My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 37

The first scent that hit my nose was Ethan’s earthy cologne. But I couldn’t feel the warmth of his body. I opened my eyes and sat up to see that he wasn’t in my room. Instead, his jacket was comfortably draped over me.

He left.

I thought he would at least say goodbye in the morning and then leave. I felt tears brim my eyes as I hugged his jacket. Why was this happening to me? Why was I letting this happen to me?

I should have done something to stop mom, even if it meant crossing the limits. At least, then I could have left with the satisfaction of knowing that I tried.

I tried to remember the last glance I had taken at Ethan. He had kissed my forehead delicately and I looked up to smile at him and snuggled closer to him.

That was it. That was when I decided to shut my eyes and let sleep take over me. I shouldn’t have. I should have stayed up and talked to him all night and then somehow convinced him to stay for a while in the morning.

But I didn’t.

And now, I wasn’t going to see him for who knows how long.

Not just him. I’m going to be away from Erica, Abby, Michael and Jared. I’ve become close to them in such little time.

The huge lump in my throat was beginning to hurt more and more by the minute. Okay, no. Crying wasn’t going to solve anything. I just had to control myself

I took in a deep breath, which probably wasn’t a good idea since Ethan’s jacket was enveloped around me. I peeled it off me and walked over to my washroom to freshen up.

Packing up the last few tit-bits such as my tooth brush, I heard the doorbell ring and glanced outside my window to see Erica’s car parked in my driveway. I shut my eyes and decided to make my way down. I saw Erica and my mom talking while Abby was about to approach the stairs. She saw me and smiled, running up to hug me.

“Please don’t go,” she said on my neck.

 “Pease don’t make this harder for me,” I mumbled, looking at my mom.

Erica came up, too.

“Michael and Jared will be here soon,” Erica said as Abby let go of me.

“Yeah,” Abby agreed. “Michael wanted to get you a farewell present. Don’t worry; it’s not tacky earrings or a dress. I made it clear to him not to get any of that.”

“Thank you for that,” I said with a tight smile.

“Um,” Erica said. “I don’t know how to say this.”

“Is it…that?” Abby questioned with raised eyebrows.

Erica nodded. “Ethan-he-um, he can’t come today.”

“He doesn’t want to,” I corrected her. “I understand. He was here last night. He told me.”

“He slept over?” Abby asked, her voice dropping down a notch as she took a glance at my mom shuffling in the kitchen. I had no idea what she was doing since it was empty.

“Sort of,” I said.

“Sort of?” Erica whispered loudly.

“Not that way!” I exclaimed.

Abby opened her mouth to say something but the doorbell beat her to it.

“Michael’s here!” Abby said cheerfully and skipped down the stairs.

Abby opened the door and I heard Jared’s voice. Erica and I went down the stairs.

Mom pulled me aside. “Is this…?” she trailed off, nodding towards Jared.