The Secret of Ella and Micha

before I pull back.
    We talk a little more about the stuff we’re doing, then the nurse shows up and shoos us out so she can change his sheets. Micha and I leave, knowing it will probably be the last time we see him again. I cry the whole drive home, clutching on to the broken vase. But with Micha at my side, I know I’ll be alright.

    Micha
    “Now are you sure you packed everything up?” My mom asks for the billionth time.
    I never told her what happened with my dad. I didn’t want her to have to worry more than she already does. That’s one moment I’ll keep locked away forever.
    I pick up my guitar case from my bedroom floor and swing my bag over my shoulder. “Yes, I have everything packed, Mom. Now will you relax? You’re driving me crazy.”
    “I’m sorry,” she apologizes. “Oh wait. Do you have enough money?”
    I shake my head. The woman’s going to worry herself to death. “Of course.”
    Tears puddle in the corners of her eyes and she gives me a hug that nearly squeezes the air out of me. “Micha Scott you’re the best son a mother could ask for.”
    I press my lips together, trying not to laugh at her overdramatic reaction. “I’m going on the road for a few months, mom, not dying.”
    She pulls away, wiping the running mascara underneath her eyes. “It doesn’t mean I’m going to miss you any less.”
    “Yeah, we’ll see if you say that after I’m back for a week and you’re finding bras in your bed again.”
    She swats my arm and points at the door. “Okay, now you can go.”
    Laughing, I head out the back door. Naomi isn’t here yet, so I sit down on the steps, staring at Ella’s house, wondering if she’s going to come out. She’s never been good at good-byes so when her bedroom window slides open, I’m surprised.
    But I’m even more astonished when she scales out of the window and down the tree. She has the sexy, strapless dress on, and her auburn hair is covering her bare shoulders. She doesn’t say anything as she flings her arms around my neck. Her breath is hot against my ear and she buries her face into the side of my neck. I drop my guitar case and bag to the ground, pick her up, and embrace her with everything I have in me.
    “I’m going to miss you,” she whispers softly.
    I run my hand up and down her back, shutting my eyes, and breathing her in. “It’ll be okay. I’ll be back and annoying you before you know it.”
    She looks at me with her big green eyes and then seals her lips over mine, kissing me indefinitely. My hands feel every part of her body, memorizing every curve, and the smoothness of her skin. I back us up against the tree into the shade, and slip my hand underneath her dress, feeling her there too.
    “Alright Romeo, it’s time to go.” Naomi honks the horn of the SUV.
    Sighing heavily, I release Ella and she puts her feet back on the ground. “I’ll call you every day.”
    I kiss her one last time, then get into the car. She watches me the entire way down the driveway, with her arms folded, fighting to stay composed. When we turn onto the road she walks to the end of the driveway, keeping her eyes on me for as long as possible. But eventually we slip away from each other.

Chapter 24

    Ella
    “Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask Lila for the thousandth time.
    She piles the last box into her trunk and slides her glasses over her eyes. “Hmmm… let me think. Go back to a home where I’m nothing but a burden? Or go back to the campus with you and have some fun?”
    I pick some dirt out from underneath my fingernail. “I’m just making sure, before you get too committed.”
    She takes my hands and gives them a swing. “I want to go with you, okay, so go say good-bye to your dad so we can hit the road.”
    “Okay, I’ll be right back.” I head across the front lawn for the door when Ethan’s truck pulls up in my driveway.
    I walk up to his window and rest my arms on it. “So you got my message I take it?”
    He looks like he just came from work, grease on his face and clothes, and his dark hair has some shavings of rust in it. “Yeah, I figured I’d come and say good-bye to both of you.”
    I slant my head to the side and pierce him with an accusing gaze. “Don’t try and pretend that you’re here for me.”
    He places his hand over his heart, faking hurt. “My heart is breaking and you’re making jokes. Wow, you really are evil.”
    “Yeah, yeah,” I back up so he can open the door and climb out. “I’ll