Months passed quietly, and soon their final year of high school began. Everything felt strangely nostalgic — the familiar halls, the laughter echoing in the corridors, and the smell of freshly printed textbooks. Aria and Ethan still shared the same desk, the same daily routine — walking to school together, arguing about little things, and sharing small smiles that meant more than either would admit.
But lately, things had started to change.
Ryan, the transfer student, had been spending more and more time around Aria. He'd help her with projects, carry her books, and wait for her after class. Everyone could see it — even Ethan. Especially Ethan.
He hated the way Ryan looked at her, the way she smiled politely back, unaware of how much it bothered him.
One afternoon, Ethan sat by the window, watching Ryan talking to Aria near the lockers. His chest tightened. He didn't like this feeling — the jealousy burning quietly inside him, the thought that someone else might take her away.
That evening, when the sun dipped low and the air smelled faintly of rain, Ethan called Aria out behind the school building. She came, confused but curious, and found him standing there — his hands behind his back, looking both nervous and serious.
> "Ethan? What happened?" she asked softly.
He didn't reply at first. Then, slowly, he brought out a bouquet of white lilies and a small box wrapped neatly in blue paper.
He stepped closer. "Before anyone else says it… I want you to know first."
Aria blinked, confused. "Know what?"
He looked straight into her eyes, his voice low but trembling slightly.
> "That I like you, Aria. I've liked you for a long time. Maybe since the day I first sat beside you in class. I just… didn't realize it until I saw someone else trying to take you away."
Aria froze. The words echoed in her mind like soft music. He held out the box — inside was a delicate pendant shaped like a small golden star.
> "It reminded me of you," he said. "Bright and calm… the only person who makes me feel at peace."
Her cheeks turned red, her heart racing faster than ever. She didn't know what to say — her mind was a whirl of emotions.
> "Ethan…" she whispered, clutching the pendant gently. "I—I need some time… to think."
He nodded silently, trying to hide the disappointment in his eyes. "I'll wait."
---
Days passed. Things between them felt both the same and different — small glances, quiet smiles, silent moments of tension. Everyone could sense something unspoken hanging between them.
Then one afternoon, during lunch break, Mia walked straight to Ethan's desk. Her usual confident smile was back.
> "Hey Ethan," she began, twirling a strand of hair. "Are you free this weekend? I was thinking maybe we could have dinner together…"
Before he could respond, his eyes flicked toward Aria. She was staring at him — her expression calm, but her eyes burning with quiet jealousy.
He smirked slightly, then turned back to Mia.
> "Sorry, I'm not free. I already have plans."
He stood up, brushed past her, and walked straight toward Aria. As he passed her desk, he whispered just loud enough for her to hear,
> "You don't need to be jealous."
Her face turned crimson as she looked away, pretending to focus on her notebook. Mia, embarrassed, stomped away angrily while the whole class pretended not to notice.
---
A few days later, as the sun dipped behind the school gates, Ethan and Aria walked home together like always. The evening breeze was soft, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from nearby gardens.
They were walking side by side in silence when Aria suddenly stopped.
Ethan turned to her, puzzled. "What happened?"
She looked up at him, her cheeks slightly pink, her voice barely above a whisper.
> "I thought about what you said that day…"
He waited, heart pounding.
> "And I've decided."
> "Decided what?" he asked softly.
She met his gaze with shy determination.
> "That I accept your confession, Ethan."
For a second, time stopped. Then a smile broke across his face — warm, genuine, and full of relief. Without another word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
> "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear that," he murmured against her hair.
Her heart raced as she slowly wrapped her arms around him too. It felt right — like they had always belonged here.
Pulling back slightly, Ethan looked into her eyes and said with a teasing smile,
> "From now on, I'm your boyfriend. And you're my girlfriend. No take-backs."
Aria laughed softly, her cheeks glowing.
> "Okay, Mr. Confident."
He took her hand gently, their fingers intertwining naturally. Together, they walked toward home under the golden sky — two hearts finally beating in rhythm, the beginning of something beautiful.