As I sat beside Ethan on the bench, I expected some acknowledgement, a nod, or a glance. But instead, he totally ghosted me, his gaze fixed on some distant point, his expression unreadable. It felt like sitting alone, invisible, and ignored. The silence between us was palpable, a heavy fog that refused to lift.
My mind wandered to my mom's insights as a psychologist. She would say Ethan was broken, hiding behind a mask of perfection. Others saw him as flawless, but he viewed them as imperfect, unworthy of his attention. His behavior seemed to confirm this theory. The way he withdrew from social interactions, the way he avoided eye contact, it all pointed to a deeper pain.
I wondered what haunted him, what memories lingered in this spot, drawing him back like a magnet. Was it a past heartbreak, a loss, or a regret? The questions swirled in my head like a vortex, pulling me deeper into the mystery of Ethan.
Determined to break the silence, I made a gentle approach, reaching for his hand. My heart raced as I touched his skin, expecting him to pull away. But instead, he accepted my gesture, his hand remaining still in mine. It was a small victory, a crack in his armor.
But then, without warning, he pushed my hand away, his stare intense, angry rather than sad. "Don't," he growled, his voice low and rough, like thunder on a stormy night.
I recoiled, taken aback by the sudden rejection. "What did I do?" I asked, confusion etched on my face, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan stood up, his eyes flashing with a mix of emotions - anger, hurt, and frustration. "Just leave me alone," he muttered, turning to walk away, his footsteps echoing through the silence.
I watched him go, feeling a pang of hurt and confusion. What had I done wrong? Was it my touch, my presence, or something deeper? Had I unknowingly triggered a painful memory?
As I sat there, trying to process the encounter, I realized that Ethan's brokenness ran deeper than I had imagined. His anger was a shield, a defense mechanism to hide his vulnerabilities. He was a puzzle, complex and multifaceted, and I had only scratched the surface.
I wondered if anyone had ever breached his walls, if anyone had ever seen the real Ethan beneath the facade. And I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever get the chance to try again, to reach the heart of this enigmatic stranger.
As I walked through the front door, Rachel greeted me with a concerned expression, her eyes scanning my face for any signs of distress. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine concern.
I forced a smile, trying to brush off the lingering emotions from my encounter with Ethan. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired," I replied, attempting to downplay my true feelings.
Rachel raised an eyebrow, her gaze piercing. "Don't give me that, Amanda. I know you too well. You're not fine. Something's bothering you," she said, her tone firm but gentle.
I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. "Rachel, I'm really okay. Just drop it, please. I don't want to talk about it."
But Rachel wouldn't let up. She knew me too well, and she could see right through my facade. "Amanda, don't put up that brave mask if you're hurt. It's okay to show vulnerability. You need to let it go, and then you can heal faster," she said, her words dripping with empathy.
I frowned, perplexed. "What are you talking about, Rachel? I don't understand. What's going on?"
Rachel's expression turned sympathetic. "Come here, let me show you something," she said.
She pulled out her phone, opened the school gossip app, and handed it to me. My heart sank as I saw the latest post: "Ethan rejects Amanda's advances!" The words seemed to leap off the screen, taunting me.
My anger flared up, mixed with confusion and embarrassment. "Who the hell is making up all these lies?!" I exclaimed, feeling my face heat up with indignation.
Rachel placed a calming hand on my shoulder. "I know, it's ridiculous. But you need to ignore it, Amanda. Don't let them get to you. They're just trying to stir up drama."
I shook my head, still trying to process the situation. "But why are they doing this? I don't get it. I barely even talked to Ethan!"
Rachel's expression turned serious. "Because, Amanda, you're a threat to their perfect little world. You're getting attention from Ethan, and they can't handle it. They're trying to tear you down, to make you feel small."
I scoffed, feeling a surge of defiance. "Attention from Ethan? Are you kidding me? He barely talks to me! And even if he did, why would they care?"
Rachel smiled knowingly. "Exactly. That's what makes it so intriguing. The mystery, the suspense...they're eating it up. You're the new gossip fodder, Amanda."
I threw up my hands in exasperation. "This is insane. I just want to focus on my studies and my life, not be some gossip fodder. Can't they just leave me alone?"
Rachel nodded in agreement. "I know, Amanda. Just remember, their opinions don't define you. You are so much more than this drama. Don't let them bring you down."
As I settled into my cozy bed, feeling the softness of the blankets and the comfort of my pillow, I let out a deep sigh, ready to unwind after a long day. The aroma of dinner still lingered in my senses, and my stomach felt content. I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of my eyelids, and began to drift into relaxation mode.
Just as I was about to surrender to sleep, my phone suddenly sprang to life, shattering the peaceful atmosphere. The notification bell rang out, piercing the silence like a shrill scream. I groggily opened my eyes, reaching for my phone on the nightstand.
As I glanced at the screen, my heart sank. It was indeed the school gossip app, flashing its annoying icon, beckoning me to click and indulge in the latest drama. I rolled my eyes, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me.
Why bother? I thought to myself. It's just a bunch of petty rumors, fabricated stories, and immature gossip. I'm not going to let it ruin my evening.
With a deliberate swipe, I silenced the notification and tossed my phone aside, determined to avoid the toxic vortex of the app. I snuggled deeper into my blankets, focusing on the soothing quietness of my room.
As I lay there, I felt my mind begin to wander, replaying the events of the day, especially my encounter with Ethan. The memory of his brief touch, his intense gaze, and his abrupt departure still lingered, leaving me with more questions than answers.
But I refused to let my thoughts get entangled in the web of speculation and gossip. Instead, I chose to focus on my own well-being, my goals, and my aspirations.
With a newfound resolve, I closed my eyes, letting the softness of my bed envelop me. Sleep, I welcomed you. Take me away from this drama, and let me recharge for a brighter tomorrow.
As I drifted off into slumber, I smiled to myself, knowing that I had taken control of my emotions, my thoughts, and my life. The gossip app could wait; my peace of mind couldn't.