When I finally reached home, I found my mom slouching on the couch, unsurprisingly watching *Keeping Up with the Kardashians*. I didn't understand what she saw in the show.
She seemed to have noticed me already and immediately gave me a small smile before tapping on the space on the couch for me to sit down, which I did.
"How was work?" The question was simple, but I didn't know why it was hard to answer. Should I say, "It was fine," or "It went well," or "It wasn't the same without Ethan"?
"It was fine." After a lot of debate, I decided to stick with that since it was the easiest way to answer the question. Mom took note that I didn't really want to talk, so she told me to go freshen up so I could eat dinner.
I decided to take a shower, allowing the cool water to cleanse my body and temporarily relax me. My mind wandered to Edward—how was he doing? I really wanted to meet him again and his good-for-nothing father, who was careless enough to lose him.
To make matters worse, I didn't even remember his face—not that I saw it clearly. I missed Edward already. I had only met him yesterday, and there was no telling if I would meet the overly smart five-year-old boy again. It seemed like I was already attached to him.
After stepping out of the shower, I put on my pajamas and made my way to the dining table, which had apple pie set up on it. My mouth started watering at the sight.
I hadn't even thought of having anything to eat, and now I was starving. I didn't hesitate to dig in, and about a few minutes later, the dining table was lacking food. I really have a big appetite.
After clearing the dining table, I went to do the dishes. I almost never did the dishes alone—Ethan was always by my side, keeping me company or just saying one of his lame jokes.
"...and that's why the old lady couldn't find her shoe." As usual, he was laughing at his own joke, which I found really hilarious. Why would I laugh at my own joke?
Rolling my eyes at him, I continued doing the dishes. "You really are not going to help me do the dishes, are you?"
He looked at me while smiling and then frowned. "No!"
What? This guy can't be serious.
I immediately stopped what I was doing and turned to face him fully. "If you know you're not going to help, then the door is that way," I said, pointing at the door. To my surprise, he actually left.
Oh, he did not just leave just now because if he did, words wouldn't be able to describe what I would do to him. I waited for a few minutes, expecting him to come back.
HE DID NOT COME BACK!!! I couldn't believe he did that to me. Being the emotional fool I was, I started crying. I was so pathetic—my boyfriend left me to do the dishes by myself, and I was crying.
I kept crying until Ethan came back wearing an apron. He looked really funny. He also had a shower cap and gloves on. Wait, why was he wearing those?
I removed my eyes from him and turned my back to him, also wiping my stupid tears, which I hoped he didn't see. I continued doing the dishes, acting like I didn't see him until he gave me a back hug and whispered in my ear, "I'm so sorry, I was only joking. I promise I was going to do the dishes."
I continued to ignore him and do the dishes.
"You seriously are not ignoring me over such a trivial matter?" Seeing that I wasn't going to reply, he joined me in doing the dishes. I wanted to object, but if I did, I wouldn't be ignoring him, so I kept quiet.
We continued to do the dishes in silence, but I guess he couldn't take it anymore. He dragged me out to the living room and made me settle down on the couch. Seriously, what's his problem? Doesn't he get that I don't want to talk to him?
"Please stop ignoring me. I swear I'm sorry, I was only joking."
I tried not to make eye contact with him.
"You really are being petty."
Oh, he did not just say that! I immediately glared at him.
"So you think I'm being petty? Well, deal with it."
I was about to stand up, but he grabbed my hands and pulled me to sit on his lap, his hand firm on my hips. He looked really sorry, but I wasn't one to give in so easily.
"I said I'm sorry, okay? Please don't make a big deal out of this."
I was about to say something, but he cut me off by placing his lips on mine. I immediately melted into the kiss—he really knows I'm a sucker for kisses.
We continued kissing until we pulled apart, needing air to breathe. We stared at each other, and this time I was the one who initiated the kiss, but I kept it short and pulled away.
"I'm sorry too. I was being petty."
With a smile gracing his lips, he pulled me in for a kiss, which I didn't hesitate to give. We spent the rest of that day kissing and cuddling.
And that was another distant memory, which made me tear up. I didn't even know how I was going to move on with his presence being almost everywhere I went. I quickly wiped my tears, not wanting Mom to see me and start getting worried.
After doing the dishes, I decided to shower again, allowing the drops of water to wash my already dried tears away. I stayed there for about an hour before coming out, drying myself, and putting on my pajamas.
I went straight to bed, thinking about how I would start my life anew. This really wasn't going to be easy, but I had to try—for my mom and for Ethan.