Ethan's P.O.V
I decide to go on another date with Sophia. I take her to a diner my godmother owns downtown. I tell her to dress casual. As I prepare I put on some jeans, Sperry's and a white t-shirt. I check my phone on the charger. It's 100%. Then I call her asking if she is ready she tells me she needs more time. While she talks I can hear her voice cracking and can tell she has been crying. I decide not to mention it on the phone but make a note of it in my head. Knowing she isn't ready to talk I end the conversation in a hurry. I think about what to do as I walk downstairs into the kitchen. I wonder what could possibly be wrong and how I can fix it. I really care about her and I don't want her to suffer. I know how much she has been through and I want to be the ray of sunshine in her life.
Sophia's P.O.V.
I cry my final tears as I lay on my floor wrapped in a blanket to weak inside to get up. I feel as if I am just a shell of the person I used to be. My feelings and emotions dull. I don't feel or think as much as I used to. I'm no longer a dreamer I am not even a believer. I just live on unhappy and crumpling up like a sheet of used paper. I don't know what happened to the old me all I know is that it is long gone. My heart is weary and has no strength. I wipe my tears and clean myself up. I have on white converse and a white blouse with my curvy skinny jeans. I went down stairs and got some cookie dough ice cream. I was enjoying my ice cream as the doorbell rang. By then I had calmed down. I walked over to the door and turned the doorknob to open it.
Ethan: Hey Baby. He scooped me up into a big hug and held me there for a while. It felt so good. I waited to speak until he put me down.
Sophia: Hey, somebody's happy today.
Ethan: I'm always happy with you.
Sophia: Aww, what did you do this morning?
Ethan: I just went jogging then got ready to meet you.
Sophia: We matched today!
Ethan: But you ruined it with your converse.
Sophia: No you ruined it with your Sperry's.
Ethan: Whatever you say. Ready to go?
Sophia: Let me tell my grandparents I'm on my way out.
Ethan: Alright. I'll wait here.
I jogged up the stairs. When I came back I saw Ethan eating my ice cream.
Ethan: This is really good.
Sophia: Obviously that's why I bought it! Why are you eating my ice cream?
Ethan: Because it's delicious.
Sophia: Whatever.
I walked back into the kitchen and made an ice cream sundae I used toppings and everything I could to show it off.
Sophia: You have fun with your basic ice cream.
Ethan: You won't be saying that when your ice cream topples over on top of you.
I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a disposal bib like the ones they give children at restaurants.
Ethan: Why do you even have those?
Sophia: Isn't it obvious that I like ice cream. Last time I checked ice cream melts in the sun. I really don't want to have ice cream all over my clothes now do I? Duh.
Ethan: My bad. He chuckles. Guess that was a stupid question.
Sophia: Yes very.
Ethan: Ok ready to go?
Sophia: Yep, I replied as I crammed my mouth with the creamy goodness.
Ethan: Alright, he opened the door and let me walk out first. Then after closing it he walked past me and opened my door me.
Sophia: Thank you. I beamed at him.
Ethan: You're welcome. Thank you for saying thanks. You don't have to. You should expect it by now. He gave me a sweet and sincere smile then walked over to his side.
I felt so proud to have such a wonderful and considerate boyfriend. He never got mad, he never yelled and whenever we didn't agree he calmly discussed it with me.
Sophia: Why are you such a gentleman?
Ethan: Why wouldn't I be?
Sophia: Some men aren't.
Ethan: Well my dad never was and I don't want to be stuck in his sour mentality.
Sophia: That makes sense. I decided to change the subject. Where are we going?
Ethan: It's a surprise.
We rode the rest of the ride in silence. About 15 minutes later we pulled up to a small little restaurant called Blue Moon Diner. I had never heard of this place. It was cute and tiny. I loved little holes in the wall. There was one I loved to go to at least once a month called Elephant Ears. It's a weird name but they have the best pancakes in the world.
Sophia: What's this place?
Ethan: This is where I go when I'm stressed and just want to be alone and relax.
Sophia: This must be a pretty special place for you.
Ethan: Yeah, it is. I haven't told anybody else about this so...
Sophia: Yeah, I get it I'll keep your secret.
Ethan: Ok, good. I completely trust you. As he spoke, he got out of the car and walked towards my side of the car.
Sophia: Good. I unbuckled the seat belt buckle.
I got out and walked towards the door. I waited for Ethan to turn off the car so we could walk inside together. When we walked in I saw about five people and no more than ten tables. The people were eating and talking quietly. Ethan walked ahead of me and sat at an empty table. When the waitress came Ethan took our order.
Ethan: Two burgers and medium fries please. What do you want to drink Sophia?
Sophia: Wait, when'd I say I wanted a burger? But I do want a Sprite.
Ethan: Ok I want a Sprite as well. Thank you.
The waitress smiled at both of us then walked away.
Sophia: Ethan! I whisper yelled.
Ethan: You HAVE to have their burgers! They are so good. He put extra emphasis on the so.
Sophia: Fine. But next time you could at least warn me.
Ethan: I told you it was a surprise. The surprise includes the location AND the meal. Plus I doubt you will mine. I'm pretty sure you have never had a burger this good in your entire life.
Sophia: Wow. These burgers must be pretty good. I let out a laugh or two at his appraisal for the burgers.
Soon the burgers came out. I will admit they looked pretty good. We thanked the waitress in unison and she left. Ethan watched me with eagle eyes to make sure he wouldn't miss my reaction. I bit into the burger. I paused and my face grew still. I quickly transformed into a smile and I moaned into the wonderful food. Forget the best burger ever! That was the most amazing thing I had ever tasted.
Sophia: Oh. My. Gosh.
Ethan: Told you so.
Sophia: This is... PERFECT.
Ethan: Of course.
I kept eating my food and finally after finishing his laughter he started to eat also.
After we finished we started to talk.
Ethan: So why have you been spending so much time with my brother?
Sophia: What?
Ethan: You guys have been hanging out together a lot and I'm just curious as to why.
Sophia: What do you not trust me?
Ethan: Of course I trust you. I was just wondering.
I understood that he was just curious but I had to play the innocent card and act offended. I needed to be careful so I wouldn't seem to overreact and make my reaction look fake.
Sophia: OK.
Ethan: Are you going to tell me?
Sophia: No.
Ethan: I'm not implying that anything bad is happening I'm just saying...
I kept a straight face and leaned my head on my knuckles. Making him feel guilty to distract him from my own guilt.
Sophia: OK.
Ethan: Are you mad?
Sophia: No.
Ethan: I'm sorry I brought it up I didn't mean that. I will always trust you. I love you and I know that you love me too.
Sophia: Ok.
Ethan: Are you going to keep doing that all night?
Sophia: No.
Ethan: You want to leave?
Sophia: Ok.
I grabbed my jacket and walked back into the car. I felt bad for basically lying to his face and manipulating him but it was for his own good. One thing is for sure we were going to need to be a lot more careful.
