The days started to feel the same.
Same routine. Same classes. Same schedule.
But my mind?
It wasn't the same anymore.
It was always on him.
Ethan.
The way he smiled.
The way he spoke… even though he didn't say my name, it somehow felt like he was talking only to me.
I shook my head, trying to focus.
Aria, stop. It's nothing.
But it didn't feel like nothing.
---
During lunch break, Lily and I sat at our usual table.
She was talking about something—probably gossip—but I wasn't listening.
My eyes were busy searching again.
And then—
There he was.
Sitting a few tables away with his friends.
Laughing.
Carefree.
Like he had no idea someone across the room couldn't stop looking at him.
"Aria," Lily snapped her fingers in front of me. "Where are you lost?"
"Nowhere," I said quickly, looking down at my food.
But it was too late.
She followed my gaze.
And then she smirked.
"Ohhh… so that's where your attention is."
"No, it's not," I said immediately.
"Really?" she teased. "Because you've been staring at that senior since morning."
"I'm not staring!"
"Then why do you know exactly where he's sitting?" she raised an eyebrow.
I had no answer.
---
Later that day, during evening study hour, the classroom was quiet.
Too quiet.
The kind of silence where even a page turning sounded loud.
I tried to focus on my book.
But after a few seconds…
I looked up.
At the door—
Ethan was standing there, talking to the teacher.
From my seat near the last bench window, I found myself staring at him again.
I shouldn't have.
But I did.
And then suddenly—
Our eyes met.
My heart skipped.
I quickly looked down at my book.
But something felt different.
Slowly, carefully, I looked up again—
And my breath caught.
He was still looking at me.
Not just for a second.
Not by mistake.
But properly.
My face instantly heated up.
In panic, I dropped my pencil on purpose and bent down to pick it up, pretending like nothing had happened.
I stayed down longer than necessary.
This is so embarrassing…
When I finally got up, I accidentally hit my head lightly against the desk.
"Careful," Lily whispered, trying not to laugh. "He's gone. Sit properly."
I quickly sat down, still flustered.
---
"You like him, don't you?" Lily said softly.
"No… no!" I replied immediately.
"Don't lie," she said. "I know you. You keep looking at him in the dining hall. You can't hide it from me. I'm your best friend."
I hesitated.
Then sighed.
"Not love… but yeah. I think I like him."
Lily smiled knowingly. "Since when?"
I told her everything.
From the first day I noticed him.
From the first look.
From the moment he picked up my songbook.
---
After a pause, I asked quietly,
"Do you think he thinks I'm weird…? The way I keep looking at him…"
Lily shook her head.
"Aria… if he thought that, he wouldn't look back."
I blinked.
"What do you mean?"
She leaned closer.
"I've seen it too. He notices you."
My heart skipped again.
"Stop it," I said, trying to act normal.
But inside—
Something felt different.
Warmer.
And for the first time, a thought crossed my mind—
Maybe…
He noticed me too.