I’m sitting in History class when I make the decision to finally tune into my waking environment. As I listen to the lecture, I tilt my head and stare at the teacher. He’s going over upcoming test stuff, repeating himself apparently. I zone out and hold my breath as I finally slide my attention to Nara.
I slowly skim my gaze over her gorgeous face and infectious smile. Her green eyes are animated as she turns to hand the stack of papers to the guy behind her. She’s so beautiful and yet she seems to have no idea just how much. My heart speeds up and then aches at the thought of just talking to her about random stuff like class assignments or soccer. The idea that she might reject my offer of friendship shuts down any thoughts of trying to speak to her. What if by trying to talk to her I stop dreaming about her? I think I might actually lose it if that happens. Setting my jaw, I glance back down at my sketchpad and start a new drawing, tuning everything out once more.
* * *
You can only shut off reality for so long before everything begins to catch up with you. The only routine I’ve consistently kept up is to stop by the cemetery each morning. My gut tells me I’ll see one of Marcus’ toy cars waiting for me one day soon. Unfortunately, my grades are beginning to slide, so I grudgingly, little by little start to tune into the rest of the real world, which is probably for the best. Gravely Voice has been non-stop all morning, grating on my last nerve.
Why do you think you can shut me off? Unlike everyone else, I’ll always be your constant companion. Just stop trying to understand me. Drawing is pointless. Digging leads nowhere. I am darkness. Always here. Always with you. You can never make me go aw—
My gaze strays to Nara and I smile and think, “Yes, I can.”
She’s the bright light shining in my periphery, edging out the creeping darkness. I can’t help but stare directly into her brilliance. I’m all in now, and as I continue to watch Nara interacting with classmates, the realization hits me so hard I freeze in complete surprise. How did I not see this before now?
Because you wanted to believe you’d done something right to deserve having Nara all to yourself. This is what happens when you live in a dream world. And what are you going to do with this new information, Ethan?
Nothing, I answer my own question as I walk out to my car at the end of the day.
You’re still not going to talk to her?
What good will it do? The possibility of rejection and losing her forever is highly motivating to stay away.
Remember Buddy?
Shut up! I mentally bark. And now I’m arguing with myself. I’m so screwed up.
* * *
I awake shaking and gulping to breathe. Awareness sizzles through me as I take another jagged breath and am finally able to fill my lungs. I blink into the early morning darkness and jam shaking hands through my damp hair. Just when I think I’ve gotten control of my emotions, goose bumps scatter across my heated skin and a sense of wrongness rushes through me in intense vibrations.
Nara!
I need to get to school. I jerk upright and run for the bathroom.
I’m pretty sure I broke every speeding record getting to school, but with the blue and red lights flashing all around the building, the police are otherwise occupied.
I plug my ear buds in and jam my hands into my jeans, telling myself I’m just here to make sure Nara’s okay. That my radar’s off and she’s fine. I make it as close to the school as the police will allow, but I don’t see Nara anywhere. Then I see her walking across the parking lot in her ever-present, dark sunglasses, heading for the school.
I turn away from the school and exhale a huge sigh of relief, telling my heart to stop its frantic pounding. I want so badly to talk to her, but the words lodge in my throat as I get closer. The thought of being shut down is enough to keep me staring straight ahead. I honestly don’t think I could handle the rejection.
When I see her hand move toward me as we start to pass each other, I flinch in surprise and look her way. The brief press of her lips before her gaze reaches my face is the last thing I ever expected to see.
Even behind her shades, the moment Nara’s eyes lock with mine is indescribable. I feel the rushing heat of her stare and think about dreams being nothing but air—and realize that to have her look at me like this and really see me is true sustenance.
She’s sweetness sitting on the tip of my tongue, waiting for me to swallow.
My mouth starts to water.
Hell yeah, she’s worth the risk of rejection. A thousand times worth it.
I swallow deeply and mumble, “Sorry,” then pull my ear buds out. “What did you say?”
A brief smile touches her lips. “What’s happening?”
Reality always trumps dreams. I hold her gaze and answer, “Bomb threat.”
Thank you for joining Ethan and Nara’s journey!
If you found ETHAN an entertaining and enjoyable read, I hope you’ll consider taking the time to leave a review and share your thoughts in the on-line bookstore where you purchased it. Your review could be the one to help another reader decide to read Ethan’s story!
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I hope you’ll check out the rest of the books in the BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS series! To keep up to date on when the next BRIGHEST KIND OF DARKNESS book will release, join my free newsletter http://eepurl.com/jriS9
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Read on for an excerpt from book one, BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS, where it all begins!
BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS (Book 1)
Excerpt
Once we’d stowed my stuff in the back of my car, Ethan opened the car door and waited for me to get in. Even though I wanted to ask him so many questions, I was afraid to speak. It felt like we’d moved to a whole new level in our friendship, but I wasn’t sure what that level was.
Every nerve ending urged me to hug him, to show my appreciation, but I was unsure. Would he pull away? I didn’t need any more rejection in my life. “Thank you for being there,” I said in an unsteady voice.
Ethan clasped my wrist and pulled me into his arms, holding me close. “I’ll always be here for you.”
I shuddered against his chest, mumbling into his flannel shirt. “You weren’t at school and I didn’t see you after practice. I thought for sure no one would hear me scream when those guys finally got their hands on—”
Warm fingers tilted my chin up. “I had something to do today, but I’d never leave you hanging. When I saw your stuff on the field and then I heard a guy yelling, ‘She went this way,’ in the woods…” he paused, tensing. “I freaked.”
“You got to me just in time.” I tried to smile but my lips trembled. “Who knew knights wore flannel shirts and Led Zeppelin tees?” I knew I sounded like a goof, but I didn’t care. I wanted him to know how much his rescue meant to me.
Ethan leaned close and I closed my eyes as he lightly kissed my cheekbone, then my forehead. He had no idea that his gentle kiss had melted something inside me, how much I craved the physical connection. His warm lips lingered against my skin for a second before he took a step back and shoved his hands in his jean pockets.
“I’m no hero, Nara.” His gaze narrowed briefly toward the woods. “Go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Other P.T. Michelle Books
Brightest Kind of Darkness Series
Ethan (Prequel)
Brightest Kind of Darkness (book 1)
Lucid (book 2)
Destiny (book 3)
Other Recommended Books
The McKinnon Curse series
by J.A. Templeton
Destiny’s Fire
by Trisha Wolfe
Acknowledgements
To my critique partners, J.A. Templeton and Trisha Wolfe, thank you for helping make Ethan the best it can be.
To my beta readers: Dani Snell, Heather Potts, and Allison Konop, thank you for your amazing support of the Brightest Kind of Darkness series, for your valuable input, and for being the first to stamp your avid approval on Ethan!
/> To my husband, thank you for being so proud and telling everyone you know, “Did you know my wife writes young adult books? You should check them out.”
And to my children, who’re always willing to give their opinions on covers and such. See, Mom does listen! Thank you for your support and patience, and for understanding that when I’m working on a book and say I’ll be there in a minute, you should probably start prepping dinner. All my efforts to make sure you don’t solely live on noodles and hotdogs when you go on to college is totally paying off. :)
About the Author
P.T. Michelle is author of the young adult series BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS. She keeps a spiral notepad with her at all times, even on her nightstand. When P.T. isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature. To learn more about P.T.’s books, visit her at the following places:
Website
http://www.ptmichelle.com
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/PTMichelleAuthor
Twitter
http://www.twitter/pt_michelle
Newsletter (free newsletter announcing releases and special contests)
http://eepurl.com/jriS9
Contents
Title page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS (Book 1)
Other P.T. Michelle Books
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Table of Contents
Title page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS (Book 1)
Other P.T. Michelle Books
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Ethan, YA Paranormal Romance Page 7