THE GIRL WHO STAYED FOR ONLY ONE SUMMER
Chapter 8
They tried to pretend nothing had changed.
It didn’t work.
Tuesday was awkward.
Wednesday was worse.
Thursday became unbearable.
Maya packed her suitcase.
Ethan watched from the doorway.
“Need help?”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
She folded a sweater.
Stopped.
Then sat on the bed.
“I don’t want to leave.”
Ethan didn’t answer.
“I don’t want to leave you.”
He sat beside her.
“Then don’t.”
She looked at him.
“You know I can’t do that.”
“I know.”
“Then why say it?”
“Because I wanted to hear you say it.”
She looked down.
“I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“That if I stay, I’ll wonder who I could have become.”
Ethan nodded slowly.
“And if you go?”
“I’ll wonder what we could have been.”
Silence.
Ethan looked at her.
“Maybe both questions don’t need answers.”
She wiped her eyes.
“You’re very calm.”
“I’m not.”
“You’re acting like it.”
“Someone has to.”
She laughed through the tears.
“You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
She leaned against him.
He wrapped an arm around her.
Neither spoke.
Outside, Greyhaven moved quietly toward evening.
