Chapter 3
Kristina had been studying at Kellys for over an hour when Ethan walked in with Maya, an arm slung around her shoulders. Maya was an intern at the hospital that Ethan was interested in, as well as being her brother Michael's cousin. A Quartermaine. Pain pierced Kristina's heart as she watched the couple flirt and engage eachother in a way as if no one else was around.
Kristina had fell for Ethan the moment she saw him at her friend Maxie and Spinelli's Non-wedding reception. He was singing karaoke to everyone and he had the greatest voice, and not just for a person singing karaoke. The minute Kristina had looked into his eyes she was sunk. At first admittedly it was a crush, but eventually Kristina figured out that she had fallen in love. Of course love for her was not a simple process. Even though she loved Ethan he did not return her feelings. He insisted she was too young and dating her would be too much trouble. He might have been right on one count. Having mob king pin Michael "Sonny" Corinthos as a father didn't win her a lot of points with guys. She wasn't a leper by any means but guys weren't jumping through hoops to be with her either.
There was one guy that had caught her heart for awhile until he had bruised and broken it as well as her. It was an abusive relationship. Something that Kristina Corinthos- Davis never thought she would be involved in. The joke was on her. It could happen to anyone. He whittled down her self esteem and made her feel like she couldn't live without him. Her only saving grace was her friendship with Ethan. He still gave her that confidence when Keifer wasn't around. You can even say he kept her head above water.
Yes, Ethan was her rock. Her knight in shining armor. So when Kristina saw Ethan and Maya walk in acting completely and utterly in love, her heart broke all over again. She wished with everything in her that she could be that beautiful girl on his arm. That she was what Ethan wanted. However Kristina knew that it didn't seem possible. Atleast for now. Ethan wanted somebody older and even though she was legal it wasn't enough. She was also sure Ethan saw how broken she really was and wanted nothing to do with her mess. Maya was confident and self assured. Kristina tried to appear that way, but often failed. Her saving grace was the therapy she was now in. It was helping her through her abuse issues as well as some long term damage done by the relationship she had with her father. She did feel good however that there was progress on both fronts.
Kristina had tried to focus on studying for over an hour while Ethan and Maya happily chatted at a table behind her but failed. All she could focus on was was their conversation. Ethan flirting with her and telling her how fabulous and beautiful she was. She just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry. This was so unfair! What was so wrong with her? Kristina sighed putting in her earbuds and cranking the music as loud as her ears would let her.
Soon she began to feel a tap on her shoulders and jumped to see Ethan laughing in front of her. She shut of her music and pulled out her ear buds looking up at the man she loved. "Hey Kristina sorry to scare you. I didn't see you here. Have you been here long?" Kristina scowled cursing a "No Shit Sherlock" under her breath. "Pardon" he questioned frowning. "Ah I said have a sit- I mean seat." Ethan sat down still looking at Kristina with a little uncertainty. "So where did Maya go?" she asked with little interest, just trying to make polite conversation." She had to go back to the hospital. She's pulling a double shift.
So what is going on with you Kristina? I hear Johnny played quite the hero the other day." Kristina smiled into her cup taking a sip of coffee. "Yes he did. Johnny is quite the nice guy you said he was. Quite different than what my father says. I really like him." Ethan frowned at her statement which made Kristina curious but she pressed on. "I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't come. Probably turn into a snivelling mess and give those girls from school more ammunition then they already have on me." Ethan seemed to understand, nodding his head in agreement. "Johnny told me all about it. I'm sorry they were so cruel. High school kids can be so understanding." He said with sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Yeah well in a couple months I will be done and graduated. Off to PCU for me." Ethan smirked.
"PCU? What happened to Yale?" Kristina shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I'm waitlisted. I guess I wasn't good enough. It's ok though. I get to hang around here instead." Ethan frowned in confusion. "Don't rich people buy their way into any school they want. I mean you are a Cassadine as well as Sonny's daughter." Kristina knew what Ethan was getting at. "Well I don't like living that way. Thinking I am better than everyone else just because I have money. I mean if I am not smart enough to get into Yale then I shouldn't be there." Ethan smiled. "That's what I love about you. You aren't a stuck up bitch and you work for everything, but Kristina you are smart enough to go to Yale and I think you deserve to be there. They are the stupid ones if they don't take you," Kristina's heart warmed at Ethan's compliment. "Thanks Ethan. That means a lot."
Kristina took another sip of coffee when Ethan asked about Michael. "So I heard Michael saw you hanging out with Johnny. Is he going to tell Sonny you think?" Kristina wasn't sure how to answer that. She hoped that Michael would keep his mouth shut where Johnny was concerned but Michael had been all over the place lately with his moods since getting out of Pentonville. There was no telling what her brother would do. "I don't know. I hope so. If dad knew I was even talking to Johnny he'd freak. Sometimes he pisses me off but I don't want to stress him out anymore. Therapy is helping and I don't want the work we did set back." Ethan agreed. "Well I hope so for Johnny's sake. I don't want my friend killed." He said with a wry smile. Kristina smiled reluctantly.
"So what have you been up to lately? Getting into lots of trouble I bet?" she smirked at the sheepish look on Ethan's face. "There are things I can't talk to you about Kristina. I'm sorry. Its better you don't know really." Realization dawned on Kristina. "I see. So this isn't about some scam you have going on with Luke or whatever. You won't tell me because you work for Johnny, which can only mean one thing. This has to do with my father." Ethan looked stricken. He didn't know what to say Kristina observed. Kristina knew things were getting complicated. She absolutely loved Ethan but his job with Johnny could get in the way of their friendship. If he helped Johnny hurt her father, she didn't know if that was something she could ever forgive. As it was her burgeoning friendship with Johnny was complicated for this reason as well. Kristina was beginning to wonder if any of the relationships with the men in her life could ever be simple.