11. Ethan
Chapter eleven
Ethan
Ami has been a great help to me. After witnessing her stance during her argument with Maggie and her passion for writing the campaign speech, I can say that she is a wonderful person.
I never thought she could go against her aunt’s beliefs and be so persistent about conserving the town’s history.
She is just here for the summer vacations, yet the way she cares about her ancestral town and the people warms my heart.
In fact, my heart has been blazing after seeing this new side of her.
The campaign speech she wrote for me was quite a powerful one.
I am sure that I can run the new campaign in a great way.
This morning, the weather is quite pleasant. I throw on a shirt and shorts to enjoy the cooling breeze by the waves. Instantly, the salty fresh breeze calms my nerves. I am by the beach, taking a stroll, when I spot Ami with a cute frown on her face.
She looks pretty in her yellow sundress that reaches her knees. Her beautiful dark hair is tied in a braid. She is wearing cute flip-flops.
“Hey, Ami,” I yell out her name as she is at quite a distance from me.
She turns toward my voice and waves at me.
My heart skips a beat when she smiles while approaching me.
The scent of the sea with the fresh breeze is something, but it’s her sweet scent that enters my senses.
“Hey, Ethan. What’s up?” she asks cheerfully.
She was just frowning earlier. I’m sure she’s quite stressed about the whole situation, yet she’s now smiling at me.
I love this about her. She cannot delve too much into her sorrows for much longer.
“Just thought of taking a walk to clear my mind. What about you?” I ask folding my arms. “Same! The beach is a wonderful place to clear our minds,” she smiles.
“I cannot believe we are agreeing on something right now. We were childhood foes, remember?” I tell her jokingly, making her crack up.
We are indeed the opposites. From childhood till now, she did everything that would annoy me and vice versa.
There was only one competitor for me and that was Amelia.
The same went for her. It was probably the same reason why she decided to support her aunt’s campaign against me.
“We have been seeing eye to eye a lot lately. I also find it shocking that we both want the same thing regarding Seabrook’s present and future,” she sighs as we take a stroll by the sea.
I nod with a smile because I know what she is talking about. The town’s hidden secret has united us. She wants the same future as I do. I’m glad that someone is as determined about the revival of the town’s glory as I am. There are not as many differences between us as I originally thought.
I tell her that I saw her frowning earlier, and ask is she’s still stressed about how everything will turn out.” I hope that she will tell me because, for some reason, I cannot seem to ignore that she’s tense.
She answers. “I still haven’t talked to Aunt Maggie about my intentions.
I also haven’t shown her the story I wrote the other day.
She clearly doesn’t want me to pursue this matter any further as you have seen.
How can I go ahead without consulting her?
It would affect her the most,” she takes a deep breath and stops walking.
I follow suit wondering what’s wrong. She looks around her for some time and finds the shade of a tree nearby.
Sitting under the huge tree, she signals for me to follow.
I laugh at her as I sit beside her on the sand.
She can be unpredictable when she wants to.
“I can understand. I would suggest that you show her the piece of writing. I am sure she will love it considering her love for stories. It might soften her heart a little regarding her stance on the town’s history,” I lean back as I give her my suggestion.
Maggie is at a crucial point in her political career.
No wonder she doesn’t seem to support Ami’s ideas.
“I really doubt that. However, I am thinking of showing her that. At least, she can read my story and know that I am trying to get over the writer’s block,” she laughs. There’s a glint in her eyes that makes me want to keep staring into them. I clear my throat when she catches me looking at her.
“I never knew you could write this well. I mean, I knew you were passionate about writing, but this is the first time I truly paid attention to your talent. The way you have written the narrative about the town as well as my campaign speech, I know you’ll be a successful writer,” I give her the compliment that she deserves. She visibly blushes.
“You're just being nice. I want to be a writer. However, I think that I lack in many areas. I want to improve, but I don’t know how,” she says with exasperation.
I can understand how frustrated she must be feeling. She needs a platform where she can grow.
“Hey Ami, of course you have the potential to grow. You're already a wonderful writer. You probably just need some guidance to start. I know you’ll find a way to work on your passion. I’m available to help anytime if you need it,” I shift so we both sit facing the sea.
Her eyes shine as she hears my emotional support.
“Thank you. I’ll tell you if I need your help. After all, it’s not every day when the high and mighty Ethan offers to help his archrival,” her pretty smile adding a mischievous look. I cackle at the way she put it. She is not wrong. That’s what everybody called us: archrivals.
“So Ethan, tell me about your dreams. What’s something that you wanna do the most?
” She asks as she turns her body so she’s facing me.
I think about it for a while. I’ve always known about my dreams. Although not much has changed, there’s definitely a little change sprinkled in the direction of my dreams after our discovery of the secret.
“Well, I’ve always wanted to serve my people, whether through politics or other means.
I got this wonderful opportunity to run for the town council.
I have the means to achieve my dream. However, we came across the hidden history of the town.
My campaign has changed, but my aim remains the same.
I want to revive the rich culture and history of the town, provide the means for the people to take pride in them, and modernize the town’s infrastructure.
That is my dream: To serve the people and the town,” I voice out my new aim in front of her.
It’s amazing to think that I am here sharing my dreams with her.
I didn’t even hesitate one bit. She was listening to me the whole time attentively.
“That’s wonderful Ethan. I hope you achieve your dreams,” she beams but a serious expression crosses her face suddenly, “Ethan, what if people do not accept your newly found desire to unveil the truth about the town’s history?
Have you thought about what you will do?
What if it affects your election campaign? ” she asks thoughtfully.
I have been thinking about the question myself. I know what I am going to do.
“First of all, I doubt that they will stop supporting me as I am going to address their concern which is investing and reaping. Secondly, I have the speech which you helped me write so I am sure that it will give them a moment to reflect. Thirdly, even if they stop supporting my campaign and I lose the election, I will not back down from my purpose. I will keep striving for the town and the people’s well-being. ”
I finish and stare at her, who is looking at me with admiration.
I suppress a smile. I didn’t say all that to impress her.
You're not as bad as I thought.” She concludes with a chuckle.
I narrow my eyes. “Just how bad did you think I was?” I ask her with an artificial frown, making her laugh at my expression.
“A lot, actually!” She thinks it is a good idea to tease me.
I am in a good mood, so I launch myself forward to try to scare her away.
“I am going to get you,” I growl, making her scream and laugh. She gets up and starts running. I chase her and reach her in no time.
“You thought you could get away, huh?” I pull her by the waist. She is constantly giggling and trying to free herself. I laugh as I tighten my grip.
“Ethan, let go! Please, I never meant it,” she tries to break free, but I hold her in place. Her giggles are like music to my ears. It makes my heart full.
“Okay, then tell me I am a good guy. Come one!” I instruct, to which, she shakes her head while still in my arms and smiling.
“Tell me or else you're never going to be released,” I tell her with a chuckle. She laughs.
“You're enjoying it way too much, aren’t you?” She asks, clutching my shirt to try to get me to free her. My breath hitches as I feel her touch.
“I am,” I tell her honestly, with no hint of joking, “What about you?” I ask her in return.
Her cheeks are red as I put my hand on the small of her back.
Her chest rises and falls quickly as she prepares herself to speak. We are so close to one another. I can feel her soft breath.
“Me too!” She says in a small voice, avoiding eye contact. I beam as I hear her response. We both know what we are talking about.
“I like you, Ami. I don’t know when my feeling of irritation changed, but it did. Something has changed after you returned this summer,” I confess to her, pouring out my feelings. I have been meaning to tell her about my feelings towards her, but I never got the confidence. Now, I finally did that.
Her eyes widen as she listens to my confession. She remains quiet for a moment but smiles eventually. “I like you too, Ethan.” She smiles shyly, making me grin.
She likes me too! I grab her face gently and lean down. Her eyes flutter close with anticipation. I smile and let my lips touch hers softly. She sighs as I pull her even closer and lead the kiss. Her lips start moving against mine. I am simply in heaven.
I finally know her taste—her sweetness intoxicates me as we stand there and devour each other’s mouths while the dolphins seem to mimic my joy as they play excitedly in the sea. The waves lap softly and the birds chirp enthusiastically. Everything seems to be in joyful motion for the new beginning.
A sweet new beginning for the archrivals!