The Forever of Ella and Micha

his hands on the front of his jeans. “The alarm didn’t go off so they ran out of here about ten minutes ago, freaking out about not having enough time to get their hair done. Or at least that’s what Lila was saying…
Ella
seemed a little
distracted
.”
    I eye him over as I search through my bag for my watch. “Are you insinuating something? Because you have this stupid look on your face and it’s getting on my nerves.”
    He sips his drink and pushes up from the chair. “Only that the next time you two fool around in the dark with other people in the room, you might want to try being a little bit quieter.”
    “Do me a favor,” I say, “don’t say anything to Ella. You’re gonna make things weird.”
    “Weirder than you two already made them?” He crushes the can and shoots it into the trashcan in the corner. “Because those noises from last night are going to haunt my nightmares for a long time.”
    I change the subject, clipping my watch onto my wrist. “What the heck are we supposed to wear to a wedding?”
    “How the hell should I know?” He glances down at his long-sleeve black shirt pulled over a gray T-shirt and his dark jeans. “I was going to go like this.”
    Grabbing a black pinstriped shirt and a pair of my nicest jeans, I head off to the bathroom.
    “Has she admitted she was lying?” Ethan flips on the television and flops down on one of the beds, crossing his feet.
    I halt in the doorway and glance over my shoulder at him. “No… As usual, she’s being stubborn.”
    “Here’s a thought.” He drops the remote on the nightstand. “You could always tell her you know and save yourself all the drama.”
    “It’s not that simple,” I explain. “I don’t like to push her into doing things… because…” I trail off, knowing I can’t tell him about the bridge or how she looked on that bathroom floor when she told me.
    When she’s ready, she’ll tell… at least I hope. But what if she doesn’t? What if I’ve spent my life chasing a ghost?

    “Okay, so I’m severely disappointed in the bridesmaid lineup,” Ethan comments, eyeballing the bridesmaids standing just outside the canopy entrance.
    We are sitting in the back row waiting for this little shindig to start while people scurry back and forth through the tent. The front of the area is decorated with purple flowers and the main aisle is lined with black and purple ribbons.
    “I think they’re all married,” I tell him, resting my foot up on my knee. “And about ten years older than you.”
    He sighs and leans back into the fold-up chair. “What am I supposed to do then? This thing doesn’t start for another hour and I’m getting bored.”
    “I’m sure you’ll survive…” My attention drifts to Ella as she walks beneath the canopy and up to Caroline, who’s talking to a short guy in a gray suit, waving her hands animatedly. Ella has on a short, black velvet dress that shows of her long legs and bare shoulders. There’s a red ribbon around the middle and a red flower in her hair.
    She’s fucking beautiful. That’s all there is to it.
    “Dude, wipe the drool off your chin.” Ethan slaps the back of my head.
    I shove him and he pushes me back. Letting out a deep breath, my eyes reconnect to Ella. She says something to Caroline and hands the glass of champagne to her. Caroline downs it and gives the glass back to Ella before rushing away, holding the front of her dress.
    Ella sets the glass on a chair and presses her fingers to the bridge of her nose as her gaze finds me. Her eyes silently plead for me to follow her as she ducks out of the tent.
    “I’ll be right back,” I say, rising to my feet. “And try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone.”
    I weave through the aisles and duck outside into the sunshine and cool air. A forest encloses the house and Ella strolls down the grassy hill until she vanishes into the trees crisped with autumn.
    “What is she doing?” I mutter as I follow her.
    When I step into the forest, she’s leaning against a tree and the thick forest obscures every aspect of the wedding, except for the muffled noise of voices. It’s like we’re in our own private little world.
    I walk slowly toward her. “What are you doing out here?”
    Her hands are tucked behind her back and she’s chewing on her bottom lip anxiously. “I didn’t cheat on you. I lied about it.”
    I reduce the gap between us so we’re within reaching distance. “I know you