The first Meeting
1107 Words
Ethan’s POV
It started so simply just chatting back and forth. Innocent conversations that somehow stretched longer each night. We got closer. Way closer than I ever meant to.
And then, like a hammer crashing down on a glass heart, Kai came into the room one day, his face lit up with a grin so big it made my stomach turn.
“Ethan,” he said, practically bursting, “I think I’m falling in love with someone.”
The words hit me so hard, for a second I forgot how to breathe.
My heart didn't just skip a beat it tried to leap out of my chest.
“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, my face neutral.
Inside, though, my mind was screaming.
Was he talking about me?
No no way.
Please, God, no.
Kai laughed, running a hand through his hair, pacing the room like a madman. "You think I'm crazy, right? I met a girl online. And now? I’m... attached. Me. Kai the unbreakable, untouchable Kai attached to a woman he’s never even met." He shook his head in disbelief, a dazed smile still painted across his face. "I think I’m in love. Like, real love. No way!"
The second he said it, I knew. Deep down, under all the denial, I knew.
It was me.
He was talking about me.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
My hands started trembling so badly I had to shove them into my pockets before he noticed.
Anyone with half a brain could've seen I was guilty as hell.
"That's... that's nice," I mumbled, pretending to yawn and leaning back on the bed like I was seconds from sleep. Anything to get out of this conversation before I completely fell apart.
But Kai wasn’t done.
"I’m thinking of asking her to meet me," he said, eyes sparkling. "She's so beautiful, Ethan. Like a goddess. I can't wait to see her in real life."
Panic slammed into me like a freight train.
He wanted to meet her.
He wanted to meet me.
This couldn’t happen.
There was no way.
How could I stop him? How could I fix this without ruining everything?
I tried to sound casual, nonchalant. "Why rush it? Maybe she’s not ready yet. Ever think of that?"
He nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, maybe. But... I’m gonna ask her today anyway. I haven’t even heard her voice, man. It’s crazy, right? But I just know. I know I have to meet her."
He smiled and headed to the bathroom, leaving me alone with my pounding heart and spiraling thoughts.
The second he closed the door, my phone buzzed violently in my pocket.
Incoming call: Kai.
Shit.
Shit, s**t, s**t.
I bolted from the room like my ass was on fire, pacing the hallway, my mind racing.
Should I answer?
No way. My voice was too deep—too obviously masculine. He’d know instantly. It was too risky.
The phone buzzed again. And again.
My fingers itched to answer, to say something, anything, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t.
Then I heard his voice behind me.
"Why aren’t you picking up your phone?"
I froze like a deer caught in headlights, the phone slipping slightly in my sweaty hand. My heart was a jackhammer against my ribs.
Had he figured it out?
Was this it?
Was everything about to come crashing down around me?
Kai walked over, eyes curious but not suspicious yet.
Just then, the call ended. I saw disappointment flash across his face.
"Maybe she's busy," he said with a sigh. Then, suddenly, he reached out and grabbed my hand. "Come with me. As a friend. You know... moral support? Come with me to meet her."
Every cell in my body screamed no.
But my mouth betrayed me.
"Yeah, sure. No problem," I said, my voice hollow, my smile fake.
I stumbled back into the room and collapsed onto the bed, covering my face with my hands.
What the f**k was I doing?
This was suicidal.
If I went, I would definitely get caught. And If I don't go, everything will be fine. There's no way he'd meet that lady.
Then my phone dinged with a new message.
"Let's meet tomorrow at 7 PM."
Reading the words, I felt like the ground dropped out from under me.
My chest tightened until it hurt.
The next day arrived faster than I could have ever prepared for.
7 PM was suddenly staring me in the face, mocking me.
There was no way I could go with him.
So I did the only thing I could think of.
I faked being sick.
Lying on the couch, I groaned and clutched my stomach like my insides were eating themselves.
Kai knelt beside me, worry etched into his handsome features. "You really can’t come?"
I shook my head miserably. "Nope."
His face fell, but he patted my hand gently. "Then get some rest, okay? I'll go alone."
The second the door clicked shut behind him, I shot up like a man possessed.
I couldn’t let him go alone.
Throwing on a hoodie and jeans, I slipped out behind him, keeping a safe distance, guilt gnawing at me with every step.
When I reached the restaurant, I hid in a dark corner, my heart in my throat.
There he was.
Sitting alone at a small table, nervously tapping his fingers against the wood. His knee bounced under the table. His eyes kept darting to the door.
He looked... hopeful.
Vulnerable.
And I hated myself for what I had done.
I stayed hidden, just watching him, my chest tight with a million emotions I couldn’t even name.
Then just when I thought I couldn't feel worse it happened.
A woman walked through the door.
She looked exactly like the girl from my fake profile. Same long dark hair, same sweet smile, same everything.
She was heading straight for Kai.
I blinked, disbelieving. My brain tried to make sense of it, but it couldn’t. This wasn’t real.
What the hell was happening?
Panic flooded me.
I had to stop her.
I ran forward without thinking, desperate to intercept her before it was too late.
But fate or maybe karma had other plans.
My foot caught on a slick patch of floor and I went flying, crashing down hard in the middle of the restaurant.
My face flushed hot with embarrassment and when I looked up, I locked eyes with Kai.
His face twisted in confusion.
"Ethan," he said, standing up, staring at me like he'd never seen me before.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
- Writer
