Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden. Fits so perfectly with this chapter. Don't play it now. Play it when I'll ask you to (there's A/N between the paragraphs)
Happy reading.
Leah
"-and then she poured her glass of ice-cold water over his crotch and Nolan looked like he could pass out at any given moment." I laughed as I remembered Nolan's reaction when he saw what Avery did.
"I pity that boy." Ethan chuckled as he rested his back against the sidewall of his balcony. "Well, not really. He deserved it." He remarked whilst shaking his head.
It was midnight when we were sitting in our balconies, me telling him what happened earlier today at the diner. Avery wanted to get some of her assignments done after school. Plus we were starving and the library wasn't an option to study with food. So Nolan, Avery, and I, the three of us, we went to the diner near our school. As we were doing our assignments, the guy sitting across the diner walked up to our table and started talking to us. We were fine with it but boy you don't flirt with a girl whose boyfriend was sitting right beside her shooting daggers at you. Of course, Nolan was ready to throw his hands at the guy but before he got into action, Avery had already done the job by grabbing her glass of ice-cold water and splashing it across his crotch. Nolan and I could only stare at her with our mouths hanging wide open, Nolan wincing slightly as he briefly glanced at the wet area.
"So much for flirting. Poor guy."
"Yeah, she was pretty mad. You never know what a furious Avery would do." I chuckled and let out a suppressed yawn, rubbing my face with my palms.
"Go sleep, Leah, it's late." I nodded my head at him as we stood from our sitting positions on the floor. Just when I was about to close my window, his words stopped me and I raised an eyebrow at him questioningly. "I won't wake you up at six." He walked into his room through his balcony door and closed it but not before smirking an evil smirk at me and mouthing "good night."
Uh-oh. It can't be good.
But he did say that he won't wake me up at six, right?
And yes, he did stay true to his words. He didn't wake me up at six. That asshole woke me up at freaking three in the morning and was now lying on my bed, laughing his ass off, his phone clutched in his hand that was blaring some rap music which he very well knew I loathe.
"You better start explaining the reason behind this shenanigan of yours or else I'm kicking you in the balls," I growled out angrily, watching him wheeze for air as he continued laughing.
"How will we have kids then?" He said after his laughter mellowed down but that stupid smirk of his stayed in its place.
"Hah, no, thanks, I don't want your kids." I snorted and hit him in the ribs. The boy didn't even flinch.
"Huh? And here I was thinking that you want to have four kids with me." He mockingly pouted at me and if it weren't for me being furious at him for waking me up like that, I wouldn't have hesitated to wipe that adorable pout of his but no, now I'm fucking pissed.
"Ethan it's too early in the morning. Leave." I turned into the warmth of my bed, totally ignoring his presence and getting the much-needed sleep.
"Hey, sleepyhead, come on. We are going out." He tugged at my arm and pulled me upright.
"No, we are not." I fell back onto my mattress but he pulled me up again. "Let me sleep." I cried out as he pushed aside the duvet off my legs and carried me out of the bed, lowering me down onto the floor and I groaned out my frustration as my limbs touched the wooden flooring.
He started climbing out of my window and made his way down, me following him, of course, after throwing a huge tantrum on how I didn't want to go anywhere but just wanted to sleep in my warm and cozy bed.
"Why didn't we use the door?" I hissed as I inspected my scratched elbow.
"It's fun to see you hanging down your window ledge." He pulled his car out of the driveway and started driving onto the empty roads. Weirdly, his car smelt of cinnamon, or maybe it was just his cologne.
"Where are we going?" I asked, turning around in my seat to look at him and resting my back against the closed door. It's always mesmerising to watch him drive his car, swiveling the steering wheel and changing the lanes with utter smoothness.
"On a date."
I looked down at my ninja pajama bottoms and a black oversize t-shirt and then looked at his sweat pants and full-sleeved t-shirt. We were in our nightclothes, it was three in the morning, we were driving to God knows where. I was sure that I heard him right but I doubt he was in his right senses. Maybe he wasn't feeling well and so I touched his forehead to check for his temperature.
"What?" He asked as he briefly glanced at me before concentrating on the road.
"Just checking for your temperature. You seem to be alright." He gave me a confused sideways glance and I took that as a sign to explain further. "I think we should drive back home. If you aren't feeling well then I can drive the car. Oh, maybe it's the lack of sleep that's causing you to say something else, or maybe sleep deprivation is causing me to hear inappropriate things. But whatever it is, I think we should go back and- what the hell, Ethan?" I shrieked as he abruptly stepped onto the brakes and the car jerked forward and came to a halt, making me jump in my seat and hit my head on the roof.
"You are cute when you rant but please keep it down when I'm driving, yeah? I can't just look at your face and drive while you rant. And I know what I said. We are going on a date and no, you didn't hear it wrong."
"But it's three in the morning." I pointed out.
"So? Who said we can't go on a date at this hour?"
"And what about us being in the pajamas? What do you want to say?" I asked knowing very well that he will come up with some reasoning.
"Again, who said we can't go on a date in pajamas?" I opened my mouth to argue but he beat me to it, "Honestly, Leah, I'd rather have you comfortable on a date than getting dressed up. I know how much you hate that."
Somehow, his thoughtfulness warmed my heart and the warmth surged its way through my body as I leaned across the console and kissed his nose.
"I thought I'd be at least getting a peck on the lips." He laughed as I sat back in my seat, buckling myself up again as he resumed his driving.
"No. You woke me up at freaking three." I stuck my tongue out at him and continued watching him drive. Though it sounds creepy, and I probably look like one, I can stare at him like a tool while he smoothly drives his way onto the road.
"Leah, we're here."
"You go ahead. I'll come later."
"Come on, wake up." He shook me by my shoulder and I cracked one eye open only to see him grinning at me from the window of the passenger side. When did I pass out?
"Where are we?" Stretching my limbs, I asked him groggily.
When I looked out the window, all I could see was darkness. That's it.
"I knew I should have driven us back home. You are not feeling well, Ethan. Earlier you said that you are taking me on a date at bloody three in the morning that too in our pajamas. And now you have brought us," I pointed at our surroundings, which, again, was just darkness, "here, at such a place where you could barely," to confirm my doubts, I poked my head out of the window, and yes I was very right, "see your own shadow. Seriously, Ethan, tell me once and for all, how much do you hate me? I mean not as much to bring me here and kill me, right? Then why did-" His lips on mine cut me off my rant as they moved ever so slowly against mine.
"I don't know what's my favourite part. Hearing you rant or shutting you up like this." He grinned as he twirled a strand of my hair around his index finger and tucked it behind my ear.
"What place is this?"
"Why don't you come out and see." Unlocking the passenger side door, he opened it for me as I smiled at him teasingly.
"Chivalrous, are we?"
"Only for" he took a dramatic pause before continuing, "today. Now shut up and come with me." I rolled my eyes at him as he took my hand and started leading the way. "Careful with your footing." Just when he said that, I nearly tripped and if it weren't for his hand holding onto my wrist, my teeth would've ended up in my stomach due to the fall.
"Are you sure you have brought me on a date? You know, it wasn't...umm...necessary." I gulped down the lump in my throat as I looked around us. Outlines of the trees surrounding us. That's all I could figure out. Plus the Leah-tripping-over-roots made it clear that we were indeed in a forest.
Instead of replying with some sassy remark, he continued his walking, totally ignoring a petrified Leah.
"Are we there yet?" I huffed, my breath coming out in pants.
"Almost there."
"How long?"
"Long enough to satisfy you." He briefly turned around to mischievously grin at me before turning back and resuming his walk. "Ow! What the-" I stepped onto his foot. Very well intentionally.
"I don't want to know how long your certain body part is, Ethan. By that, I meant how long till we reach there. But of course, you being your pervert self, just had to say that. Asshole." I concentrated on my steps, obviously nowhere near done with my rant. "I want my sleep." My voice was whinny as I said that. "Instead of being in our beds and sleeping peacefully, here we are, at three-thirty in the morning, walking through the woods, going to God knows where because you claimed that we are on a date here, that too in our pajamas. Do you know how-"
"We are here." He announced cutting me off mid-rant just when I was about to trip again on a broken branch of a tree. I frowned and looked up at him to see him staring at me with a smile on his face, his eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation as a warm glow illuminated the right side of his face.
Wait.
Warm glow?
In the middle of the woods?
That too at three-thirty in the morning?
I'm sure the sun is snoring at this hour.
Confused, I looked away from staring at his face, towards where the light was coming from and the gasp that escaped my mouth was louder than a blue whale's call.
Excuse my exaggeration.
"This... When did you..." I trailed off not knowing exactly how to form a sensible sentence.
The cliff looked like an entirely different place. Everything was just the same, those ginormous trees, that milky ocean, the rocky path, but this time, instead of moonlight lighting up the place, it was lit up by mini lanterns that were placed around the blanket which was laid down near the edge, a picnic basket resting on top of it. It was kept simple yet it was enough to spread the warmth throughout my body.
"It's nothing fancy because I felt that you'd be more comfortable here rather than going to some fancy place or anything too flashy. But now looking at your reaction I am assuming that you didn't like-" He stopped mid-sentence as I wrapped my arms around him, the sudden gesture taking him by surprise and making him stagger back.
"This is perfect, Ethan." I gushed out when I let go of him and looked at his now relieved face. "I love it. Trust me, I am glad that you brought me here instead of taking me to one of those stuck up restaurants."
"No need to make such a face." he laughed at my scrunched-up face and reached out to smoothen the crease between my eyebrows. "Come on. There's something else for you in the basket."
"Did you bring food?"
"Why don't you see for yourself." He chuckled and made his way towards where the blanket and basket were placed. Sitting down crossed legged, he locked his gaze with mine and patted the space next to him.
"This is just getting better and better." My excitement began practically overflowing as the whiff of food filled my nostrils and I yanked open the lid of the basket. "You did not." I gasped when my eyes took in what was inside the basket.
Cinnamon rolls and burritos.
"Mom helped me out with these." He pointed his chin at the food and rubbed the back of his neck as he chuckled nervously.
"God, I adore that woman."
"Hey! It was me who came up with this. Mom just made sure that I didn't burn down the kitchen." He flicked my forehead and I rubbed the spot whilst continuously poking his side.
"That hurt, you tush." I glared at him, his grin making me intensify my glare.
"Tush?" Raising his eyebrow at me, he wiggled his fingers in front of my face and I gulped nervously.
"Ethan, I swear if you bring them any closer, I will-" Before I could finish my sentence, I erupted into laughter as his fingers mercilessly assaulted my sides.
Damn them tickles.
"St-stop" I gasped for air and he finally stopped tickling me. The tears in my eyes from all the laughing rolled down my cheeks and I wiped them away as I rested my head on his shoulder, my breaths coming out in heavy pants.
"Seriously, you are a tush." I smiled and looked up at him as he wrapped his arm around me.
"Want me to start again?" He glanced down at me with a smile of his own.
"Want me to kick you down the cliff?"
"I would like to see you try." He chuckled and my body resonated with his laughter.
"Are we going to eat yet?" I asked and smacked my lips.
"Go on." Pulling the basket towards us, I straight up went for the cinnamon rolls, the sight of those perfect swirls making me drool all over the blanket.
Just kidding.
My drool could have put the amount of water in the ocean to shame.
"Expected." He remarked and picked up a burrito for himself and within a few minutes, the basket was void of any food.
"Hey, Ethan?" I asked as he put the basket away.
"Yeah?"
"Let's dance."
He stared at me for a solid thirty seconds before bursting out laughing.
"Yeah sure." He snorted out.
"I'm serious." I rolled my eyes at him.
"Leah, you and I, we both know that none of us can dance."
"And that's the perfect reason right there to just do it. Come on." I got up and tried pulling him up by his arm. After a lot of glaring and shaking of the head, he finally gave in and I pumped my fist in the air.
"Come on, you imp, show me some moves." He laughed out whilst shaking his head. "I can't believe I'm doing this." I plucked out my phone from the pocket of my shorts, playing Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden, and placed it back into my pocket. He took a step towards me, placing his arms around my waist, he pulled me close to him as we swayed, pathetically, along with the song.
(A/N- play the song now.)
"We are terrible at this, right?" I looked up at him as the wind caused the locks of his curls to stick into his eyes. He hummed in response as I brushed the locks away from his forehead. "Aren't you enjoying this?" I questioned.
"Surprisingly, yes."
"Then that's what matters."
We moved to the tune of the song, smiling goofily and mistakenly stepping onto each other's feet. Seriously, how difficult is it to just move your body along with the tune. I guess it's too difficult for us.
"Hey, Leah?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
It was so abrupt that if it weren't for the ribs encaging my heart, I'm sure it would have leapt out of my chest and started wiggling its arteries and veins to the voice of Darren Hayes.
I never would have thought that I would be falling for someone who ruined my cinnamon roll and somehow managed to spill soda on me when we first met. The guy who wakes me up at six in the morning, every single day.
But here I was, on a date with him, swaying us together, as he was staring at me with so much adoration in his eyes. The one who never once left my side since the day he shifted here, in Castroville. Even when I was being a difficult person, he was constantly there for me without once complaining or expecting anything in return. And now hearing him say those words, I could barely contain my joy as I grinned up at him.
"I love you, Ethan Adams. So freaking much. But not more than my cinnamon rolls, just so you know." I laughed and he shook his head at me, a small smile playing on his lips. "Even though you somehow manage to get on my nerves, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way."
It's been over three months now since we started dating but there's this one thought that always keeps on nagging me. Don't get me wrong, these past couple of months were nothing short of pure bliss for me and our relationship has been blooming with every passing day but there's always that one thought which bothers the crap out of me.
College.
Ethan wanted to pursue business while I applied for law college and the universities that have accepted us are a four-hour drive away from each other. Plus renting an apartment together was not an option since it would be inconvenient to drive for so long daily.
"Hey, Ethan?"
"Hmm?" He hummed and twirled me around.
"Do you think we can make it work?" I finally voiced out my thoughts.
He pulled me closer, kissed my nose, and said, "I don't know, Leah. But what I know is that whatever that we have is too good to just let go due to some stupid four-hour drive. So one thing is for sure that I will give my best and try to make it work. And I hope that you too would do the same, yeah?"
That was all it took for me to stood up on my tip-toes and meet his lips with mine as the song faded into the background and we came to standstill. He slowly moved his lips against mine as if he had all the time in the world and come on, who am I to complain? He lightly nibbled onto my bottom lip before pulling away and resting his forehead against mine.
"We will make this work." I smiled up at him.
"Besides who else is going to wake you up at six in the morning, huh? That's right. Just me." He smirked at me and I playfully glared at him.
"You won't be there with your speakers." I chuckled, yet the thought saddened me.
"We have phones." He replied in a duh tone. And that was so relieving to hear.
Yeah, I complain about him waking me up with his music, so early in the morning, but now that I was so used to it, I couldn't think of starting my day without this shenanigan of his.
After all, that's how it all started. At 6 a.m.
******
Ik it's been a long time but my sorry ass couldn't just find the motivation to write this one up. But it's finally here.
Confession time: I cringed so bad when Leah and Ethan exchanged the L word. Damn. I had literally turned my face away when I typed those words.
So I was thinking of doing another book. And I want y'all to tell me whether you want a book on Jordan or on a completely fresh character. Let me know in the comments.
Alright, that was all for Leah and Ethan's story. Even though it was fun to write about them, I'm going to stop. I'm not sure whether I'll be writing anymore of their stuff but I'll post the update of new book here. And so being the nice person that I am, I'm nicely asking you all to keep this book in your library/reading lists. Jk. Totally upto you.
And that is it from me. I'm gonna go and tick this book as completed. Finally!!
Farewell and have fun with your lives (but not too much;)) Damn I sound old.
Until next book :)