The sun was setting over the school grounds as the Sports Day came to an end. The crowd had thinned, the cheers had faded, and the golden light bathed everything in a calm glow.
Aria sat on the bench near the playground, her ankle neatly bandaged but still throbbing. Ethan stood beside her, holding both their bags.
"You should go home," Aria said softly. "I'll manage somehow."
Ethan looked at her, unamused. "Manage? You can barely stand."
"I'll just walk slowly."
He rolled his eyes slightly. "Or you can stop being stubborn."
Before she could reply, he crouched down in front of her, his back facing her. "Get on."
Aria blinked. "Ethan, what are you—"
"Piggyback," he said simply. "You're not walking home like this."
Her cheeks turned pink. "No, no, it's fine, really—"
"Aria," he said firmly, turning his head slightly. "Either you get on, or I'll carry you again. Your choice."
She sighed, defeated, and gently wrapped her arms around his shoulders. As he stood up, she felt the warmth of his back, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the quiet strength that made her heart beat faster than it should.
"Comfortable?" he asked, his tone teasing.
"Not really," she muttered, hiding her flushed face behind his shoulder.
He chuckled softly. "Too bad."
---
The walk home was quiet. The streets glowed with the soft light of street lamps, the faint sound of crickets echoing in the distance.
When they reached her house, Mrs. Bennett rushed out, her face pale with worry. "Aria! What happened to you?"
"She sprained her ankle during her race," Ethan explained quickly. "It's not too bad — the nurse already treated it."
Mrs. Bennett knelt beside Aria, checking her foot. "Oh dear… you should've been more careful."
Before Aria could respond, Mrs. Cross appeared at the gate, concern written all over her face. "Ethan told me what happened. Is she all right?"
"She'll be fine," Mrs. Bennett said with a grateful smile. "Thank you for coming."
Mrs. Cross stepped forward, holding a small bottle. "Here, I have an ointment that works well for sprains. Use this twice a day — it'll help with the swelling."
"Thank you so much," Mrs. Bennett said sincerely.
Ethan handed Aria's bag to her mother. "She should rest now," he said quietly.
Mrs. Bennett smiled warmly at him. "Thank you for bringing her home, Ethan. You're a very good boy."
Ethan just nodded, a faint blush touching his cheeks before he and his mother left for their home next door.
---
That evening, Aria sat at the dinner table, her foot propped on a cushion. Just as they were about to start eating, her father's phone buzzed.
"Uncle Richard?" Mr. Bennett said, answering.
Aria watched as his expression changed — confusion, then fear.
"What? When?!" he said suddenly, standing up from his chair.
Mrs. Bennett's eyes widened. "What happened?"
Mr. Bennett's voice trembled slightly. "It's Mother. She's had a heart attack. They're taking her to the hospital — we need to go there now."
Mrs. Bennett gasped softly. "Oh my God…"
Within minutes, they were packing hurriedly — clothes, medicine, and essentials. The countryside was hours away, and every minute mattered.
Aria sat on her bed, still in shock. "Mom, Dad, I can come too—"
"No, sweetheart," Mrs. Bennett said firmly, touching her face gently. "It's a long trip and your ankle is hurt. You'll only make it worse. We'll be back as soon as possible."
"But—"
"Listen to your mother," Mr. Bennett said softly. "You'll be safe here."
A few minutes later, Mrs. Bennett went next door, knocking urgently on the Crosses' door. Mrs. Cross opened, immediately sensing the tension.
"Is everything all right?"
"Not really," Mrs. Bennett said with tears in her eyes. "My mother-in-law is in the hospital — we have to go to the countryside right now. Could you please keep an eye on Aria for a few days? I can't take her along in this condition."
Mrs. Cross didn't hesitate for even a moment. "Of course. Don't worry about a thing. Aria is like a daughter to us. I'll take care of her as my own."
Mrs. Bennett exhaled shakily, relief flooding her face. "Thank you so much."
Within the hour, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were gone — the sound of the car fading down the quiet street.
Aria stood by the window, watching the taillights disappear into the night.
A strange feeling settled in her chest — a mix of worry, sadness, and something else she couldn't quite name.
She turned toward the neighboring house, where a soft light still glowed through the windows. Somewhere inside, Ethan was probably studying or reading… and for the first time, Aria wondered what it would be like to live under the same roof as him.