Chapter 3: Escalating Tensions

As Ethan's friendship with Sophie blossomed, tensions between him and Lily continued to simmer beneath the surface. Despite his attempts to maintain a facade of normalcy, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over their relationship.

During basketball practices, Lily's constant presence at the sidelines grated on Ethan's nerves, her watchful gaze following his every move like a hawk. He could feel her eyes boring into him, her silent scrutiny weighing heavily on his shoulders.

At first, Ethan tried to ignore Lily's hovering presence, focusing instead on perfecting his game. But as the days wore on, her incessant interference began to wear him down, chipping away at his patience bit by bit.

One afternoon, as Ethan and his teammates took a break from practice, Lily approached him with a bottle of water in hand, a forced smile plastered on her face.

"Here, love," she said, holding out the bottle. "You need to stay hydrated."

Ethan accepted the water with a curt nod, his irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. He was tired of Lily's constant fussing, her need to micromanage every aspect of his life.

"Thanks, Lily," he muttered, taking a sip of water.

"But love, don't you think it's more economical if you bring your own water?" Lily continued, her voice tinged with exasperation. "Think of all the money you'll save."

Ethan clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his frustration in check. He didn't need Lily lecturing him about money, especially not in front of his teammates.

"I could just buy one," he replied through gritted teeth, his patience wearing thin.

"But love, I'm just trying to help," Lily insisted, her tone becoming more insistent.

"I said I've got it," Ethan snapped, his temper flaring. "I don't need you hovering over me like a mother hen."

Lily recoiled, hurt flashing in her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, love. I just wanted to help."

Ethan immediately regretted his harsh words, the guilt settling like a heavy weight in the pit of his stomach. He didn't want to hurt Lily, but he couldn't deny the growing sense of suffocation he felt in her presence.

As practice resumed, Ethan struggled to shake off the tension that hung in the air between him and Lily. He knew they needed to talk, to address the growing distance between them, but the words caught in his throat, his fear of hurting Lily holding him back.