Fragile // Sequel to Torn

71. |

// Ethan's point of view //

I'm finishing my second tub of ice cream for the week when Mum walks into the kitchen.

"It's only Wednesday, Ethan, you probably shouldn't be eating that much ice cream." She jokes, taking the spoon out of my hand and dropping it in the sink. I lay my head on the bench in between where my elbows are resting, placing my hands on the back of my head.

"It's just my comfort thing."

"I know, sweetie, it's okay. Have you talked to him at all?" Mum asks. I lift up my head and look at her, only to shake it. "Maybe you should."

When she leaves the kitchen I'm left with my thoughts again. What am I supposed to do? Go crawling back to him? No way. I check the time- 7:02pm. Is it too early to go to bed? Yes. I close my eyes and tilt my head back, waiting for the pain in my chest to subside. The doorbell rings and I fall back to reality, sliding off my stool and walking towards the door. When I open it, my heart drops. Jakob is standing there. With flowers. We sort of hold eye contact for a few seconds and I can't help but notice how sad and nervous he looks.

"H-hi..." Jakob stutters, looking me up and down because meeting my eye contact again. He looks so cute and innocent that it takes me a few more seconds to remember what he did.

"What do you want?"

His face drops when he realises my tone, knowing I don't want to be fucked with any more. His eyes flicker down to the flowers and mine follow, noticing his hands shaking.

"I know you're not going to accept it, but I came to say I'm sorry... And these are for you." Jakob announces, holding the flowers out to me. I don't take them.

"I really don't believe you." I try to stay confident but my voice cracks. I press my lips together and close my eyes, facing away from Jakob as I go to close the door. But a foot in the way stops it.

"Wait," he urges. I turn back, trying to blink away the tears in my eyes. "I need to prove it to you. Please let me prove it to you. I'm so fucking sorry and I need you to forgive me."

"Jakob, you've treated me badly on and off for a while. You know how sensitive I am about those things, and... And you said it on purpose to hurt me when you know I was just trying to help you. I'm done with this; I'm done with you."

It took everything I had to say that, and the second the door closes I collapse down against it, letting the tears fall this time.

// Jakob's point of view //

I can't believe it. I can't believe he said no; I can't believe I hurt him enough to say no; I can't believe I've actually lost him. It hurts, it hurts so much, and knowing it's all my fault is killing me more than I ever thought it could. The worst part is that it would have been so damn easy to just let him help, because it's obvious I needed it and although I didn't want it, the only one who could ever help me, was him. I sit down on the steps of his porch, placing the flowers on the cement next to me. How could I have fucked up this badly?

I think I sit on his porch for at least an hour before the door opens. I'm expecting it to be Ethan's mum, so I don't really move. But when the footsteps stop I turn around to see Ethan himself standing there, staring at the road.

"Why are you still sitting here?" He breathes, closing his eyes.

"I'm not leaving here until you give me a chance."

"Fine," Ethan says quickly, finally looking down and making eye contact with me. "I'll give you a chance. Fuck, I always give you a fucking chance."

"I'm not going to waste it, Ethan, I promise. I love you and I'm not going to lose you."

It hurts when he doesn't say it back, but he doesn't turn around and walk away, which I guess is a good sign.

// Ethan's point of view //

I go back inside the house to change and to tell Mum what's going on. At first she looked a tiny bit disappointed in me, like she thought I shouldn't be giving him all these chances. But then she just told me to do what I believe is right. How am I supposed to do that when I don't even trust myself to make that decision? I know what I want, but that isn't always what's best for me. Why is this so hard? Jakob makes everything so difficult, but he's the only one who makes it better.

The car ride there is mostly silent and incredibly awkward. I'm not sure how to act but I want him to make the first move. It's up to him to win me back, so I'm not going to just hand it to him. I lean forward and switch on the radio, singing softly along to the Ed Sheeran song that comes on.

"I miss hearing that." Jakob mutters, almost like he didn't want me to hear it.

"So, how's George?" I ask, knowing this could either be helpful or ruin everything further. This has always been a sensitive topic.

"I wouldn't say he's good," he nods, pausing as he works out what to say. "But the treatment is working and he is getting better."

"That's really good to hear." I reply, unable to stop staring at Jakob who's staring at the road in front of him. I only force myself to look away when he looks at me.

"Yeah, the doctors say he's going to make a full recovery. Which is... More than amazing." He laughs a bit at the end and I can't help but watch him smile. Fuck, I still love him. But that doesn't change what he said to me.

"I'm glad."

The conversation stops there and the rest of the drive is silent again, until we pull into the carpark of a place I've never been to before. It's dark and I don't realise it's a restaurant until I see the sign reading 'TreeTops House'. Treetops? I get out of the car and then I see it: the restaurant is lifted high off the ground, like a tree house. Jakob leads the way over to the steps and stars to climb them with me in tow. When we reach the top, Jakob walks over to the reception and I hang back, looking around. The restaurant seems to have one floor, the lighting fairly dim and everything looking fancy. I'm starting to feel underdressed in my black skinny jeans and maroon dress shirt, but Jakob is wearing the same in white and blue. I turn around and notice the view, half of the city lights covered by the trees. This is a nice place.

"Come on," Jakob's voice snaps me out of my thoughts, "This isn't our floor."

I'm confused because I didn't see any evidence of more floors from the carpark, or any stairs inside. A waiter appears and introduces himself before asking us to follow him. We walk across the whole restaurant before the stairs come into view. They're made of white marble and look incredibly expensive. We walk up them and come out on top of the restaurant, only one table visible.

"I'll let you settle down while I get your drinks. Ring the bell when you'd like to order."

The waiter disappears back down the stairs and leaves Jakob and I alone. I take the opportunity to walk over to the balcony and stare out in awe at the view. From up here no trees are blocking anything, the whole city visible.

"What do you think?" Jakob asks.

"It's beautiful." I breathe.

"Only the best for you."

"How did you find this place?" I ask.

"A friend." He replies.

"I love it." I smile, looking at him.

"I love you."

My face falls. Oh.

A/N: I decided to end it here because I haven't updated in so long. lmao sorry.