Chapter 21 Meeting Ethan

*Diana*

I woke up to a cold morning. The snow had stopped. It was the last day of school before Christmas Break and I knew everyone would be busy preparing for the Christmas program for tonight. I got up, took a shower and brushed my teeth so I could get ready for school.

I decided to wear a caramel colored cashmere turtle neck sweater, with dark blue skinny jeans, knee high brown boots. I'm more of a function over form kind of person and I prefer my clothes comfortable. I brush my short hair to fluff it up a little and take one last look in the mirror and I remember the photo of my mother my dad had shown me. I do look like her, I smile at the thought.

Suddenly, it dimmed in my room. I turn around to look at the window. The clouds must have covered the sun. I shrugged my shoulders and turned my head to look at myself again in the mirror. I jumped when I see a transparent black wolf hovering near my head. I move my head closer to the mirror to get a better look.

"We are Onyx." The voice in my head whispers. The sun suddenly comes out again and the image disappears. I shut my eyes tight and shake my head to erase the disturbing image from my mind. The black wolf that constantly chased me in my dreams when I was a little girl has come back to haunt me! I breathe in and exhale slowly and open my eyes. "There is nothing to fear, remember?" I nod my head at my own question.

I quickly gather all my things and stuff it in my school bag. I doubt we're going to have class, but I wanted to pass all my schoolwork early so I wouldn't have to deal with it during Christmas. I wanted to have some fun. I was turning 18 soon.

I take my cream colored wool overcoat from my closet and my school bag and run downstairs.

"Breakfast first, young lady." My dad pops his head at the bottom of the stairs as I walk down. He seemed to be in good spirits like everything was normal. We weren't normal. I wasn't normal. I roll my eyes. I shouldn't cry over spilt milk. just had to accept things for what they were. I put my things down on the table in the foyer and hang my coat up on the coat rack beside the table. I could smell maple syrup. Time to eat.

"I made you some waffles. Eat up. I'm guessing Ethan will be here any minute now to pick you up for school." My dad takes a look at his watch. I put some maple syrup on my waffle and dig in.

"I'm surprised you're allowing me to ride with him today," I said with my mouth full. My dad looked at me with his eyebrows raised. I could be unladylike when I had to.

"Nothing wrong with making friends. John's your bestfriend and he's a guy. Not that different with Ethan. He's new in town and wants to make friends. He offered to take you to school so, let him." I nod my head agreeing with what he just said. I try to wash down my waffles with coffee, but I burnt my tongue.

"Ow!" I stick my tongue out, fanning it. It hurt.

"Diana, that just finished brewing a moment ago." He pointed at the coffee maker. Then, he chuckled and looked at me, and laughed again. I was about to ask him "what's so funny" when the doorbell rang.

"Finish your breakfast. I'll get it." He motions with his fingers for me to sit back down.

I stuff the remaining waffles in my mouth while the two of them exchange their pleasantries. I took my glass of milk that my dad had poured me and used that wash down the waffles. I didn't want to risk doing it again with the coffee.

"Diana, sweetheart, Ethan's here." He actually came to bring me to school. An image of his dirty pickup truck flashed in my head and I shrug my shoulders. It may be clean on the inside.

I check my teeth in the small mirror on the kitchen counter. Good, nothing stuck in between my teeth. I place my empty plate, glass and used utensils in the sink. I wash my hands to get rid of the sticky maple syrup and wipe them. I fluff my hair and check if my clothes were ok.

What am I doing? I don't think I looked any different from yesterday and he just wants to make friends. I fluff my hair one last time and walk towards the foyer of the house.

Standing at the doorway beside my dad was a tall man in a black wool overcoat, underneath it a dark olive green sweater. He also had black jeans and clean shiny black boots on. His face shaven and clean, his tousled golden brown hair from yesterday was now slicked back. I took my bag from the table and my coat which was hanging, trying hard to conceal my excitement from seeing him. I caught his scent. He smelled good, like the forest on a nice sunny day. I walked to the door and give my dad a kiss on the cheek. I turn to face Ethan, who was staring at me. Underneath all that facial hair and grime was a really good looking guy.

He had grey eyes. I have never met anyone with those colored eyes before.

"Good morning, Diana. I hope you slept well." He smiled. He had nice teeth. I didn't realize I was staring at his mouth until I heard my dad speak from behind me.

"Diana, pumpkin, Ethan just greeted you good morning."

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry. Where are my manners?! Good morning Ethan." I shake my head a little and make a face. "I was thinking of something about school....Anyway, bye dad! I'll see you later at the school auditorium for the program. Don't be late." I push Ethan down the steps to the path in our yard.

"Bye kids. And Ethan, drive safely." My dad waves from the door.

Parked in front was Ethan's black pickup. It was newly cleaned and waxed. "Nice. All clean I see." I give him a nod in appreciation.

"Of course. Your chariot awaits, my lady. Let me take your bag so you can put on your coat. It's a bit chilly Diana." Great. I forgot to put my coat on. He must think I'm an idiot. I hand him my bag and put on my coat. He fixes my coat a bit and tucks my hair in my ear. I could feel a tingling sensation from where he touched me.

"There, so very beautiful. If you ask me, you could wear a sack of potatoes and you would still be the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on." It was the first compliment I have ever gotten from a man and it warmed my insides. His face was so close to mine when he said it, I could feel his warm breath on my cheek. I felt I wanted him to kiss me. He suddenly pulled back, smiled and opened the door of his truck. "I need to get you to school or your dad will skin me alive." I gave out a nervous laugh and climbed in. Did I just want him to kiss me? Diana, get it together! He hands me my school bag and closes the door. This truck was practically new. I could still smell the new car scent.

He climbs into his pickup so effortlessly, I felt embarrassed I had to practically hoist myself up to get into my seat. I wave goodbye to my dad, who was still standing by the door, as we drove off. He waved back, a sad expression on his face. I guess he was thinking of mom again. I sigh. I wish I could turn back time.

"That was a deep sigh. Why so sad?" Ethan asks me, his eyes on the road.

"My dad, seems like he's been really sad the past couple of weeks. I think he's been missing my mom."

"What happened to your mom?"

"She died after giving birth." That was my usual explanation. After last night, I now knew there was more to her death than just by giving birth.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Diana, don't worry about your dad. Parents often feel that way when their children go off on their own. You'll be 18 soon and will be off to college. Your dad is trying to come to terms with that. Just assure him you will never turn your back on him." I glance at Ethan, amazed at how he said that so well.

"You know what? I don't know much about you. My dad said he was friends with your mom when they were little. Where are you from?" I wanted to divert the conversation to him.

"Montana." He said.

"Are you still in school?"

"Nope. Graduated from UCLA. Although I can always go back to take my Masters." Impressive.

"Do you work? If so, what do you do?"

"I just finished a tour in Afghanistan for the military over a year ago. Did corporate for a while, but something...I mean, someone was missing in my life. I had to go on sabbatical for a while. Don't worry. This is the digital age. Everything can be done with the use of a smartphone and a laptop. So, basically I still work." He laughs. He had a nice laugh, manly. Not like the laugh of the boys in school.

"What brings you to Portland?"

"I came to visit my Aunt Daisy. So far, my trip has become very exciting." He glances at me with his lips curved in a grin.

My school was about 10 to 15 minutes away. To my utter dismay, we got there in nine. I wanted to talk to him more. He was very interesting. He parks his truck infront of the school and shuts off the engine.

He checks his watch. "I got you here early. You mentioned a school program when you said goodbye to your dad. That's tonight?"

I nodded. "It's the annual Christmas Program. Some of the kids in school are going to perform on stage."

"Are you going to perform?" I shake my head. No way am I getting up on that stage.

"My bestfriend is...John." I saw his eyes narrow for a second after mentioning John's name.

"John?"

"My bestfriend since we were kids. He works part time at the diner. He's in a heavy metal band with some other boys in school. I have never had the heart to tell him their music sounds like noise." He laughs at what I said.

"Heavy metal is suppose to sound that way. Can I come and watch?"

"Of course, I have extra tickets." I start rummaging through my bag. "My dad bought so many and told me to pass them around. How many do you want?" He might have a girlfriend with him.

"Including myself, three."

"Three?" Two girlfriends maybe? He was really goodlooking.

"For my Aunt Daisy and my cousin." Ahhhhhh...I couldn't believe I was getting jealous. Wait? I felt jealous? Oh my gosh, I think I was crushing after this man.

"Here you go. 5 tickets. Just in case you want to bring more people. I still have extra just in case you need more. Just message me." Our fingers touched ever so slightly and I felt another tingling sensation. I look up to see his eyes staring at my expression. His eyes had seemed to darken and his face came close to mine.

"D! D! Is that you inside?!" I jump back into my seat and made a sour face. I didn't want to turn around.

"D! I can see you! Yoo-hoo." John starts banging on the window.

"This must be your bestfriend John. I like him already." Ethan laughs and opens his door and gets out of his pickup. I turn around to face John and I open the door.

"I knew it was you. Nice truck." John sticks his head inside to inspect Ethan's pickup.

"Move out of the way, please. I need to get out." I push him to the side.

"Here, Diana. Let me help you with your things." Ethan takes my school bag and I hold on to his shoulder to step out.

"D, you've been keeping secrets from me! You have a boyfriend," John exclaims. " Hey man, I'm John." He extends a hand to Ethan.

"Ethan." He shakes John's hand.

"Nice truck. By the way, we have a program later. I'm performing with my band. Come and watch, yeah?" John was quick to make friends.

"Diana just gave me tickets so I'll be there."

"All right then. I'll see you inside D!" He leaves us and runs towards his bandmates.

"Before you go inside, can I get your number, Diana?" Ethan had his phone in his hand.

"Sure. Let me put it in." He hands me his phone and I put in my number and name. "Here you go."

"And Diana, if anyone asks who I am, just say I'm your boyfriend." He tucks my hair behind my ear again and rubs his thumb on my cheek. "Now go to class. I'll see you later. I promise." I nod my head. I couldn't speak. I just wanted to feel. To be with him.

The first bell rings and he hands me my bag and guides me into school. I wave at him before entering.

I walk through the hallway oblivious at everyone else running to get to class. I felt I was floating on air.

I have a boyfriend!