Not From this Reality Book 1

Chapter 23

Ethan and I used to be good friends. Before he broke my heart I mean. I hate how easy I can fall back into that rhythm we had. Because he broke my heart, I look at him differently now. But sometimes I accidentally slip up and let my guard down. Today, unfortunately, has been one of those days. Maybe because today isn't a good day, or maybe it's just that I need someone right now, I've let him be someone I take comfort in. I shouldn't. 

Ethan has been trying to coax me out of my room all day. While he has been unsuccessful for the most part, he has gotten me to go swimming. Which is what we are doing right now. I have been sticking close to the edge, not really wanting to swim. I only agreed because he wouldn't stop bothering me. Yet I, unfortunately, don't mind his company right now. 

"What's on your mind?" Ethan asks as he swims up to me. I shrug. What would I answer anyway? There are so many things on my mind but the main thing I have on my mind is something I don't want to share. 

I shake my head. I'm not going to let my voice answer. I can't or else it's going to give away things I don't want to share. Ethan has always been good at reading between the lines when it comes to me, which I hate. To him I'm basically an open book and I don't know why. I have tried to keep myself closed off to him but it never seems to work. 

"You have to give me a better answer than that." 

"I don't have to give you anything." I snap. 

"Alright, sorry." He says while putting his hands up in defense. I let out a shaky breath, while trying to hold back tears. I don't want to start crying but at some point I know I'm going to break. I just don't want to break in front of him. 

"Come here." Ethan says softly. I look up at him but don't move. He moves instead. He wraps his arms around me, hugging me. I freeze. He has hugged me before, but rarely like this. Usually our hugs consist of side hugs and small whispers, telling each other not to do anything stupid. The only time he hugged me like this, he promised me something, that I'm still not sure he plans to keep. Part of me hopes he doesn't but I also wish he would. Stupid contradicting thoughts. 

I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes, finally relaxing against him. As a result he hugs me tighter, trying to be comforting I suppose. 

"I know what today is. You don't have to hide it from me. But if you don't want to talk about it I won't force you." Ethan whispers. 

"Thank you." I close my eyes tighter, trying to keep myself from crying. I can't cry in front of him. Though my voice shows that I want to. 

"He's alive right now. Technically. Unless I changed something because of the script." I whisper. My voice, cracking on almost every word. He pulls away from me, still holding onto my arms though, and studies my face. Mainly my eyes. 

"Don't please." I whisper. 

"I'm not." 

"I already know you are. Stop it." He smirks before shrugging and moving away from me. 

"All I have to do is just look into your eyes. You know that right." 

"I know." I mumble. "You've told me." Millions of times actually. Well more like a few. He has used that trick on me several times before so I can open up to him but it doesn't usually work. This trick isn't just from this world, he has it in our real reality as well. Basically, I don't how, he can see what people are secretly feeling. I've seen him do the trick at church before and he has been scarily accurate. Thanks to him and that trick I learned that I'm not as closed off as I hoped. 

I shake my head, before pulling myself up onto the edge of the pool and sitting there. 

"What do you want to do today?" Ethan asks as he sits next to me with more ease than I had.