Wanting Her

Chapter 18

-HER-

I saw Ethan today. But he didn't even spare a glance at me. His jaw was clenched so hard. His face was expressionless. His eyes are so cold and menacing. A dangerous aura is lurking out from him. He looks even more intimidating and dangerous. Scary hot. Everyone who noticed him make ways for him.

While everyone was trying to stay farther away from him. I find myself wanting to go near him. I find myself wanting to comfort him but we're not in that stage yet.

We're just...acquaintance.

It doesn't make me and him close just because he kissed me. But my stupid mind can't just shut up from pondering, 'Does something happen?' 'Is he okay?'

But I make a mental note to not jump to any conclusion. Maybe he's in a bad mood. I coax my mind to not stray in his business. Who knows he might snap me into two if I meddle. He is more than capable to do that.

It makes my goose bumps to rise unintentionally. I shake my head slightly and make my way to class with Em. Em is certainly in a happy mood today. I smile when I see her smile. This time it reaches her eyes. Might as well help me from thinking about Ethan for a while.

I sigh in relief.

***

Since, Em's in her cheery-day today, I strong myself to ask her about her problem. We sit down at our table and starts to dig in. I keep my glances to her so many times and if she lifts to see me, I'll turn my face downward.

"What?" She said with a full mouth.

I just blink and smile awkwardly. I look up and continue to laugh nervously. Making all the more curiosity to appear on her face.

Hell, I'm making this more uncomfortable.

"What. Lay." She said with a bored tone.

I can do this. I need to know. The words got out before I can stop it. The abruptness of my question, stops her movement.

"I know you are not okay. This past few weeks you're not being yourself. Is everything okay?" I'm shocked to hear how confident I sound.

Despite the hurricane in my chest.

She froze and the hand that has been lifted to eat her food, stills midway. She stares blank at me.

No kidding but my heart is at my throat right now. But I stared back at her. Bravely.

"Tell me what's troubling you. Let me help you." I said in a low coaxing voice.

She sighs and I can hear the heaviness in hers. She's not ready. I don't want to force her but it's been on my mind ever since she acted this weirdly.

I can practically saw her head wheeling. Contemplating whether or not to tell me.

Letting down her guard, she looks up and I can see so much emotion whirling in them. What I can see the most is, hurt.

She's hurting.

"My parents-" Her throats working. "My parents are getting a divorce." Her beautiful eyes waters.

I reached out to hold her hand. She closed her fingers and tightens the hold. She needed my comfort.

"They're going to the court."

I cleared my throat. Shocked to hear this news. I've always known that Em's parents was always loving. It didn't even seem possible for them to even split up. I've always saw the adoration they held for each other.

It's addictive but somehow inevitable.

It made me realize.

Not everything is forever. That sometimes how we felt towards one another can change. That maybe we're not meant to be together in the first place.

"Today." She broke my thoughts.

"I'm sorry I don't know Em." I whispered slowly.

She smiles sadly and just shake her head. Shaking trying to convince herself to be okay.

"I'll always be with you when you need me."

***

"Do you want to stay at my place tonight? Just to clear you head." I asked.

"No. It's okay. I think I can handle this. Thank you tho."

We walked in silence after a moment at the parking lot. The scrapes of the tars against our shoes filling the silence. The wind blowing softly blowing our hairs together with them.

I want to help her get through this. I do. I hope her parents can work this out so that Em will not hurt anymore. That somehow her pain can be stopped.

"Does Will know about this?" I decided to broke the quietness.

She looked at me and shake her head.

"Why didn't he?" I asked incredulously.

"I don't know, I just don't want anyone to know yet. Even him."

I nodded. I understand and respect that. She needed her own time to process this matter before letting it all out. She needed to accept it herself.

Once we reached our cars, she gets in and waves goodbye. She doesn't say much words and it's... strange and saddened me. She's always the talkative one. The one to lighten up the mood. She's always cheerful, and seeing her sad born the uncomfortable feelings inside me.

My eyes waters watching her. My chest tightened, thinking about her. I want to stay strong for her so she knows that she could lean on me. She could count on me when she needed someone. When she needed someone to hold her. To give emotional support for her.

To only be there with her.

With that I drive away.

What a long day, for a short day.