The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen

are we supposed to wear to a wedding?”
    “How the hell should I know?” He glances down at his long-sleeve black shirt pulled over a gray T-shirt and his dark jeans. “I was going to go like this.”
    Grabbing a black pinstriped shirt and a pair of my nicest jeans, I head off to the bathroom.
    “Has she admitted she was lying?” Ethan flips on the television and flops down on one of the beds, crossing his feet.
    I halt in the doorway and glance over my shoulder at him. “No… As usual, she’s being stubborn.”
    “Here’s a thought.” He drops the remote on the nightstand. “You could always tell her you know and save yourself all the drama.”
    “It’s not that simple,” I explain. “I don’t like to push her into doing things… because…” I trail off, knowing I can’t tell him about the bridge or how she looked on that bathroom floor when she told me.
    When she’s ready, she’ll tell… at least I hope. But what if she doesn’t? What if I’ve spent my life chasing a ghost?

    “Okay, so I’m severely disappointed in the bridesmaid lineup,” Ethan comments, eyeballing the bridesmaids standing just outside the canopy entrance.
    We are sitting in the back row waiting for this little shindig to start while people scurry back and forth through the tent. The front of the area is decorated with purple flowers and the main aisle is lined with black and purple ribbons.
    “I think they’re all married,” I tell him, resting my foot up on my knee. “And about ten years older than you.”
    He sighs and leans back into the fold-up chair. “What am I supposed to do then? This thing doesn’t start for another hour and I’m getting bored.”
    “I’m sure you’ll survive…” My attention drifts to Ella as she walks beneath the canopy and up to Caroline, who’s talking to a short guy in a gray suit, waving her hands animatedly. Ella has on a short, black velvet dress that shows of her long legs and bare shoulders. There’s a red ribbon around the middle and a red flower in her hair.
    She’s fucking beautiful. That’s all there is to it.
    “Dude, wipe the drool off your chin.” Ethan slaps the back of my head.
    I shove him and he pushes me back. Letting out a deep breath, my eyes reconnect to Ella. She says something to Caroline and hands the glass of champagne to her. Caroline downs it and gives the glass back to Ella before rushing away, holding the front of her dress.
    Ella sets the glass on a chair and presses her fingers to the bridge of her nose as her gaze finds me. Her eyes silently plead for me to follow her as she ducks out of the tent.
    “I’ll be right back,” I say, rising to my feet. “And try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone.”
    I weave through the aisles and duck outside into the sunshine and cool air. A forest encloses the house and Ella strolls down the grassy hill until she vanishes into the trees crisped with autumn.
    “What is she doing?” I mutter as I follow her.
    When I step into the forest, she’s leaning against a tree and the thick forest obscures every aspect of the wedding, except for the muffled noise of voices. It’s like we’re in our own private little world.
    I walk slowly toward her. “What are you doing out here?”
    Her hands are tucked behind her back and she’s chewing on her bottom lip anxiously. “I didn’t cheat on you. I lied about it.”
    I reduce the gap between us so we’re within reaching distance. “I know you didn’t.”
    Her eyebrows dip together. “How did you know?”
    “Lila told Ethan.” I inch closer to her, and my gaze skims down to the cleavage popping out of the dress. “And Ethan told me.”
    Her shoulders slump as she exhales, relieved. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
    “Because I figure you had some reason why you weren’t telling me.” My fingers itch to touch her, long to run along her body and feel inside her.
    “I’m sorry. It was the only thing I could think of that would make you let me