lemonade | ethan

nineteen

i plopped down on my bed after checking the time which read 7:30 AM. i had spent almost all morning with ethan, just talking in his spot.

i remember asking if he'd brought anyone up here before.

"do you actually bring other girls up here?" i asked, looking over at him.

he smiles, mirroring my actions. "only the ones i like."

i chuckled, shaking my head. "like who." i turned my head away, watching as the sun rose from the horizon of the sea.

"i've only brought one person other than you." he explains. "allie loved it."

"this is my secret, you know? i don't think anyone else in brooklyn bay even comes up here unless it's for camping or hiking." he says. "this sight is reserved for special people."

in the eyes of ethan dolan, i'm special. and yet, i have no idea how he feels about me. through all the flirting and the sneaking me out at five in the morning, i'm still not sure because i've never heard him say it.

only then will i believe.

a knock at my door startled me, making me more awake then i was before. "ugh, i'm so tired." i complain, rolling over so my face is stuffed into my pillows.

"wake up, devon! time for church!" my dad tells me through the other side of the door. i tell him okay before rolling out of bed and dressing nice.

when we arrived, it was the same. the church was opened for the entire town to use. but as far as i know, only north siders ever showed up.

though i know some south siders are religious, they don't feel welcomed enough to attend.

i recall feeling relieved when church ended. usually i never got that feeling. but nowadays, it feels more like a duty than a choice.

i lay in bed, uncomfortable clothes still on, as i shut my eyes to catch in a snooze after the long car ride with my parents as my mother lectured me once more on how i didn't even acknowledge clayton was there.

my phone rings all the way from my dresser where i set my phone when i walked in. i groaned, "i can never catch a break, huh?"

i slip off my shoes when getting up and walk over to my phone. i see that melanie's calling and answer with no hesitation.

"hello?" i say.

from the other line, i could already sense the nervousness in her tone. "where are you? you were supposed to pick me up ten minutes ago."

"what?" i say, surprised. i check the time on my night stand. it was noon already? "oh gosh, i must've lost track of time. i'll be there right away."

i hang up, slipping on a random pair of shoes from the front door and speeding out the house. i get into my car and prepare to drive to the south side of town.

i was supposed to take melanie to her doctors appointment so i could find out the gender of the baby. i had gotten so caught up with everything else i had done all day, i totally forgot.

not to mention, the fact that i had woken up so early in the morning made me prioritize any time i could in my day to get a nap in.

when i arrive, i spot melanie standing outside waiting for me. i stop the car and she carefully gets in, her belly becoming bigger with everyday.

during the car ride, i explain to her why i lost track of time. how i only had originally thought to go to church and then the appointment. but i went out with ethan this morning to watch the sun rise.

she gasps. "really?"

i nod, smiling. i could feel a blush rising to my face just thinking about it. "yeah, it was nice."

"why don't you two just admit you like each other and date already?" she asks. "one day you two are going to regret not doing it sooner. senior year will come to an end eventually. college will separate you. trust me. even if you think love takes time, realize how much time you actually have."

i smile. "one day, mel."

in a short time, we arrive to the clinic. we get out together, walking in. the clinic was fairly empty. melanie tells the receptionist her name and that she's here for an appointment.

after a while of waiting, we're finally called back. the doctor lays her on a bed, having her lift her shirt.

it all went fast as he poured the jelly onto her belly as we watched the baby move around inside.

melanie made sure to reassure the doctor not to tell her the baby's gender. but to tell me.

i watched the ultrasound closely. melanie looked briefly. she looked content.

when it was all over, the doctor escorted melanie to the waiting room while he discussed the gender with me.

"what's your relationship with ms freeman?" the doctor asks me once he sat me down.

"uh." i hesitate. do i lie? will he not tell me the gender if i'm not family or something? "i'm her friend. i'm planning her gender reveal party." i explain.

"very nice." he says. "i'm happy to inform you that ms freeman's baby is a healthy baby boy."

i smiled, chuckling. "that's amazing."

"do you know what they're going to name him?" he asks me out of curiosity.

i nod. i know they're set on a name no matter the gender.

"dakota."

END OF CHAPTER NINETEEN

wow two chapters in one night. you're killing it, j.

also i changed ethan's sisters name. her name was previously angela, but i changed it to alexandra. her nickname allie. ‼️

the name angela was already used in my other book when in rome. when i came up with angela for lemonade, it kind of just stuck but i realized i needed to be a little more creative and not use the same name twice lmao.

so yeah, in case you were wondering. angela is now alexandra.

until next time. byeee