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Val
SnuuuuURRRFFFFFF!
I jerk to wakefulness, completely disoriented. The back of my neck aches and my mouth is dry. Where am I??
It takes one long second to realize that I’m in the car. Another second to realize that it’s not just any car, but Ethan’s granddad’s precious blue pickup.
Oh, say it ain’t so…
I snored myself awake. Yeah, I was that loud. Fantastic.
But the magical bug must be watching over me because it looks like Ethan’s not here. In fact, the truck’s stopped and he’s nowhere to be seen.
Ivy will be thrilled to hear that, while Ethan isn’t a serial killer, he is a kidnapper. Not that I’m a kid anymore.
He’s a friendnapper. Or I’m the friend-napper.
UGH. His corny jokes are rubbing off on me.
We’re parked in a lot facing a row of tall elm trees with yellow and orange leaves. In a couple weeks’ time, the ground will be covered with them as the world turns a cozy golden hue. I love when the fall breeze blows out all the muggy summer air. I’d appreciate it a lot more right now if it weren’t for the alarming friend-napping situation.
There are a few cars parked next to ours, and as I look around, I recognize where we are.
Yes, I see why Ethan stopped here.
I hop out of the truck and follow the stone pathway between the trees. The air is still today, or maybe it’s the feel of this place. There’s no wind, no movement in the leaves except the occasional bird flitting from branch to branch. The smells of late summer fill my nostrils as I make my way through the park.
He’s exactly where I knew he’d be—standing at the edge of the grass closest to the pond. In front of his grandma’s gravestone.
I walk up next to him without a word. He doesn’t turn to me, just says, “I didn’t want to wake you.”
“I figured,” I say, ignoring the slight heat in my cheeks at the thought of my embarrassing snoring. It doesn’t matter right now.
He’s silent for a moment. “This isn’t part of the trip, in case you were wondering. I thought it’d be nice to stop by. Hope that’s alright.”
“Of course, Ethan.” I shoot him a look. “I’m glad you stopped.”
Another silence settles between us as we stand at the gravestone. I take a moment to remember Ethan’s grandma, and send a little prayer to the heavens for her. I don’t go to church as much as I used to, but my faith is still important to me. Despite my magical bug comments.
“You can go if you want,” Ethan says suddenly. “Like, if you’d rather wait in the car, I get it.”
I peer up at him. His expression is perfectly composed, but his jaw is slightly clenched. His brown eyes—the exact color of melted dark chocolate—are clear. From here, I can see the faint sprinkles of silver in them. “Do you want me to give you some time alone?” I ask.
He waits a beat. “I’d be happy if you stayed.”
I nod and some inexplicable thread between us pulls the slightest bit. “I would, too.”
His brow unfurrows, and I could swear something like relief flashes in his eyes. Part of me wants to keep watching him, wants to keep my gaze on the planes of his ever-changing face, but I look away.
We stand for a while in a peaceful, comfortable silence, and I’m happy just to be here with him. It’s not like we even have to talk. Ethan and I can just… be.
Eventually, he takes a breath. “You ready?”
“Whenever you are.”
He holds out a hand, gesturing for me to go first. I pass by him, but as I walk, he takes my wrist. His big hand practically encapsulates mine as he gently holds on. I look back at him, see a sadness as he glances at the gravestone once more.
“Val, I…” he starts, and his voice cracks.
