Talk to Alex

With a bit of confidence in his step, Ethan moves forward, pleased he now remembers her name.

As he gets closer, Alex comes into better view. She’s indeed sitting on a bench, reading something off of her phone, oblivious to your approach. She’s swapped out the sundress from yesterday for a blouse and skirt combo that looks quite cute.

…Maybe too cute.

A lesser version of Ethan would hesitate, but not today! Today, he walks right up to her with as much confidence as he can muster.

“Hello, Alex.”

She looks up, slightly flinching, clearly taken off guard. “Ah- Oh. Oh!” she sets her phone down on her lap, staring up at Ethan with a bright smile. “You remembered!”

Ethan returns the smile. “I did. And in my defense, nobody in their right mind would try to remember time they spent in ‘jail’.”

Holy fuck Ethan might have just had a good line.

Alex scoffs in mock outrage. “Even when the company is like this?” She motions towards herself, biting back a playful smile.

“Well,” Ethan shrugs, “You were eight, so the company wasn't that great.”

Chuckling, Alex nods her head. “True. Wow, so you remembered that far back, huh? Do you remember… Anything more recent?”

Ethan thinks for a moment. He really doesn't. There is something else though, something that he can’t quite grasp. Something important. He didn't interact with Alex much, only a handful of times over a few summers, but there was definitely something glaring he let slip his mind.

“Hmmm,” Alex shakes her head. “Forgetful as ever I see…”

Ethan shrugs. “Sorry, I’ve got a lot on my mind recently.”

Alex starts to say something, but stops, her eyes turning sullen. “Ah.. Yeah… Your grandma…”

The two stay silent for a beat.

Ethan reflects on that. The words were true, but he really didn't realize how true until he said them aloud.

Alex breaks the silence. “Well, if you walk me home, I can refresh your memory.” Alex pops up off the bench, flattening out her skirt. “Maybe take your mind off of things a little?”

Ethan likes the sound of that, why not take her up on the offer? And yet…

If he refused now, he would be killing this, whatever ‘this’ even is, dead. There would be no turning back. Alex would be gone. Or he could man up and walk the fucking girl home.

Seriously. Walk her home.