"Come on, let's get you to bed".

Chapter 11

Kierra's POV

After Ethan's question, silence reigned as I struggled to give him an answer that wouldn't reveal my real reasons but satisfy him at the same time. But with his imposing presence that seemed to fill the room and his tall figure that was towering over me, I could barely even think.

"Kierra," he breathed out, his voice sending shivers down my spine and bringing up images in my head that made my cheeks flush. "Look at me," he said, cupping my cheek and rubbing his thumb over my cheekbone.

"No," I mumbled, shaking my head quickly. A moment of silence passed and then I heard him say, "Please?"

That one word was enough to weaken my restraint and I snapped my head up, locking eyes with him instantly. I couldn't have looked away even if I wanted to.

The corners of his lips turned up in a little smile and I couldn't help but do the same.

"Have anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes?" he said, catching me off guard. I opened my mouth to say something but I couldn't speak. I didn't even know what to say. How do you respond to that?

Seeming to realize that I was lost for words, Ethan chuckled and took a step back, letting go of my cheek as he did. I tried not to let him see my disappointment by keeping my eyes to the floor while wondering what he was thinking.

"You don't have to tell me why you were avoiding me. Just– don't do it again. Don't stay away from me, Key."

On the surface, that seemed like a fairly normal statement but I could tell that there was more to it underneath. It had sounded like a genuine plea and I wondered if he had missed me as much as I'd missed him.

But it was impossible... or was it?

"Can you promise me that?" he asked, cutting into my thoughts.

"Huh?" I glanced up at him, unsure of what he meant. "Can you promise not to avoid me again?"

I didn't know what to tell him or where all of this was coming from. If I didn't want to break my promise to Emily, the logical thing to do was to avoid Ethan at all costs but I didn't want to do that again. I didn't want to avoid Ethan ever again. I didn't know if my heart could handle it.

"Okay," I breathed out after much contemplation. "I promise."

On hearing my answer, Ethan's eyes lit up and his radiant smile grew even wider into a grin. I could tell that he was happy and that made me happy but then I remembered something and frowned thoughtfully.

"Hey, what is it?" he quizzed, taking a step towards me and bridging the gap towards us. I tried not to think about how close he was or how much I enjoyed feeling his body heat on my skin.

"Well... it's nothing really," I answered, deciding it wasn't worth it.

"Come on, Key. Tell me," he begged, stooping to my level and pouting at me. I thought on it for a moment before taking a deep breath and asking him, "Why didn't you let me kiss Chance? Why did you pull me away like that?"

"Did you want to kiss Chance?" he asked back, his voice a low mumble. I shook my head negatively. "Well there you have it. I saw that you were uncomfortable so I decided I'd help you out. That's all."

"But– aren't you scared about what people will think?" News traveled fast at our school and I wouldn't be surprised if by Monday, it was already the talk of the entire school. Emily would kill me if she found out I spent the night in the same room as Ethan and what about Liliana?

All of a sudden, I was worried and began to panic. Celine would definitely tell Liliana all about tonight and the last thing I wanted was for Liliana to think I wanted her boyfriend. But I did. I did want her boyfriend and admitting that made me feel like a trash human being.

"Hey, hey. Come here," Ethan spoke in a comforting tone as he pulled me into his embrace, resting his jaw on my head. "You don't have to worry about what anyone thinks, okay? I don't care and you shouldn't either, okay?"

"I'll try," I muttered, a little dazed that Ethan was actually hugging me and had his arms wrapped around me.

A moment of content silence passed with neither of us even making a move to pull back or seperate. Then Ethan said, "Don't worry. I'll take care of it." And just like that, all my worries were put to rest. I trusted Ethan and I knew that if he said he was going to take care of it, then he would.

Even after he spoke, we stayed in the same spot, our arms wrapped tight around each other and in that one moment, nothing else seemed to matter. All my problems seemed to have evaporated into thin air and I didn't realize when I began to doze off in his arms.

"Key. Key. Are you asleep?" I heard someone ask in a gentle whisper and slowly opened my eyes, yawning as I did. "Oh, you are. Sorry I woke you up," he apologized.

"No, no. It's nothing," I mumbled sleepily rubbing my eyes.

"Come on. Let's get you to bed."

With his arm wrapped around my shoulder, he began leading me towards the bed in the room, took off my shoes before helping me get comfortable in bed.

Even though I was half asleep, I could tell that he didn't settle in beside me and instead went over to the reading table and sat on the chair there.

"Aren't you coming to bed?" I asked, sleepily patting the space beside me. Ethan looked at me and the space I was patting before nodding. "Not yet."

"Oh, are you gonna leave me? Please don't leave me," I pleaded.

"I'm not going to leave you, Kierra. I'll be right here."

Content with his answer, I closed my eyes and fell into a comfortable, much needed sleep.