chapter 5

                                    

                                          
After a few minutes, Ethan glances over at me. "So, you've been avoiding me. Is there a reason for that, or is it just my charming personality?" I'm caught off guard by his question, and I glance at him, noticing the faint smirk on his face. "I don't know. Maybe it's your charm," I reply, trying to keep it light but feeling a bit uncomfortable with the sudden shift in conversation. 
He chuckles, but there's a seriousness in his eyes that catches me off guard. "I was just trying to figure out if I did something to annoy you, or if you're just naturally inclined to hate everyone who isn't Emily."
I look down, feeling a pang of guilt. "You know why we stopped talking. We just grew apart. It wasn't you—it's just that everything's been hard lately, and I've been shutting people out because it's easier than facing things head-on. Emily's the only one who didn't give up on me."
Ethan is silent for a moment, letting my words sink in.
After a moment, Ethan breaks the silence, his voice softer than before. "I didn't mean to give up on you, Lena." The way he says my name sends shivers down my spine. "It's been two years. I thought that once things started to get better, you'd come back, but you've kept your distance."
His words hang in the air, the weight of them settling between us. I feel a lump in my throat, the realization of how much time has passed and how far we've drifted hitting me all at once, and I let his words hang in the air. 
As the warmth of the car settles around me, my eyes begin to close, and I drift into a half-sleep. My mind starts to wander back to a time before everything changed, to when things felt simpler.
flashback: 
The bonfire party at Ethan's house was in full swing, with the fire crackling warmly and the string lights casting a cozy glow across the backyard. The evening was perfect for gathering around the fire, and the group had settled in with blankets and cushions spread out comfortably on the grass.
Emily and I had made our way to a large cushion near the fire, and I was starting to feel the evening chill despite my sweater. Ethan, ever observant, noticed my shivering and came over with a large, fluffy blanket. He sat down beside me and draped the blanket over us both, ensuring it was wrapped around us snugly.
"There you go," Ethan said with a satisfied smile. "Now we're both warm and cozy."
I looked up at him, feeling the warmth of the blanket and his thoughtful gesture. "Thanks, Ethan. This is perfect."
As we settled in, Ethan glanced over at me with a playful grin. "Sophomore year, huh?"
I chuckled, the warmth of the blanket making me feel comfortable and at ease. "Yeah, I hope it's going to be great like freshman year."
Ethan nudged me gently under the blanket. "Of course it will be. It's going to be even better."
I met his gaze, smiling with confidence. "Absolutely. It's going to be even better. We've got this."
The night continued with laughter and conversation, and the warmth of the fire, combined with the comfort of the blanket, made everything feel just right. Ethan's presence and the cozy setting were a perfect start to what promised to be a fantastic school year.
flashback done: 
The memory fades as I snap back to the present, feeling the warmth of the car and Ethan's presence beside me. His earlier words linger in my mind, and I glance at him, feeling the weight of our past.
"It's strange," I say softly, "thinking about times like that. We used to be so close, and now... it's like there's this huge distance between us."
Ethan's gaze softens, and he looks at me with a mix of regret and understanding. "I didn't mean to give up on you, Lena. It's been two years. I thought things would get better, and you'd come back. But I saw you keeping your distance, and I didn't know how to reach out."