Today was a strange day...
Because in science class, the teacher announced we had to pair up for an experiment, and my name was called to sit at the same table as Ethan.
The last time we sat side by side, I remember it well—it was a year ago, back when our classmates used to tease us about "the two of us." But after that, everything changed. We talked less, to the point where it felt like we lived in different worlds. I wasn't sure if we could ever talk the same way again.
But Ethan was still Ethan—sitting up straight, holding his pen confidently, his eyes focused on the problem in front of him. And sometimes... he would glance over at me just like before, making me pretend to be engrossed in my book.
"Can you do this problem?" his deep voice made me stop.
"Uh... a little," I replied softly, trying to make my voice sound normal. He moved his chair closer until our arms were almost touching. He leaned over to look at my notebook, and a faint scent of his cologne wafted over to me, whether by accident or on purpose, I don't know. My heart pounded faster than I cared to admit.
"I remember you weren't very good at math," he said with a slight smirk.
"I still am not," I laughed it off, but my eyes darted up to meet his for a second before I quickly looked away. He handed me his pen.
"Start with this formula first... get it?" The tip of his finger brushed the back of my hand for a split second, and my concentration shattered.
That small moment was immediately cut short when Lucas's voice came from the next table.
"Ethan, can you help me with this problem?"
His tone sounded normal, but the gaze he shot my way was too easy to read—it wasn't just a request for help. Ethan looked at Lucas for a moment before replying in a flat voice, "Wait a sec." Then he turned back to me, as if he had no intention of moving.
Lucas remained in his seat, but I could feel something in the air shift—like an invisible force field was forming between the two guys, and I was caught right in the middle.
"Okay, try to continue on your own," Ethan said, placing the pen back in my hand before leaning back in his chair. I tried to focus on my notebook, but my heart was still pounding from the brief distance between us.
For the rest of the class, I noticed that Ethan and Lucas barely talked to each other like they usually would. Lucas seemed to be watching us too often, while Ethan acted like he didn't care, but his eyes still turned to me every time I looked up.
Between the three of us, there were old memories, lingering feelings, and a new tension that I had no idea where it would lead.