Part 2: Don't Leave Me Again
The air felt lighter.
The world… normal again.
Or at least—
That's what it looked like.
A Walk That Changed Everything
They walked side by side.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just enough distance to pretend…
Nothing was happening between them.
"…You're slow."
Ethan said casually.
Amelia didn't even look at him.
"…You're annoying."
"…That's not new."
"…Exactly."
"…You walk like an old woman."
Ethan said casually again.
She didn't look at him.
"…And you talk like a broken radio."
He smirked.
"…You missed me."
"…Keep dreaming."
A small silence followed.
A small silence followed.
Comfortable.
Then—
A sound.
Fast.
Too fast.
A motorcycle—
Rushing straight toward them.
Everything happened in seconds.
Amelia froze.
Her body reacting—
But not moving fast enough.
Then—
A force grabbed her.
Pulled her hard.
Spun her around.
Ethan.
He moved without thinking.
Without hesitation.
Pulling her to the other side—
Shielding her completely.
And then—
THUD.
The handle of the motorcycle hit his ribs.
Hard.
Too hard.
The bike sped off—
Gone before anyone could react.
But Ethan—
He didn't move.
Not immediately.
The Pain He Tried to Hide
His grip on her tightened for a second.
Then loosened slowly.
His breath—
Sharp.
Uneven.
"…You okay?"
His voice low.
Controlled.
Like nothing happened.
But Amelia saw it.
She saw everything.
The way his jaw clenched.
The way his body stiffened.
The flash of pain in his eyes—
Before he tried to hide it.
"…Ethan…"
Her voice shook slightly.
"…You got hit."
He shook his head lightly.
"…It's nothing."
A lie.
A bad one.
Because the pain—
It was real.
Sharp.
Deep.
And she knew it.
"…Why would you do that?"
Her voice broke.
"…You could've—"
"…But I didn't."
He cut her off.
Simple.
Direct.
He looked at her.
"…You're fine."
And that—
That was all that mattered to him.
She Breaks
Something inside her snapped.
Not anger.
Not fear.
Something deeper.
Emotion.
Raw.
Uncontrolled.
"…Stop doing that."
Her voice cracked.
"…Stop acting like it doesn't matter."
Ethan frowned slightly.
"…It doesn't."
"…It does!"
Her voice rose.
Breaking completely now.
"…You matter!"
Silence hit instantly.
Because she didn't mean to say that.
But it came out anyway.
And now—
It was real.
Tears filled her eyes.
"…I can't…"
Her voice trembled.
"…I can't watch someone get hurt like that again."
That line—
It changed everything.
Later That Night
Ethan sat in his room.
Bandaged.
Cleaned up.
But the pain—
Still there.
A knock came at the door.
Soft.
"…Come in."
The door opened slowly.
Amelia stepped in.
Quiet.
Careful.
Different.
"…I was worried about you."
Her voice softer now.
Honest.
Ethan leaned back slightly.
A small smirk forming.
"…I'm fine."
Same answer.
Same tone.
But this time—
She didn't accept it.
She stepped closer.
"…Stop saying that."
A pause.
"…You're not."
Silence.
Then—
She sat beside him.
Closer than before.
No distance now.
"…I lost people before."
Her voice dropped.
Heavy.
"…And it doesn't get easier."
Ethan didn't interrupt.
Didn't joke.
Just listened.
"…You think you're strong enough to handle it…"
A pause.
"…but you're not."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"…I don't want to lose someone again."
There it was.
The truth.
Raw.
Real.
Ethan's expression softened.
Completely.
No teasing.
No mask.
Just him.
"…You won't."
His voice quieter now.
Steady.
She shook her head slightly.
"…You don't know that."
A pause.
Then—
He reached for her hand.
Gently.
Carefully.
"…Then I'll make sure of it."
Her breath caught slightly.
"…How?"
He held her gaze.
Closer now.
"…By staying."
Simple.
But powerful.
And for the first time—
She believed him.
Even if just a little.
End Scene — A Bond Formed
Some connections don't come from happiness.
They come from pain.
From fear.
From the moments that almost break you.
And in that room—
Something real was built.
Not perfect.
Not easy.
But strong.
Because this time—
Neither of them wanted to lose again.
To be continued…