Chapter 21
'So what are you going to do now?' Teresa asked. They were both sitting on Ethan's bed eating ice cream after the tickle war.
'What do you mean?'
'Well you've told her that you love her but didn't wait around for an answer, right?' seeing him nod she continued. 'Well don't you want to find out how she feels
about you?'
'Yes but that will come later. I have this all planned out, and it will be perfect' he said smiling
'Ethan, there might just be a romantic in you after all' she said patting him on the leg.
'So what's your next move?'
'I'm not telling you' he said laughing and moving over to his desk and taking a seat.
'Aww why not? We're best friends, you're supposed to tell me everything' she said with a pout.
Ethan saw this and started laughing.
'Don't pull that face with me its not going to work'
'Please'
'No, besides you don't tell me everything do you?'
'I am pretty sure that you know everything about me' Teresa stated.
'In that case you can tell me what the note said that came with your flowers today'
'I'm can't telling you that, its personal.' She protested.
'And I can't tell you my next move. You will just have to wait like everyone else'
'You're no fun' she sighed and collapsed against the pillows.
'So it was a good note was it?' he asked curious of what she thought.
'It was a very good note' she said, her smile returning to her face, 'I honestly didn't think it was possible for me to have feelings for a person who's only contact with me was through one note. But right now I believe it could happen'
'Well I hope you are happy with whoever he turns out to be'
'Thank you Ethan, and if he doesn't I will just have to get my daily romance from the stories of you and your mystery woman. That is if you ever tell her.' They both laughed.
'Very funny, I am sure that you will be happy, so you won't need my stories' he said with a knowing smile. Teresa noticed the look and was curious.
'Ethan Crane do you know some about who my date is that you aren't telling me?' Ethan was shocked he had meant to be subtle with that comment but obviously wasn't. Quickly regaining composure he laughed it off.
'Honestly Resa, the only thing I know is that Miguel set you up with someone, and from what he's told me you will be happy. Okay'
'So you've been talking to Miguel behind my back have you?' she said getting annoyed that he wasn't exactly giving her a straight answer, 'you know something, now spill'
'Okay he is already part of your life, but that's all, Miguel would not divulge anymore'
'Fine then be that way' she looked at her watch and realized it was getting late, 'Ethan I've got to get home' Ethan was hurt by the tone in her voice and was worried
'You aren't mad at me are you?' she saw that he was serious and smiled.
'No I am just frustrated, from the letter he sounds like a really great guy and I can't see him till Saturday. I really just want it to end
'I know how you feel' he sighed.
'What do you mean by that?'
'Well… its just that… I have to wait until a certain day before I find out if she loves me. I have things planned out and I can't do anything any sooner or it just wouldn't work.' He said quickly explaining his slip up. This was getting really hard to try and be with Teresa without saying the wrong thing, if only Saturday would come early.
'Oh okay, well I'll see ya later than.' She gathered her stuff and gave him a hug good bye, 'don't give up hope Ethan, she is an idiot is she doesn't fall in love with you after everything you do for her' pulling back she looked into his eyes.
'Thank you Resa, at least you believe in me'
'Well I got to go' she said feeling slightly uncomfortable
'Okay see ya tomorrow'
And with that Teresa left Ethan's room leaving him to think up what he was going to next that would sweep Teresa off her feet.
Throughout the rest of the week Teresa continued to get presents and messages from her prom date, each note was better than the last and there was always a mention of how much he loved her and couldn't wait to see her on Saturday.
On the other hand Ethan was working hard on coming up with something new for Teresa each day. He was sure that she would be shocked once Saturday came around but he was hopeful for a positive outcome. He had decided for her last present he was going to buy her a double-sided crystal photo frame. He had gone to the local jeweler and found the perfect one it opened up like a book and had frosted roses etched in the border. At the bottom of each half he had a silver plate attached that had 'Before' and 'After' engraved. The plan was to have two photos taken at the prom, one before everyone de-masked and one after he had revealed himself. He hoped that the second photo would be a happy one. His future was riding on it.
On Friday, Teresa walked to her locker at the end of the day. In just over 24hrs he prince charming would be revealed. And she was so excited, during the week she had gotten flowers, chocolates, stuffed toys. She really hoped that he wouldn't give her anything today, she was already sure that he truly cared for her, she could sense it in the notes that came attached with each present. She stood in front of her locker afraid to open it.
'Hey Teresa, you planning on opening your locker so we can go home'
'Hey Whit, I want to open it but I can't' she turned to her friend frustrated.
'Why can't you?'
'Well, everyday this week I've gotten a present from him when I've opened my locker and I don't know if I can handle another one' Whitney was confused.
'Sweetie, I'm not sure I understand'
'Well this is the last day, tomorrow I'll know who he is. I'm being silly aren't I?' she said shaking her head.
'Do you want me to do it?' Teresa smiled.
'Would you?'
'Sure move out of the way.' Teresa moved and Whitney opened the locker.
'Well?' Teresa asked anxiously
'Well what?' Whitney asked knowing that Teresa was dying to know.
'Did he leave me anything?'
'Yes' Whitney said bluntly, and turned to face Teresa, 'Do you want to know what it is?'
'I don't know?' she answered uncertainly.
'Well how about you take the present and I'll read the note' Whitney suggested.
'No, I'll take the note' she reached into her locker pulled out the note and began to read it to herself.
Dear Resa,
Like the nickname? I've decided to start calling you that cause Teresa is too formal. Hope you don't mind. Anyway this is it; tomorrow I will unveil myself to you. I hope you are looking forward to this as much as I am. I just want you to know that as deep as my feelings for you are, there is no pressure for you to return them. You know that I am in love with you; it's not something that I don't want to hide anymore. I have waited forever to meet someone who could make such an impact on my life, and you are that one in a million person. You complete me, I only hope that I can return the favor. Okay so now your gift today, I hope you like it. It is something to remember before and after on what I hope will be a very memorable night. Miguel has decided that I will be meeting you at the prom and that I will not reveal myself until the unveiling of the masks. I hope you can survive that long cause personally I'll be having problems. So this is goodbye the next contact between us will be in person. I hope I can make your dreams come true, as you have made mine.
Yours for eternity
Teresa put down the letter and looked at Whitney who was holding the present. She reached for the frame and held it in her hands taking in everything that was happening. A tear escaped from her eye and ran down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly. The present was truly beautiful.
'You okay?' Whitney asked when she saw the tear.
'Yeah, its just weird'
'What is?'
'Well he addressed the note to Resa'
'So?'
'Well that's my nickname that Ethan gave me, its just weird that this guy will also call me that, he even gave the same reasoning as Ethan.'
'You don't think that its Ethan do you?' Whitney smiled. But Teresa just laughed.
'Whitney, as much as I would like for that to happen, I have realized that it will. I burned those dreams two weeks ago. Besides I know Ethan, and he could never be this romantic. Plus he's too busy trying to win over his mystery woman, who I might add he told on Monday that he was in love with her.' Whitney sighed as smart as Teresa was, when it came to this she was
completely blind.
'So do you have any idea who he is?'
'Nope I tried to bribe Miguel but he wouldn't say anything, he wanted me to be surprised.'
'Well in that case we better get you home and start preparing for tomorrow when you meet your prince charming'
'Do you think I will like him whit?' she asked suddenly very nervous.
'Honey anyone who has gone to this much trouble to win you over not to mention the fact that Miguel thinks he is perfect for you is definitely worth getting to know at least before you turn him away'
'You're right, besides he doesn't sound too bad does he?'
'No he doesn't now let the preparations begin' Whitney said as they turned to leave the school. Just then Teresa remembered Ethan.
'Oh no. I'm supposed to be keeping Ethan company today.'
'Well then ring him and tell him that you will make it up to him later'
'you're right he will understand, won't he?' she said unsure.
'you won't know until you call him will you?'
'Okay, you're right. Just give me a sec'
'I'll wait over here' Whitney said walking over to a bench and sitting down. Teresa pulled out her phone and dialed the familiar number.
'Hello, Ethan Crane'
'Hey Ethan'
'Resa, hey why are you calling? Aren't you going to be here soon?' He said immediately happy that she was calling.
'Well that's just it Ethan, I can't come this afternoon'
'What? Why?' he said upset.
'Well my prom is tomorrow and Whit and I are getting everything together. I want to be special.' Ethan immediately calmed down when he heard the longing in her voice.
'Its alright Resa, I understand but you owe me'
'I know I'll spend all of Sunday with you, I promise.' When Ethan heard this he knew the right away his response.
'Now Resa, you can't do that. You might want to spend time with your prom date. You get to meet him tomorrow don't you?'
'Yes I do'
'Well from what you've told me he sounds pretty great'
'Yes but whoever he is, he will have been in my life for less than a day. He will just have to understand that I can't abandon my best friend. So I will see you on Sunday. Be prepared for a day of fun. Okay?'
'Alright Resa, bye'
'Bye Ethan' and she hung up.
'See you tomorrow Resa' Ethan said quietly after he hung up.
'Hey Chad'
'Whitney! To what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call, aren't we meeting up later?'
'Change in plans, Teresa got another present from her mystery man and is getting really wired about tomorrow. She wants everything perfect; she even called off her daily meeting with Ethan today, to prepare for her mystery man.'
'What do you want me to do?' Chad asked.
'Well can you go keep Ethan company and I'll keep Teresa company'
'Yeah sure, I think I can do that, I believe that it is about time he came clean to me about a few things'
'Okay well I'll see ya tomorrow then?'
'Yep, I love you'
'Love you too' they both hung up together, just as Teresa walked over. Whitney stood up and met her half way.
'You ready?'
'Ready as I'll ever be'
'Well lets go get started' they both laughed and started home'

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