Some days with Ethan feel too normal.
Too calm.
Like life is giving me a break.
And that's what scares me the most.
Because every time something feels this peaceful…
Something always ruins it.
Always.
"Close the shop early today," my aunt said.
I looked up. "Why?"
"Light problem. They said they'll fix the transformer. Might get dark fast."
"Oh."
She waved her hand. "Go and rest. You're always here like you own the place."
"I basically do," I joked.
She hissed. "Get out abeg."
I didn't argue twice.
Free closing time?
God bless NEPA for once.
I texted Ethan.
Me: You busy?
He replied almost immediately.
Ethan: For you? Never
Ethan: What happened
Why does he always reply fast like that?
Heartbeat: 120.
Calm down, stupid girl.
Me: Shop closed early
Me: I'm bored
Three dots.
Then:
Ethan: Come outside
I frowned.
Outside?
I stepped out of the shop.
Looked left.
Nothing.
Looked right.
Nothing.
Then I heard a horn.
Short. Annoying.
I turned.
And there he was.
Leaning on a bike.
Smirking.
Like some useless movie character.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying not to smile too hard.
"Kidnapping you."
"…what?"
"Get on."
"Ethan—"
"Get. On."
I don't even know why I listened.
Maybe I'm stupid.
Maybe I trust him too much.
Maybe both.
But I got on.
And wrapped my hands around his waist.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like it meant nothing.
Even though it meant everything.
The ride was quiet.
Wind in my face.
My cheek against his back.
His shirt smelled like detergent and something that was just… him.
My brain kept saying:
This is dangerous.
Don't get used to this.
Don't fall too deep.
But my heart?
My heart didn't care.
It just held him tighter.
He stopped near the small roadside suya spot.
The one with plastic chairs and smoke everywhere.
"Fancy date," I said.
"I know. Very rich behavior," he replied.
I laughed.
We bought suya and malt.
Sat on those shaky chairs like two broke university kids.
Honestly?
Best dates are always like this.
No pressure.
No pretending.
Just… us.
He wiped pepper off my lip with his thumb.
Casual.
Like it's normal.
Like touching me is normal.
My brain froze.
He didn't even realize what he did.
But me?
I stopped breathing for like five seconds.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," I coughed. "Pepper."
Liar.
"You've been quiet today," he said.
"I'm thinking."
"Dangerous."
"Shut up."
He smiled.
Then he just… stared at me.
Not talking.
Just looking.
And I hate when he does that.
Because his eyes get soft.
Like I'm something fragile.
Something important.
Something he doesn't want to lose.
"Why you looking at me like that?" I muttered.
"Like what?"
"Like… that."
He shrugged.
"Can't I look at my girl?"
My girl.
Simple words.
But they hit different.
My girl.
Not maybe.
Not almost.
Mine.
God.
Why is my heart doing backflips?
I looked away quickly before he sees my stupid smile.
We were still eating when his phone buzzed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
He ignored it.
I noticed.
"Pick it," I said.
"It's nothing."
"It's been buzzing for like one minute straight."
He sighed and checked.
His face changed.
Just slightly.
But I saw it.
I always see it.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing."
"Ethan."
He showed me the screen.
Unknown number.
10 missed calls.
Then a message.
He opened it.
We both read it at the same time.
"We need to talk. It's urgent. Please don't ignore me again."
My stomach dropped.
Again?
Again?
So this isn't the first time.
"Who is that?" I asked quietly.
He didn't answer immediately.
And that silence?
That silence was louder than anything.
"…I don't know," he said finally.
But he didn't sound convincing.
At all.
The phone buzzed again.
Same number calling.
Over.
And over.
And over.
Like whoever it was wouldn't stop until he picked.
I tried to act normal.
Tried to sip my malt.
But suddenly everything tasted bitter.
"Pick it," I said again.
This time softer.
He stared at the screen.
Then at me.
Like he was choosing.
God.
Don't make me compete with ghosts again.
Please.
Finally…
He answered.
"…hello?"
Silence.
Then his face drained.
All the color gone.
My chest tightened.
"What happened?" I whispered.
He didn't reply.
He just stood up slowly.
"Mira… we have to go."
My heart dropped.
"Go where?"
He swallowed.
"…the hospital."
And just like that,
peace ended.
Again.