V

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I closed the door of dad's room silently. It was quite afternoon where even the wind was silent today and dad was still asleep, might be the effect of his medicines. But one thing that made me relax was I got some days off from school and as well as from cafe.

The Authority of school acknowledged it after knowing the only family dad has was me so unbelievably they cooperated by giving me some days off and I think that was all I wanted.

Ever.

After the day of explosion, I informed Blake and Finn too, though Blake couldn't leave his duties which made so frustrated so much not being here but I assured him that it's okay. We talked for a little bit and I got to know that Gran was a bit sick too so Aunt Hannah had to stay there with her.

Luckily Finn and Lara came yesterday for a short while to check up on dad. As being through a little same situation before, Lara was on the verge of losing in front of dad and held his hand all the time said he was just like her father.

And it warmed my heart to see her as my non-blooded sister. Finn requested that I should probably get a week or two off but me being me, I'd be joining back from next Monday I guess.

Not that I didn't want to stay with dad but that cafe was my routine like a reliever from all my stress.

Life goes on...

The bond I was sharing with these two beautiful souls was inexpressible. Though we've got to know each other for only one and a half month but it was like they were a detached lost segment of my evanescent life I found again.

I trudged down the stairs in my furry slip ons to not make any sound but the doorbell made me tottered as fast as I could before it could disturb dad.

Just as whoever it was could ring the bell again I opened the door in a swift and came face to face with unexpected Ethan, standing with a shopping bag in his hand.

"Hey, um I hope I didn't disturb. It slip out of my mind that your dad must be asleep. I should've knock- no should've just texted you," He mumbled as smoke left his mouth. I opened the door wide to let him in.

He was in plain white shirt with a sage shade cashmere sweater over it and long black coat. Cause for sure it was freezing outside today. His long legs were paired with black jeans and white canvas sneakers. His fashion no matter what, sticks to the top of his priority or maybe it's just his habit.

Though in front of him being a whole model I was in just a plain black shirt and gray trousers. I had to stay inside and didn't have to go out so I didn't change.

Perfect!

"Yeah you almost wake him up but he's asleep so don't worry," His expressions set on relief. He shrugged off his coat and I took it from him before hung it on the wooden rack with a lil 'thanks' in returned.

"I brought you some stuff, thought you must be busy to go to mart, let me put in the kitchen." Before I could interrupt he already dissipated inside kitchen's doorframe.

It has been a week since dad came home and almost everyday he's been visiting me and dad to check up on things. I felt so grateful to him for being here but also that he didn't have to do all these cause now it was making me feel burden on him.

A burden of who we were?

When I stepped in he was bending over a little and placing some bottles which I think were juices and some eggs inside the fridge. Different kind of accessories and stuff were scattered on the marble counter.

We continued to set things around. He was placing the meat and frozen food in the freezer when my eyes caught something.

A tub of...Ice cream?

"Who brings Ice cream for a sick or injured person?" I tucked sideways to the fridge with a raised brow pointing to him with hands crossed on my chest.

"Who said it's for your dad? It's for you. I know how much you love it." His confession made me stand straight and the grin which was making my cheek hurt left my face while my fingers started fidgeting in nervous as I swallowed hard.

Ice cream for me?

Just that he remembered how much I loved ice cream and not only that but he brought my favorite flavor cookies 'n' cream took me to the time way back when we started dating, and how we both always used to end up on my bed with a tub of cookies 'n' creams while cuddling after a long tiring day at school.

"Aria you okay? Hey...what's wrong?" He stopped and looked genuinely concerned as I cleared my throat."Did you not like me coming here..I-can leave-

"No Ethan..It's not that. I love that you came." I tried to convince him more like convincing myself about something I didn't even sure of.

"Then what is it?" He walked to me and put his hands on my both cheeks which made me look up in his gleaming treasured sapphire eyes.

In this past week, we didn't spend some time together but he just comes by and updated me about hockey practice and handed me homework info and that's it. We never and I mean it never once brought up a conversation about ourselves.

"It's hard to believe that you're back to me Ethan but what are we now? I know that you came back and we are friends maybe...but-

"We'll never be just friends Aria and you very well know that. I still holds that place in your heart which will never be replaced by anyone. I Love you and behind these hazel I know you do too," His deep hard voice gave me chills and the air suddenly felt tense by our closeness.

He never once averted his gaze from mine. The rough skin of his thumb caresse my cheek as we stood there completely unaware of surrounding, chest rising with our heavy breathes.

"I'm ready to listen to your side Aria. I was a coward to run away that night from you, from everyone. But now I want you to tell me everything." I bit my lip as he traced his finger along my loose hair strands on my forehead.

There was a pang on my heart. He wanted to listen. Finally what I've kept inside me for over a year, something I wanted people to listen, he was ready for it..

But before I could open my mouth the door bell rang and our moment of us broke apart.

"I'll take that," Ethan said and left me there still processing his words.

These past nights while I was in my room staring at ceiling, only one thing that was on my mind was If this accident wouldn't have happened, would Ethan be here? This thought made me so guilty and I couldn't sleep all night.

"Oh You're already here Ethan good to see you buddy," I made my way to the door and saw Leo and Ethan in a bro hug, Gwen and Nate standing beside him with pizza boxes in his hand.

The scowl on Nate's face was clear as well as Ethan as they glared at each other.

"Come in guys," I said and close the door behind them.

"Didn't know Ethan was here," Gwen whispered in my ear more like a 'and you didn't tell me' as she hugged me, followed by Leo and Nate.

Others might not feel the tension but I could definitely see the glares Ethan and Nate were passing to each other. There was a lot for sure going in their heads and I had to break this staring competition to prevent any unwanted consequences.

When Nate got to know about this whole dad being in accident thing, he tried to call but my phone was dead under the couch in Leo's house. So somehow he asked around and came to the hospital a day later and the worry and the sweat beats on his forehead was a clear answer to how much he cared for me.

As a friend.

When he came to the hospital Luckily Ethan went back home for something after he got a call just before Nate's arrival. He said it's his dad and then he was gone.

"Dad is asleep so try to be quite please," When everyone nodded and sat on the sofa, I gestured Ethan to follow me to the kitchen and he did.

Breathe in....breathe out.

"You both can't go like this Ethan, you've to talk. I don't know I everyone can feel the tension between you too and I can't stay quite knowing that its me who caused it," I pleaded him in low voice and from the look on his face he very well got what I was referring to.

"What's there to talk to? You fucking told him last year that you are a friend to him and nothing more than that then why does it not look like that from his side," His voice was low but I could see the veins of his neck popping out in rage.

Shit.

"Relax Ethan, I swear there's nothing to worry. We both discussed and we are just friends. You have to trust me." I put my hands on his biceps before slide down in a calming manner.

He breathe out as Gwen barged in startling us both but before I'd step back Ethan held me by my waist.

"Sorry to disturb but I.. just came to get.. ice." She awkwardly opened the freezer and took out cubes and hurriedly left the kitchen but I didn't miss that 'You better tell me later.' look in her eyes.

"I do trust you now Aria," I looked back to him. His arm tightened around me as I looked in his ocean eyes which were pure out of rage tone now.

"Do you still love me?" His question caught me off guard.

Do I still love him?

I gulped hard and the faint noises from lounge started fading. The fact that he just confessed his side some minutes ago set me so at peace.

And to be honest I do. I loved him and would do till my last breathe.

"I never fell out of it Ethan. You're the only one my heart would beat for," I whispered as a smile grew on his rosey cheeks and he placed a longing kiss on my forehead.

My hands on his chest could feel the uneven rhythm of his heartbeat racing along mine with full speed.

"I Love you, I love you forever Ethan." I breathed out as our forehead rested against each other eyes shut closed.

Sometimes it's all about that moment you share under the spell of slow euphoric breathing. It was that one.

"I Love You too Aria." With that he held my face high fearlessly and pressed his soft lips like petals on mine.

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