•<The Aftermath>•

           Yelling at the sky. Screaming at the world
Baby, why'd you go away?
I'm still your girl
Holding on too tight. Head up in the clouds
Heaven only knows where you are now
                                            •
                                Sasha Alex Sloan

                                        •<>•

Dear Ethan,

It's been two weeks since I heard from you. These fourteen days without you have been excruciating, to put it mildly. I've been anxiously awaiting news of your recovery progress from James, as he promised, but I haven't heard anything since the day your father moved you to another hospital, farther away from me. Despite my attempts, I haven't been able to reach James, but whatever the reason for his silence, I hope that you're safe and sound.

I hope that upon reading this letter, you will understand the reasoning behind my actions. To ensure your well-being and a speedy, serene recovery, I had to maintain my distance. However, it doesn't mean that I've forgotten about you. If anything, you're always on my mind every second of the day and night, wondering how you're doing and what you're doing.

Are you eating well? Is James taking good care of you as he promised he would? I hope he is.

I am improving gradually as each day passes. The pain in my body is decreasing. I began physiotherapy shortly after your departure. I can now walk without crutches, albeit only for a short while. My doctor and physiotherapist advised me to be patient and not to overexert myself. I am following the healing process step by step, as instructed, however, I can't help but wish I could skip ahead and be with you already.

I miss you so much it hurts. It hurts that I don't know where you are. It hurts that I can't call you, or reach the one person close to you to know how you're doing.

I miss you so damn much. I wish you were here right now.
Love, Mallory.

   •<<<>>>•

Upon writing and rereading the letter, I fold it in two, slip it in an envelope, and place it in a box among other letters I've been writing to Ethan. It's a habit I developed not long ago. Since I'm unable to reach him through any device, writing these letters gives me some kind of comfort.

Do I intend to mail these letters to him someday? Maybe. But how do I do that when I don't know where he is? Given the injuries he faced from the accident, I can only assume that he's still in the hospital recovering, but which hospital could he be in? Where do I even start looking?

With everything that's happening right now, I can't help but feel guilty about the decision I made regarding leaving him. I put so much trust in one man whom I thought would keep to his word and update me on Ethan's well-being, however, the second he went back to Ethan's room, he broke his word. He lied to me and not a day goes by that I don't regret my decision.

I should have stayed beside Ethan regardless of the threats his father hurled at me. I should have stayed beside him despite James' unproven concern about jeopardizing Ethan's recovery if I had stayed beside him.

What if my presence could have contributed to his recovery? What might have happened had I opted to remain? What's the worst thing his father could have done to me? What's the worst thing that could have happened to me if I chose to stay?

Haven't we been through enough already?!

I'm angry, angry at the world for this cruelty, angry at life for this injustice. Or is the punishment we get for being in a forbidden relationship, is this our fate?

Unable to contain the tears that have already gathered in my eyes, I allow them to fall down my cheeks, washing away the sadness and anger that have weighed on me for days.

For days I've been crying in privacy, concealing my pain from the people around me so as not to burden them with my problems. Since my parents found out about Ethan and me, they weren't in support of the love we pursued; I guess the timing of this revelation wasn't right given the circumstances. Dad harbored resentment toward Ethan, saying that he took advantage of me, his student. He blamed Ethan for the current situation I've been in, for the accident, and for putting my life in danger.

His resentment toward Ethan is strong I don't know how to convince him that he would never hurt me and that the accident wasn't his fault.

He falsely accused him of being responsible for my lack of concentration in school and my absence from school both before and after the weekend trip to Cancun. He held him responsible for the tears I struggle to hide. He believes Ethan took advantage of me by abusing his power, that he shattered my heart, and intentionally left me, despite my efforts to explain everything to him.

How do you sway someone who's already formed a fixed opinion about someone or something? His negative perceptions of Ethan seem set in stone, I see no way to change his mind.

In contrast, although Mom isn't particularly fond of Ethan, she doesn't harbor so much anger towards him. She's deeply saddened by what happened between us, and even though she holds him responsible for my current state, she still shows empathy towards his circumstances, as I had mentioned earlier when disclosing my secret romance with him to them.

Similar to Mom, sort of, my cousin, Avery has conflicting emotions about Ethan. As soon as she arrived, our conversation revolved around Ethan and me. She shared her thoughts about him, which didn't come as a surprise considering she had previously confided her feelings about him to me last year when Ethan and I were broken up. While I appreciate my family looking out for me, I wish they could see the Ethan I know - a kind-hearted man who wouldn't hurt a fly even if his own life depended on it.

He's not a bad influence, nor is he evil or complex; he's not broken. He's simply someone who craves love—a gentle soul who unwittingly brightens the lives of others without even knowing it. He's so beautiful inside yet it's disheartening that he fails to recognize it himself, and it's sad that nobody else sees it but me.

    •<<<>>>•

As each day passes, my recovery continues to improve. With the unwavering support of my family, my body is undergoing a rapid healing process, and I am incredibly thankful for it.

Despite leading a busy college life and facing the constant fear of my father discovering his secret visits, Jordan still makes the effort to see me from time to time. His presence has provided a welcome distraction from the chaos that often consumes my mind.

Since our breakup, which occurred some time ago, my father's feelings toward Jordan haven't improved. While he doesn't hold as much resentment towards him as he does towards Ethan, if he were to discover Jordan's secret visits, he would certainly lose his mind.

Mom, being the calmer parent, has chosen to conceal this secret from Dad. However, I'm not sure how much longer she can keep it hidden, as guilt continues to weigh heavily on her conscience. She frequently expresses her guilt about keeping this secret from him, and it's only a matter of time before Dad discovers the truth.

In addition to visiting me, Jordan's been taking me out of the house to get some fresh air. During the past few days, we've explored several places together, including diners where we've tried some exciting food, and we've revisited some familiar spots we used to enjoy.

Would it be truthful to say that revisiting the same spots we frequented together brought back memories? I'd be lying if I said it didn't.

However, does that suggest even the slightest possibility of him and me rekindling our relationship? Absolutely not.

Since we talked about the breakup and both got closure back in December, we've both moved forward from the romantic relationship we once shared. We're currently on good terms and share a mutual understanding. While I'm unsure if our connection qualifies as a friendship, I like the fact that we treat each other well and provide support when needed, and I appreciate having him as someone I can confide in without fear of judgment.

Is it possible for exes to be friends?

I find myself pondering this often, questioning if I'm making a mistake by occasionally spending time with my ex. I don't have any romantic feelings towards him, nor do I divulge every detail of my life to him. Despite this, I can't shake the feeling that conversing with my ex may be betraying Ethan.

The more I dwell on these thoughts, the less inclined I am to hang out with Jordan. I've opened up to him about my concerns, and thankfully, he understood my perspective.

Before his return to school, which is less than a two-hour drive from my town, the one thing he had been avoiding since he started coming to my house finally happened: he came face-to-face with Dad, who I'm sure had sensed that something fishy was happening in the house.

Their encounter was no surprise; as expected, Dad wasn't pleased to see Jordan, and unlike Dad, Jordan was visibly trembling.

Not long after, Dad began scolding Jordan, telling him to stay away from me, and Jordan obediently apologized for his actions, even though he had already done so when we broke up. With his head hung low, he turned to leave, but just as he was about to exit the kitchen, Mom intervened unexpectedly.

Her sudden involvement caught everyone in the kitchen off guard, including myself. Dad, wearing a look of surprise and confusion, remained silent as his brown eyes remained fixed on Mom. Meanwhile, Jordan displayed a mixture of sadness, regret, and confusion as he looked at her.

With her hand resting on Dad's shoulder and her soft, soothing voice gently seeping into his ear, his tense expression softened within moments. Soon after, he reconsidered his decision and allowed Jordan to stay a bit longer.

Before leaving the kitchen, Dad issued a few warnings to Jordan, making it clear that any further hurt to me would not be taken lightly. I understand that Dad is simply being overly protective, but it's not like Jordan and I are romantically involved.

However, given all that has happened and is still happening to me, I can't help but wonder if Dad is projecting his anger and resentment towards Ethan onto Jordan. Could that be the case?

•<<<>>>•

Sitting in this booth, drinking an iced latte, my mind begins to wander once more. Since returning to Seattle, my thoughts have been in turmoil, especially after the recent events.

Although my body hasn't fully recovered from the accident, I felt compelled to return, considering the semester is drawing to a close. The number of missed classes was alarming, and I couldn't simply sit back and do nothing about it. Despite my parents' initial reluctance to let me go, they understood my perspective. Once I completed physiotherapy, they felt somewhat more comfortable allowing me to return to school.

As a result of the trauma caused by the accident, my parents decided to hire a therapist for me, and I am happy to have the opportunity to speak with her, even though it's online.

Upon my arrival, I didn't encounter the distant chatter I anticipated about my relationship with Ethan. As far as I'm aware, and as Autumn and Keyara informed me, nobody knows about Ethan and me. The names of those involved in the plane crash haven't been disclosed. Reflecting on this, I can't help but wonder if Ethan's father played a role. Given his influence and authority, it wouldn't be surprising if he influenced the media to keep the names hidden. From what I've gathered about him, he would spare no effort to protect his son, despite his tough demeanor.

As I lock my eyes on the bright screen of my phone, my stomach churns. My mind has been a whirlwind ever since yesterday's conversation, a conversation I've kept a secret from my best friends whom I know would fly off the handle if they knew about it.

Should I tell them regardless? What if they make things worse? Then what? How about if I talk to my therapist about it, would she be of help? I've been sitting on yesterday's conversation for a while now, trying to make sense of it all and not lose my composure. As I dive deeper into my thoughts, so do the muffled voices that have been echoing in the background for quite some time.

I find it difficult to focus now that I have this new problem weighing on my mind. Engaging in any activity only leads me to become deeply absorbed in my thoughts.

Since my return, the girls have been keeping their eyes on me, making sure that I'm okay physically, emotionally, and mentally; they've been going above and beyond to keep me distracted from the dark thoughts that consume my mind.

Despite the usual busyness of school, which is typical for this time of year, the girls have been prioritizing my happiness over their studies. Occasionally, we go out and enjoy pleasant evenings together, whether it's at a bar or wherever we can find joy.

Today, after class, Key insisted that I accompany her to a cafe near campus that's becoming a popular spot for students. Unable to dissuade her, I found myself walking alongside her and her classmate, who shares her passion for photography.

Thirty-plus minutes later, we're still here, seated in a booth, tucked away from the entrance, beside a large window overlooking a quieter street—a perfect setting for those who prefer outdoor seating.

"Mal? Mal?!" a muffled voice breaks through my thoughts, and it doesn't take me long to recognize who it is once I snap back to reality. Turning my gaze to the girls seated across from me, their expressions filled with concern, I sit up straight and assure them that I'm fine, despite receiving a few questioning glances.

"Are you sure?" Keyara asks again, "I mean, do you need anything? Should I—"

"I'm okay," I interject, smiling. "You were saying something before?"

Keyara stays silent for a moment as if analyzing me before responding, "Yes, Olivia and I are stepping out for a while. She needs help with something, but we won't be long."

"Yeah, we'll probably be back in less than 5 minutes," Olivia adds, her face adorned with a smile, the pink hue of her lips accentuating the vibrancy of her glowing emerald eyes.

"Okay. You'll find me here."

"Do you need anything at all?" Keyara asks me again, her concern evident in her husky yet soft voice.

Shaking my head, I offer her a smile, reassuring her that I'm okay and she has nothing to worry about.

"We'll be outside, so if you get bored, feel free to come join us," she adds.

"Okay." I smile.

After reassuring her for the hundredth time, she finally leaves alongside Olivia who's holding a camera in her hand.

As my gaze follows them, I prop my chin in my palm and watch them from a distance through the window. Seeing Keyara in a better place brings comfort to my heart despite the darkness surrounding me. Since the last time she spoke to her brother who finally got in touch with her, she seems to be happier than before.

Whatever it is he must have said to her seemed to cause a shift in her, and her outlook on family. Though she hasn't talked to her mom in a very long time, she doesn't seem tense about it whenever related topics come up, in fact, she openly expresses her feelings about the subject.

As I watch Olivia and Keyara taking pictures of their surroundings, I hear a male voice speak to me, its suddenness prompting me to shift my gaze in its direction.

Standing before me is a face I recognize immediately, a face I never thought I'd see after all the time that has passed. The person standing before me is wearing a football jacket, has short curly hair that's trimmed to perfection, and golden brown eyes that radiate light.

"Sorry, I—I didn't mean to startle you," he says, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm sitting with my friends over there," he continues, pointing with his thumb over his shoulder to a group of three guys chatting, seated not far from me. As I glance at each of them, I recognize Clayton, who's also wearing a football jacket.

"The minute I saw you, I couldn't shake the feeling that I've seen you before. I don't know if you remember me." He adds, a hint of nervousness evident in his voice.

"Of course, I remember you!" I smile while looking up at him, "From the party back in September at Clayton's house. You're the guy who asked me if my kidneys were healthy enough to be sold on the black market."

The mysterious guy I met at the party two days before school resumed. The guy who poured his thoughts out to me as he shared his worries about being a senior and life after school. The guy whom I sort of had a crush on after our meaningful conversation. The guy whom I kissed back after sharing with him how I felt about love. The guy whose name I didn't think to ask until it was too late.

That mysterious guy I never thought I'd see after that day is now standing before me, looking as good as the day when I first saw him. His light brown eyes still sparkle, and his kind smile is just as warm as it was on that September night.

"Yep, that's me." He chuckles nervously, "I hope I didn't traumatize you with that sentence."

"Oh, not at all," I smile back.

"Small world, huh? Never thought I'd see you again," he says, almost sounding incredulous. "Where are my manners?" he adds, lightly touching his forehead as if ashamed of his behavior. "I'm Rodney, by the way." He says, extending his hand for a handshake, a soft smile never leaving his face.

"Mallory," I respond, meeting his hand with a smile of my own.

Rodney, the mysterious and wise guy I met at a party, whom I thought I would never see again after his abrupt departure is standing before me right now. His light brown eyes are sparkling, his deep, golden skin glowing perfectly beneath the spring sun, and his smile is just as warm as it was on that September night.

Lyrics

Never got the chance. To say a last goodbye
I gotta move on. But it hurts to try

AN

Say hello to Rodney, the mysterious guy we never thought we'd hear from after the night of the party at Clayton's house. I don't know if you remember him, but he was at the beginning of the story. (First two chapters to be precise). We didn't get to know him but, anyway, he's back!!!

What are your thoughts about this chapter? Do we want to see more of Rodney? And what about Mallory and Ethan, is this the end of their love story?

Lastly, what do you think about Mallory's unknown conversation that's weighing heavy on her and is keeping it a secret from everyone?

                                        ***
Thank you so much for getting this far, much appreciated. Don't forget to vote, comment and share. It'd be nice to hear from you and your honest opinions/thoughts about the story.
                                     🧡🤎