Chapter 5: Feeling the Distance

The morning after the bonfire, I'm still thinking about what Ethan said.

The way he talked about feeling lost it keeps replaying in my mind.

It's weird because I've known him for years, but last night felt different.

I felt closer to him, like he let me in on something deeper.

But at the same time, I'm worried.

If Ethan's feeling this lost now, what happens when high school ends and we all go our separate ways?

I'm lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling, when my phone buzzes on the nightstand. It's a text from Jack.

Jack: Dude, wanna hit up the mall later? We can grab lunch or something.

I think about it for a second.

I could use the distraction, but my mind's still on Ethan.

I wonder if Jack noticed anything off last night, but knowing him, he probably just brushed it off.

Still, maybe a normal day out would help clear my head.

Me: Yeah, sure. What time?

Jack: Noon? I'll swing by and pick you up.

I toss my phone aside and roll out of bed, dragging myself to the shower.

As the hot water hits me, I try to push my thoughts about Ethan aside.

Maybe I'm overthinking things. Maybe last night wasn't as big of a deal as I'm making it out to be.

But deep down, I know that's not true.

There was something about the way Ethan talked, the way he looked at me it felt heavier, like he was carrying more than he was letting on.

By the time Jack shows up, I've managed to push most of my worries to the back of my mind.

We head to the mall, and for a while, it's just the usual banter Jack talking about some girl from the bonfire, me teasing him about how he's always flirting with the wrong ones.

It's easy, familiar, but there's still that nagging feeling in the back of my head.

We're sitting in the food court when Jack brings up Ethan.

"Hey, did Ethan seem kinda… off to you last night?" Jack asks, popping a fry into his mouth.

I look at him, surprised. "Yeah, actually. Why?"

Jack shrugs. "I don't know. He was just quieter than usual, y'know? I thought maybe something was bugging him, but I didn't wanna pry."

I nod, thinking back to our conversation by the fire. "Yeah, he's been like that all week. I asked him about it, but he didn't really wanna talk."

"You think he's okay?"

I shrug, feeling a little helpless.

"I don't know. I think he's just stressed about graduation and all that. He said he feels kinda… lost."

Jack frowns, leaning back in his chair.

"Man, I get that. I've been trying not to think about it, but it's weird, y'know? We've been doing the same thing for years, and now it's all about to change."

"Yeah," I agree. "I think it's hitting Ethan harder than the rest of us."

Jack nods thoughtfully, but before we can get too deep into it, his phone buzzes, and he gets distracted by some meme someone sent him.

That's Jack for you always bouncing from one thing to the next, never staying serious for long.

I wish I could do that, too. But right now, I can't stop thinking about Ethan.

The next few days pass by in a blur of classes, homework, and soccer practice.

I see Ethan in the halls and at lunch, but we don't really talk like we did at the bonfire.

It's like he's putting up this wall again, keeping me at a distance.

I hate it, but I don't know how to break through without pushing him too hard.

Friday rolls around, and I find myself standing by my locker after school, waiting for Ethan.

We usually walk to the parking lot together, but today, he's taking longer than usual.

Just as I'm about to head out on my own, I spot him down the hall, talking to someone I don't recognize.

The guy looks older maybe a college student? and they're standing a little too close for my liking.

I don't know why, but something about the way they're talking makes my chest tighten.

I try to tell myself it's none of my business. Maybe it's just some random guy, someone Ethan knows from outside of school.

But the way they're standing, the way Ethan's leaning in it feels… different.

Before I can stop myself, I walk over.

"Hey, Ethan," I call out, forcing a casual tone.

Ethan looks up, surprised, and the guy beside him glances at me with a raised eyebrow.

Ethan steps back, putting a little more space between them.

"Uh, hey, Liam," Ethan says, rubbing the back of his neck. "This is… a friend of mine, from—uh, from outside school."

I nod, eyeing the guy. He's taller than me, with this cool, confident vibe that makes me feel weirdly… jealous? I don't know.

It's stupid. But there's something about the way he's looking at Ethan that rubs me the wrong way.

"Cool," I say, not really meaning it. "We heading out?"

Ethan hesitates, glancing at his 'friend.' "Actually, I was just about to head off with him. We're grabbing coffee."

The tight feeling in my chest gets worse.

I don't know why it bothers me so much Ethan's allowed to have other friends

but something about the way he's acting, like he's hiding something, makes me uneasy.

"Oh," I say, trying to keep my voice neutral. "Alright, cool. Catch you later then?"

Ethan nods, but there's something in his eyes that looks… guilty? I can't tell.

But before I can overthink it, he's walking away with the guy, leaving me standing there in the hallway, feeling like I've just lost something without even knowing what it was.

That night, I can't stop thinking about Ethan and that guy.

Who was he? Why didn't Ethan tell me about him? It shouldn't matter, but it does.

It feels like Ethan's pulling away from me, like there's this gap between us that wasn't there before.

And the worst part is, I don't know how to close it.

I want to ask him, want to figure out what's going on, but I'm scared.

Scared that whatever he's dealing with, it's bigger than I can handle.

Scared that maybe, just maybe, I'm not the person he turns to anymore.

And that thought? It hits harder than I expected.