The next morning started like any other.
Aria walked into class with her books clutched close to her chest, unaware that every whisper and sideways glance in the room was aimed at her.
It wasn't until she sat down that she noticed people turning around, leaning toward one another, murmuring words she couldn't quite catch—until one finally reached her ears.
"Did you hear? They were locked in the library together… alone."
The laughter that followed made her heart pound.
Her hands froze on her desk.
They're talking about me…
Her face turned red with shock. She wanted to disappear, to melt into the floor.
Then Ethan walked in.
He didn't need to ask what was happening—he could feel the stares, the tension. His eyes flicked toward her immediately. When he caught her panicked expression, he sighed quietly and sat beside her as if nothing had happened.
"Let them talk," he said calmly, opening his notebook. "They'll get tired of it soon."
But Aria couldn't focus. Her throat was tight, her eyes glassy. It didn't matter how casually he said it—words hurt, and they were slicing right through her.
By lunch break, she couldn't take it anymore. She slipped out of class quietly and walked to the big oak tree in the school courtyard. It was the one place that always felt safe.
She sat down with her lunchbox and took a deep breath, trying to steady her trembling hands.
---
"Are you ignoring me now?"
She looked up in surprise. Ethan was standing a few feet away, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable but eyes softer than usual.
"No," she said quickly. "I just… wanted some quiet."
He sat beside her anyway, leaving a small space between them. "So, quiet and alone, huh? You know that just gives them more to talk about."
Aria let out a small, helpless laugh. "You're not helping, Ethan."
He shrugged lightly. "Didn't say I was trying to help. Just trying to make you laugh."
It worked—barely. A small smile tugged at her lips.
Ethan leaned back, his gaze drifting to the clouds. "People love drama. They'll move on to someone else soon enough."
Aria frowned. "It's not easy for me to ignore what they're saying."
"I know," he said quietly. "But don't let them control what you feel. You've done nothing wrong."
Something in his voice made her look at him.
For the first time that day, she felt like she could breathe again.
---
When she returned to class later, she thought things might calm down. But she was wrong.
"Mia," one of the girls whispered as Aria passed. "She's pretending to be all innocent. No wonder Ethan's suddenly interested."
Before she could respond, Mia herself stepped in front of her with her usual smug smile, flanked by her friends.
"Well, well," Mia said sweetly. "Looks like the library girl finally showed up."
Aria stiffened, clutching her books tightly. "Can you please move?"
Mia's eyes narrowed. "Stay away from him. He's not for you."
Aria blinked in shock. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Ethan isn't someone you can get close to. Don't think a few moments in the dark made you special."
Her words stung like ice. Before Aria could say anything, a deep voice came from behind them.
"Then it's a good thing I don't plan on staying away from her."
All three girls turned. Ethan stood there, calm but with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Mia's smirk faltered instantly. "E-Ethan, we were just—"
"Just being rude," he finished coldly. "Next time, think before you speak."
The hallway went dead silent.
Mia's face flushed in embarrassment as she turned sharply, stamping her foot in frustration before storming off with her friends.
Aria was frozen.
His words echoed in her head—I don't plan on staying away from her.
Her cheeks turned pink, her heart beating fast.
Ethan turned to her, his voice softer now. "Don't let them scare you. Look up when you walk past them. They're not worth your fear."
She nodded quietly, still too stunned to reply.
---
When the final bell rang, Aria packed her bag as usual. Ethan told her he needed to stop by the library for some work.
"I can wait for you," she offered.
He shook his head. "It's fine. I won't be long."
So she left alone.
The sky was turning orange as she walked home. Everything was quiet—until she realized someone was following her.
She turned the corner and froze. Two boys from another class were standing there, blocking her way.
"Hey there," one of them said with a grin. "You're that girl from Ethan's class, right?"
Aria stepped back cautiously. "Please move. I need to go home."
But they didn't. One of them reached out, brushing a strand of her bangs. "Such soft hair…"
"Don't touch me!" she snapped, pushing him back.
The other one stepped forward, hand raised toward her face—but before he could reach her, a strong grip stopped him mid-air.
A voice, low and furious, spoke from behind her.
"I'd think twice if I were you."
Aria turned—and there he was. Ethan.
Before she could say anything, Ethan punched the first boy hard in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground. The second tried to fight back, but Ethan shoved him against the wall, his tone ice-cold.
"You think it's funny harassing girls? Try that again, and I'll make sure you regret it."
Both boys scrambled away, disappearing down the street.
Aria stood there, shaking. Ethan turned to her, his expression softening instantly.
"Hey… you okay?"
She didn't answer. Her throat was tight, eyes filled with tears she didn't realize she'd been holding back.
And then, without thinking, she stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
Ethan froze for a second, then wrapped one arm around her shoulders and the other gently over her head.
"It's okay," he whispered. "You're safe now."
For a moment, the world felt still. The only sound was her heartbeat against his chest.
---
When they finally started walking home, Ethan noticed someone standing behind a nearby wall—Mia.
Her eyes widened in shock when he looked at her.
He walked up slowly, his voice low but sharp. "If this was one of your tricks… it ends now. You go near her again, and I won't stay quiet."
Mia stepped back, speechless, before running away.
Ethan returned to Aria, his hand automatically finding hers.
He held on tightly all the way home, not realizing until they reached their street.
When he did, he quickly let go, clearing his throat. "Sorry… I shouldn't have—"
Aria shook her head. "Don't apologize. Thank you… for everything."
He smiled faintly, that small, rare smile that always made her heart flutter.
As they walked up the steps, the house was silent. No voices, no sounds of cooking.
Ethan frowned. "That's strange."
Then he remembered what his mother had told him that morning — "Your father and I have a wedding tonight. We'll be home late."
He glanced at Aria. "Looks like it's just us for the evening."
Her heart skipped a beat.
The air between them shifted—quiet, uncertain, charged with something new neither of them could name yet.