Page 59 of A Certain Step
She stepped closer, took his dangling hand and squeezed like she was trying to tell him something he wasn’t picking up on. He caught her slow breathing. She was trying and attempting to combat something standing in front of her. He knew that look well enough by now.
“There’s just… It’s too much of a risk. There’s a lot to talk about. It’s not…simple,” she said, her eyes a little heavy.
Ethan lifted his hand and caressed her cheek, delicate and reverential, with meticulous touches. She slid her fingers up and curled them around his wrist. “Then let’s talk about it. Please, Wills. It sounds dramatic, but I feel like I’m drowning. I can’t keep all of this inside anymore.”
She leaned into his touch. Hope made its way back into him, a little less pronounced but resuscitating still.
Willa was about to say something, but she stopped to look down at her vibrating phone that rested against the black marble.
“Oh, shit. It’s Naomi in the group chat,” she announced.
The cast had a group chat they’d started from their first official rehearsals, mostly memes, occasionally check-ins on plans, and affectionately named “Pemberley’s OG-Hoes,” courtesy of Sahar. No one bothered to change it. Ethan drew forward to read from her phone as well.
NAOMI
Hi, my loves. I’m sorry if Lea and I worried you by leaving without a word. Our little sister Siena was in a horrible car accident last night, and the doctors told our parents they weren’t sure if she was going to make it. But praise be, they’re hopeful that she’ll make a full recovery. She’s out of surgery now, and we’ll be back by Sunday at the earliest. If you believe in prayers, please keep our family in your thoughts. If not, we could use all the good vibes. Love you all! And congrats on your debut, Wills!! We’re positive you were perfect on all fronts!!
“Fuck—” Ethan uttered, looking toward Willa, her shock on full display.
“God, I can’t even imagine what they must be going through. And the fears they dealt with in the last twenty-four hours,” she said.
She started typing out a response. Her phone buzzed again with a text from Christian, another from Innila, followed by one from Sahar. Ethan took his phone out of his back pocket, and Willa’s message appeared as he prepped to respond.
WILLA
I’m so sorry you’re all going through this. Thank goodness she’ll be okay. Your family will be in all my prayers <3 big, big love, my darling girls! Please keep us updated.
ETHAN
Please let us know if there’s anything we can do! Sending your family all my love and prayers!
They both set their phones down and looked at each other. Ethan felt guilty for having had such a great day when his scene partner was struggling in a way he couldn’t comprehend. He thought of his siblings for a beat, making a mental note to give them both a call tomorrow.
It was strange what happened to a person when they heard bad news of any degree—how rapidly and effortlessly precious life could become in the blink of an eye. A rush of gratitude flooded through Ethan, growing into a bravery that made him certain he didn’t want to waste a single second pretending like his heart wasn’t beating out of his chest.
The electric kettle’s handle made a popping sound, indicating the water had finished boiling. Willa looked toward him and then reached up to open the cabinet where he kept his mugs. She placed one down, and he handed her a tea bag.
“Milk?” he asked.
“I’m good for right now. Thank you, though.”
He sauntered over to his fridge, took out a can of Dr. Pepper, snapped it open, and then walked toward the sectional with her.
Ethan picked out two plain black coasters for them; Willa placed her cup down on one and then sat farther than she usually did.
He gave her a puzzled glance. Physically, maybe two other people could fit in between them.
“What?” she asked.
He tilted his head. “Why are you sitting so far away?”
“I’m not,” she disputed.
How was she so calm about this? Was every part of her not torching with rambunctious flames? Was she doing this because she was nervous? He didn’t want to push her, but she was Willa. He was Ethan. She’d jump on his back for shits and giggles every chance she got. They were farther now than when they’d sit in his dressing room, for crying out loud.
“It feels like you’re on another continent. Can you come a little closer?” he pleaded.
Shaking her head affably, she moved a little. Her hand was close enough for him to reach for, but he stopped himself from doing so.
