The next morning came with an overcast sky, gray clouds hanging low over the city as if they were mirroring the uncertainty in Gianna's mind. She sat by the window, staring out at the busy street below, lost in thought. The conversation she'd had with Mia about Ethan was still fresh in her head. Was she being paranoid, or was there something she was missing?
Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Ethan.
Ethan: Meet me at our spot after school? I've got that surprise for you.
She stared at the message, a mix of excitement and dread swirling in her chest. The surprise. She had been looking forward to it, but now, after the conversation with Mia, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt. Maybe she was overthinking it. She quickly typed out a response.
Gianna: Sure. I'll be there.
As she slipped her phone back into her pocket, she heard a knock on her bedroom door. Her mom's voice floated through the crack. "Gianna, are you ready? You're going to be late for school."
Gianna sighed. "Yeah, I'm ready." She grabbed her backpack, slinging it over her shoulder, and opened the door. Her mom, looking tired as usual, gave her a soft smile.
"You look like you've got a lot on your mind. Everything okay?" her mom asked, her voice gentle but edged with concern.
Gianna hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, just… school stuff. Nothing big."
Her mom nodded but didn't push further. "Alright, well, have a good day. I'll see you tonight for dinner."
"Sure, Mom. See you." Gianna stepped out into the hallway, her mom's lingering gaze heavy on her back. She could feel the unspoken worry in the air, but she didn't have the energy to unpack it now.
At School
The day seemed to drag on endlessly, each class blending into the next as Gianna's thoughts kept drifting back to Ethan and the surprise he had planned. By lunchtime, the uneasy feeling in her chest had only grown.
Mia found her sitting alone at their usual spot in the cafeteria, picking at her food. "Hey, you okay? You've been quiet all morning."
Gianna forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess."
Mia gave her a knowing look, her eyebrows raised in skepticism. "Is it about Ethan?"
Gianna sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I don't know. Maybe. I'm just... I don't know what to expect anymore."
Mia set her tray down and leaned in closer, her voice low. "Listen, G, I don't want to be the one to stir the pot, but you deserve someone who treats you right. If he's hiding something, you need to know. It's not fair to you."
"I know," Gianna said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I want to believe there's nothing going on, you know? I don't want to assume the worst."
"And that's okay, but don't let him walk all over you. You're stronger than you think." Mia's tone was soft but firm, her loyalty evident in her words.
Gianna nodded, but deep down, the pit in her stomach told her Mia was right. She had to know for sure, even if the truth hurt.
After School
By the time school let out, the clouds had thickened, and the sky was threatening rain. Gianna made her way to the park, where Ethan had asked her to meet him. Their "spot" was a quiet area, tucked away near a cluster of trees. It was where they'd come when they needed space from the world, a small escape from the chaos of the city.
Ethan was already there, leaning casually against a bench, his hands in his pockets. When he saw her, his face broke into that familiar smile that had always made her heart race, but today, it felt different—like a mask hiding something beneath.
"Hey," he called out as she approached.
"Hey," Gianna replied, her voice a little strained.
"You okay?" Ethan asked, noticing her tone.
"Yeah, just a long day. So... what's this surprise you've been hyping up?" Gianna tried to sound enthusiastic, but the knot in her stomach tightened.
Ethan's smile widened, and he pulled out a small velvet box from his jacket pocket. Gianna's eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat.
"What... what is that?" she asked, staring at the box.
"Open it," he said, holding it out to her with a grin.
Gianna took the box, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened it. Inside was a delicate silver bracelet, its charm glinting in the fading light.
"I know things have been a little weird between us lately," Ethan said, his voice softer now, "and I just wanted to show you how much you mean to me. I care about you, Gianna. A lot."
Gianna stared at the bracelet, a mix of emotions flooding her chest. Relief, guilt, and a lingering sense of doubt. The gift was beautiful, thoughtful even, but it didn't erase the uneasy feeling that something wasn't quite right.
"Ethan... it's beautiful," she said quietly, looking up at him. "But..."
"But what?" he asked, his smile faltering just a little.
"I don't know. Lately, you've seemed... distant. Like you're hiding something from me," Gianna confessed, her voice trembling slightly.
Ethan's eyes widened, and for a moment, there was a flash of something—guilt, maybe?—but he quickly masked it with a reassuring smile. "I'm not hiding anything, Gianna. I've just been busy with school and my friends. I didn't mean to make you feel like that."
Gianna nodded, wanting to believe him, but the doubt lingered. "Okay. I just... I need to know I can trust you."
"You can trust me," Ethan said, stepping closer and gently taking her hand. "I promise."
Gianna looked into his eyes, searching for the truth. For now, she chose to believe him. "Alright. Let's just... move forward."
Ethan smiled, pulling her into a hug. "That's all I want."
As she rested her head against his chest, the clouds above finally broke, and rain began to fall in a soft drizzle.