The moment my phone buzzed on the table, I froze.
"Wanna join me? Come to my house š ā Ethan"
I blinked at the message, a small smile tugging at my lips. My morning had been gray and heavy, and even though I pretended to be fine at school, my heart still throbbed from the emptiness Aiden had left behind.
But thisā¦ this was different. A chance to laugh again, a chance to breathe.
I changed quickly into something casual yet comfortableĀ a soft sweater and jeans, sneakers on my feet. My hair fell loose over my shoulders, and for the first time in days, I felt a spark of anticipation rather than dread.
Downstairs, Aunt Mira and my uncle were chatting over tea.
"Hey, Elara," my aunt said, looking up as I entered. "Where are you off to?"
"I'mā¦ going to Ethan's," I said, trying to keep my voice light.
A flicker of concern crossed Aunt Mira's face. "His mother said Aiden will drive you."
I froze. My stomach clenched, a sudden flare of anger and dread. I could almost see Aiden sitting in the car already, cold and distant, judging me with those piercing eyes.
"Iā¦ I don't want to go with him," I said firmly.
My aunt's eyebrows knitted together. "You sure? I think it's better if he takes youā"
"No," I said sharply. "I'll take a cab."
They exchanged a look, then my uncle nodded. "All right. Justā¦ be careful, Elara."
I didn't respond, grabbed my bag, and headed out. The taxi waited just around the corner, and as soon as I was inside, I exhaled the tension I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
By the time I reached Ethan's house, the evening sun had dipped low, painting the sky in soft golds and purples. I knocked on the door, heart fluttering nervously.
Ethan opened it with a grin. "Elara! You made it!"
"Yeah," I said, feeling shy. "Thanks for inviting me."
"Come in," he said, stepping aside. "I made some snacks. You'll love them."
Inside, the air smelled like freshly baked bread and the faint scent of citrus from a candle on the table. We settled on the couch with plates of cookies and hot chocolate, and for a while, the world outside didn't exist.
We laughed at small things, shared stories from school, teased each other gently. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to just exist without pain pressing on my chest.
Ethan had this way of making everything feel easy. His voice was calm, funny, and somehow warm enough to draw me in. For the first time in weeks, I laughed freely, without hesitation.
Hours passed like minutes. I was so caught up in the comfort of the moment that I didn't notice how many cups of cocoa I'd had. Or how the alcohol in the little spiked chocolate cookies was slowly weaving its way into my system.
By the time I realized, I was unsteady on my feet, cheeks flushed, and everything a little too warm and bright.
Ethan noticed immediately. "Whoa, slow down," he said, steadying me gently.
"I'm fine," I giggled, swaying slightly. "Justā¦ dizzy."
He laughed, and the sound rang in my ears like a bell. "You're adorable when you're drunk."
I blushed, hiding my face in my hands, but even then, I felt safeĀ happy. For the first time, I realized that smiling again didn't have to hurt.
The night stretched on, and eventually, I said goodbye, stepping into the cool, dark street. My legs felt wobbly, my balance unsteady. I didn't even notice the shadows pressing close around me, the distant hum of cars.
I was walking alone, too lightheaded to realize how dangerous the night could be, when headlights suddenly flashed in front of me. A car screeched to a stop just inches away.
I blinked up.
Aiden.
He got out instantly, his face a mixture of concern and frustration. "Elara, what are you doing out here? Are you okay?"
I felt a surge of anger, hot and bitter. "Don't touch me!" I shouted, stepping back. "You've been giving me pain, hurting me, and you think that will ever make you happy? No! It won't! It'll never make you happy!"
He reached for me again, gently this time, but I slapped his hand away. "Stay away from me!"
I tried to run, but the alcohol and dizziness caught up with me. My foot slipped on the damp pavement, and I fell hard. Pain shot through my knees, but it didn't matter.
Aiden bent down, reaching to help me up. "Elara, you'll hurt yourself!"
"No!" I yelled, pushing him away. "I don't need you! I don't need anything from you!"
I started lecturing him, my words sharp and full of venom. "You think leaving me, ignoring me, punishing me with silence makes you strong? You're weak! You're cruel! And I hate how much I cared about you!"
I cursed, voice trembling. "I curse you for every time you smiled at me and then walked away!"
The headlights of another car flashed suddenly, and I froze. A car was barreling down the street, too close for me to react.
Instinctively, Aiden lunged, grabbing me and pulling me out of the way.
I pushed him back, gasping. "Go! Go hang out with Isla! Don't worry about me!"
He opened his mouth, but I shoved him again, forcing him to stand aside.
Just then, another car slowed beside us. Headlights cut through the night.
"Elara! I told you to wait for me!"
It was Ethan. Relief flooded through me. I opened my mouth to explain, but he was already leaning out of the window.
"Get in!" he shouted. "You're not walking home like this!"
I hesitated, looking at Aiden, whose jaw was tight and eyes unreadable. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't.
I grabbed Ethan's hand instead and let him pull me into the car. The warmth of the interior, the familiar hum of the engine, felt safe, grounding me.
As we drove through the quiet streets, Ethan's hand gently brushed mine. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.
I nodded, resting my head against the window, letting the city lights blur past. "Iā¦ I will be," I whispered.
Aiden's car disappeared behind us, fading into the darkness, leaving me with a strange mix of relief and lingering anger.
Ethan stayed quiet after that, letting me breathe. And for the first time that night, I realized I was smiling again.
Not at him.Not at Aiden.But at me.
By the time I reached home, the streets were empty and quiet. Aunt Mira's light spilled from the window as I climbed the steps to the house. My hand was still throbbing from the earlier fall, but the sting of fear and anger had dulled, replaced with a warm, shaky strength.
Ethan had driven me home safely, but I knew something had shifted ā something irreversible. I could feel it in the way my chest no longer ached for Aiden, in the way laughter now lingered on my lips.
That night, I washed my hands carefully, inspecting the small bruises and scratches. I traced the faded red line across my palm and smiled softly to myself.
"I am stronger than the pain he gives me," I whispered.
I placed my hand against the window, watching the quiet street. Somewhere out there, Aiden still existed ā somewhere in the darkness, his regrets might finally catch up with him.
But I wasn't waiting anymore.
Not tonight. Not ever.
And as I lay down that night, my phone buzzed again. This time, I didn't need to read the message to know it would bring warmth, laughter, and comfort.
Because someone else, someone kind and steady, had shown me that I could smile againĀ that I could exist without the weight of heartbreak crushing me.
And for the first time in a long time, I believed it