ETHAN'S POV
I couldn't get Tori out of my head. All day, I'd been looking for her between classes, hoping to offer her a ride home. But she'd completely vanished after our morning drive to school.
It wasn't until I was home that evening that I realized I still didn't even have her number.
How was I supposed to check on her? What if her knee was worse? What if she needed help?
"This is ridiculous," I muttered to myself, pacing my bedroom. "You barely know this girl."
But that wasn't true anymore. I knew her—the real her, not just the volleyball player who glared at me in econ class. I knew how she bit her lip when she was concentrating. How her eyes lit up when she talked about volleyball. How soft her lips felt against mine.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I jumped in the shower, threw on clean clothes, and grabbed my car keys.
The drive to Tori's apartment took fifteen minutes. When I pulled up outside her building, I killed the engine and sat there, suddenly uncertain.
What was I doing here? It was already 9 PM. What excuse could I possibly give for showing up at her door this late?
"Just checking on your knee," sounded lame, even in my head. "I can't stop thinking about our kiss," seemed too forward. "I still want you to be my girlfriend," was definitely not happening tonight.
So I just sat there, staring up at what I thought was her window, debating with myself. The light was on.
Was she studying? Watching TV? Had she taken her medication? Was she icing her knee like the doctor said?
Images from the night she'd spent at my place flashed through my mind. The way she'd looked in my t-shirt. How she'd murmured my name in her sleep. How I'd imagined what it would be like if she were actually mine.
"Get it together, Ethan," I said, rubbing my face. "This is getting creepy."
I was just about to start the car again when a scream pierced the quiet night. It came from Tori's apartment.
I got off the car and raced toward her building before I could think. Taking the stairs two at a time, I reached her door, heart pounding.
Without hesitating, I twisted the knob—unlocked, thank god—and burst in.
"Tori, are you okay?" I shouted, scanning the apartment for danger.
She spun around from where she stood in the kitchen, a glass of water in hand, eyes wide with shock. She was fine. Completely fine.
"Ethan, what are you doing here?" she demanded.
I froze, suddenly aware of how this looked. I'd just broken into her apartment because... what? I'd heard a scream? From outside in my car? Where I'd been sitting for God knows how long?
"I, uh..." I swallowed hard, searching for an explanation that wouldn't make me sound like a stalker.
Her eyes narrowed, moving from me to the open door and back.
"Wait," she said slowly, pointing outside. "Is that car yours?"
I nodded, my throat dry.
"That car has been parked there for over an hour," she said, her voice rising. "What the hell are you doing here this late, Ethan?"
There was no point lying.
"I was worried about you," I admitted. "I looked for you all day at school, but I couldn't find you. And I realized I still don't have your number. So I thought I'd check on you, but then I got here and it was late, and I wasn't sure if I should come up, so I just... sat there."
"For an hour?"
"Apparently."
"That's creepy."
"I know," I sighed. "I'm sorry. I heard a scream and thought you were in trouble."
She rolled her eyes. "The TV was loud. I was watching a horror movie."
"Oh." I felt like an idiot. "Well, now that I know you're okay, I guess I'll go."
But I didn't move toward the door. Instead, I took in her appearance—loose sweatpants, an oversized t-shirt, hair piled on top of her head. She looked beautiful.
"I'm fine," she said firmly. "You can leave."
My stomach growled loudly, saving me from having to respond. An idea formed.
"Any chance I could get a cup of coffee before I go?" I asked, attempting a charming smile. "I haven't eaten since lunch."
Her expression hardened. "No. You need to leave."
"After how I helped you yesterday, don't I deserve a cup of coffee to kill the host in my stomach?" I tried to look as pitiful as possible.
"You shouldn't be here, Ethan," she said, crossing her arms.
She looked sad. "Please leave."
Something was off. This wasn't just about me showing up unannounced. There was something else.
"I searched everywhere for you after school," I said, taking a step closer to her. "Why did you disappear?"
"Why were you looking for me?" she countered.
"I wanted to drive you home. Make sure you were okay." I paused, studying her face. "And maybe get an answer to my question from yesterday."
Her expression flickered, a mix of emotions crossing her face too quickly for me to read. She didn't respond, just stood there, arms wrapped around herself like a shield.
I moved closer, drawn to her despite the warning signals. There was something between us—something electric and undeniable. I could feel it humming in the air whenever we were together.
"Tori," I said softly, close enough now to smell her shampoo. "What's going on? Talk to me."
Her eyes met mine, and for a second, I thought I saw the same want I felt reflected there. Her lips parted slightly, and I couldn't help myself. I leaned in, intending to kiss her again, to feel that connection that had been haunting me since yesterday.
Her hands shot up between us, pushing against my chest with surprising force. I stumbled backward, shocked by the sudden rejection.
"Leave right now, Ethan," she said, her voice cracking. "I don't want any trouble."
"Trouble? What trouble?"
But she didn't answer. Instead, to my horror, tears began spilling down her cheeks.
"Tori, what's wrong?" I reached for her, but she backed away.
"Just go," she whispered through her tears. "Please."