15. Ami
Chapter fifteen
Ami
A few years ago, if someone told me that I would be standing here, clapping and cheering on a guy that I grew up competing with, I would never believe them.
But life works in a mysterious way, and so here we are.
A few years ago, I would never admit that I was impressed with Ethan, but this one summer has changed so much between us that whatever we thought was normal between us is no longer normal.
We’ve found mutual respect, as we create a bond that I never really saw coming in just a few weeks.
This trip has proven to be more than I initially thought it would be.
Frankly, I didn’t even think that coming here would help my writer’s block.
But color me surprised because not only have I been able to get back to writing, but with a great many ideas.
And that’s because of all the interesting things I’ve learned about Seabrook.
The fact that this place carries history so rich and colorful surprises me. The feeling of having missed out on the true beauty of this town fills me every time I think of it. But with everything that is going on, I have high hopes that Seabrook will return to its original state once more.
And even though I’m here, supporting Ethan and rooting for him as he finishes the speech, I can’t help but notice my aunt sitting nearby.
She doesn’t conceal her disappointment or feeling of betrayal and I feel a pang of regret hit me.
I didn’t want things to turn out this way but what could I even have done when Aunt Maggie refused to even talk about this?
As soon as Ethan’s speech ends, he walks through the crowd stopping to talk with a few people but his eyes keep flickering to me, as if to confirm that I am still where he last saw me.
Something about that makes my cheeks heat, but I try not to think much about it.
My eyes fall back to my Aunt Maggie. I feel such guilt as I watch her stand up and storm away.
Concern fills me and I was about to get up and follow when Ethan finally comes up to me. “Hey,” he says casually.
I tear my eyes away from my aunt's retreating figure. Maybe it’s best that I leave her alone for a while.
Knowing her, even if I try to talk to her and explain myself right now, she’ll just refuse to hear me out.
Even though this is the last thing I want, I sigh and turn my focus back to Ethan, avoiding the confrontation with Aunt Maggie that I know is bound to happen sometime soon.
“Hi, you were awesome up there,” I tell him with a small smile.
“You think so?” he asks, his eyes lighting up.
“Of course. A lot of people were very invested. I’m sure this campaign will be a success; I can feel it.” I tell him.
“I really hope so,” he says, as he pauses and scans my face with concern. “How did Aunt Maggie take it?” he asks softly, and my smile evaporates. I sigh, and he understands immediately as he places a hand on my arm in a way to comfort me.
“I didn’t expect her to cheer for you, but I don’t like that she and I are on such bad terms. You should have seen the betrayed look she had when she saw me, Ethan. I hate this.” I tell him, my voice thick with emotion.
Ethan’s eyes soften as he looks at me. He places a hand on my shoulder, making me look up at him.
“Hey, hey, hey. Don’t be so negative, now. Your aunt loves you just as much as you love her and I am sure she will get over this soon. Just give it some time. She’ll come around.” he tells me.
“And what if she doesn’t? What if she hates me or can’t ever trust me again?” Tears well in my eyes.
“Nothing of that sort will happen, Ami. And if it does, I promise you I will do anything I can to make it right. Trust me, Aunt Maggie and you will be just fine,” he promises, and I can’t help but put my faith in his words. After all, what other choice do I have?
I nod, “I hope so, Ethan. I really do.”
We stand for a few moments before I break the silence. “So, what’s the next step?” I ask, and Ethan removes his hand from my shoulder. And even now I will never admit it out loud, I miss the warmth as soon as it leaves me.
“Well, the next step is the forum. Which I will be hosting,” he tells me, and I raise my eyebrows.
“Aren’t we already done with the forum?” I ask, confused.
“We are,” he nods before continuing, “but since I have changed my campaign, I have to host it once more and explain my ideas in detail with the people and give them a chance to interact and ask questions,” he explains.
“Oh, so basically this time around you have to take people’s opinions about your ideas?” I confirm and he nods. “Not just ideas, but their oppositions too. People can tell me what I am doing wrong and what I should do. And I admit that I’m a little nervous,” he admits.
“Hey, you don’t have to be nervous. You have great ideas, and you deal with people easily.”
“It’s not just that. Honestly, you and I both worked on this.
Remember, a lot of the ideas in this campaign are yours.
I was thinking of asking you to co-host with me but seeing the situation with Aunt Maggie, I don’t want to put you in a more difficult situation.
I just hope that I can answer all their queries without making a fool out of myself. ” he says worriedly.
He's right, he was so worried when we were coming up with a new campaign that I had to give him several ideas before he could come up with things himself. The fact that he needs me but won’t ask for my help because he knows how much my relationship with Aunt Maggie means to me warms my heart.
“Oh Ethan, you could never make a fool out of yourself. Where is the smug, overconfident guy that I have always seen? You know you’re good at everything you do, and this is going to be no different.
And as for co-hosting with you, since I have already come so far, I won’t back out just now. I want what you have in mind for this town, and after everything I have already done it would be a shame if I back down now.” I tell him with a slow smile. He looks at me with a hopeful expression.
“But Aunt Maggie…?” he asks hesitantly.
“I know I can show her how much I love her with your help.” I tell him, my eyes hopeful.
Ethan’s eyes light up at my words, and I wonder. All the time that we spent competing as kids, maybe we would have been better off as partners in crime.
***
Ethan and I spend the next two days planning the forum.
We add more ideas and come up with enticing ways to explain them.
We want people to understand the importance of culture and how to take culture and development hand in hand.
And despite the first time when we sat down and worked on our campaign, this time around Ethan had a lot of ideas that were perfect.
I finally got to see the version of him that is so into this whole thing. I could see just how determined he is to work hard to make this town better for the people. That makes me feel better about the whole ordeal. It makes going against my aunt at least a little worth it.
When the day of the forum finally arrives, I’m filled with anticipation and worry at the same time. Even though I can’t wait for people to hear us out and learn about our ideas, at the same time I can’t help but worry about their response.
This town is full of older people who can be difficult to convince.
In fact, most of Aunt Maggie’s supporters are these people, and I know just what they think about change.
They’ve spent their entire lives living here, following a certain lifestyle and when they hear all our ideas that promote changing quite a lot of things, I can only imagine how thrilled they will be. Not!
But that doesn’t mean we won’t try.
I jump out of the shower and quickly dress. I settle on a formal white shirt and pair it with a pair of flared blue denim jeans. It looks semi-formal, which is exactly what I am going for. I quickly dry my hair and style it before dabbing on some makeup and putting on a pair of gold earrings.
Once I’m dressed, I look in the mirror and make sure I look fine before leaving the house. Ethan is waiting outside my house, dressed in a formal blue shirt and beige pants. He looks as handsome as ever, although I can tell he is nervous from the way he keeps moving his hands.
“Hey,” I say as I walk up to him.
“You look nice,” he tells me, and I can’t help but smile even as blush.
“You don’t look so bad either.” I joke and he chuckles. “So…. ready for today?” I ask him as we start walking together.
“I guess so. Honestly, I don’t even know what to expect.
All I know is that you’ll be there and that’s my only hope for things going smoothly.
” His words make my heart flutter. He says it so casually as if he is stating nothing but facts.
But knowing that my presence means so much to him makes me giddy.
“Trust me, your ideas will win everyone over. You won’t even need me.” I tell him, waving my hands.
I feel him pause and look at me for a moment before he answers in a low voice, “I don’t think that’s even possible anymore.
” he murmurs. And his words hold such depth that I don’t dare ask him what he means.
Instead, I stay silent as we walk together until we reach the town hall.
Before we enter Ethan surprises me as he turns me toward him and leans down to kiss me.
It’s gentle to begin but soon becomes more urgent.
I’m left breathless and ask him what that was all about.
His grin tells me everything. But he says it's to let me know what I mean to him.
With that, we enter the room to find all the seats already filled. I scan the room and find Aunt Maggie sitting in the second row, a somber expression on her face. I take a deep breath as I feel Ethan brush his hand against mine. Looking up he gives me a supportive smile that I try to return.