Part Seventeen: Flirtation and Romance
It was late evening, the sky painted in shades of orange and pink. Ethan had texted Anna earlier: "Meet me by the fountain after school. I have something to show you."
Anna hesitated but couldn't resist. She found him leaning casually against the fountain, the soft light catching his features, making him look more magnetic than ever.
"Hey," Ethan said, his usual confident smirk softened into something warmer. "You came."
"I did," Anna replied, her heart racing.
Ethan held out his hand. "Dance with me?"
Anna blinked, surprised. "Here? In the courtyard?"
Ethan grinned. "Why not? It's our moment, and no one else matters."
As music from a nearby café drifted faintly on the wind, Ethan pulled Anna close. Their bodies moved together naturally, his hand on her waist, hers on his shoulder.
"You look… breathtaking," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.
Anna's cheeks flushed. "Ethan…" she murmured, trying to focus but feeling herself melt under his gaze.
He leaned closer, his lips almost touching hers. "You're driving me crazy, Anna. Every time I see you, I… I can't help myself."
Anna's breath caught. "Ethan… stop teasing me like this."
"I'm not teasing," he said softly, cupping her face. "I'm being honest."
Then, impulsively, he kissed her—a slow, lingering kiss filled with passion and sincerity. Anna's heart leapt, her hands tangling in his hair. She had never felt so wanted, so alive.
For the first time, Ethan didn't pull back to charm her—he held her close, letting the kiss speak the words he hadn't said aloud: I really love you.
From a distance, Nick watched, hidden behind a tree. His chest tightened as he saw Ethan's hands on Anna, the way she responded, her eyes closed in bliss. Jealousy and heartbreak churned inside him, but he couldn't interrupt this private moment—at least not yet.
When they finally broke apart, Ethan rested his forehead against hers. "You're incredible, Anna. I don't just want you—I need you."
Anna's cheeks were flushed, her heart pounding. She didn't know how to respond. She knew Nick cared for her deeply, but this moment with Ethan made her feel something undeniable, something thrilling, something romantic that she couldn't ignore.
Ethan smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Tonight… just us. No one else. Can we promise that?"
Anna nodded, feeling the warmth of his hand in hers. "Yes… just us."
The night air wrapped around them, carrying the tension, romance, and unspoken feelings. Both knew that things were far from over—Nick was still in the picture—but tonight, for a fleeting, beautiful moment, it was just Ethan and Anna.