Chapter Twelve —The Promise
1320 Words
The closer Ethan’s promotional exam came, the more serious everything became.
His usual routine had completely changed.
Wake up.
Go to school.
Attend extra lessons.
Study.
Practice questions.
Go home.
Study again.
Sometimes, Amara wondered how he still had the energy to smile.
But somehow, whenever he saw her, he always did.
One afternoon, Amara was sitting under a tree near the school field, scrolling through her phone while waiting for Ethan.
She checked the time.
He was already twenty minutes late.
She sighed.
“Of course.”
Her phone suddenly vibrated.
Ethan: I’m sorry. Extra lesson took longer than expected.
Amara smiled.
Amara: It’s okay. I’m still waiting.
A few minutes later, Ethan appeared.
His books were tucked under his arm, and he looked exhausted.
“You actually waited?”
Amara stood up.
“Obviously.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.”
Ethan smiled.
“You’re too good to me.”
“I know.”
He laughed.
They started walking toward the school gate together.
“How was the lesson?” Amara asked.
“Terrible.”
She laughed.
“Why?”
“Because our teacher gave us almost fifty questions.”
“Fifty?”
“Exactly.”
“Did you finish them?”
Ethan gave her a look.
“Do I look like I finished fifty questions?”
Amara laughed.
“You’re supposed to be smart.”
“I am smart.”
“Then prove it.”
“I’ll prove it on my exam.”
Amara smiled.
“I’ll be there cheering for you.”
Ethan stopped walking.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
He looked at her for a moment.
“You know, sometimes I get scared.”
Amara’s smile faded.
“Scared of what?”
“Failing.”
She was quiet.
Ethan rarely admitted when he was worried.
“I know everyone expects me to do well,” he continued. “My teachers. My parents. Even myself.”
Amara stepped closer.
“But you don’t have to be perfect.”
“I know.”
“You just have to do your best.”
Ethan nodded.
She smiled.
“And I’m already proud of you.”
His expression softened.
“Come here.”
He pulled her into a warm hug.
Amara rested her head against him.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything.
They didn’t need to.
Sometimes, just being there was enough.
⸻
As the days passed, Amara began noticing something.
Even though Ethan was busy, he was trying.
If he couldn’t talk to her during the day, he’d send her a message at night.
If he couldn’t call, he’d leave a voice note.
If he only had five minutes between lessons, he’d find those five minutes to check on her.
One night, Amara was lying on her bed when her phone lit up.
Ethan: Are you awake?
She immediately replied.
Amara: Yes.
His call came seconds later.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“You sound tired,” Amara said.
“I am.”
“You should sleep.”
“I wanted to hear your voice first.”
She smiled.
“You’re so sweet.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
She laughed.
They talked for a while.
Nothing serious.
Nothing dramatic.
Just little things.
What happened at school.
What they ate.
Something funny one of their friends had said.
The movie Amara wanted them to watch together.
Eventually, Ethan became quiet.
“Amara?”
“Hmm?”
“Remember when I promised to take you somewhere after my exam?”
“Yes.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
“I’m serious.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“I’m still not telling you.”
“Ethan!”
He laughed.
“It’s a surprise.”
“Give me one hint.”
“No.”
“Please?”
“No.”
“Just one.”
“You’ll ruin it.”
Amara laughed.
“Fine.”
“Good.”
There was another quiet moment.
Then Ethan spoke softly.
“When all this exam stress is over, I just want one whole day with you.”
Amara’s heart warmed.
“One whole day?”
“Yeah.”
“No studying?”
“No studying.”
“No extra lessons?”
“No.”
“No disappearing?”
“No disappearing.”
She smiled.
“Then I can’t wait.”
“Me neither.”
⸻
The following Friday, Ethan had another practice test.
Amara decided not to disturb him.
She knew how important this was.
Instead, she sent him one message before he started.
Amara: You’ve got this. Don’t panic. Read every question carefully and believe in yourself. I’ll be waiting for you ❤️.
Ethan saw the message before putting his phone away.
He smiled.
Then he walked into the examination room.
Two hours later, he came out looking exhausted.
Amara was waiting outside.
“How did it go?”
Ethan dropped his books onto a nearby bench.
“Ask me tomorrow.”
She laughed.
“That bad?”
“I don’t even know.”
“Come here.”
She hugged him.
“You survived.”
“Barely.”
She laughed.
Ethan smiled against her hair.
“You always make things better.”
“That’s what girlfriends are for.”
He pulled away and looked at her.
“Exactly.”
They sat together for a while.
Ethan rested his head against the bench.
“I’ve got one more week.”
“One more week until the real exam?”
He nodded.
Amara reached for his hand.
“You’ll be fine.”
“I hope so.”
“You will.”
He looked down at their hands.
“Promise you’ll still be here when all this is over?”
Amara looked at him, surprised.
“Of course.”
“Even when college starts getting crazy?”
“Ethan…”
She smiled.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He smiled back.
“Good.”
They sat quietly, hands intertwined.
Neither of them knew exactly what the future would look like.
They didn’t know how different college would be.
They didn’t know how much their lives would change.
But they knew one thing.
They wanted to face it together.
⸻
That night, Ethan opened his books again.
His eyes were tired, but he kept going.
On his desk was the little note Amara had given him.
He looked at it whenever he felt like giving up.
Meanwhile, Amara lay in bed thinking about him.
She missed him.
She missed their long conversations.
She missed how much time they used to have together.
But she was beginning to understand something important.
Love wasn’t always about talking every minute of the day.
Sometimes love was giving someone space to chase their dreams.
Sometimes it was waiting.
Sometimes it was encouraging them when they doubted themselves.
And sometimes…
It was simply saying,
I’m still here.
Ethan’s phone vibrated.
He picked it up.
Amara: Goodnight, future college boy 😂❤️.
He smiled.
Ethan: Goodnight, my girl. One more week.
Amara replied:
Amara: One more week.
Ethan placed his phone beside his books.
Then he looked at the clock and took a deep breath.
The biggest exam of his life was getting closer.
And for the first time, he wasn’t facing it alone.
He had someone waiting for him.
Someone who believed in him.
Someone he loved.
Amara.
But just as Ethan reached for his next textbook, his phone suddenly rang.
It was his teacher.
Ethan frowned and answered.
“Hello, sir?”
There was a long silence.
His expression slowly changed.
“What?”
He sat upright.
“You mean the exam has been moved?”
Another pause.
Ethan looked at the books covering his desk.
Then he looked at the clock.
“Tomorrow?”
His heart dropped.
The promotional exam wasn’t next week anymore.
It was tomorrow morning.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD