The Two Of Us

                Ethan laid down, sprawled out like some discarded teddy bear on the navy blue bedspread that covered his off-white mattress, listening contently to yet another sappy, cliché love song while the hushed rain continued to pour outside. As his emerald green eyes closed once more, his pale, ashen lips mimicked the same, sorrowful words that the artist moaned as the wealthy, popular singer continued to wail on about losing the love of their life. Mouthing along, as if he had written the destitute lyrics word for word himself, he continued to shut out the rest of the corrupted world from his lonesome mind. He had spent the past three weeks like this, seemingly trapped alive in this lovesick state of mind. Ever since he had heard about Aria's near-recent decision to move back to the small, boring town in which they both grew up in, he was constantly keeping to himself. He didn't care whether his neighbors were worried over the fact that they hadn't seen him recently, or if they were annoyed with his lame music choice. He just wanted to drown out his emotions the way an overworked alcoholic with way too many problems would drink them all away. Minus the alcohol, of course. Ethan didn't drink. He just listened to music. Nostalgic, super-duper cheesy, sad music.  Ethan sighed distraughtly as if he were an exhausted student finding out about the long chapter of challenging homework he would need to review later on that night for the grueling test the very next morning. He had absolutely no idea what to do with himself. He thought about Aria constantly. He imagined her beautiful, angelic features and wished dearly that somehow he would know precisely what to say once both of their paths crossed each other again. He was absolutely lovestruck. He glanced over at the endless number of photographs that covered almost every visible inch of the wall next to him. He had once long ago strived to become a professional photographer, but, unfortunately, as the years had worn on, those precious dreams of distant futures had begun to vanish to the point where they no longer seemed to matter anymore and eventually, they each died out like the dinosaurs. As the almost deafening music continued to bounce off of his eardrums as well as the surrounding walls like nineties-style moon-boots on a child's trampoline, he furrowed his brows, deep in thought. He wasn't exactly sure if he was prepared to see her again. She had been away for so very long. How long had it been since he had last been able to hold her in his arms? How long had it been since he had last gazed into her split-colored eyes? He didn't have to look at his retro Fall Out Boy calendar that hung on the adjacent wall to know how long she had been away from him physically, although he still glanced over at it from out of the corner of his eye anyways for reassurance purposes. Three years. It had been three long and painful years since he had last seen her in person. He had counted the days and the seconds in his mind since the unfortunate day she first left his sight. Ethan took a long, deep breath when he heard the annoying alert go off on his phone and felt the vibrations it caused. Pulling out his phone, he looked at the cause of the disturbance. New Message From Facebook Ethan unlocked the phone and opened up the bothersome notification. Adam: hey man, you coming tonight? Ethan sat up and leaned back against the wall behind him with a long and heavy sigh. Adam had been trying to get Ethan to come with him up to Jamie’s Cabin since that one Elizabeth girl had gone missing roundabout three or four years ago. He was convinced that there was some logical explanation as to why weird things were happening to everyone who had gone to that party back in the eighth grade, save for a select few individuals. Ethan decided to respond to his friend. Yeah, I'll go. I'll meet up with you in a few hours. I just wanna grab a quick drink from Soda Science while I'm still on the main road. A few minutes later, Ethan's phone buzzed again. Adam: that's cool. I'll see you at 9. Ethan shut off his phone and grabbed his bag, jumping from off of his messy bed as if it were on fire and quickly reached the stereo. He turned the music off before the next song could start and turned to grab his jacket from it's hook on the side of the shelf. As Ethan made his way to the front door, he put on his jacket, fluffed up his hair, and grabbed his school backpack before walking outside. Hopping onto his bike, he began making his way out of the neighborhood and onto Main Street. It was a little before midday when Ethan arrived at the soda joint he and Adam once used to work at. Locking up his brown mountain bike, he stepped inside the drink shop and was instantly greeted by friendly and familiar faces, all welcoming him back. After greeting the old-timer in charge of running the place and ordering his mixed drink at the counter, he sat down at one of the tables facing the window. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to be swallowed up by the sounds and smells that surrounded him. He didn’t even hear the footsteps approaching him. “Hello, Ethan.” A silky, sweet voice piped up from behind him.  “Hey, Jewel.” Turning to look at the bittersweet soul, Ethan allowed a large grin to form onto his light lips, a common effect she had on many who saw her. “How are you?” Julia was an innocent seventeen year old, living with her older brother Samian on the outskirts of the small city. She sported two short braided pigtails under a plain olive cap, and she always smelled of some homemade sweet. Blushing lightly at the obvious nickname, she began fiddling around with her nametag. “I’m, uh-I’m alright. How-how are you?” She asked her oblivious crush nervously. Ethan smiled, not at all knowing how he made her feel. “Ha, I’m good. What have you been up to lately?” “Oh, you know, this and that.” Julia laughed a little bit awkwardly, obviously nervous at being the center of her senpai’s attention. “So, um, Ethan,” she paused for a moment, teetering on her toes from side to side like some hanged man from a noose before she continued. “I was wondering what your plans were this weekend?” “Oh, you know, this and that.” Ethan laughed, mimicking her teasingly and causing a light blush to form on her cheeks. Easing any tension between them, Ethan answered her question in a slightly more serious tone. “I don’t know, maybe hang out with a couple of friends, play some video games, you know.” “JU-LI-AHHHHHHH!” Another familiar voice rang like a cowbell from behind them. “MOON MULE!!!” Julia’s eyes opened as wide as flying saucers. “Oh shoot!” She dashed towards the back of the building like a rabbit who had just spotted a fox close by. Passing by the rushing teenager, Martha, an assistant manager, chuckled to herself as she cleaned up a table across from Ethan. “Such a sweet, little thing, that girl.” Martha commented, looking after the young college student as she hurried to make another soda for a waiting customer. “Always rush’n about, never take’n her time. She’ll trip over her own feet if she don’t slow down.”  Ethan chuckled along with her, but deep down, he was worried. He knew how hard she worked. “How’s business coming along? I heard you guys have soup now.” “Sure do, hun! Bread bowls too!” Martha grinned widely, obviously being fairly proud of herself. “Can I get you one?” “Hah, I’m good for now. Thank you though.” Ethan replied gratefully. “Anytime.” Martha winked and went on her way, and a few seconds later, a teenage boy with pimples covering his forehead and a little bit of peach fuzz he must have missed from shaving on the tip of his chin brought out his drink. Ethan had never seen this character before, and Ethan assumed that he must be new. Deciding to give the poor boy a bit of a brighter day, Ethan was cheerful towards the hormonal soul. “I haven’t seen you around here before. What’s your name?” “Slash.” The boy answered. “s***h? s***h what?” “It’s just Slash.” “Okay? Well, thanks, man.” Ethan took a sip of the Mountain Don’t and savored the fizziness of the soda pop mixture. Ethan took out his phone and scrolled through his f******k friends list, looking for a familiar name and neon-green circle. When he didn't see the color by her name, he released a sudden breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. She wasn't online. He smiled to himself as he began to stalk his way through her feed. Ever since Aria moved away to that boarding school in Alabama state a little over three years ago, the only way Ethan could contact her was through f******k, but even then he was too afraid to do that now. He was a complete coward, at least that much he could admit.