Let Yourself Fall // sequel to My Ethan Karpathy

Chapter 46.

PAISLEYS POV:

It's been two days since that drunken night. I feel nothing but regret, and I think Brai realises what happened was a mistake. We agreed to never tell anyone what happened in those seven minutes, I just have to remember never to get into a fight with him. I can't risk the truth getting out. I also have to make sure I never do anything that could make him get feelings for me, he could use that to break up Ethan and I. I just want Ethan back, but I want him to earn it. I hope some sort of fairy tale ending happens, like he comes and brings me flowers at midnight when everyone sleeping, or a magical fairy god mother comes along and casts a spell on us so we magically find each other again and the problems go away. But I know that won't happen. If there's one thing I've learnt in this cruel world, it would be that there are some things in life you can't control. They happen without warning, without notice, and there's no way of stopping them from spiralling out of control. Throughout my life, I've noticed that more than most things happen without any reasoning behind them, they just happen and nothing you can physically or mentally do will stop it. The boys have gone to Chris' house this morning to get ready for the concert. We are going to meet them in the park an hour before the show. Jai and Cat are then going to sit in the park with me while the others do their quick practise thing behind the stage.

ETHANS POV:

I only got about three hours of sleep last night, which I guess is pretty good compared to usual. I am so tired I could possibly pass out at any second. I went to sleep still fully dressed, just feeling lonely. Holly texted me saying she was going to be another week. She said she already talked to Paisley, so I know Paisley is still okay- I think. I still have some denial on that. I hear the doorbell rings and I know it's Chris, Jai and Brai. Brai is going to be doing one song with me to advertise our tour today. Jai is just coming along for moral support. I don't even feel like doing anything today, but I slowly get up and walk down the stairs to open the door. They all give me a small smile as they walk in. Brai even looks a little..guilty?I take them up to my room and we all go into separate rooms to get changed. We had outfits delivered to my house, and that's why their here. When everyone's done, we quickly take a mirror selfie and upload it to instagram. I guess you have to do these things when you're famous. We all sit in various places around the room and everything goes awkwardly silent. Until Chris breaks it.

"Um, Ethan. There's something you need to know about today." He says, looking a little nervous. Like he's hoping my reaction isn't bad.

"What?" I ask.

"Um, Paisley. She's going to.. Be there." he hesitates.

"How do you know?" I ask, suddenly suspicious.

"Because, well, we... um asked her." Brai stutters.

"How..?" I ask. Brai and Chris just close their eyes and scrunch up their faces like they accidentally said something they weren't supposed to.

"You knew where she was the entire time.." I say, the truth finally dawning on me. I can't believe it.

"Ethan, we-" Chris starts but I cut him off.

"You knew the entire time, and you didn't tell me!?" I yell, the anger suddenly bubbling up inside me.

"She made us promise." Chris says, his eyes practically screaming how sorry he was.

"But you knew how much this was affecting me! I thought you were my friends!" I say, only lowering my voice a little.

"We're sorry, Ethan. We just.. Couldn't." Brai says. I actually can see how sorry they feel.

"Where was she?" I ask, my anger fading away.

"Grace's." Chris says, hanging his head. I notice that Jai hasn't said a word about this, he's just sitting in the corner, looking guilty and sorry as hell as well.

"But I went there with you. She wasn't there."

"I took her out." Jai says in a small voice from the corner.

"But-" I stutter, not knowing what to feel. I'm going to see her today, and I only have a few hours notice?

"But what?" Brai asks.

"Doesn't she know I'm going to be there today? Why did she agree to come? She surely wouldn't come if she knew." I say, completely confused.

"We told her we were going to mine to get ready. She doesn't suspect a thing." Chris explains.

We sit and talk about all of this for a long time, I'm trying to uncover everything. I can tell there's a little corner I haven't been able to uncover, but they all swear there's nothing more. I found out how she ran to the beach and spent the day there until Grace and Sarah found her. I found out that Paisley has been staying at Grace's- and so has everyone for the past few days. I found out that Paisley didn't want to come home to get her stuff, because she knew I would be here. She was that hurt. I also found out that it was Brai's birthday a few days ago. I didn't even know. We realise the time and get up to leave. I stay behind so I can wipe the tears that are almost falling. I won't let them fall, because today I'm going to get Paisley back. No matter what, no matter how hard she fights. I am getting her back.