time.

They stood in Naila's large reception hall far enough from the kitchen to speak about Ethan without him hearing.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Zara burst out before Naila spoke. Naila glared at her, she couldn't stand when her younger sister disrespected her like this.

"Zara, calm down. I know you're upset but-" Naila began, putting her arms on Zara.

Zara moved out of Naila's grip, even angrier, "upset? I am fuming. Do you really not understand why I didn't want to see this man? Have you forgotten what's happened or are you just some kind of idiot?"

"Zara, stop speaking to me like I'm some kid. I bumped into him and he was so polite. He kept asking about you so I invited him over. I knew you'd feel this way but get over it; it's been more than five years! Ethan's over it, I'm over it, our parents are over it so it's just you."

"I am over it so stop mentioning that! So much as changed since then, why should I ignore them? This is fucking ridiculous. He said he doesn't want to ever see me again, I got over that. He said he doesn't want me anymore, I got over that. He said he doesn't love me anymore, I got over that! I don't need him again, even as a fucking friend," tears were all over Zara's face at that point. She hadn't thought about that in years and now she was cornered into revisiting those moments.

That period of her life was when Zara was convinced she was going through the worst heartbreak anyone's ever experienced. Zara was in disbelief hearing what Ethan was saying. It felt like it came out of nowhere and their big, fairytale dream was over. She felt so humiliated and, to make it worse, Ethan left her standing alone as he said his piece and left.

Naila went to hug Zara but she pushed her away. "You said Maya wanted to see Nora and- shit, Maya? Oh my God, oh my God, where's Maya?" Zara felt like she was on the verge of a panic attack. Ethan seeing Maya was hundred times worse than Ethan seeing Zara.

"Josh took them out for ice-cream," Naila sighed, "I knew you'd doubly hate me if Maya was here. Please just speak to him for me, I'm not saying go back to how things were because I get they can't but just at least say hi?"

Zara shook her head furiously, "do you not understand I actually cannot speak to him. It's like the words get stuck in my throat or something. All I see is someone who showed his worst colours and didn't care about hurting me. He is such a dick!"

They heard someone clearing their throat behind them; it was Ethan. Both Naila and Zara looked so embarrassed for being caught in their heated argument.

"I'm so sorry Ethan. As you can understand, emotions are a little high" Naila admitted sheepishly.

He held his hands up in blame, "it's my fault. I was selfish enough to think I could come back and expect Zara to speak to me," he turned and faced Zara, "I am truly sorry, for everything." His eyes bore into hers and she crumbled under his gaze.

He smiled at Naila in apology and let himself out. Naila blew out a loud sigh, "that was awkward."

"That was horrendous. Call Josh and ask him to bring Maya back now, I need to leave," Zara ordered, unable to stay there a minute longer. Naila sighed, "I know you want to leave but why make Maya feel upset. I'll get Josh to drop her later on, that way she can stay with Nora a bit longer." Zara just nodded. She knew Maya would be upset and Zara wouldn't have a reason she could tell Maya.

She gathered their stuff and headed to the car. She needed to calm down a little bit before she could drive. No matter how angry she was feeling, she knew it wasn't wise to drive whilst she was angry. She wasn't a bad driver but having as little distractions possible was ideal. She let her head rest back and closed her eyes. After two minutes of complete silence she heard a knock on her car window. She opened one eye to peek at who it was. To her shock, it was Ethan.

Zara immediately went into panic mode, 'fuck' she thought. She took a few quick breaths and rolled the window down slightly.

"Hi," Ethan said. Her eyes widened in surprise. She couldn't even say hi back. 'Pull yourself together,' she thought.

"Hi," she whispered meekly.

"Can I speak to you for a moment?" He asked, politely. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't endure this kind of torture.

"Erm, no" Zara replied. Although, it was quite rude and shocking for Zara to say such a thing, it was the only thing she could muster.

Ethan hung his head down but he wasn't giving up, "please?"

Why was he being so insistent? Zara sighed and reluctantly agreed. She unlocked the passenger door and Ethan sat in the seat. Immediately, everything was awkward.

After a brief period of silence, Ethan cleared his throat and spoke up, "Soo..."

Zara stared down at nothing in particular and nodded back, "Soo," she drawled out.

"It's been a while", Ethan commented and uncomfortably chuckled.

Zara sighed, "What do you want, Ethan?" she asked directly, not wanting to beat around the bush.

"I want to talk Zara. I know it has been a while, like a really long while, but I've moved back into town now and I was hoping we'd speak"

Zara looked at him for the first time and tried to read the expression but she was unsure what she was looking for. She narrowed her eyes and processed what he said. This had to be a prank, surely. "You were hoping we'd speak? About what exactly?" She questioned.

Ethan waited a while before speaking, "I know this isn't what you want to hear but I want to apologise. I never should have left like that and I know this apology is years overdue but I am sorry."

Zara wanted to laugh, this had to be a joke. "I think you know as much as I do, this apology is rather useless", she responded.

He nodded, "I'd suspected you would say that but I wanted to try regardless."

"I think its best you leave, goodbye Ethan" Zara said, feeling confident this would be there final conversation. Ethan nodded and left the car, careful not to slam the door.

Zara drove back home with the windows down, trying to clear her head. She parked up and ran inside still trying to ignore what happened. Dwelling on it would be the worst thing. She settled on the sofa in front of the T.V. and her eyes drifted. An hour or so later, a knock at the door immediately woke her up. She stumbled to the door, still a little sleepy and peeped through the eyehole, it was Josh with Maya in front.

She opened the door slightly and Maya ran in. "Thanks so much Josh, I hope she wasn't too much trouble," Zara said gratefully. He shook his head, "she never is, Zara. Anyway, I've got to go, they're waiting for me." He waved and ran back to his car. 

Zara closed the door and hugged Maya, "you hungry, baby?" Maya shook her head and yawned. Zara laughed, "okay, let's get ready for bed!"

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A/N: I'm trying to back guys! Already started the next part! Let me know what you thinkkkk