Chapter Seven

“I’m not very comfortable with you going out with people after dark,” Tanya tells Ada, putting her hand up to stop her daughter from cutting in so she could finish her thought. “But I’ll allow it, as long as you are home by 10.”

“Deal,” Ada replied, with a big smile and running off before her mother changed her mind. Ten o’clock seemed a bit unreasonable, but she wasn’t going to push it. Considering everything that has happened recently, she’s just glad that her mother was letting her out of the house at all, well that her mother knew about anyway.

When Ada returned to her room, Kacey was standing at the door. “Ten? Really?” She replied with a frown. The disappointment was written all over her face.

“It’s better than her not letting us go at all,” Ada replied with a shrug.

Kacey was staying at Ada’s house tonight; their first sleepover. Ada thought it peculiar how close they’d become over the past few weeks. They had inside jokes, knew all of each other’s favorites, and more. Not only did they know almost everything about each other, but they also had a lot more in common than Emma and Ada ever did.

The girls had started to get ready. Putting on some more comfortable clothes and applying a little more makeup. Ada decided to stay in something more conservative, refusing to wear any short shorts or a tank top. Instead, she grabbed a pair of her favorite blue jean pants, a white short-sleeved shirt that hugged her torso, and covered up with a black hoodie.

Kacey lets out a whistle. “Boy, you leave a lot to the imagination, huh?”

Ada blushed. “I just want to be comfortable.” She replied in a small voice.

While Ada was dressing more for “comfort,” Kacey went with a pair of tight short-shorts and a halter top that showed every curve of her body, including her huge breasts.

“And you look like jailbait.” Ada retorted.

The girls laughed.

“Ada, Kacey! Your friends are here!” Tanya yelled from downstairs.

Ada’s heart jumped, mostly from excitement, and slightly because sudden loud noises still freaked her out.

They both walked down the hall together to meet the boys who were having a stern talking to from Tanya.

“Now, I want the girls back by 10 o’clock.” She stated with her parental persona. Tanya looked aggressive as she spoke to Ewan and Hal. “And I don’t want any funny business. I want them both returned to me the exact way they left, do you understand me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ewan replied, trying not to laugh.

“I mean it. I know plenty of people who would take care of you both.” She retorted with wide eyes. “I doubt anyone would miss you.”

“Okay, guys, let’s go,” Ada said, passing her mother in embarrassment and grabbing Ewan’s arm to pull him out the door with her.

“It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Mitchell!” Ewan said as they headed out the door.

“Have fun on your dates!” Tanya called out to Kacey and Ada, who turned around in astonishment.

“Oh! Is this a date?” Ewan inquired teasingly.

“Shut up!” Ada replied horrified while hurrying ahead to catch up to Kacey.

Ewan looks at Hal smiling. “She didn’t say no.”

The quartet walked around for a little while until they found themselves at the lake. Not many people came here because the city stopped maintaining it like they used to because of the drug addicts and people who would constantly vandalize the spot. The playground equipment was starting to rust and fall apart, the benches and tables were barely holding on in one piece, and the facilities were shut down. Even though the grass was ankle height, it looks like someone was at least been mowing the grass.

Even though the spot gave off a slightly creepy, abandoned vibe, the lake was still beautiful. There were tall, looming trees surrounding the water. There was sand on the bank of the lake to make it appear as a small beach spot. If the place was still maintained properly, it could have been a very beautiful place. However, Ada still found there to be a certain charm to the place.

But the girls found themselves more captivated by the spot as the sun started to set and the moon began to rise over the water. Watching the day turn into night as they sat in the sand, the group were talking amongst themselves and having a good time.

Hal brought some beer. “Do you girls want a drink?”

Kacey looked a little unsure while Hal and Ewan each grabbed a can.

Ada was slightly hesitant at first, but then thought, why not?

“Sure.” She replied enthusiastically.

Kacey looked at Ada like she was an entirely different species.

“What?” She looks at her friend defensively.

“Now I’m gonna seem like the lame, no fun person because I don’t drink.”

“No one thinks that,” Ada responded, opening up a can.

“You don’t have to.” Ewan chimed in. “I mean, Ada, you don’t have to either.”

“I want to though.”

Ewan shrugged. “All right.”

Ada took a sip and almost immediately regretted it. The crisp, sharp taste was overwhelming. The liquid was as if it was freezing fire as she felt it burn her throat, all the way through her chest, and down to her stomach.

“So, what do you think?” Ewan questioned with a smirk.

“That is just terrible!” Ada replied, disgusted.

Ewan laughed.

“Let’s all go skinny dipping!” Hal suddenly burst in.

“I’m good,” Ada replied, feeling uncomfortable.

“Isn’t that something else that’s on your list?” Kacey teased her.

Ada could feel her face burning, nudging Kacey in the side to say “shut up.”

“What?” Ewan replied, taking off his shirt.

“Nothing!” Ada replied while blushing and admiring Ewan’s lean build.

“It’ll be fun!” Kacey chimed in, starting to get in her underwear.

There was a loud splash in the water. Hal already jumped in, followed by Kacey.

“Are you coming?” Ewan asked with a smirk, now only wearing his boxers.

“I don’t know,” Ada replied sheepishly.

“I’ll turn around if you want.” He replied. “I won’t look.”

Ada’s heart started racing. It was something that she really wanted to do, but not with Ewan or any guy around. She was becoming more and more insecure. Taking a deep breath, she finally responded, “Okay.”

Ewan stood with his back to her as she undressed.

She wanted more than anything to stay hidden in her black hoodie, but she knew she was going to need that for warmth after swimming in the lake. She walked up behind him and held his hand, “Okay, let’s go.”

They walked, Ada directly behind him, as they made their way to the water.

The lake reflected the moon that illuminated the whole area. The night was quiet, except for the sounds of Kacey and Hal splashing around, talking, and laughing in the distance.

“Oh my gosh, the water is so cold!” Ada chattered.

Ewan let out a chuckle, “You’ll get used to it.”

Her heart was beating faster. This night went from extremely fun and light to very awkward. She couldn’t think of anything to say as her mind raced. Anxiety consumed her.

“What’s wrong?” Ewan asks with concern.

“Nothing. Why?”

“You just have a weird look on your face.”

“Thanks.” She replies rolling her eyes.

“You’re welcome.” He retorts with a devious smile.

"What are you—"

Ewan splashes water at her.

“You are going to pay for that!” Ada says while laughing.

They both start splashing water at one another; playing and having fun. Ada starts to swim further away and Ewan follows, chasing her. She didn’t feel insecure anymore. Somehow Ewan had that effect on her. No matter how uncomfortable the situation is, he always found a way to put her at ease.

Ada stops swimming for a moment to look behind her to see how much distance was between her and Ewan. That’s when he grabbed her, holding her in his arms. Ada found herself giggling uncontrollably.

Both of them stop laughing and stare at one another. She could feel her heart racing. He gently pulls her closer to him, with his hands resting on her hips under the water. Ada could feel his firm, warm body pressed up against hers. She could feel his heart beating just as fast as hers. Ewan’s face started moving slowly down towards hers.

At that moment Ada didn’t care that she was naked. She wasn’t even alarmed that her body was pressed up against his naked body. The look he gave her made her womanhood quiver. Their faces were very close to each other, their lips about to meet.

A loud piercing noise sounded from the distance breaking the silence; changing the mood. Ewan jumped from the sudden noise while Ada froze.

She started to breathe unevenly, her heart raced so fast it became out of rhythm, and her throat felt like it was burning.

“Ada?” Ewan started, as he became increasingly concerned. “Ada?” He said again, placing his hand on her cheek, caressing it with his thumb.

“What’s wrong?” Kacey questioned from out of nowhere as she swam closer to them.

Tears started to stream down Ada’s face as her body trembled. The loud noise sounded like a gunshot, causing her to relive the night she was in that gas station with Jessie. She became nauseated and her legs gave out. Luckily Ewan was there to prevent her from drowning in the water.

“Ada, calm down.” He said softly, trying to keep his voice composed. “It’s okay, everything is okay.” Ewan tried to reassure Ada, but nothing seemed to work. She appeared to be getting worse. If he didn’t figure out a way to make her relax then Ada would soon begin to pass out. Feeling at a complete loss, he pulled her face up to his, kissing her.

His eyes shut, he started slowly kissing her.

She closed her eyes and kissed him back. It was working!

Ewan kept the kiss going, nibbling on her bottom lip.

Ada slightly opened her mouth as he gently slips his tongue into her mouth. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her closer as her arms wrap around his neck. She could feel him; all of him becoming excited. Ada melts in his arms as his kisses intensified and deepened. Her fingers playing in his hair while his hand slowly moving up her side, lightly tracing her curve. She was consumed by a wave of sensations she never thought anyone was capable of feeling.

Suddenly, he pulls free from the kiss.

Both stare at each other in dumbfounded silence.

Ada felt dizzy as she tried to compose herself.

“Well, that’s another item you can check off your list!” Kacey blurts out in a stupor. “How many is that? Three?” She continued with a grin. “Why not go for four?” Kacey resumed teasingly.

Ada looks at her in alarm.

“What list?” Ewan questions, slightly out of breath.

Taking a moment to find her voice, Ada finally responds, “It’s nothing.”

He stares at her quizzically. “I’m gonna bring Ada home,” Ewan states as he turned toward Kacey. “I’m sure it’s almost time for you both to be back.”

“Okay. We won’t be far behind.” Kacey replies, swimming off toward Hal.

Ada and Ewan started back toward the bank and got dressed in silence.

They begin their walk, in awkwardness, without speaking. Ewan wouldn’t look at her, except for short, quick little glances. He wore a peculiar expression on his face as he was left deep in thought. His brows were furrowed, jaw crooked, and his eyes appeared to have a blank determination.

Ada felt a crushing blow from Ewan’s silence. Are we seriously not going to talk about that kiss? Ada thought to herself as they continued walking. And why does he look so distant?

They continued in uncomfortable silence until they were a few blocks from her house.

“What list is Kacey talking about?” Ewan finally questions.

She lets out a deep breath. “Is that what’s bothering you?” Ada asks in defeat. Seriously, the hot make-out session at the lake isn’t the first thing on his mind?

“What is it?” He questioned again with curiosity tinting his voice.

Ada hesitates. She never planned on telling Ewan about the list. Why would she? He was trying to better himself and she knew that a few of the things she had planned had the potential of getting them both into trouble. “So, um,” Ada founder herself stalling, "a few weeks ago I wrote a list of everything that I haven’t done before. Like, for example, drinking alcohol, skinny dipping, and—" she cut off her thought. She did not want him knowing that she never kissed a boy before tonight. It is embarrassing enough that she has to explain her list to him. “Anyway, I just thought I would take the next few months to do the things I have on my list.”

Ewan stops with an alarmed look on his face. “What other stuff do you have on that list?”

She hesitates. Why does he look so worried? “Just… some stuff.”

“Ada…” Ewan softly calls her name.

Ada looks down at her feet as Ewan walks closer to her, filling the space that had come between them. “Ever since that night and Jessie, I just…” She paused, feeling apprehensive about confiding all of this in Ewan. She didn’t feel as though he would judge her, but more that he may be disappointed or maybe think that she was being silly. “I just found myself thinking about all of the things I didn’t do. Things that I wanted to experience before I... Before I regret it.” Ada refused to look Ewan in the eye. “I’ve been so concerned about making my mom’s life easier so she didn’t have to worry that I missed out on many things, like going to parties, dances. And if things happened differently that night, I would’ve missed out on a lot.”

“But you have so much more time,” Ewan states baffled.

Her mouth became dry. “Yeah… Maybe… We don’t know for certain now, do we?” She said with a hollow voice. “I’m sure Luke and Jason also believed that they had plenty of time to do other things they wanted.”

Ewan held her hands. “Ada… You can’t think like that.”

“Maybe I don’t want to die unexpectedly, by someone else’s hands, as a seventeen-year-old virgin who has never even been on a date or had a first kiss ‘til 30 minutes ago.” She rambled. Her eyes were fixated on Ewan’s shoes. She didn’t want to see the look on his face when she admitted to how much of a boring teenager she was, especially not after what she experienced with him at the lake.

Ewan’s breath caught. He didn’t respond right away as he thought about everything Ada had just said. After letting out a heavy sigh, he replied. “When do you plan on completing your list?”

“As soon as I can,” Ada says, looking up to meet Ewan’s eyes.

His jaw was clenched as if he were angry. He looked at her as if he didn’t approve of what she was doing, but knew there wasn’t anything that he could actually do about it. He still attempted to talk her out of what she had in mind, but Ada seemed too steadfast in her convictions that there was no reasoning with her. Yet, Ewan felt the need to give it one last try.

“Ada,” He began, placing his hand under her chin to make her look up at him. “Just because some lunatic with a gun did that doesn’t mean that we have to hurry up and live our lives. There’s plenty of time for us to do the things we want.” Sadness filled his eyes. “The things you want to do are only special because they aren’t forced.”

“So, you think it’s all silly?” Ada questions in a small voice.

“No, I don’t think it’s silly.” He replied, staring at her pleadingly. “I think that you should always live like it’s your last day, but don’t try to force everything because then each memorable situation will be ruined.”

Ada pulls away from his hand to look down at her feet again. Sadness overcame her as tears started to form in her eyes and a burning lump started to rise in her throat. She couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. She understood what he was saying, but she still needed to do this.

“I just don’t want you doing anything you’ll regret.” Ewan continued, trying to get Ada to look at him. “Especially rushing into losing your virginity or taking drugs, Ada.”

Ada’s face turns red; embarrassed that he now knew she was a virgin. She just stares at him, mortified, and unable to think of what to say next to him.

Ewan lets out a sigh of defeat. “Just promise me that you won’t do anything serious. Promise me you won’t just jump in and do anything that you will later regret.”

She nods her head incapable of speech.