Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Life at Willow Creek High began to settle into a warm rhythm.
Aria and Ethan, once distant benchmates, had become… friends.
It hadn't happened overnight. It began with quiet smiles, short conversations between classes, and homework sessions that lasted longer than they needed to. Ethan had started opening up — not much, but enough to show the person behind his cold front.
Sometimes, Aria would find him waiting near the gate after school.
Sometimes, he'd help her carry her books when they were too heavy.
And every time he smiled — that rare, small smile — Aria's heart would flutter just a little faster.
---
One morning, the principal's voice echoed through the intercom.
"Attention, students! Our annual Sports Day will be held next week. Every student must participate in at least one event."
The announcement filled the classroom with excitement.
Aria turned to Ethan. "So, what are you signing up for?"
"Basketball," he replied simply, spinning his pen in his fingers.
"Of course," she said with a teasing smile. "You look like you'd be good at it."
He raised an eyebrow. "And you?"
"Running," she said proudly. "I've been practicing with the girls' team since last semester."
Ethan smirked faintly. "Try not to trip this time."
Aria gasped. "That was one time, and I was distracted!"
He chuckled quietly, looking away — but there was warmth in his tone that hadn't been there before.
---
The day of the Sports Meet arrived under a bright blue sky. The ground was filled with cheering students, colorful flags fluttering in the wind.
Ethan stood on the basketball court with his team, tall and confident in his white jersey. The sun caught the sheen of sweat on his face, his black hair slightly tousled.
Aria sat with her classmates in the bleachers, cheering loudly.
"Go, Ethan! Come on, you've got this!"
He glanced up once during a free throw — and when his eyes found her in the crowd, smiling and waving, his lips curved into a tiny smirk before he scored perfectly.
Cheers erupted across the field.
Ethan's team won the final match, the crowd clapping and shouting his name.
As the game ended, a group of girls quickly surrounded him.
"Ethan, you were amazing!"
"Here, have some water!"
"Do you want my towel?"
Aria giggled softly from her seat, shaking her head at the scene.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Ignoring the circle of girls, Ethan walked straight toward her. He sat down right beside her, took the bottle from her hands, and drank from it without a word.
Aria blinked in surprise. "Uh… that's my water."
"I know," he said calmly, capping it again. "Thanks."
Around them, the girls exchanged jealous looks, whispering among themselves before leaving with forced smiles.
Aria turned to him, trying to hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "You just made a lot of people jealous."
He shrugged, his eyes fixed ahead. "Doesn't matter."
But Aria could see the faintest hint of a smile on his face.
---
A little later, the running events began. Aria stood at the starting line, stretching nervously. Ethan watched from the sidelines, leaning against a post with his arms crossed.
When the whistle blew, Aria ran like the wind — hair flying, determination shining in her eyes. She finished the race strong, coming in second place, but as she crossed the finish line, her foot twisted painfully.
She stumbled, letting out a small cry.
Before anyone else could react, Ethan was already running toward her.
"Aria!"
He knelt beside her, his face tight with worry. "What happened?"
"My ankle… I think I sprained it," she said, biting her lip in pain.
Without another word, Ethan slipped one arm under her knees and another around her back, lifting her gently into his arms.
Gasps and murmurs filled the crowd as he carried her in a bridal style toward the first-aid tent.
Aria's face burned crimson as she looked up at him. "E-Ethan, you can put me down, I can walk—"
"Don't even think about it," he said firmly, his voice low but gentle. "You'll only make it worse."
She stopped arguing, her heart beating wildly in her chest. She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her arm.
At that moment, with the noise of the crowd fading behind them, Aria realized something she couldn't quite name — something warm, fragile, and terrifying all at once.
Ethan didn't speak again until they reached the tent. He gently set her down, crouched in front of her, and started applying the cooling ointment the nurse handed him.
His fingers brushed her ankle lightly, careful and precise.
"Does it hurt?" he asked softly.
"A little," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
For a moment, their eyes met again — and the rest of the world seemed to disappear.