Ethan

Guests started to arrive at our house. Friends and family joined the gathering that mum and dad held for gramps after he fully recovered from surgery. It was just a small party as mum would call it.

It has been a long time since I've attended one of those. After the accident I didn't want to leave the house or talk to anyone. The times I've shut my parents out when they suggested that I should join them were numerous.

The countable events that I've agreed to go to were only because I've had been disappointing them a lot. It was kind of a way to ease my guilty conscious for the things I've had said or done and even then- they were never easy. Those events were a constant reminder to what happened. The questions always bothered me.

How are you adapting?

Does it still hurt?

Did you get another doctor's opinion?

Is it permanent?

You can't see anything, light, shadows, nothing?

The lists never ended. And I had to answer every single question without losing my patience -that was a challenge I never won-.

To answer the same question from two different people was always agitating, and it was only a matter of time before I've lost that faked front I've had on display. It was either dad leaving in the middle of the event to drive me home or Hank driving over to pick me. The whole thing was getting on my nerves.

Form then onwards, it was only a matter of time until I pulled myself away from my parent's social lives and stopped going all together, and they've stopped asking too. It was the best decision for everyone.

Plus, crowded places and I didn't get along very well. At least at school people learned to step out of my way. Bumping into guests was unpreventable and the constant chatter around me always had my nerves on their shortest of fuse. Not knowing my surrounding and being in an unfamiliar place never helped.

This time, well... this time I was there, I was familiar with my house. I knew where everything was. The only challenges were to not walk into people and not to lose my temper. The other up side was that I've invited Skye. Abby and Timothy too of course, but with finals on the way Timothy was cramming for exams and he took Abby down with him. Skye wasn't here yet and I could hardly wait. Of course I had all the usual questions to entertain me until she got here.

"Hey..."

Finally!

Her sweet voice was like music to my ears and all of me came back to life. "Hey you."

"Sorry that I'm late, I took a wrong turn at some point. "Her voice smiled as she got closer.

"I'm just happy that you're here." I grinned.

"Your house is beautiful." She spoke slowly like she was looking around, "And you clean up well." Her small body pressed against mine and her voice held a pleased edge, "Black suites you."

"Glad you like." I was getting giddy.

My hands rested on her waist touching the soft material of her dress. She said she'll be wearing a grey crepe dress, a little bit opened in the back, no sleeves, knee-length and with a strap belt. My none-existing artistic side did its best to put the dress together in my mind, but I believe it was a failure.

Anyway, my girlfriend was looking gorgeous without a doubt.

"Quick! Where are you parents?" She asked suddenly pulling me out of my fantasy.

"Err.. Mom said she was going to check on snacks a while ago and dad is somewhere around here with the guests. Why?" I recalled from memory of the last time I've talked to them. She was moving a lot in my arms, "What are you doing?" I laughed half confused.

"Checking! The coast is clear!" Skye said quickly, then her voice lowered to softness, "Kiss..."

She didn't have to tell me twice and I lowered my head and met her lips hungrily. I've only held back from kissing her when she walked in because still shy of kissing me in front of my parents.

Hell! I had to make a scene so that she'd kiss me in front of Hank! I literally refused to let her go until she did, and then refused to let her go when she did because it was just a peck and it didn't count. Her face was never warmer to the touch.

And now, dear god!

 A few 'Ah's and 'Aww's whispered around us.

It might've been a short kiss, but it had me teetering between happiness and madness. "I thought you'll never ask with all those people around us."

Skye's words smiled at me, "And miss on this, no way!"

"So, in front of strangers its fine, but not my parents. Hmm. We'll work on that." I raised an eyebrow.

She nudged me a little, "I'll kill you if you ever thought..."

I laughed.

I was sure I looked some-what wolfish with that stupid wide grin on my face. With her hand resting on the inside crook of my elbow we made our way to greet and mingle.

Skye wanted to say 'hi' to my parents and Gramps. Mom hugged Skye. I knew she did when I heard the 'Mmm...' sound that mom made every time she hugged someone who was dear to her. She does that when Skye was around and I never thought I could love my mother more. Gramps on the other hand was trying to steal my girl.

"You and I should have a long chat," Gramps said talking to Skye, "I have a lot of stories to tell you about this kid."

Before I could state an objection, Skye jumped, "Embarrassing ones?"

She shocked me, "Seriously?"

"Of course! Those are the best ones." Gramps started to laugh.

This old man will never change.

"I can't wait." Skye closed the deal.

"Hey!" I finally got to object.

The sound of her laugh settled right in the heart.

As we mingled- questions, comments and complements started to rain. This time the guests were generous enough to include Skye too.

Do you go to the same school?

Where are you planning to go for college?

Where are originally from?

Are you two a couple?

How long have you been together?

You make such a cute couple.

That dress looks beautiful.

And don't get me started on the 'When I was in your age' stories. Argh!

I was losing my patience with every question. Skye gently stroked my arm calmingly when I started to get restless. She was polite and nice to everyone, saying all the 'Thank you' and 'Nice to meet you'.

I leaned closer and whispered, "I'm sorry. Really sorry."

She squeezed my arm and whispered, "Hang in there champ, we're almost invisible."

She was right. After a while, guests started to leave us alone. The music played in the background, mixed with the soft chatter and laughter. Skye would spare a small greeting every now and then as we walked around.

I could hear the hushed compliments as we walked by and I envied them. I envied everyone single one of them who saw her. And I wondered.

I wondered, if her eyes twinkled when she laughed?

The way her lips would curve when she smiled.

That shyness in her voice does it reaches her cheeks?

The way she would look at me when we talk.

And I was jealous that they could see all that while I couldn't.

"Skye, sweetie. I want to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen." Mum called and her voice grew closer, the taps of her heels were agile on the floor. "Ethan, if you don't mind I'm going to borrow Skye for a moment."

Skye squeezed my arm before letting go, "I'll be back."

Mum began talking to her with such enthusiasm. "Both are academic people and they know all the good universities and colleges." Her voice was getting farther, "I thought it would be an opportunity to get their insight on what's best and what's not. After that we could check the snack bar..."

I missed the rest as they moved out of earshot.

"Hey buddy." Hank said from my right, extra happy and extra cheerful.

"How was lunch with Sophie?" I asked.

"Good... awesome! She's... she's... wow!" He breathed. His voice was grinning foolishly.

"Someone finally got you speechless." I teased and he laughed. "I'm really happy for you, man." I added sincerely. If anyone deserved happiness it would be Hank.

"And I'm happy for you too." He was genuine.

We both sighed in content at the same time, then fell in a gruff of laughs that interrupted a few conversations close by.

"Hey, would you take this plate off my hands. I don't know why I grabbed one in the first place. I'm not even hungry".

He placed a cold plate in my hand.

"I don't want to see food until next week." Then he snickered "Or at least until tomorrow evening."

I grinned, "Give the girl some room to breathe."

Hank patted my shoulder "Well, you see ma boy, she was the one who suggested it. Bu-t, I'm planning for the one after tomorrow." Hank sighed, "Plus we both believe we've wasted enough time not knowing each other. We have a lot of catching up to do."

His voice changed a little, "I never felt anything more right in my life, Ethan. I never felt this complete. She's my one."

I understood what he was talking about. I knew the feeling. I was living that feeling and life couldn't have been better.

"I'm really glad that you've found your one." I told him sincerely.

"Thank you!"

The silence that followed was heavy with my own thoughts.

"What is bothering you?" Hank asked.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak Gramps called him so I retreated not wanting to keep him, "Go ahead. It can wait." Then I raised my voice to reach Gramps, "Don't let him anywhere near your girl".

Gramps broke in laughs that had me smiling.

Hank squeezed my shoulder. Then he answered my silent question before stepping away, "You should take your girl out on a date."

Exactly what was running through my mind the whole time for the past week!

A date with Skye. Nothing would be more perfect. But where?

A movie? Yeah, right! Having a blind guy at the movies should be something to look forward to.

Picnic? Too cold.

Beach? Wet and cold.

My house? Too parents-y.

Dinner? Hmm... That was one idea.

Dwelling deeper on my plans, I didn't realize I was popping those small bites from the plate Hank placed in my hand into my mouth. I didn't concentrate on the what I was eating, or registered the taste until I reached the fifth or sixth piece.

Alarms started to ring in my head as I savored some of those bites. The smooth taste of caviar. The richness of crab flakes and silkiness of shrimp meat. Two words screamed in my head as a tight clinch grabbed my chest.

SKYE! ALLERGIES!

Mum told her to try the snack bar. I started to move trying to point out her voice from every conversation around me.

I remembered a kid at middle school who had some sort of an allergy reaction from a cookie he ate. My brain dug out the long forgotten memory of his pale face and the blueish color of his mouth. God, the chocked gurgle sounds he made as he clasped his hands over his throat.

"Skye!" I called out. My heart was racing.

The 'Sorry's and 'Excuse me's ran out of my mouth freely as I bumped into people. I'm sure I spilled someone's drink at some point.

"Skye!" I called again through the voices that seemed to get louder. I strained to listen for hers through the chaos that colliding from every direction.

She told me that when she was ten years old, she had a sleepover at a friend's house. The girl's parents ordered pizzas and Skye accidentally took a bite from the one with shrimps. She didn't actually eat a shrimp. Only the traces of it on the pizza and they had to rush her to the hospital because she couldn't breathe. Skye said she felt her throat closing up.

"SKYE!" My voice got louder stopping a few conversations and cutting some laughs.

I couldn't care less. I stumbled over someone's foot. While on the edge of losing it I couldn't remember if I apologized or not.

Everything happened too fast. She told me.

"Sk...".

"Ethan..." I spun in the direction of her voice.

"Did you eat anything from the snack bar?" I asked right away, feeling my nerves on their last string.

"Um... not yet. I've just done talking to the Sorensen's. Then I was about to get us something when someone told me you've been searching for me." She sounded confused.

I sighed. Suddenly the party mood abandoned me and so the idea of being around people. The pulse that kept beating in my brain subsiding slowly leaving me feeling drained.

"What's wrong Ethan?" She sounded worried.

"The snack bar had seafood and I..." I reached out for her on the urge of needing to feel her close to me before stopping midway keeping my hands close to my body away from her. I've touched the food with my hand. "Can we get out of here?"

"Sure..."

I felt her fingers brushing against the cuff-links of my shirt and I jerk my hand away. Instead I offered her my arm. Skye led us out without running into anyone.

Skye

Once we left the hall where the party was held, Ethan's strides gotten wider and faster. I had to hurry just to keep up with him. His elbow locked trapping my hand between his arm and torso. His jaw set roughly, his skin pulled tight as a muscle pulsed on the side of his face and his body tensed. I could feel him getting restless during the party. I knew he wasn't comfortable when it came to crowds and noises, but he invited me anyway.

I was deeply moved when he came searching for me to warn me about seafood. I didn't think he would remember something as silly as food allergies, but then again, Ethan never forgot anything we talked about.

I couldn't relate it to his sudden change, he was fine when I left him. It couldn't be just because of the snack bar.

Ethan moved around without hesitation, every step that touched the floors was measured and confidant. We climbed the stairs to the second floor then walked down a hall before stopping in front of a white door. He threw open the door pulling me inside with him and only then he released my hand.

"Did you touch anything? Shook hands with anyone?" Ethan asked with urgency, "Do you need to wash your hands?"

He took me by surprise having me tracing me steps since Clair had the caterers re-set the snack bar, "I don't think so."

Ethan sighed in relief, "Good. Give me a minute." Then strode away disappearing through another door and a faint gush of running water seeped through a moment later

I stared in confusion at the closed door that has just swallowed him for a minute, then I turned slowly and started to look around. My confusion towards Ethan's urgency was replaced with something else as I saw where I was standing.

My heart thumped in my chest.

I was in Ethan's room.

The décor varied between black, grey and white. Light grey walls met midway with printed white brick drapes. Exercise equipment organized on one side. There was no doubt that he used those. The well-formed muscles of his arms and the wall of his torso were backing those equipment's story.

Sigh!

Two sets of shelves hang on the wall. The top shelves held trophies, medals and pictures. I stepped closer, drawn to a familiar face. Ethan was standing with his team, fully dressed in his football gear stained with dirt and grass. His dark hair was sticking in every direction. Two black strikes ran across his face. Under the dirt and mud a genuine grin was on his face, his arm draped over the shoulders of the guy next to him. Kyle. They looked happy.

Then my eyes moved from one guy to another. Those were his teammates. I saw most of those guys at school. My gaze went back to Ethan.

I moved from one picture to another. Some made me laugh like the one where they were throwing their coach up in the air. Or when they showered him with iced water.

My heart fluttered every time my eyes fell on him. This was him. The carefree, happy, smiling him. His face told legendary stories.

His collection of trophies were engraved, 'Best Team Captain', 'Best Quarterback', 'Best Football Player' and so did the certificates framed and hung on the wall.

The lower shelves held few footballs, baseballs, basket balls and even golf balls. All were place on stands. Some of them were signed and kept in a glass case. Everything sporty and guy-ish a person would think of was there.

I moved to the other set of shelves stacked with books. Encyclopedias, dictionaries and novels all nicely organized. I ran through the titles and smiled every time I saw that we had the same book. Some even the same copy.

Then I ran my fingers over the guitar strings that hung on the wall. I imagined Ethan playing it. I bet he was awesome.

The bathroom door opened and I asked, "You play guitar?"

"Used to", Ethan leaned against the door frame.

Dangerously handsome and without his shades. That solid black shirt and pants really suited him. The shine of his belt and shoes completed the look. His dark hair brushed back except for a few loose strands that fell over his forehead. However, his features stayed passive.

Standing in his room, snooping around was one thing. Being there with him leaning like that was something different. I was getting a warm and fuzzy feeling inside and my knees felt like jelly.

"You're staring." He stated suddenly, taking me off guard.

"Busted..." I admitted feeling my cheeks burn.

One end of his lips visibly twitched as he held back a smile. Ethan pushed off the frame and casually walked in my direction. My breath got caught in my throat. I don't know how he did that, but he stopped right in front of me.

The fresh smell of minty toothpaste and soap filled the air around him.

"Did you just..." I started to ask.

"Yeah! I had a few of those seafood bites", his features twisted, "I washed my hands and face a few times, brushed my teeth and gargled then chugged like half a bottle of mouthwash. I'm not sure if that's how to do it or not." Then he added apologetically, "I didn't know what they were until I ate a few."

Understanding played with my heart strings, "Is that why you wouldn't hold my hand?"

Ethan shrugged, his face turning away, "Is there anything else I should do?"

My head tilted as I studied his worried features. Could this guy be more amazing than that? My heart quivered in my chest sending ripples throughout my whole body. I stepped closer gently turning his face towards me. Then raising myself to the tips of my toes I pressed my lips to his. Ethan hands held me by the waist as he pulled away. An uneasy expression coloring his feature.

"It's fine Ethan. It's really fine." My voice a mere whisper.

I gently tugged his shirt. Still skeptical he didn't move for a moment, but then he lowered his head meeting me halfway. His lips were warm and firm against mine. What once has started as light and sweet turned to urgent and sweeter. Minty sweet. His hands slowly locked behind me bringing me closer to the warmth of his body.

When we decided to stop for breathing, both of us were panting heavily. Ethan's arms were still locked behind me keeping me close and he slowly swayed me from side to side. A happy smile lit his face. I stared into the eyes that were haunting me more now than before and a contempt sigh escaped me. Ethan's smile widened showing his dimples.

Double sigh!

Again the feeling of him looking at me struck, having my face turn red and I busied myself with looking around. That was when my eyes fell on something purple on his desk.

"Hey, is that my..." I slipped out of Ethan's arms and took a closer look, "Why do you have Mr. Fuzzytune?"

Ethan brow knotted in confusion, "Mr. who?".

"Mr. Fuzzytune!" I picked up the pen I've lost on the first day I started school and placed it in his hand.

Ethan's fingers worked the shape quickly. Seeing his features turn from confusion to recognition and then to guilt that he got busted was hilarious.

"Well..." he started then paused like he was working on something to say, "You ruined my shirt!"

I wasn't one bit angry or mad that he had it the whole time, nonetheless I would surely enjoy this, "So you steal my pen?" I fought back the laugh bubble forming in my chest.

"It was my favorite shirt!" He heard me approaching and hid the pen behind him, "Now the pen is mine!"

This was too much. I broke in laughs, "Oh... Oh... my... god... keep the pen! Keep it!" I sat on his bed as my legs failed to hold me up. Ethan broke down too.

When we finally stopped Ethan pulled a chair from his desk and set it close to where I sat on his bed. He never sat next to me on bed except for that one time when he visited while I was sick. And he always kept the door open. Sophie told me the story behind it and he has been honoring his word ever since. We sat silently in a peaceful moment.

I looked around, my eye landing on the pictures again before traveling to the rest of his room. A book on the night stand caught my eye and I twisted garbing it.

"To kill a mockingbird." I read the title out loud, "Did you read this?"

There were two silver strings peaking from the top of the book. I followed them curiously to find where they were coming from. Flipping open the pages to where the strings were hanging and my heart ached. It was a book-mark.

Ethan's voice was light but his face told another story, "I was reading it before the accident."

The book-mark was set close towards the middle. Almost half the book. He never got to finish it.

"How about we read it together?" I suggested.

When Ethan didn't answer for a long moment I got worried that I might've overstepped. My brain started to work on a proper apology.

"I like listening to your voice when you read." A lazy smile broke through his face.

Warmth invaded my body from head to toe and a happy giggle tickled my throat.

A question played in my mind as I stared at the pictures again, "Can I ask you something but don't be angry with me?"

Ethan placed his elbows on his thighs bringing himself closer, his hand clasped, "Shoot."

I bit my lips carefully picking my words, "What do you miss doing? I mean... from before the accident?"

He breathed heavily leaning back with a scoff, "I miss a lot of things."

I leaned closer, sitting on the edge of his bed, catching every expression, "Tell me one thing."

His head dropped a little and his brow furrowed in deep thought, "Running..." He finally said.

I would have never guessed, "Running?" I turned my head to the mini gym he had in his room. Treadmill, dumbbells and a punching bag.

"Running," he nodded, "outside, in the sun and wind and dirt."

The way Ethan was describing it he sounded like he was living the outdoors run right now.

"Then why don't we?"

He snapped out of his thoughts, "Why don't we what?"

"Run." I said simply.

"And how exactly do you suggest we do that? You are not planning on dragging the treadmill to the garden, are you?" He asked patiently.

I laughed, "No silly. Outdoors, on the track field", I was getting excited at the idea, "Leave it to me." Then I warned, "We are doing this even if it sounded silly, deal?"

Ethan seemed skeptical, so I reached out and cupped his hand with mine. His fingers closing over like they always did, "Listen, let's give it a try and find how it works. I'm sure we can make it happen."

Then I jumped on to the next point before he could reject, "I'll come over... let's say at five in the morning. You better be up and with your running shoes on!"

I could see him working a refusal to my suggestion, but then he sighed giving in.

"I'm going to regret this aren't I?"

I confirmed it right away, "Without a doubt."

He laughed and gave me a single nod, "I'll be ready."

I clapped in excitement, "This is going to be fun."

My two seconds of excitement vanished as another thought kicked in, "Wait, do you think your parents will mind if I kidnapped you that early in the morning?"

I loved George and Clair, and I didn't want to be a pain.

Ethan smiled showing those dimples, "They might pay you a fine amount to keep me."

I laughed.

"Don't worry, they both adore you a lot that I don't think they will ever say no to you."

I grinned, "Awesome!"