Our Unfinished Lovestory

"I won't come around anymore... Our friendship ends here. Don't try to look for me either..."

Talia practiced in her head for the one hundredth time, but no matter how many times she tried, the words sliced through her heart with more pain than her previous attempt.

"Ethan".... his name rolled off her tongue in a gentle whisper. She watched from across the street with a heavy heart.

The last customer had just left and Ethan followed behind the lady, flipping the 'OPEN' sign around to display the 'CLOSED'.

He always stayed later as the full-time barista he was, but today, they had a date....A date Talia fantasized until last night. He'd promised to close early after obtaining permission from his boss.

Tears pricked her eyes, a painful lump rising in her throat. Her fingernails pierced into her palms, she finally crossed the road.

The door opened, causing the bell to chime. He had his back to her when his voice rang out casually. "We're closed"

She didn't say a word, she didn't move. She just stood there taking in his figure one last time before she disappears from his life for ever.

When he didn't hear a response or atleast hear the door reopen, he turned immediately.... His expression immediately melting into a smile... "Lia".

The way he always shortened her name.....

How perfectly it sounded coming from him...

Talia looked away, tucking a side of her hair behind her ears as she blinked back the tears that formed.

"Hey... We said 7pm...you missed me that much?" Ethan teased lightly, his voice smooth and soothing.

"I have to return early", she replied curtly.

He caught that! Of course he did!

He was the only person that paid attention to her. The only person that made her believe she wasn't invisible.

His eyes pinched as he began walking towards her, "Hey.... You good?" Worry cloaked his tone.

Talia took steps backward. Should this hunk happen to as much as graze her skin lightly, everything would go wrong.

"Let's talk here", she blurted, biting her lips.

"Lia-" he cut in, "Something happened at home again?" he asked. His confused eyes searched hers but she mustered a smile. Her fingernails sinking even deeper into her palms. She held his gaze.

"I have something to say Ethan...."

He cut her off with a raise of hand, swiftly closing the gap between them before she could back away again.

"I don't know what it is Li.... But let's get you brightened up first." his voice turned raspy. Her heartbeat escalated. She shuddered.

A part of her wanting to give in and rest her head against his chest, but she fought it. She fought hard and tore away from him.

"I won't be coming around anymore Ethan.... Our friendship ends here. Don't try to look for me either!"

Just as she practiced! Exact tone! Exact pitch! She spilled the words.

Time froze.

The noise of the busy street outside faded. Ethan's face went white. His enchanting crystal ocean eyes locked her gaze. He didn't blink.

Talia didn't know how to go on from there. She didn't know if he was to respond or something. Or maybe he should have! That's how it goes in the movies she'd watched. The man would try to woo her back and she'd insist and they'd go back and forth and - panic rose.

She'd never done this before! Heck! She'd never loved before!

"I..I won't..." she bit her lips. She didn't know if she was to say more. This had turned awkward than she imagined. She quickly turned to leave, but just as she grabbed the door's handle, Ethan caught her.

She gasped.

She didn't hear him run after her. His hands snaked even deeper around her waist, her head hitting his sturdy chest.

He pulled her in too close she could almost become one with his skin.

"Ethan...."

"Lia...." his breathe brushed her right ear. He drew in a long inhale next, her scent tangling with the tension, travelling up his nostrils, making him hold her even closer.

"this is not how I planned it," he murmured and spunned her gently around to face him. A huge smile dancing on his face.

"Lia....." he repeated her name and she wanted to scream at him to stop! Stop saying her name like that! Stop making it harder!

But Ethan wasn't done...

He went on one knee...

"this.... Um..", he chuckled, "this was supposed to be for later... The later end of our date, but you said you have to return early, so I thought I'd just move it to the first event on my list then..." he took the box out of his back pocket.

"Ethan...." Talia's heart broke.

"Let's date!... I know... I know its been like what... Just five months...but what we have... What we share.... I'm not asking you to marry me right away Lia. All I'm asking is for you to promise me you'll be mine forever. You'll be here until I change this into a ring."

He opened the mini box in his hand. It was the most beautiful thing ever! A diamond bracelet glimmered inside.

Tears blurred her eyes.

The little girl in her wanted to burst into tears! The lover girl in her wanted to kiss those lips till the world disappeared around them! Talia shook on her feet.

Accepting him meant war.

A war none of them would survive. A war she could avoid. A trouble she could avert and protect him from, if she backed away now.

She stumbled back.

"Don't make this harder Ethan. I can't be with you".

She turned on her feet and pulled the door handle, walking away. Leaving him confused, broken and on his knees.

Ethan wouldn't accept that!

The woman he loved was playing pranks on him! His mind raced through everytime they'd spent together in the past week... He didn't do anything wrong.

He sprang to his feet, he pulled the door open, he ran after her!

"Lia!" he grabbed her wrist. People stared. He didn't care! He wasn't seeing them! He was seeing the tears in her eyes. Of course he knew something was up! She can't do this to him! He was sure she loved him back!

"What are they making you do now?! Did they put you up to this?! Are your parents making you do this?!" his insides burned! Ready to wreck those that made her like this! But Talia jerked her hand free from him.

"Stay on your lane Ethan and don't mention my parents!" she glared sharply and walked away, but Ethan wasn't one to accept without a reason.

He ran after again, he pulled her into a hug.

_ETHAN PLEASE!!!!_

Talia yelled inside of her! Her heart ripped with pain! He was making things worse!

She wriggled away from him, defiling her desires to melt into him and slapping him hard across the face!

"Can't you handle a fucking rejection?!"

"I don't want you Ethan! I can't do this nonsense with you! You should return that bracelet and get your money back. You need every penny right now!" she spat.

"Lia-" Ethan was relentless.

"little advice.... You shouldn't do love when you can barely feed! Focus on your cafe, and find love when you can afford one!"

"Lia-"

"And don't you dare run after me again! Do not appear in my face else I will be suing you Ethan! I never want to see you again!" she turned and walked away.

The mutterings of passerbys pierced her ears. Her tears fell freely...but she believed deep down... This was for the best.