For a moment, both Ethan and Aria stood frozen at the door.
Ethan blinked, clearly surprised to see her standing there with a tray of sweets.
Aria forced a smile to hide her shock. "Um... this is from my mom," she said, holding the dish out awkwardly. "She wanted to welcome your family to the neighborhood."
Ethan stared at her for a second, then accepted the tray quietly. "Thanks," he said, his tone still calm, though his eyes softened slightly.
Just then, a warm voice came from inside.
"Oh, you must be our neighbor's daughter!" Ethan's mother appeared with a bright smile. She was elegant and kind-looking, her presence instantly comforting.
"Yes, ma'am," Aria replied politely.
Mrs. Cross smiled warmly. "You're such a sweet girl. Please tell your parents to come over sometime! We'd love to get to know you all better."
Aria nodded, smiling shyly. "Of course."
Ethan stood beside his mother, glancing briefly at Aria — not saying much, but something in his gaze made her heart skip a beat.
She quickly said goodbye and walked back home, her heartbeat strangely faster than usual.
When she entered the house, her mother noticed immediately. "Aria, what's wrong? Your face is all red!"
Aria stammered, "N-nothing, Mom. It's just a little warm outside."
Mrs. Bennett chuckled softly. "If you say so."
---
Dinner passed quietly, but Aria's thoughts weren't on her food. They were still stuck on the memory of his hands steadying her, the way his eyes had met hers in that silent, breathless moment.
Later, in her room, she finished her homework, brushed her hair, and turned off the lights. But even as she lay in bed, sleep refused to come.
She could still feel the warmth of his touch.
The way he'd said, "Watch where you're going next time."
His voice replayed in her mind until her eyes finally fluttered shut.
---
The next morning, sunlight streamed through her window. Aria got ready for school, tying her hair neatly and slipping into her uniform. She was just about to leave when she heard a voice from outside.
"Aria, dear!" It was Mrs. Cross.
Aria stepped out. "Good morning, ma'am."
Mrs. Cross smiled kindly. "Ethan's still getting used to the area. Would you mind going to school with him today?"
Aria hesitated for half a second, then nodded politely. "Of course, ma'am."
Moments later, Ethan walked out, his usual calm expression on his face. He adjusted his backpack and said, "Ready?"
"Yeah," Aria replied softly.
They walked side by side down the street. The air between them was quiet, almost awkward, yet strangely comfortable. Every so often, Aria would glance at him from the corner of her eye — and he'd do the same when she wasn't looking.
At the bus stop, they stood silently until the bus arrived. They took seats next to each other, neither speaking a word the whole way.
At school, their day went by uneventfully — classes, notes, brief glances that neither wanted to admit to. When the bell rang at the end of the day, they both went their separate ways, though something about the silence between them felt almost peaceful.
---
That evening, as Aria was helping her mother set the table, Mrs. Bennett said, "Sweetheart, get ready. We're going to our neighbor's house for dinner."
Aria froze mid-step. "You mean… Ethan's house?"
"Yes," her mother said with a smile. "Mrs. Cross invited us."
After getting dressed, Aria walked with her parents next door. The Crosses greeted them warmly, and soon the living room was filled with soft laughter and the smell of home-cooked food.
Ethan sat quietly near his father, occasionally glancing toward Aria as she helped his mother set the table.
Mr. Cross and Mr. Bennett soon disappeared into the kitchen, insisting on helping with dinner. The two mothers chatted cheerfully in the living room, talking about everything from work to gardening.
By the time dinner was ready, the atmosphere felt easy — almost like they had known each other for years.
As they sat around the table, Aria's father laughed at something Mr. Cross said, and for the first time, Aria heard Ethan chuckle softly beside her. It wasn't a cold, distant sound — it was warm, genuine.
When they finally returned home, Aria couldn't help but smile to herself. Their families had grown close so easily…