Chapter-36|You>Distance

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20th September'2020

My phone dings, making me put my coffee on the center table. Picking up the phone, I lean back against the couch, still in Ethan's hoodie.

After we dropped Ethan and Riley at the airport, Dani and I returned to our apartment, where she dragged me to her room and made me tell her every detail of our night together. The excitement and happiness on Dani's face were almost palpable.

After we gushed about it for a while, we finally returned to our schedule. She went to the basketball house to meet Mason, and I caught up on the work I was supposed to do last night. Only fifteen minutes ago, I decided to take a break.

Unlocking my phone, I click on the newly arrived message.

Ethan:

Just reached home. I already miss you. x

Me:

I miss you more. x

I am about to keep the phone back on the table, not expecting a reply. He must be busy with all the chaos going on in the house. That's why surprise overtakes me when I see three dots dancing on my screen.

Ethan:

Heading to the hospital. Liam hasn't the hospital since the accident.

His message pulls the strings of my heart, making me sad. For a moment, I contemplate what to reply to before I type.

Me:

I know it's hard, but I also know you can do this. It's gonna be fine.

I press the send button, hoping my message brings him hope.

Ethan:

God, I miss you so much. I wish I could hug you right now.

Reading his message, I feel my lips pull into a smile.

Me:

Trust me, I want nothing more than to hug you right now.

Super soon.

Ethan:

Super soon. x

I gotta go, now. Dad's waiting. I'll call you tonight.

Me:

Okay. x

I press send and lock my phone before sighing. It's not even been twenty-four hours and I already miss him like hell. I have no idea how to go by the next few days.

Picking up my cup of coffee, I re-play Grey's Anatomy and sit back, determined to get Ethan out of my mind.

⤎❁⤏

22nd September'2020

My phone dings just as I step inside the apartment. I smile, already guessing who it must be.

Knowing Dani's in her class right, I lock the door behind me and walk over to my room. Placing my bag on my desk chair, I lie back down on my bed.

Ethan:

Hi, gorgeous.

My smile widens as I read Ethan's message.

Me:

Hey, handsome.

Ethan:

How was your class?

Me:

Like class. How was your day?

Instead of replying, Ethan sends me a picture of the baby.

"Aww..." I whisper as I watch her rosy cheeks and brown eyes, looking up to the camera.

Me:

I wish I could fly to North Carolina and pinch her cheeks.

Ethan:

She doesn't like her cheeks pinched. I tried. She cries.

But you could still come.

Me:

You're not very good with babies, are you?

Ethan:

Oh, please. Babies love me.

I laugh, reading the message. I could almost see Ethan scoffing.

Me:

Not more than me.

Ethan:

Come here and we'll see.

I smirk reading his message. Last night, I randomly joked about going to North Carolina, and ever since, he's been trying to sweet talk me into it.

Me:

Nice try, baby.

Ethan:

Not a successful one.

Me:

Aww.

Anyway, how is Hanna?

Ethan:

The doctors say she's recovering quickly. She even held the baby today.

Hanna's vitals stabilized the night Riley and Ethan reached North Carolina. She had her surgery the next morning. Fortunately, it's been smooth sailing since then. When Ethan told me everything, my heart broke. Liam has been a mess since the accident. He couldn't even celebrate the birth of his baby when the woman he loves more than life was fighting for hers.

Luckily, everything's so much better now with Hanna out of danger. Liam is so much more stable and both of them are hoarding the baby like anything.

Me:

That's great.

Ethan:

I know, right? You can talk to her tonight when I go back to the hospital if you want?

Me:

Yeah, I'd love that.

How's Riley doing?

I had talked to Riley last night. She was quite happy with the way things were turning out and she obviously adores that little bag of cuteness. While Ethan took it upon himself to take care of Liam and his mom, Riley consoled Olivia, who was really shaken from the suddenness of it all.

Ethan:

She's doing better. 

She took Olivia out today, to just kind of... you know, get her away from the whole situation.

Olivia is the most protected of the Knight kids and since Ethan and Riley moved to LA, she's been the one to hang out with Hanna a lot. She's still in high school and all of this must have been a lot for her.

I'm about to text back, but my screen changes. Looking at the name, I realize Gray is calling me. The poop emoji next to his name makes me snort every time he calls.

"Hey! What's up." I say, picking up the call.

"Are you free tonight?" I hear him say from the other side.

"Straight to the point. No pleasantries?" I tease. "Rude."

"Hey, Iris." He sighs. "How're you doing? Well, I am sure you're fucking fantastic and I'm also doing great." He continues blankly, making me laugh.

"Now, are you free tonight?"

"Yep, Gray. I'm free." I say, rolling onto my stomach.

"Come over. I need your help with psych. We can order takeout or something?" He suggests.

"You're asking me for help or are you ordering me to help?" I ask, raising an eyebrow, even though he can't see it.

"Whichever gets you here." He says, laughing.

"Asshole." I mutter. "Fine, I'll be there."

"Cool. You're the best human on this earth besides me, obviously." I can practically imagine the smirk on his face.

"Obviously." I snort.

"I'll see you tonight." He says and hangs up the phone.

I go back to my conversation with Ethan after checking the time.

Ethan:

Are you okay?

I see his message, and a soft smile takes over my face.

Me:

Yeah, I'm fine. Just got a call.

Ethan:

Okay. What's your plan for the day?

Me:

Nothing special. I'm just talking to this really hot guy right now.

I smirk, typing the message.

Might meet up with my friend later, though.

My smirk widens when I read his text.

Ethan:

Well, how's the hot guy doing so far?

Me:

A solid 5/10.

Ethan:

That's a bit low, don't you think?

A chuckle escapes my lips when I read his message.

Me:

I kinda agree. What do you suggest I do?

Ethan:

Probably ghost his ass.

Me:

Do you really want me to ghost him?

Ethan:

I don't see the point in talking to a 5.

Me:

Yeah, well, he might not be the best texter, but he's kinda cool.

As I wait for his reply, I subconsciously bite my lips.

Ethan:

Sounds exactly like you.

A gasp escapes my lips when I read his message, but then my lips turn into a smile as I chuckle, disbelievingly. 

Me:

What is that supposed to mean?

Ethan:

You know, not a great texter but kinda cool. That's exactly like you.

I chuckle as I read the message.

Me:

I'm slightly offended.

Ethan:

It would be disappointing if you weren't.

I could picture the cheesy grin on his face, and the mental image melts my heart.

Me:

Well, the 'not a great texter but the kinda cool girl' is your girlfriend. What does that say about you?

Ethan:

It means I like my girlfriend for her personality and not the flirty texts she sent me last night when she was drunk.

Me:

One fucking time!

Ethan:

One time is enough for me to tease you for a lifetime.

Me:

I swear to god, Knight. If you tell anyone, I'll kill you with my bare hands.

Ethan:

No, you won't.

Me:

Yes, I will.

Ethan:

Nope.

Okay, I gotta go now. Call you tonight?

Me:

I will kill you, but yeah, call me and take care.

⤎❁⤏

25th September'2020

Me:

I fucking hate college! Why would someone go to college by their own free will?

It's crazy and fucking stupid.

Sitting on the couch beside Dani, I send with a little more force than required.

"Looks like the pending assignment is not going so well." She says with her eyes glued to the television screen. I turn my head towards her with a frown on my face.

"You have no fucking idea." I groan and lean my head back on the couch.

My phone pings with a message. Sighing, I pick it up and unlock it.

"Why did you wait to do this until the deadline?" She asks, still watching the screen.

Ethan:

Let me guess!

You forgot to do your assignment and it's due tomorrow?

"How the fuck does he know?" I mumble to myself as I read the very accurate guess.

"Because he knows you." Dani says, taking a sip of her tea. "And you still haven't answered my question." She says, finally turning to me.

"You're seriously asking me why I procrastinated?" I ask, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. "I don't know, Dani. Why does anyone procrastinate?" I shake my head and turn back to my phone.

"Yeah, sorry." She says after a moment. "That was a stupid question."

"Happy realization." I mumble as I type out my reply to Ethan.

Me:

It's nothing like that.

This is just a late-night thing.

I press send on my very blatant and bad lie.

"You wanna go shopping tomorrow?" I hear Dani ask as I see three bubbles appear on my screen.

"What do you wanna buy?" I ask and hold out my hand to her.

"Nothing particular." She says, handing me the cup of tea she made for herself. "I just wanna go shopping." She shrugs.

"We could buy something for Riley, maybe." I suggest, before taking a sip of her tea. With the amount of work I have pending, the soothing effect of the tea might be the only thing to pull me through the night.

"Yeah, that's a great idea. It would be like a little surprise for when she returns." Dani says, jumping in excitement.

"Exactly." I agree, handing her cup back to her. "And when she comes, we can kip the class that day and have a full-blown girls' day."

"She's gonna love that." She agrees with a gigantic smile on her face.

I turn back to my phone to see Ethan's text.

Ethan:

You're a horrible liar.

Don't try it again.

I chuckle as I read his message and start typing my own.

Me:

You're worse than me.

Ethan:

I completely agree with that.

Me:

I MISS YOU.

Ethan:

I miss you MORE.

Tell you what, I'll stay awake with you while you complete your assignment and catch up on my work.

Me:

No.

 It's late. You must have come back from the hospital, and you'll have to go back tomorrow.

You need rest more than I do.

Ethan:

What I need is to spend as much time with you as I can.

Me:

Ethan...

Ethan:

Iris...

Me:

Fine! But I am not listening to you complain about your lack of sleep.

Ethan:

When have I ever complained about anything?

Me:

Huh! Now that I think about it...

Ethan:

Exactly, miss.

Now, go do your assignment.

I'll face time you, but I gotta shower first.

Me:

Can't wait. x

⤎❁⤏

Hey guys! I know, I know! Very, very late update. I apologize.

This chapter was kinda hard to write because of so many reasons. I have never written in this format and I didn't know if it's okay or not. I'm not a great texter either so that kinda made everything difficult. I am not sure how this chapter turned out but I wanted to update because waiting any longer would have made me comfortable, and then, I probably wouldn't have posted for a long, long time.

Anyways, this chapter is written, edited, and updated on the same day. So, you might notice a few mistakes. Kindly comment whenever you do, it would be really helpful.

Something very very special coming up, super soon.

Don't forget to vote and comment if you enjoyed the chapter. Follow me on Wattpad and Instagram (spiicychoco) for more.

QOTD: Tell me some good enemies to lovers books on Wattpad. I mean smut and content equal. 

Stay safe, stay grateful!

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