❝ He was different and she knew it, by the way she would feel, whenever he spoke to her. She felt warm and almost drunk.

As if his words were laced with gin and lined with fleece❞

"So, your Dad actually owns a MK14?"

I looked up from my book and saw Ethan lingering on the doorway. Letting out a sigh, I dropped it down on my lap and asked "You are still here?"

He rolled his eyes, pulling away from the door and stalked inside, saying "You don't have to look so disappointed."

"I can't help it," I muttered, watching him with a frown as he wandered around my old room, scanning the bookshelf filled with so many fairy tales and mysteries, my writing desk which was now almost clean and a high school musical poster.

He looked over his shoulder at me, a smile dancing on his lips and mused "I know"

I didn't hear him, because I was too busy staring at him, tracing his fingers on the old photo at my nightstand. My breath hitched, when I noticed him picking it up and sweat drenched my tight fist.

A moment passed by and I waited. He finally looked up from the photo and I could see the realization making its way in them. He knew. That the sweet woman he met earlier was indeed not my mother, that that woman in the picture was totally different and he knew that that adorable girl beside me was missing, never coming back.

He was putting those puzzle pieces back in their place, but there were still some missing.

I waited for him to question me, ask me whatever that was going in his head, even though I knew, I wouldn't be able to handle them.

"Damn, you were so chubby and look at those cheeks! So fucking kissable" He surprised me by cheering, before looking at that photo again, in awe.

A relieved breath shot out of me as I relaxed a little. "I know, I know. Just put it back in its place, after you are done staring" I told him, my tone turning into a teasing one.

"Are you kidding me? I might have to click a mental picture" He chuckled, before putting the old framed memento down.

After taking the tour of my room, rummaging through my books and playfully teasing me for my high school musical obsession, he fell down on the bed beside me with a tired sigh.

Resting himself comfortably against the headboard, he turned his head towards me. I was absorbed by his hazel magnets, when he snatched the book from my lap, checking the title.

"What are you doing? Give it back, please and thank you" I rolled my eyes, leaning on him to take the book, but he pulled it away from my reach and put it somewhere on the table beside him.

"Come on, you can read it whenever you are alone" He retorted, before pouting his lush lips.

"In case, you can't tell already, that's what I'd like you to do. Leave me alone" I told him, but my voice sounded a little breathy.

"Honestly, that would be boring. Let's talk" He suggested his body shifting closer to me, sharing it's warmth.

"What do you think, we are doing right now? Playing rugby?" I spoke up in a cold tone, trying to scoot away, but failing miserably due to lack of space.

I always found myself staring into his eyes for longer than necessary, whenever his gaze wavered at me.

"You are impossible" He let out a deep groan, rubbing his palms over his face.

"Looks who's speaking"

He rolled his eyes, before sighing and continued "Alright. Let's play 21 questions. You know the game?"

"No. What is it? Something French?" I said in a sickly sweet tone.

"I am just going to ignore your comment and start. I'll ask the first question," He declared, before smirking at me.

Narrowing my eyes at his face, I denied "Nope. I'll ask the first question. I mean, I am being decent enough to cooperate with you and play, it's the least you could do."

Amusement shone bright in his eyes, when he said "And they say, I am dramatic. Fine, shoot."

"If only I had a gun" I muttered, before saying "Alright, let's see. What should I ask?" I looked around my room, for some help or any type of hint.

A minute passed, but I still didn't know what I wanted to ask and sitting beside me, he was getting impatient by every passing second.

"Fine, go ahead and ask me the first question" irritated, I snapped at him.

Glancing down, he chuckled before focusing his vision at me again. "What's on your mind right now?" his tone was serious, but insisting. As if he was begging me for an answer.

His question was simple, yet so difficult. What was on my mind? What was I thinking? Or what was I trying to forget? What I wanted to do? Or what I regretted that I did?

I tried to find those memories haunting me or her voice trying to cut through me, but in that moment, I found nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Because I realized, right there nothing mattered. Nothing was there, except what was happening. Just us staring at each other trying to grasp each other's soul and craving answers.

I turned to look at him fully, before answering "Would you believe me, when I say nothing? It's like everything's still, at least for now I guess"

He furrowed his eyebrows, thinking and nodded. "I believe you. Now your turn" He smiled at me, but I didn't return it. Couldn't.

Taking my lower lip in between my teeth, I thought for a second and let out "What's the most awkward moment of your life?"

He shook his head, before giving me pleading eyes and said "Just to try to make less comments, okay?"

"So, once upon a not so good time, I had a one night stand. It was all messy and fucked up, we were both drunk and yeah, the morning after didn't go well either" I stifled a laugh, when he squirmed, before continuing "Clearly, not something I am proud of. But, yeah it didn't go well and we parted ways with a good amount of filth and anger. What a mess. Anyway, I tried to forget it all and knew, it was the first and the last time we were seeing each other. So, when just a day later, she came to my doorsteps with Emma, I fucking lost it. She worked with her and I didn't even know, damn. It was awkward as hell and we didn't even made eye contact, let alone talk"

Running his fingers through his hair, he cursed under his breath incoherently and I couldn't help the laughter that escaped my mouth.

Clutching my stomach, I laughed loudly and his expressions made the whole thing funnier "Oh my god, your reaction must've been fucking hilarious."

He glared at me, but I noticed a soft smile on his face "Trust me, it was a big what the fuck moment. Now, lemme think of one question for you."

I sobered up straightening my posture, but giggled again recalling his expressions.

Waiting for his question, I raised an eyebrow, when he inquired "Well if you don't mind, I would like to know your sister's name."

My mind registered the question as I blinked at him. Patiently and understanding he waited for my reply.

"Claire" I whispered "Her name was Claire"

He nodded quietly, before motioning me to ask the next question. His calm nature seemed to calm me down as well.

"Tell me something nobody knows about you" I ordered, smirking at him.

Without missing a bit, he replied "I love watching dog videos on Youtube. Something you absolutely hate?"

I giggled, when he scratched the back of his neck sheepishly and answered "I hate crying or people who cry a lot"

He frowned at me and baffled "Crying? Why?"

I shrugged leaning back and mumbled "I don't really know, but for me, it's like a sign of weakness"

I peered at his direction, when he too leaned back shaking his head and sighed "You know for someone who's really smart, you sure act dumb sometimes"

"Crying is not a sign of weakness, okay and people don't cry because they are weak"

Like a instinct my eyes searched for him, when his calm voice reached my ears and I listened intently "Maybe they cry, because they've been strong for too long and the tiredness of their soul cannot be described in words"

I quickly looked away when he caught me and murmured "Whatever you say. Favorite constellation?"

"Orion. Favorite color?"

"Black"

"I never guessed" He muttered sarcastically.

His eyes followed down to my black T-shirt dress, which was moved up giving a clear view of my thighs. Swearing under my breath, I quickly fixed it by adjusting on the bed.

Clearing my throat, I peeked at him and found his dark eyes staring right back. A sense of strange tension jolted in the air, like electricity as I struggled to breathe.

"What's yours?" I asked meekly.

I noticed, there was a mixture of green and honey brown in those orbs as he kept our gazes locked. A small grin pulled up on his lips, when he admitted "It's blue. Ocean blue"

"Something you can't live without?" Interest visible on his face, when he leaned in to me. Too close.

"I think that would be oxygen," I countered.

He gave me a blank look "Really?"

I dismissed him, waving my hand off muttering "That's the truth."

He didn't know that there had been so many things I couldn't live without or at least I thought so. But they got snatched from me very brutally and I accepted the cold reality and seemed to be doing just fine.

"Okay sure, just as you say. For me there's a lot of things, I can't imagine my life without," He stated, scratching his chin as my eyes followed the action. His chiseled jawline made me want to trace my fingertips on it.

"Really? What's that?" I clasped my hands together, glancing up at him.

He yawned, stretched his body and purred like a big cat. Then, giving me a lazy smile from sideway, he let his head fall on my shoulder making my body stiff "Maybe some other time"

"Sure. The guest room is by the next third door. You should sleep" I told him.

He ignored me, burying his face in my shoulder and wrapping his arms around my waist, pulled me close to him, cuddling. My body was motionless for a second, but slowly it began to relax under his touch.

"Yeah, but it must be pretty cold there" His voice was almost inaudible as he murmured and I knew, he was going to fall asleep at any given moment.

"How can you say that? You haven't even checked it yet," I said in a low voice, trying to make him leave.

But my body traitorous as always, snuggled back to him and he tightened his grip clutching me. I let out a sigh in his arms, which felt like home and everywhere I had never been all at once.

They are so adorable, I can't. I know there has been too much Winter-Ethan in these chapters (Am not complaining tho) but, I'll suggest you to enjoy it while it lasts, because ya know.... one small mistake can make big changes.

Also, sorry for making you wait so long, hope you liked it! Don't forget to share your thoughts.

Bye! Stay cool. Don't forget to smile, my friends. The world is not as serious as you make it out to be :)

Love, Zee..