Chapter Eight: Our First Date
766 Words
Maya
I almost canceled.
Not because I didn't want to see Ethan.
That was exactly the problem.
I wanted to see him too much.
The anonymous message from last night kept replaying in my mind.
Stay away from Ethan Carter.
I had barely slept.
But when I arrived outside the café the next morning, Ethan was already waiting.
He looked up and smiled.
“You came.”
I smiled back.
“I said I would.”
“I wasn't sure.”
“Why?”
“Because you looked terrified when I asked you out.”
I laughed.
“I was nervous.”
“So was I.”
I stared at him.
“You?”
He nodded.
“Believe it or not.”
“I don't.”
“That's rude.”
I laughed again.
He opened the café door for me.
“After you.”
“Thank you.”
We found a small table near the window.
Ethan ordered coffee.
I ordered hot chocolate.
He looked at my cup.
“Hot chocolate?”
“Yes.”
“You're a journalist who drinks hot chocolate.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No.”
He smiled.
“I think it's cute.”
I nearly dropped my spoon.
“Don't say things like that.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
I didn't know how to finish the sentence.
Because every time he said something like that, my heart forgot how to behave.
He leaned back.
“Because you might start liking me?”
“I already told you I like you.”
“I mean more than that.”
I looked away.
He laughed softly.
“I'm teasing.”
“Good.”
We spent the next hour talking.
Not about classes.
Not about his family.
Just us.
I learned that Ethan loved old movies, hated tomatoes, and had wanted to become a professional basketball player when he was younger.
He learned that I loved writing, hated crowded places, and wanted to become an investigative journalist.
“You're serious about journalism,” he said.
“Very.”
“What kind of stories do you want to write?”
“The kind that people are afraid to tell.”
He studied me.
“You really are different.”
I smiled.
“Different good or different bad?”
“Different good.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Ethan reached across the table.
His fingers touched mine.
I didn't pull away.
“Maya.”
“Yes?”
“About the message you received…”
My heart tightened.
“You knew?”
“I saw your face yesterday.”
I hesitated.
Then I showed him the message.
His expression changed immediately.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't want to ruin today.”
He stared at the screen.
“I'm sorry.”
“Ethan, you didn't send it.”
“No. But I know who might have.”
“Who?”
He didn't answer.
“Chloe?”
He looked at me.
“I don't know.”
That wasn't convincing.
“Ethan.”
He sighed.
“I'll handle it.”
“No.”
He frowned.
“No?”
“You don't get to handle everything alone.”
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he smiled.
“You really don't make things easy.”
“I never promised to.”
He squeezed my hand.
“Good.”
We left the café and walked across campus.
The morning sun was warm, and students hurried between buildings around us.
For once, I didn't care who was watching.
Ethan stopped near the fountain.
“Maya.”
I turned.
He stepped closer.
“There's something I've wanted to do since the day we met.”
My heart raced.
“What?”
He smiled.
Then he gently leaned toward me.
Before our lips could meet, his phone rang.
He closed his eyes and sighed.
“Seriously?”
I laughed.
He looked at the screen.
The smile disappeared from his face.
“It's my brother.”
He answered.
“Lucas?”
He listened.
Then his expression became tense.
“What do you mean she's back?”
I froze.
Ethan looked at me.
His face had gone pale.
“I'll be there.”
He ended the call.
“What's wrong?”
He hesitated.
Then he whispered,
“The person who can explain everything…”
He looked toward the university gates.
“She's here.”
My heart sank.
“Who?”
Ethan didn't answer.
He simply took my hand.
And for the first time since I'd met him, he looked genuinely afraid.
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