It's Always Been You

21

One year later...

I was getting nervous to see him for the first time in a year. My hands are sweaty as I wipe them against my jeans for the fifth time since arriving at the airport. Ethan was officially coming home since their move.

A lot has happened in a year, I graduated high school and started my first year of college. I plan on going into teaching when I get out. Since their move, I've been FaceTiming and calling Ethan every night before bed. He's told me everything about his new school, friends, but most importantly how much he missed me.

It excites me to see him. I've been dreaming about this day for months, the day I get to hold him in my arms. What makes it even better is he'll be staying with us until his parents are cleared to come back. Ethan explained everything one night while we were talking. About his dad's work, several other times where they've had to move because of it. After finding out about it, I was scared that when he came back they would just move again but he assured me that they were coming back for good. The government felt confident that this town was the perfect place to keep their secret. Of course, I don't know what his dad does but I don't need to know. I was getting Ethan back for good.

"Are you nervous?" My dad asks as he watches me.

I shake my head. "Nope, not at all." I let out a laugh, releasing some of the pressure I've been holding in.

He looks down at his watch. "Just a few more minutes until they land."

I look down at my phone, admiring his face looking back up at me. The way his blue eyes sparkled in the phones flash and his perfect white teeth smiling through the screen.

My dad's phone goes off and I look over at him, watching as he talks into the phone. My parents still aren't cool with the whole being gay thing but they've come to terms with it.

"Your mom has dinner ready when we get home," he says as he puts his phone back into his pocket.

"What is she cooking?" I ask him, putting my phone in my pocket also.

"Pasta."

"Yum," I nod my head. It didn't take long for an awkward silence to fill in space between us. Ever since I came out to my parents we've been distant, tolerating each other but nothing more than that.

I take my phone out, trying to distract myself during this awkward silence. The bright white numbers look up at me, beckoning me to stare at them. Five more minutes, come on please hurry up. I unlock my phone and him a quick text even though he's not going to get it until he's on the ground.

"It's time," my dad exclaims just as I press the send button.

I shove my phone into my pocket, standing up, my legs shaking. I wipe my sweaty hands on the front of my jeans as I tell myself to breathe. My eyes scan over the crowd of people exiting, searching for his familiar face. His face doesn't come up for a while, in fact when I did see him finally I barely recognized him. His hair had grown out significantly since the last time I saw him, and had turned even blonder from the dirty blonde I had known to love. He was a lot darker and I could see the freckles on his golden brown face clearly now. His bright blue eyes glowed against his skin. I have to say he definitely looked hotter. I just hope that was the only thing that changed.

His eyes meet mine, the biggest smile spreading across his face. I can't hold it in any longer as I push myself through the crowd and into his arms, throwing my arms around his neck. He stumbles back a little but gaining his balance just as quick as he lost it.

"Hey," he whispers in my ear.

I've lost the ability to speak, burying my face into his neck deeper. I had missed this smell, the smell of the ocean staying with him even when he wasn't there. Everything that was missing while he was gone seemed to come back. I released my hold on him, taking a step back to admire him some more.

"Welcome home."

"It's good to be back," he says. The sound of his phone ringing interrupts the moment between us. I look down at it, watching him quickly press ignore. He looks back up at me and gives me a small smile.

"It's nothing," he assures me.

Something inside of me says it's not but I push those feelings into the back of my head. He wouldn't. I smile back at him, taking his suitcase in my hand.

"I've got it," he tries to take it from my hand but swiftly move my hand away from his. He lets out a laugh. Oh, how amazing it was to hear that again.

"You've gotten quicker since I left." He matches my pace as I follow my dad out of the building.

I look over at him, his eyes meeting mine. His hand reaches over and takes mine, squeezing it tightly.

"I love you," I tell him.

He quits staring at me and moves his glance to something else. The pain of him not saying it back forces me to release his hand. He doesn't seem to notice as I struggle to hold back the tears threatening to fall. This isn't the same Ethan that left a year ago.