where the water meets the moon | e.d.

twenty-seven

addy

june 8, 1 am.

"and you know that feeling of excitement in your stomach right before a beat drops in your favorite song?" ethan asks with a small smile, staring out at the dark waters.

"yeah."

"that's what it feels like each time she says my name."

we're back to our kendall discussion as he dishes out things for me to analyze and respond to. i try my best, but i still haven't quite gotten this kendall girl figured out.

"so... i'm failing to see the issue?"

he swallows, then looks to me.
"recently it just hasn't been happening. especially right before i left for this trip."

"oh," i frown. "well, i'm a firm believer that distance makes the head grow fonder. i'm not kidding when i say that when she boards this ship next month, everything will return to normal with you two."

"but—"

"no buts, ethan," i hold up a silencing finger. "everything will be okay again."

and when that happens, he'll probably be back to not speaking to me or even glancing in my direction. i want him to be happy, but the thought that our developed friendship might diminish just makes me really sad.

but i also want what's best for him.

he nods, and tugs nervously at the bracelet i made for him a week ago.

truthfully, i didn't make the first one for evan. i made the first one for ethan.

but then i thought about it more and realized it might look weird— like i'm confessing my undying love for him, or something— and just decided to make everyone one.

"hey, can i see your camera?" i ask suddenly,
holding out my hand.

he raises an eyebrow, but grabs it from his sweatshirt pocket and hands it to me gingerly.

"here," i say, holding it up to him. "smile."

"what? no," he says quickly and covers his face with his hand. "i take pictures of other people."

"ethan," i pry his hand back down to his lap. "you still don't have one of you. do you know how disappointing it'll be when you go get these developed and don't see yourself in any of the memories?"

he sighs and says, "solo pictures are awkward."

i shrug. "want me to be in it?"

he pretends to look disgusted and fake gags.

"shut up," i laugh. "just smile and stop whining."

"i can't smile on command."

"so think of something that makes you smile. think of kendall."

his face twitches before going up into a very awkward, forced grin.

i frown. "that doesn't seem genuine."