Chapter 3: A Step Forward

I walk into the cafeteria, scanning the sea of students for Jack.

The place is packed with noise, laughter, and the clatter of trays. New school, new faces I'm still getting used to the overwhelming energy of it all.

My old school was way smaller, and it didn't have the buzzing vibe that Ridgeview seems to have.

Just when I think I'll have to eat alone, I spot Jack at the far end of the room, waving me over.

He's sitting with Ethan, as usual. My heart skips, but I push the feeling aside.

It's been happening more often than I'd like to admit.

Just something about Ethan's quiet, unassuming presence pulls me in, even though I try not to dwell on it.

I sit down, grinning. "Hey, what's up?"

Jack shoves a tray of fries my way. "Just trying to convince Ethan here to join us for the bonfire this weekend. What do you say, man?"

Ethan looks up, his blue eyes thoughtful, the corner of his mouth quirking into a half-smile. "I don't know… crowds aren't really my thing."

Jack rolls his eyes. "It's a senior thing, bro. One of the last big events before we all start pretending we care about college apps. You gotta go."

I chuckle, taking a fry. "Yeah, come on, man. It'll be fun. You might even enjoy yourself."

Ethan shrugs, clearly not convinced. But there's something in his expression that makes me think he's considering it.

I catch myself staring a little too long, noticing how his hair falls into his eyes when he tilts his head.

Shaking it off, I focus on my food, suddenly self-conscious.

The conversation flows easily after that.

Jack is doing most of the talking, telling us about his insane plan to ace his upcoming history exam.

Ethan adds a few comments here and there, but I can't help but notice he's quieter than usual today.

He picks at his food, and when I glance over, his eyes seem distant, like he's thinking about something far away.

"Everything okay?" I ask, keeping my voice low so Jack doesn't overhear.

Ethan looks at me, surprised, like he didn't expect anyone to notice. "Yeah, just... stuff on my mind."

I nod, not wanting to pry, but my curiosity is piqued. It's hard not to want to know more about him.

There's a depth to Ethan that I don't see in many people, and it draws me in, even if I don't fully understand why. But I don't push it.

If there's anything I've learned about Ethan in the few weeks since we've met, it's that he'll talk when he's ready.

For now, I'm content with the silence that lingers between us.

After lunch, we all head to class.

Jack rushes off to his next period, leaving me and Ethan walking down the hallway together.

The school feels emptier after the chaos of lunch, and our footsteps echo as we head to our respective classrooms.

"Still not sure about the bonfire?" I ask, trying to make conversation.

Ethan laughs softly. "I don't know, man. I'm not great with big groups of people."

I nudge him playfully with my shoulder. "You'll have us there. It's not like you'll be on your own. Plus, you might regret not going when everyone's talking about it on Monday."

He chuckles again, this time a little louder. "Alright, fine. Maybe I'll show up. But if it sucks, I'm holding you responsible."

I grin. "Deal. I'll take full responsibility."

As we near the end of the hallway, Ethan stops outside his classroom. "See you later," he says with a nod, his hand briefly brushing mine as he turns to go inside.

It's an innocent touch, but it sends a jolt through me, and I feel my stomach flip for reasons I don't want to analyze too closely.

"Yeah, see you," I manage, heading to my own class, my mind suddenly racing.

As I sit through the next period, my thoughts drift to Ethan.

That smile, that quiet way he has of drawing people in without even trying. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and it scares me mostly because I'm not sure what it means. Maybe it's just admiration.

He's cool, calm, and always seems to know what to say, while I'm still trying to figure out my place in this new school.

But even as I tell myself that, part of me knows there's more to it. The way I feel when he looks at me, the warmth that spreads through me when he smiles it's not just admiration.

It's something more.

And the thought terrifies me.

As the day comes to an end, I head out to the parking lot where Jack is waiting for me.

We're supposed to hang out at his place, but my mind's still tangled up in thoughts of Ethan.

"Yo, you coming?" Jack calls, snapping me out of my daze.

"Yeah, sorry," I say, jogging over to meet him.

We head to his car, but I can't shake the feeling that something's shifted.

It's subtle, almost like a crack in the foundation of my carefully built facade.

I glance back toward the school building, wondering if Ethan's already left, or if he's still inside somewhere, lost in his thoughts the way I am.

As we drive off, Jack talks about the bonfire again, hyping it up and making plans, but my mind is elsewhere.

I don't know what's happening between me and Ethan if anything's even happening at all.

Maybe it's all in my head. But whatever it is, it's enough to make me question everything I thought I knew about myself.

And that scares me more than anything.