The Two Of Us

Julia

                    As the cars passed by on the street outside, Ethan tugged on the dirty blonde bangs that covered his rather largely oversized Brendon-Urie-shaped forehead the way a stagehand would on a theater curtain in order to close it after an opening night performance, a 'bad' habit he had acquired that took place whenever he was concentrating.

He pulled a bit harder, like he did when it was something important. Like her. She was definitely something important. Especially to Ethan.

Ever since that first day that he saw her, all the way back in kindergarten when she had knocked out David Downer's bottom baby tooth for teasing her that her hair looked funny, Ethan knew that she was something special. She had guts. He had admired her from afar as the years went on. Sure, they didn't become best friends-Rachel South had that title, but they were still good friends, nonetheless, and he was okay with that, although he knew he would always long to become more than just a good friend to her.

The closest to 'more than friends' he had ever been able to get was when he had moved directly across the street from her. His fingers traveled down south from his silky bangs to his sharp cheekbones, until his slightly calloused hands covered his face like a mask, his brilliant lime-green eyes peeking through his fingers as if he were a timid child watching an adult scene in a PG-13 movie. 

He wanted to mean as much to her as she meant to him.

He just didn’t know how to do that.

A few minutes later, Julia came back, adjusting her hat as she walked, returning to the conversation between her and Ethan.

“Sorry for that,” She said, straightening her apron. Ethan, startled, quickly checked the time on his phone before replacing it back into his pocket, proving the theory that humanity is now currently reverting back to the beautiful, Victorian era of pocket watches.

“Haha, that’s alright.” He smiled warmly. Julia tried her best not to let her knees crumble from beneath her. She loved his smile. It was her favorite thing about him. “Is…everything okay, Ethan?” She asked, a little concerned. She had seen him at the table from out of the corner of her eye, and had become worried at the facial expressions he was making.

“Yeah.” Ethan said breathlessly as he got up from his seat and shot his female friend a grin in order to calm her nerves down a little. Although she doubted the genuine worth of his sudden smile, Julia replied with a wary look. “Okay.”

As she turned to make her way back to the kitchen, Ethan stopped her by her arm. "Wait." She turned to look at him. "Yes?" She inquired.

"I need to tell you something. Something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now." Julia held her breath. "You're amazing and I've never really noticed it before, but your eyes are enchanting." Julia blushed hard and looked away. "I mean it," he insisted. You're beautiful. I'd love to get to know you better. Will you join me tonight?"

"W-what?"

"I said, will you join us tonight? A few friends and I are going up to Jamie's cabin later and we plan on spending the weekend there. If you like, you can join us?"

"Oh." Julia looked down sadly.

"I mean, you don't have to." Ethan added, noticing her dejected look. "I know it's last minute and you wouldn't really know anyone there besides me or Adam. You know, never mind. It's a lame get-together anyways.

"Ah, no, its not that. I've just got a shift later tonight so I don't know if I will be able to make it."

"Oh, that's alright. I'm leaving to go up there here soon, so come up if you can." Julia smiled. "I will."

"I'll be waiting for you." Ethan added with a wink, though Julia wasn't sure if it was her imagination acting up again or not.

After waving a few goodbyes and exchanging some farewells to the employees of the soda joint, Ethan walked outside and got onto his bike to begin his journey to the cabin.