The next day started the same as always.
Wake up. Brush. Study hour. Get ready. Breakfast.
Everything felt normal.
Except me.
As soon as I entered the dining hall, my eyes started searching for him again.
Ethan.
But he wasn't there.
And for some reason… I felt disappointed.
I didn't understand why.
I didn't even know him.
Still, I kept looking.
And then—
"Ethan! Hurry up!" one of his friends shouted loudly.
I turned immediately.
There he was.
The moment I saw him, I felt an unexpected sense of relief… like something had settled inside me.
I quickly looked away, pretending like nothing had happened.
---
After breakfast, we lined up for assembly.
I was busy managing the line since I was the class captain, making sure everyone stood properly.
I was so focused…
I didn't even notice when my songbook slipped from my hands.
A few seconds later—
"Excuse me… is this your songbook?" a voice said.
I turned around.
And froze.
It was Ethan.
Standing right in front of me, holding my book.
My heart started racing instantly.
"Ah… um… y-yes, that's mine," I said nervously.
He smiled.
"It was on the ground," he said casually.
I quickly took it from him. "Thank you."
But inside, I was dying of embarrassment.
Why was I acting like this?
I didn't even know what I was saying. It felt like I wanted to disappear right then and there.
---
The assembly started, and the principal began speaking.
I wasn't really listening.
I absentmindedly turned my head—
And suddenly…
Our eyes met.
Ethan was looking at me.
And then—
He smiled.
At me.
My heart skipped a beat.
I immediately turned my head away, pretending like I hadn't seen anything.
---
After assembly, classes began like usual.
But I couldn't focus.
Why did I turn away like that?
Did I look rude?
What if he thought I ignored him?
The thought kept repeating in my mind again and again.
And no matter how much I tried—
I couldn't stop thinking about him.