oxygen (e.d.)

chapter twenty-one

<ethan>

"my dad," rowen breathes next to me, "will want me home."

"yeah," i whisper, "of course."

i slide on shorts and a hoodie. she finds the rest of her clothes and tries to make herself look more presentable in the mirror.

it wasn't mind blowing.

i've had better, honestly.

wow that's rude, ethan.

i drive her home, and before she gets out, she leans across the console and gives me a kiss on my cheek, but she was hesitant, like she had to think about it for a second.

weird.

"goodnight," i smile, "sweet dreams."

"bye, ethan."

.....

as i check the time and date right when i wake up, i get a sudden feeling of dread.

riley's birthday is in exactly 8 days.

flashback;

"when's your birthday?" i ask as we walk through the library.

"guess." she giggles.

"um, it's in the summer, right?"

"yes."

"july 15," i guess.

"nope."

"august 7," i try again.

"even farther than the first time," she says.

"june 27,"

"wow you're very close now."

"26th?"

"farther."

"june 28th." i state confidently.

"yes," she smiles at her feet, "my birthday is june 28th."

"it only took me 1,000 tries."

i shake the thought out of my head, along with the grogginess of the morning.

"ethan! you have a visitor." grayson's bitter voice echoes through the house, and i perk up.

"wyatt?" i ask back.

"hey," rowen appears at my door, small smile on her face.

"hey," i smile back, immediately becoming more gentle.

she walks hesitantly closet and i pat the spot in bed next to me.

"how're you?" i ask, fiddling with her hair.

"i'm good," she sighs, "well- i'm fine."

"what's wrong?"

"nothing," she mumbles.

"rowen."

"it's my dad," she frowns, "i didn't get that one internship and now he's really, really disappointed in me."

"i'm sorry, i really am." i comfort sadly, pulling her in for a hug, "i'm proud of you for trying."

"thanks," she shrugs, "i guess."

"what can i do to help?"

she smiles and runs her hand up my arm, giving me goosebumps.

"i'm so glad you asked."