Fragile // Sequel to Torn

81. |

Chris:

Ethan hasn't moved for a solid five minutes. He's sitting on the wet sand, not flinching when the waves roll in and cover his legs in water. Tyler is in my arms, thankfully not crying. I watch from further up the beach as Ethan starts to shake. At first I thought was just shivering, but then I realised he was sobbing. Hard. Something inside me stops me from walking over; he wants to be alone with Kade. Slowly, I silently walk closer to him, stopping when I'm just within earshot of his quiet words.

"Why couldn't you just have listened to me?" He asks, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the sand, holding his head between his arms. "I have nothing left of you."

Ethan cries some more, digging his hands into the wet sand. All of a sudden he throws a fistful into the incoming tide in an angry rage.

"I've forgotten you! I can't remember how you smell; I can't remember how it felt to kiss you! You left me here!" He suddenly yells. I pull the blanket over Tyler's head, shielding him from the wind.

"You have taken something from me; something I can never get back. It's not fair... why do you hate me?!" Ethan screams up at the sky. I'm not sure who he's talking to; maybe Kade, some god, who knows.

Then he stands up.

"Why couldn't you at least take me with you?" Ethan's words were quieter this time.

"You said you loved me."

He takes a step forward.

"Why didn't you love me!?" He yells, walking into the water quickly now.

"Why didn't you take me with you!?"

Ethan is up to his shoulders now, and that's when the panic sets in.

"Ethan!" I call urgently. I would run in and pull him out, but Tyler. Luckily he turns around. I can see his face, completely pained and tear stained.

"Ethan, I need you to come here." I say.

"I don't want to."

He turns around.

My heart is racing; he may be standing but I know what this beach can do. I look around, spotting an older lady watching a small child build a sandcastle further down the beach. I sprint, reaching the lady in record time.

"I-I'm sorry... I'm really worried about my friend, c-can you please hold him for just a minute? I say breathlessly, half because of the run and half because I'm crying. The lady looks worried but nods, taking Tyler from me. I sprint back, not stopping as I enter the water.

Surprisingly, when I grab Ethan's arm he doesn't pull away. I pull him back towards the sand. By now the older lady and the little girl have walked down towards us. The lady gives Ethan and I both a towel, asking us both about a hundred times whether we're okay.

"Yes, thank you so much, we're okay now." Ethan replies.

Eventually I take Tyler back into my arms and drag Ethan quickly into the car park. I'm not angry; I just want to get out of here before Ethan thinks it's okay to put himself in danger again.

I'm sitting in the drivers seat, my hands on the steering wheel but not moving. Ethan is sitting next to me, his head hanging low with shame. He's still crying.

"Are you going to tell me what just happened?" I decide to ask.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know."

"You said some pretty intense shit." I say.

"I meant it." Ethan replies bluntly. I sigh and start to back out onto the road.

"Can I ask a question?"

"Mhm"

"Would you rather be with Kade or Jakob?" I ask quietly.

Ethan stops, and doesn't say anything for a while. I know he's thinking. I stay patient with him, focusing on the main road.

"Kade." He almost whispers.

"Why?"

"Because he's perfect. Was."

"Do you think maybe you think that because you didn't spend enough time with him to know him as deeply as you know Jake? Did you have time to notice his flaws?" I reason.

"He had flaws, but I just didn't care."

"Maybe you would have learned to care."

"Kade was my soulmate, Chris- I still believe he is. But that doesn't mean I don't love Jakob with everything." Ethan tells me.

"I know, Eth."

"I'm sorry for crashing on you and Melika." He says guiltily.

"No, she understands. It's fine." I assume him.

The car stays silent for only 5 minutes before Tyler starts crying. I sigh and pull over to the side of the road, getting out and opening the back door. I unbuckle him from his baby seat and wrap him in his blanket in my arms.

"Shhh, sweetie. It's okay," I coo, bouncing him in my arms. "Chris is going to take care of you."

"But right now," I say, walking around and opening the passenger side door. "You need to let Ethan do my job so I can get you back home."

I pass Tyler to Ethan, making sure he's holding him safely.

""Uh, Chris, isn't this illegal? He needs a seatbelt." Ethan asks.

"Um, probably, I just need to get home." I sigh.

Luckily we pull into the driveway with no issues. I stop the car and grab my stuff from the back seat, ready to go inside when I realise Ethan hasn't moved. He's staring, frozen in shock at something in front of him. I follow his gaze, only to see Jakob standing on the front porch, looking mad as hell.

A/N: hi friendos!!! I just want to say thank you for still being here even though I'm not active like I used to be. I'm trying my hardest to finish this book for you guys even though I have no clue what I'm actually doing with it.

anyway, I love you, I hope you're well :)