I go downstairs after a while and watch some TV. I check the time and realize it's past the usual time for dinner. I get up and head to the kitchen, cooking dinner. I call for my mother and Aiden, letting them know dinner is ready. Once I eat, I go upstairs and get ready for bed. My phone vibrates and I check it, seeing a text from Ethan. 

Ethan: I love you, Emma. Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite. 

I text back, saying I love you too, goofball then delete "goofball" and say "Ethan" instead and say night, sending the text. I put my phone on my nightstand and get into bed, falling asleep instantly. 

*** 

I wake up the next day, hearing the alarm on my phone. I swipe the alarm off and stare at the ceiling for a couple seconds before getting up and stretching. I begin to remember yesterday and smile. I text Ethan, saying good morning. He texts back, saying mornin' sunshine. I text back as I get ready for school. I tell him I'll see him at school and get in the shower. After I get Aiden ready and grab some toast for myself, leaving breakfast up to my mom once again, I get on the bus. I put on my favorite song to pass the time until we get there. I put my phone away and get off the bus to see Ethan waiting for me at the doors. I go to him and he opens the door for me. 

"Ladies first," he says. 

"What a gentlemen," I say, smiling. "Thank you." 

I go in then he comes in behind me and he ends up taking my hand which I hold onto, smiling.

"You have a cute smile," he says.

"T-thank you. You do too. A very cute, handsome smile."

He kisses my cheek and I blush. I then notice everyone's staring and realize what this is: the popular soccer winner with the loser. We stop holding hands to go to our lockers and separate classes. After a few classes, it's time for lunch. I look for him through all the people, but don't see him then suddenly I'm shoved and I'm on the ground with my food everywhere, including me. I look to see who pushed me and see Lexi, but more people with her.

"L-lexi? What are doing?" I stutter quietly.

"Oh, whoops, I'm so sorry! Here, let me help you up." She puts her hand out and I take it hesitantly, she gets me up and we're face to face. "You're the loser with a popular, do you really believe he loves you?"

"Hey!" I see Ethan. "Let go of her. Now."

She lets go of me, letting me stumble onto the ground into more food. Ethan comes to my aid.

"Are you okay?" he asks. I only nod. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up." He helps me up and glares at Lexi. He takes me to the girls bathroom. "You go get cleaned up, I'll wait out here."

"Thank you, baby," I say and go in. I look at myself in the mirror, a total mess. A mess outside and inside. I begin to tear up, but think of Ethan and feel instantly okay. I wash up and come back out, seeing Ethan kept his word, he was still waiting for me. He takes my hand.

"Emma, would you do me the honor of going on a date with me?" 

"A-absolutely. Yes!"

"How's Thursday sound?"

"Great." I smile.

After more classes, it's the end of the day. Before I go on the bus, Ethan kisses me and reminds me the date is on Thursday as if I'd forget. Once I'm home, I go to my room and text Ethan. I send him a picture of me and Aiden which he says aw. Time passes and it's getting late so I make dinner, eat, and go upstairs, say night to Ethan, and go to bed.

***

I wake up the next day and get ready as usual, texting Ethan, then tell him I'll see him at school, and go to Aiden's room to get him ready. I'm about to wake him when I notice he's not breathing.

"Mom, call 911!"

We're at the hospital, waiting to see if he'll be okay. I text Ethan which he tries to calm me down, telling me things will be okay until he has to go because of school, but he promises to text me back as much as he can without being caught.

The doctor walks out and I wait for the news. "I'm sorry, but he didn't make it. We did everything we could."

I feel like everything freezes. This can't be true. It can't be! He was so young... I feel tears rolling down my face and let out a sob, falling to the floor. Mom tried to comfort me, but it didn't work. My brother's dead, how am I ever going to be okay?

Mom got me into the car so we could go home and she tells me I don't have to go to school if I don't to. I decide to go anyways and she drives me to school. I put on my backpack and get out, going into school. It's already lunch time so I go to lunch, skipping putting my backpack away into my locker. I see Ethan and run to him, hugging tightly, tears running down my face.

"He-he didn't make it," I sob. 

He rubs my back, trying to sooth me, and it works, but only a little. I cry into his chest until the tears stop coming. I calmed down. I feel empty, but I also feel better in his arms. I notice we're not in lunch, he carried me somewhere else.

"Thank you, Ethan."

"Of course," he says. "We don't have to go on that date this Thursday if you don't want to."

"No, I still want to. Being with you takes the pain away."

He smiles then kisses my forehead. 

"His funeral is this Saturday. Are you free then?"

"I'll make time for it even if I'm not."

I smile and hug him. "You're the best boyfriend a girl could ask for."

"And you're the best girlfriend a boy could ask for. But you're only mine, no other boy." I giggle. "That giggle, that smile, all of it is mine."

The bell rings and it's time for class. "I'll miss you," I tell him.

"I'll miss you too."

I can't keep my mind off Aiden, but I try to think of Ethan. Once class is over, I'm at my locker.

"Hi, I heard about your brother," someone says. I turn to see it's a girl named Lily, a girl in some of my classes. "I'm so sorry."

"T-thank you," I say and smile sadly. 

She smiles back. "Hang in there." She heads off.

I get all my things for home, kiss Ethan, get on the bus, and play a different song this time called Make You Feel My Love by Glee.