Chapter 6: Engagements and Escapes

Ethan's mom returned from Europe the next day.

Her arrival was a whirlwind—luggage rolling in, perfume trailing behind her, the house suddenly alive with activity. She swept me into a quick hug, her arms cool from the outside air.

When she heard about what had happened, she immediately came to comfort me.

She sat beside me on the couch, pulling me close. Her voice was gentle, but there was steel behind her words. “I won’t have anyone in my house treated like that, Maddie.”

"Maddie, are you feeling better now? I've scolded that brat for two hours. I gave him a piece of my mind for you."

She squeezed my hand, her smile warm. Ethan lingered nearby, rubbing his temples as if he could will away the headache she’d given him.

Ethan stood beside her, rubbing his temples in frustration.

He shot me a look, half-apology, half-annoyance. Mrs. Miller was the kind of woman who got her way, and everyone knew it.

She patted my hand and sighed.

Her rings clicked together as she patted my hand, her sigh carrying the weight of a thousand worries. “You kids are going to drive me gray before my time.”

"Ethan has been too restless lately. We plan to get you two engaged after you graduate high school in half a year. That way, he can settle down."

She spoke as if engagement was as simple as a change of clothes—just another box to check off her to-do list. The idea made my stomach clench.

Ethan's jaw tightened, his expression cold.

He stared at the far wall, lips pressed into a thin line. For once, he didn’t argue. I wondered what he was thinking.

Before he could speak, I spoke up first.

I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “No need, Mrs. Miller. There’s no rush to get engaged.”

"No need, Mrs. Miller. There's no rush to get engaged."

The words hung in the air, more final than I intended.

Ethan was slightly startled.

His eyes snapped to mine, surprise flickering across his face. For the first time, he seemed unsure of what to say.

He stood silently by, watching as I gently persuaded Mrs. Miller until she left.

I put on my best smile, promising her I was fine. She finally relented, bustling off to her office with one last worried glance.

It was as if he was deep in thought.

Ethan lingered in the doorway, lost in thought. I could almost see the gears turning in his mind.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and then he asked in a casual tone,

He cleared his throat, trying to sound casual, but I could hear the tension beneath the words.

"Last year on your birthday, didn't you say you wanted to make our relationship official after graduation?"

He studied my face, searching for a reaction.

His gaze slowly moved to my face.

The silence stretched between us, heavy and uncertain.

"Why aren't you in a hurry now?"

There was a challenge in his voice, as if daring me to answer honestly.

Ethan is really hard to figure out sometimes.

He was always a puzzle, each piece shaped by pride and pain. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to solve him anymore.

He was always the one eager to refuse.

All those years, it was Ethan putting up walls. Now, with mine up, he seemed lost.

But when I refused for him, he didn't seem happy either.

For a second, I wondered if he’d finally realized what he stood to lose.

I couldn't find a good excuse to brush him off.

The right words wouldn’t come. I just looked away, hoping he’d drop it.

Luckily, Mrs. Miller came back and called him away, ending the conversation early.

Her voice echoed down the hall, summoning him to discuss travel plans. Relief flooded me as Ethan left the room.

When the door closed, the room was quiet again.

I let out a long breath, tension draining from my shoulders.

I turned on my phone.

The screen lit up, a welcome distraction. I checked my messages, heart pounding as I read the latest from the guidance counselor.

[Mr. Thompson: Maddie, the transfer procedures will take about a week. Since it's almost your senior year, so as not to delay your progress, try to keep coming to school during this time.]

His message was businesslike, but I read hope between the lines. There was a way out, and it was finally in reach.