2 months later

"Study sister, study." I opened the Business A book. "After this exam we're free." I open my arms, pretending to be a bird.

"I'm doomed. This is all way too much information." Engine argued. She looked at me and grinned, "So... tell me. How do you end up having sex with Ethan instead of studying."

I cover my face with the book, "It happened only a few tim-"

Engine cut me off, "A few times you say?" She wiggled her eyebrows. "I bet he's big-"

I cut her off before she said any more, "Shut up. Don't change the topic and study."

"As you say foxy."

"Shut up!"

"Ooo, someone's wild."

I threw my pencil on her.

"Ow! Okay, okay. I'll study."

It's been two months. Two months since  we came back from the trip, two months since I saw the group, Two months since Ethan and I became official, two months since I reported a missing person.

Two months since no news has come.

I had asked Isabel for any progress the police had made. But it seems that the case has been handed over to the higher ups, or so she said.

Since then, nothing has been done.

Although its only sixty days, It feels like a year. Maybe even more.

Somehow, I've become 'normal' in front of everyone. Dating, going to parties and getting drunk like every other teenager.

Somehow, I've become more free. More free to do things without the thought at the back of my mind, if someone is looking. If a shadow was following me.

I can't believe how my attacks have gone to a minimum. I rarely get them. And when I do, Ethan is always beside me.

I look over at the sky.

Mom, where are you? What are you doing? Are you safe? I miss you.

"Guess, what I bought!?" Rebekha came in, with three milkshakes in her hand.

"Mango, thanks." I grab the cup before Leo did.

"Noooo!" He whined. "Why?"

"No reason," I shrugged. "Mango seems like my flavour for today."

"You are so unfair." He pouted and took the Avocado flavoured.

"Hey kiddo, the Avocado was mine." Rebekha snatched the cup away from Leo. "This is yours." She placed the third cup down.

Leo turned it around but found nothing written on it, "What flavour is it?" He asked.

Rebekha shrugged, "Open and check."

Leo pulled out the cover, and brimmed in delight. "Mango!"

Leo plucked in the straw and took in a large sip while wiggling his eyebrows at me in victory.

He sucked in the milkshake for a second, before his face fell. The milkshake started going the other way through the straw.

I had no idea why he was doing that. Mango was his favourite flavour.

He placed the cup down on the counter, and stuck his touge out at Rebekha in disgust.

When he turned around and disappered from our view, I pulled open the lid of the cup.

I looked over at the sly bitch in front of me, as we both grinned at each other, "Orange."

Never mess with Rebekha.

×××

"Merits?"

"The financial... th-"

"No, not again." Engine groaned. "We literally did this a minute ago. And the exam starts in not more than half an hour!"

"Okay, okay. Stop rushing me. I'll do it again." I snatched the book from her.

"I think the cure for your memory loss is coming this way, but now I think I'm gonna loose my mind."

I frowned, and looked over my shoulder as Ethan and Aiden were walking towards us.

"Hey..." Aiden said, a bit nervous.

"This is the first word I've heard him say after that day." Engine murmered, and walked away.

"Angelin, I wanna talk to you." Aiden caught her hand.

She broke her arm from Aiden's grasp. "Sorry, I have to study for an exam." Engine said in a mocking tone.

"I feel like Engine hasn't told me everything." I whisper into Ethan's ear.

"I quote, shit just went down."

I look at Ethan, confused by what he meant.

He glanced back at me, "That's what he told me when I asked. And... coming from their behaviour... it's bad."

I nodded.

As Aiden followed Engine in the school corridore, I turned to Ethan.

He raised his brows when I passed the book to him.

"Ask." I requested.

"Hmm, let's see..."

The first bell rang.

I was pleased with the fact that I had completed the paper five minutes earlier.

This gave me enough time to re-check the answers I was unsure about.

I glanced back at Engine, as she scribbled on her paper.

Poor her.

Engine was very good at memorising things. And not rot learning them alone, she learnt what she understood. That's also how she remembered most of the things.

The only problem was her handwriting.
It slowed her down. She didn't write in any fancy handwriting, just that she had a habit of writing with a lot of pressure.

It's shocking that you can see the traces of what was written on the previous page.

Unknowingly my hand hovers above the pendant Ethan had bought for me. That's when I relalize, I hadn't bought anything to gift Engine.

Just as I finished checking my paper the second bell rang, and the teacher's started collecting our papers.

Later the students seated in rows were dismissed in order.

I opened my locker and dumped the books inside.

"This was freaking insane." Engine argued, "How can they give so many questions for so less time."

I smiled, "Engine, are you free later?"

"Why?"

I shrugged, "shopping."

She closed her locker door and brimmed in delight, "I'm in!"

Just before we reached the school gates, the same girl who seemed to keep distributing party flyers ran towards us.

"Here." She passed us the flyer, and left as soon as she came.

The flyer read After Prom

"What the hell is After Prom? I thought we were over and done with it."

"It's boring. They named it prom and all, but it's just like every other party." She sighed, "I'm not coming. We have this family meeting today that I need to attend."

"Your relatives coming over?"

She shook her head, "Just me, Mom and Dad."

"Did something happen?" I felt worried.  The tattoo on his arm which I think I saw...

"Nah," Just before I asked her anything about the tattoo, she turned around. "Family time." She looked over her shoulder and waved me goodbye.

An arm rapped around my shoulders, startling me.

"What's this?" The voice calmed me down.

"Some After Prom party. You wanna go?" I asked.

Ethan shook his head, "No, let's go for swimming instead. Today Afternoon?"

"Swimming?" I wonder where this was this coming from.

"I found us a place. And..."

"And..."

"It's not deep. So, even if you don't know how to swim it doesn't matter."

I laughed, "Do you think I'm afraid of a little depth?"

"I know you in more ways than you will ever know yourself."

I climbed inside Ethan's car.

Somehow, this weirdo had convinced me to let him ride me home everyday.

"Is that a challenge?" I wiggle my eyebrows.

"Yes that is." He smirks, "Don't loose like you did on New Years."

"Hey!" I elbow him, "That was completely different."

"What's the occasion?" Engine asked as I pulled her into one of the best stationary shop I knew.

"Light and easy grip." I said to the salesman that stood opposite to us.

He nodded and brought a few ballpoint pens that rested in little boxes of their own.

"Your Christmas... less New Year present." I turned to Engine as she took one and tried it on a piece of paper.

"Ooo, you got some great gift ideas."

"So... tell me. What happened between you and Aiden?"

Her face fell, "Drama."

"Umm hmm. I'm all ears."

"So... on Christmas he said he had a gift for me. Like I don't even know why he wanted to give one. Not that we were close or anything, and we only knew each other through you and Ethan.
The worst thing was, that he was drunk."

I nodded, listening carefully.

"It wasn't a physical gift, like it was, but it wasn't."

"What was it then?" I asked, confused by what she meant.

"He kissed me. That was his gift." She gruffed. Completely disgusted. "At first I was shocked, and didn't do anything. But then on New years he did it again.
I quote on what he told me after, 'I had a shitty day and really needed that.' Once again he left me where I was standing. During the party I saw him kiss some random guy, that's when I lost my temper... and slapped him. It disgusted me that I was some kind of tool for him to come and use whenever he needed and let go when he didn't." Her voice almost fell to a silent whisper.

"Atleast it bore some sense into him." I said.

She nodded in agreement and later added, "Promise not to tell this to Ethan?"

"Promise." I smiled.

"I owe you one," she said after some thought, "Two."

I dropped Engine, and reached home as soon as I could.

Ethan was already on the doorstep, waiting for me.

"Give me a second to change." I requested, as I entered my bedroom and quickly changed.

I wore a striped blue bikini underneath. Over which was a loose t-shirt that I most likely will not remove, even while swimming.

I took an extra pair of clothes and headed out.

"How far is it?" I asked Ethan after buckling myself.

"Not too far."

I switched on the radio, and as expected  the ride was long.

"We're here," I groaned. "I was having a nice dream."

"Oh, was it about me?"

"Now that I think about it... I don't remember."

"Ouch," He placed a hand over his heart in pretended pain.

"Get over it." I grinned.

"Like we had decided," Ethan walked up to me. "It's a challenge."

"Hmm." I hummed in agreement.

"So, I brought you to the deep end. Not very deep, but deep."

I turned around to find a...

"But... that's a lake." I looked over at Ethan, "Are we gonna swim in a lake?"

He shrugged, "Why not?"

I walked over the bridge. "And how to get down there?"

"We jump."

The wooden bridge was wide and long, and the area was covered with trees. Making it impossible to see what was beyond.

"It's safe." He reassured, "I have done it many times."

"Are there snakes?"

"Snakes?! Don't tell me you're afraid of snakes." He laughed.

"Hey!" I elbowed him. "Don't laugh at me. It was your big idea to swim in a lake. More over jump in one."

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"No!" I gave a stern reply. "Where can I change?"

"Here."

"Here." I looked around. A bit ashamed to change in the open.

"Turn around." I said.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Why? What did I do?" Even though he turned around obediently.

I too turned around, and pulled out my jeans as soon as possible.

"I'm ready now." I turned around to find Ethan already staring at me.

"Hm." I folded my arms in a grumpy way.

"You aren't gonna remove your T?"

I shook my head, "I have an extra anyway."

He nodded. "I'll go first."

Ethan took support over the railing and jumped over to the opposite side.

He looked over at me while giving his signature smirk, before he let loose of the railing.

I ran over to the edge of the bridge.

He wasn't out.

The ripples were starting to calm down, but I couldn't see him.

"Ethan!" I shouted till I was out of breath.

"Jump." I heard a voice from the other side of the bridge.

I rannover to the other side. There, I see a smirking Ethan. His hair was wet, and he kept combing it behind while his body swayed with the light movement of the water.

"Were you scared?" He chuckled.

"Yes, you idiot." I wipe away a stray tear that had slipped out unknowingly.

I climbed over to the other side, still holding the railing tightly.

"Jump."

"Wait."

"Come on."

"WAIT." I said more sternly.

"Ida," he called out and I looked at him, "I think I saw a lizard on the railing."

I frowned, and without thinking I jumped.

At first, I was frightened. It felt like all the air had been sucked out of my lungs.

Although it didn't last long, It felt like the wind that hit me while I was falling, had taken over.

The water was cold. And as soon as I reached the surface, Ethan was beside me.

"How did it feel?"

"Alive," I answered. "Do you do this often?"

"Yes."

He swooped his hand around my waist,
"I just found out, that someone was worried when I disappered."

I smiled and warned, "Don't do that again."

He bent down and kissed my lips. We savoured the moment slowly.

Atleast, till it lasted.

"Want to do it again?" He asked and I nodded.

Instead of carrying me, he moved us to the shore, and we climbed back on the bridge.

Of course, he meant jumping down from the bridge.

You're an idiot Ida.

After a couple times of jumping, I simply floated in the water while Ethan sat near the shallow. His back on me. He was quite still, and his broad back was very attractive. I could drool.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

Before he could answer I felt a tickle on my feet.

I moved away and it stopped.

"Ethan..." I got out of the water, "Snake."

"Snake, what?" He laughed. "It's not a snake. They are not snakes." He corrected. "They are called Garra rufa."

"Garra rufa?"

He nodded, "They eat your dead skin."

"Gross. You're literally having a fish pedicure."

"It's fun, and it tickles too."

I blink.

"I wonder what the other guys would think if they found out that you like having pedicures."

"I don't care what they think." He shrugged in response. "But... I care what you think."

I put my legs in the water and after a few seconds of stillness, I felt a few tickles under my feet.

I try to control my laughter but failed.

"I like you the way you are."

"That is?"

"Kind, caring, funny, handsome, and cute."

"Cute?"

"Well... having a fish pedicure is cute."

His hand hovers above the pendant he gave me, "You wear it." Ethan smiled.

"You wear it too." I smiled back.

"We got disturbed from our moment as a bunch of kids were heading this way.

"Let's go." He pulled me out of the water.

"Where are we going?"

After passing by a few trees, a cabin came in view.

"Doesn't anyone live here?" I asked since Ethan had opened the door without permission.

"No."

The house was surprisingly warm and clean.

"I used to come here often, whenever things at home weren't great."

This was surprising. Ethan was letting me in. His place. A safe space.

"You own it?" I asked and he shook his head.

"It was abandoned. So, I rebuilt it."

I looked around. There were a bunch of blankets and magazines scattered around.

The kitchen held a few vessels and the floor had thick carpets, preventing cold feet.

"Take a shower or you'll get a cold." He said and I nodded.

I closed the curtain to the changing room that was connected to the bathroom.

Taking off my t-shirt, I put it in a bag. And just before I removed my panties, the curtain was pulled, and a smirking Ethan with a rapped towel around his waist came in sight.

"Nice striped bikini." He leaned on the wall.

"Privacy!" I shouted.

"What of you have I not seen?"

"Shut up." I murmered in embarrassment.

"Come fast. Otherwise the water will get cold." Some how that sounded wrong.

"Woh," I stopped him before he entered the bathroom. "What are you doing?"

"Taking a bath with you." He shrugged.

"We are not," I pointed my finger. "I repeat, we are not taking a bath together."

"We are babe." He smirked.

Instead of closing the door of the washroom, Ethan hid behind the translucent glass and switched the shower on.

Oh boy, I think I know what I'm walking into.

I removed my bikini and stashed it in with the other wet clothes before entering.

×××

"Let's just sleep here." Ethan groaned and pulled me back to the bed.

"We have school tomorrow." I pulled him out.

"Give me back my shirt. Then you'll be naked, and won't be able to go anywhere."

"Don't be a child. You were the one that dropped mine on the wet floor."

"So?"

"Ethan..." I whispered in his ear. "Is that a challenge? You already lost the previous one."

"Tell me, what do you want as a reward my lady."

"To take me home." I finally manged to push him out of bed, and he groaned again.

"Fine!" He got off and put on his clothes as we both headed for the car.

Climbing in, Ethan groaned again. (Check above) He has become very grumpy and lazy after the shower.

I guess that's how it works for him.

"Come on lazy boy." I encouraged him.

My phone, that I had left in the car flashed as a few messages popped up.

I was too tried to check them late at night, so I left it for later.

A/N

Honestly, this is like the longest chapter I have written. And that's like... CRAZY.

Anyways, I also wanted to pop by and say thank you for reading this book and giving it a chance. I ♡ ya'll for it.

I never thought I would be getting this far. I've had my fair share of ups and downs with this book.

Thank you again :)

Also, let me know if I've made any grammatical errors in this or any other chapter.