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The sudden silence was deafening.
I had no clue what to say or even how to say it. Where to begin, how to end. Although, the relief was there for not being pregnant. A whole other emotion showed up and that was terror of us not being able to get back to where we were prior to having sex.
I didn’t want to lose him.
I couldn’t.
I wouldn’t survive it.
As if reading my mind, he asked, “Do you want me to help you pack?”
“Yeah, if you want to.”
He faintly smiled, parking his truck in my driveway.
We spent the next few hours packing up my room until my mom walked in.
“Aw,” she professed with her hand over her heart. “This might be the last time you’re in this room together for a while.”
Ethan greeted, “Hello, Mrs. Collins.”
“Aren’t you sweet to help Elizabeth pack. She’s going to miss you so much.”
“Mom…”
“I know, I know. You don’t want me to fuss, but as your mother, I’m allowed to feel emotional right now. My baby girl is moving away for college. I’m so beyond proud of you, but that doesn’t mean I’m not sad you’re leaving.”
“You can blame your husband for that,” I stated, not holding back.
She gave me a sympathetic smile, sitting on the edge of my bed while I sat on the floor packing my bookshelves with Ethan beside me.
“Sweetheart, I know it feels that way, but we just want what’s best for you.”
“By taking me away from everything I know?”
“This is the perfect time for you to explore your independence. You two have been inseparable for as long as I can remember. I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. It feels like you two were running around the house playing hide-and-go-seek just yesterday.” She paused, allowing her words to sink in.
“I know you’re upset with your father, but trust me when I say he’s going to miss you like crazy. We both are. Except we know this is what you two need. You two will always be best friends. Distance isn’t going to change that. Plus, you’ll be visiting often, and I’m sure Ethan will be visiting you too. It’s a great opportunity for you two to appreciate how important you are to each other.”
Is she right?
“Ethan, you know I adore you, and you’ve always been there for my baby girl. I couldn’t have asked for a better best friend for my daughter. I count my blessings every day that she has you in her life. You’ve been nothing but a positive influence, and the way you’ve loved her wholeheartedly isn’t something I’ve ever overlooked. You’re lucky to have one another.” She smirked. “I promise. This will only strengthen your friendship, and one day, who knows, maybe it’ll turn into something else, but you’ll never find out until you both find yourselves. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
As much as I hated to admit it, she was right. After she left to answer the call from my dad—his ears must have been ringing—Ethan turned to face me.
“She’s right.”
I lightly gasped.
“I think this last week or two has proved how right she is.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do, and you know it too. You’re just too stubborn to admit it, so I’ll do it for us both.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying we’ll forever be best friends, and nothing will change that, but if this pregnancy scare proved anything, it’s how much we’re not ready to be anything other than that.”
