Chapter 7

Senior year had started off as the best year of Ethan’s life. His relationship with Celeste grew stronger than ever and college was on the horizon. Everything seemed to be falling into place. But then right after Easter, his world came crashing down. Celeste’s mother had been diagnosed with cancer. It was aggressive, the kind that didn’t leave much hope unless she received specialized treatment—treatment that wasn’t available in their town. Within days, Celeste’s family made the painful decision to move so her mother could get the best care possible. Ethan sat with Celeste in her room the night she told him. She had been crying, her eyes swollen, her hands shaking as she clung to him. “I don’t want to leave,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I don’t want to leave you.” Ethan pulled her into his arms, pressing his forehead against hers. “I know,” he said softly. “I don’t want you to go either. But your mom needs you, Celeste. You have to be with her.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “This isn’t fair. We were supposed to have the rest of the year. We were supposed to go to prom together, graduate together, go to college near each other...” “I know,” Ethan said, his throat tight. “But we can still talk, still see each other when we can.” Celeste shook her head, looking down. “It won’t be the same.” He knew she was right, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud. He had spent so long picturing a future with her, and now it was slipping through his fingers. The night before she left, Ethan went to her house to say goodbye. Her mother, a woman he had always admired for her warmth and kindness, pulled him aside. “Ethan,” she said gently, “thank you for loving my daughter the way you have. You’ve been such a bright part of her life.” “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Her mother gave him a sad smile. “This isn’t easy for either of you. But you need to keep living your life. Don’t shut yourself off from the world just because she’s gone.” Ethan nodded, though he wasn’t sure he believed he could do that. The next morning, Celeste was gone.

For almost a week, Ethan felt like a ghost of himself. He went through the motions, school, family dinners, but nothing felt real. Ryan Carter, his best friend and wide receiver on the football team, wasn’t having it. One afternoon Ryan slammed his locker shut and gave Ethan a hard look. “Alright, man, I’ve let you mope around long enough.” Ethan frowned. “Ryan, I—” “Nope,” Ryan interrupted. “I get it. Losing Celeste sucks. But you’re acting like your life is over. And guess what? It’s not.” Ethan sighed, leaning against his locker. “You don’t get it.” Ryan crossed his arms. “Oh, I don’t? I was there when you met her. I saw how happy she made you. And yeah, it’s awful that she had to leave. But do you think she wants you wasting the rest of senior year feeling sorry for yourself?” Ethan opened his mouth, but Ryan cut him off again. “Look, man, I’m not saying to forget about her. But you need to get your head out of your ass and start living again. Go out, have fun. You don’t have to find the next love of your life, but at least try to enjoy the time you have left in high school.” Ethan was silent for a moment, letting Ryan’s words sink in. He hated to admit it, but his friend was right. Celeste had moved on to a new chapter in her life, he needed to do the same. Ryan clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re still Ethan Carter. Start acting like it.” For the first time that week, Ethan felt a small spark of life return. Maybe he could move forward. Maybe he could be okay.

After that week, he focused on school, trying not to think about Celeste and soon Ethan found himself unexpectedly drawn to someone new, Nicole Ashton. She was impossible to ignore: short, blonde, utterly confident and a chatterbox extraordinaire. Her years as a gymnast had left her with a toned, petite frame, though she often joked that her chest had ended her gymnastics career when gravity refused to compromise with her anymore. But Nicole had an energy that was infectious, a sharp wit, and a way of making Ethan forget, at least for a little while, the ache in his chest left by Celeste’s departure. Their first real interaction beyond casual conversation at school came after a basketball game. Nicole had been in the stands, cheering along with the rest of their friends. As everyone filed out of the gym, she fell into step beside Ethan. “So, you’re still moping, huh?” she teased, bumping his shoulder. Ethan smirked. “I was, but Ryan gave me a good kick in the ass.” “Yeah? Then what do you call that broody, lost-in-thought thing you’ve been doing for the past week?” He exhaled sharply, glancing over at her. “Being introspective?” Nicole rolled her eyes. “Uh huh. Look, I know Celeste leaving sucked, but you’re still here. You’re still breathing, still smart as hell. So, maybe stop acting like the world ended and do something about it.” Ethan chuckled despite himself. “You sound like Ryan.” “Ryan’s a smart guy.” They reached the parking lot, and Ethan hesitated. “Are you doing anything this weekend?” Nicole arched a brow, amused. “Are you asking me out, Ethan?” He smirked. “Depends on how you answer.” She laughed. “You know what? Sure. Let’s see if you’re any good at dating.”

Their first date was simple; dinner and a movie. Nicole had a way of filling the silence with lively conversation, which made it easy. She had strong opinions on just about everything, from music to movies to what kind of dog was best (she insisted that golden retrievers were overrated). He laughed more than he had in months, and by the end of the night, Ethan realized he actually felt ... good. One date turned into another, and before long, Ethan and Nicole were inseparable. She challenged him, teased him, and refused to let him take himself too seriously. Their relationship was different from what he’d had with Celeste, less intense, more playful. And maybe that was what he needed. One night, they were sitting in Nicole’s car outside his house after a late-night drive, listening to music when she casually mentioned, “You know, I’ve never been to a real rock concert.” Ethan turned to her in disbelief. “You’re kidding.” “Nope. Never. I mean, my parents took me to see some pop concerts when I was younger, but nothing heavy.” Ethan grinned. “That has to change. Disturbed is playing next month in Memphis. We should go.” Nicole’s eyes lit up. “Seriously?” “Yeah. Let’s make a weekend of it. Drive up, see the concert, crash at a hotel, and come back the next day.” She laughed. “Okay, rockstar. I’m in.”

The pulsating energy of the concert still thrummed through Ethan veins as he and Nichole stumbled into the lobby of their Memphis hotel. The night had been a symphony of heavy metal and shared glances, a prelude to the crescendo they were both eagerly anticipating. The hotel’s clerk, a middle-aged man with a tired expression, informed them that due to an unexpected influx of guests, only one room remained available, despite their reservation for two. Ethan, ever the gentleman, offered the bed to Nichole, insisting he’d take the couch. But Nichole, with a mischievous glint in her blue eyes, shook her head. “We can share,” she said, her voice a sultry whisper that promised more than just a platonic slumber. The room was a standard hotel affair, but to them, it was a sanctuary, a private realm where they could explore the electricity that had been building between them for months. Ethan emerged from the shower to find Nichole already in bed, the sheets a tantalizing hint of her naked form beneath. As he dried his black hair, he drank in the sight of her, before he crawled into bed beside her. As he turned off the light, Nichole’s hand found his, guiding him closer. Her body was a furnace of desire, pressing against him, skin on skin. “Ethan,” she breathed, her voice a mix of urgency and longing. “We’ve been going out for almost three months. I’m tired of waiting. Make love to me, please.” Her words ignited something primal within him. He couldn’t resist her any longer. Their lips met in a hungry kiss, a fusion of desire and pent-up passion. Ethan’s hands roamed her body, exploring the contours of her thick, muscular thighs and the smooth expanse of her skin. Nichole was eager, her flexibility on full display as she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer. Ethan’s arousal was evident, his 8-inch cock straining against the fabric of his boxers. Nichole’s eyes flickered with lust as she slid down the bed, her hands deftly removing the last barrier between them. Her mouth engulfed his dick, her tongue swirling around the head, teasing and tantalizing. Ethan groaned, his fingers tangling in her blonde hair as she sucked him deeper, her head bobbing in a rhythm that threatened to undo him. Nichole was a maestro of oral pleasure, her lips and tongue working in unison to bring him to the brink. And when he came, it was with a shout of release, his cum spilling down her throat as she swallowed every drop. But Nichole wasn’t done with him yet. She straddled his face, her dripping pussy hovering just out of reach. Ethan pulled her down onto his mouth, his tongue delving into her folds, lapping at her clit with fervor. The taste of her was intoxicating, a blend of sweetness and arousal that drove him wild. Nichole ground against his face, her moans growing louder with each passing moment. Her body trembled as she rode wave after wave of orgasm, her juices coating his chin. Ethan could feel her muscles clenching around his tongue, each quake a testament to her pleasure. After her fourth orgasm, Nichole slid down Ethan’s body, her eyes dark with desire. She positioned herself over his cock, her pussy lips parting as she sank onto him. The sensation of her tight, wet heat enveloping him was almost too much to bear. Nichole began to move, her hips undulating as she rode him, her thick thighs flexing with each thrust. Ethan watched, transfixed, as Nichole’s breasts bounced with her movements. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted in a silent cry of ecstasy. He could feel her walls fluttering around his cock as she came again, her nectar dripping down his shaft. But Ethan was far from finished. With a swift motion, he flipped her onto her hands and knees, his hands gripping her hips as he plunged into her from behind. Nichole’s back arched, her ass pushing back against him, eager for more. Ethan set a punishing pace, his cock driving into her with deep, powerful strokes. The sound of their flesh slapping together filled the room, mingling with Nichole’s cries of pleasure. Ethan could feel his own release building, a fire in his belly that threatened to consume him. But he wanted to see her face, to watch her come undone one last time. He pulled out, flipping her onto her back and pushing her knees up by her ears. Nichole’s eyes widened in surprise, but there was no hesitation, no fear, only raw, unbridled lust. He entered her again, her pussy even tighter in this new position. Nichole’s eyes locked onto his, her hands reaching up to grip his biceps. Ethan thrust into her with abandon, each stroke bringing them both closer to the edge. Nichole’s pussy clenched around him, her orgasm hitting her with the force of a tidal wave. The sensation of her tightening around his cock was too much for Ethan to handle. With a final, deep thrust, he came, his cum filling her, a hot, wet flood that left them both gasping for air. They lay there in the aftermath, a tangle of limbs and whispered endearments. Ethan rose to fetch a washcloth, cleaning them both with gentle strokes. As they settled back into bed, Nichole’s head resting on Ethan’s shoulder, she spoke, her voice soft and sated. “I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” she confessed. “I wasn’t going to wait any longer.” Ethan chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m glad you didn’t,” he replied, his hand tracing lazy patterns on her back. As they drifted off to sleep, sated and content, they knew that this night would be etched in their memories forever, a symphony of passion and pleasure that had only just begun.

. After the success of their Disturbed trip, Nicole upped the ante. “Alright, so you introduced me to your music,” she said one day in May, twisting her hair around her finger as they lounged on the bleachers after school. “Now it’s my turn.” Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s your grand plan?” “Taylor Swift.” Ethan stared at her. “You’re joking.” “Nope. We’re flying out to see her. You, me, and a weekend in a new city.” He ran a hand down his face. “Nicole—” “Come on,” she grinned. “Don’t be a coward. I survived Disturbed. Let’s see if you can handle something different.” He groaned. “Fine. But if I get stuck in a sea of screaming fans, you owe me.” Nicole smirked. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll make it worth your while.”