Under the Stars

The two girls, Maya and Claire, who had been Ethan's best friends for years, sat across from him at the table, their faces lit up with playful grins. Maya's sweet and bubbly demeanor shone through as she leaned forward, while Claire's sharp, almost possessive edge gave her words a teasing yet intense quality.

"So, Ethan," Maya started, her tone gentle but teasing. "You've been so quiet lately. Don't you think it's about time you opened up to us?"

Claire smirked, leaning her chin on her hand, her gaze sharp and focused on him. "Yeah, you've been all mysterious and broody, but we've known you forever. You can't hide that well from us."

Ethan glanced up from the book he was pretending to read, his usual stoic expression slightly softer. "I'm not hiding anything. Just… keeping things simple."

Maya rolled her eyes, her tone light. "'Keeping things simple' is just code for avoiding everyone. Come on, we're your friends. You can talk to us."

"Exactly," Claire added, her tone almost challenging. "Besides, we have questions. Important ones."

Ethan sighed, closing his book. "What kind of questions?"

"What's your ideal girlfriend?" Maya asked with a mischievous grin. "Like, what kind of relationship would even work for someone like you?"

Ethan blinked, caught off guard. "Why do you care?"

"Because it's fun," Claire said simply, though her eyes glinted with an edge. "We've been wondering about this forever. Spill."

Ethan hesitated, but the teasing looks on their faces made it clear they wouldn't let it go. "Fine," he muttered. "Someone who's… honest. Someone who doesn't play games or try to be something they're not. And someone who's patient enough to deal with me being… well, me."

Maya's grin softened into a genuine smile. "That's actually really sweet."

Claire nodded, though her smirk lingered. "I knew you had a softer side. That's a good answer, Ethan. Honest and straightforward."

"But," Maya added with a playful glint in her eye, "what about looks? You can't tell me you don't have a type."

Ethan shook his head. "I'm not that shallow. It's more about who they are than what they look like."

"Liar," Claire teased, her tone dropping slightly, though there was an unmistakable possessiveness in her words. "Everyone has a type. Come on, just admit it."

Before Ethan could respond, Emma's voice chimed in from across the room. "Wow, this is fascinating. I've never heard my brother talk about this kind of stuff before." Her tone was full of amusement, the classic twin who always enjoyed poking fun at him.

Rika, sitting beside Emma, grinned. Her gal personality shone through as she leaned in, clearly enjoying the moment. "Same here. I'm, like, taking notes right now. This is gold."

Ethan shot them a look. "Why are you two even listening?"

"Because it's fun," Emma replied, mimicking Claire's earlier words. "And because we're curious. Honestly, I think it's kind of cute that you have such a thoughtful answer."

"Totally," Rika added. "But you forgot one thing."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"They also have to be strong enough to break through that loner wall of yours," Rika said with a wink. "You're not exactly the easiest guy to approach, you know."

Ethan sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Thanks for the analysis, Dr. Rika."

Maya giggled, her tone softening again. "She's not wrong, though. It's good to see you opening up a little, Ethan. It's been a while."

Claire's smirk faded slightly as she looked at him. "Yeah. We missed this side of you. Even if you're stubborn as always."

The room erupted into laughter, and even Ethan couldn't help the faint smirk that tugged at his lips.

"I'm not opening up," Ethan said suddenly, crossing his arms. "I'm just talking because it was boring not saying anything. And my neck's sore from all the nodding."

The girls burst into laughter again, their reactions varying.

"Oh my gosh, Ethan," Emma said, smirking. "That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard. Admit it, you like talking to us."

"Yeah, right," Ethan shot back. "If anything, I'm just keeping you entertained so you'll stop bothering me."

Emma rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, please. You've been practically *dying* to join the conversation. You just didn't know how to admit it."

"Sure, Emma," Ethan replied dryly. "You've got me all figured out. What would I do without your wisdom?"

Rika giggled, flipping her hair. "You're so much funnier than you let on, Ethan. Like, who knew there was a comedian under all that brooding?"

"Honestly, it's refreshing," Maya added with a grin. "I kinda missed you teasing Emma. It's like the good old days."

"I didn't," Emma muttered, though her smirk betrayed her.

Claire leaned forward, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Don't get too comfortable, Ethan. You still have to answer more questions. We're just getting started."

Ethan sighed, shaking his head. "Why do I even hang out with you people?"

"Because deep down, you love us," Emma quipped, throwing a chip at him.

Rika laughed, nudging Maya. "See? Told you he's not as cold as he pretends to be."

Maya nodded. "Yeah, this is way more fun than stoic Ethan. You should talk more often."

Ethan shrugged. "Don't get used to it."

The room filled with laughter again, the teasing and banter keeping the mood light and warm. For the first time in a long while, the walls he kept around himself didn't feel so unbreakable.

A couple of hours later, it was time for everyone to leave. Emma volunteered to take Maya and Claire home, leaving Ethan to walk Rika back to her house, which wasn't far from his own. The evening air was cool and quiet as the two of them strolled side by side, the streetlights casting a soft glow around them.

Rika, true to her gal personality, broke the silence almost immediately. "So, walking me home, huh? Didn't think you'd be the type to offer." She grinned, her tone teasing as she glanced at Ethan.

Ethan, still adjusting to the idea of talking more after such a long time, shrugged. "Emma made me do it."

Rika laughed softly, the sound light and carefree, but there was a warmth to it. "Oh, sure. Blame your sister. But you didn't have to agree, did you? Admit it, you're starting to like having me around."

Ethan glanced at her, his lips twitching into the faintest smirk before he looked away. "You're a lot harder to ignore than most people."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Rika said, flipping her hair dramatically. "But seriously, today was kind of insane, wasn't it? Like, you saved me from those creeps, we ended up in the same class, and now we're practically besties."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Besties?"

"Totally," Rika said with a grin. "I mean, I did see you cry earlier, so we've kind of skipped a few steps. Not that I'm complaining."

Ethan's expression tightened slightly, the mention of his earlier breakdown bringing a flicker of vulnerability to his eyes. "Thanks for not… making it weird," he said quietly.

Rika's smile softened, her playful tone giving way to something gentler. "Hey, it wasn't weird. Everyone needs someone to listen sometimes. I'm glad I could be there for you."

They walked in silence for a few moments before Rika added, "You're different now, you know. Like, not completely different, but I feel like I've seen a part of you that no one else gets to see. And I… like that."

Ethan hesitated, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. "I'm still me. Don't expect too much."

"Oh, don't worry," Rika said with a wink, her teasing edge returning. "I like a challenge. Besides, you've already cracked a little. I'm just here to finish the job."

Ethan let out a small, reluctant chuckle. "Good luck with that."

"Luck has nothing to do with it," Rika shot back, bumping his shoulder lightly. "I'm just irresistible. You'll see."

Ethan rolled his eyes but didn't argue, the faintest smile lingering on his face. They reached her house a few minutes later, and Rika turned to face him, her smile bright but sincere.

"Well, this is me," she said. "Thanks for everything today, Ethan. Really. You're kind of amazing, you know? Even if you try to hide it."

Ethan nodded, the vulnerability in her words catching him off guard. "Goodnight, Rika."

"Goodnight, mystery guy," she replied, waving as she walked up to her door. Ethan watched until she was safely inside before turning and heading home, his hands still in his pockets and his thoughts unusually light, wondering how one day had changed so much.

Inside her house, Rika leaned against the closed door, her heart racing. A soft blush spread across her cheeks, and for a moment, her usual playful gal persona faded. She smiled to herself, her voice a quiet whisper. "What is it about him? He's so… different. But in a good way."

She touched her cheek, still smiling. "This is crazy. I just met him, but I feel like I've known him forever. Ugh, Rika, get it together," she muttered, shaking her head. But her grin didn't fade, and as she walked to her room, her mind replayed the quiet, genuine moments they had shared. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she'd found someone who truly saw her.

Ethan walked home under the quiet glow of the streetlights, the cool night air brushing against his skin. He tilted his head back, gazing up at the stars scattered across the dark sky. His thoughts swirled as he replayed the day's events in his mind.

*First day of high school, sophomore year,* he thought, his footsteps echoing softly on the empty sidewalk. *Seeing Maya and Claire again after so long, hearing their teasing like no time had passed. And Ryan… I forgot how much he could talk. It's like he hasn't taken a breath since we saw each other.*

A faint smirk crossed his face before fading. *It's been a year. A whole year of not talking to any of them. And they… they still act like nothing's changed. Like I didn't push them away.*

Then his thoughts shifted, and his pace slowed slightly. *And then there's Rika. How did she even manage to break through like that?* He shook his head, his gaze drifting back to the stars. *She saw me cry, hugged me, listened. I barely know her, but it's like she's always been there. It doesn't make sense.*

He sighed, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. *But it felt real. Like I wasn't just this shell of a person for once. And that's… terrifying.*

As his house came into view, he took a deep breath. The warmth of the porch light welcomed him, but he hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The door clicked shut behind him, and he froze when he saw Emma sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone.

She looked up when she heard him, her expression unreadable for a moment before softening. "Hey," she said, her voice quieter than usual.

Ethan nodded slightly. "Hey."

Emma set her phone down and tilted her head. "So, how was it? Walking Rika home?"

Ethan shrugged, leaning against the wall. "It was fine. Quiet."

Emma smirked. "Quiet? With her? Doubt it."

A small, reluctant smile tugged at Ethan's lips, though he quickly masked it. "She's… a lot. But not in a bad way."

Emma's smile softened, and for a moment, the silence between them felt heavy but not uncomfortable. "You're talking more today," she said. "Like, really talking. I… I missed that."

Ethan shifted awkwardly, running a hand through his hair. His old self might have quipped something back, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he muttered, "Yeah, well… it's been a weird day."

"Weird in a good way, though, right?" Emma asked, her tone hopeful.

He met her gaze, hesitating before nodding. "Yeah. In a good way."

Emma's eyes brightened, and she leaned back on the couch. "I'm glad. I mean, I know it's been… hard. For both of us. But seeing you talk again, smile again… it feels like we're getting back to something normal."

Ethan swallowed hard, her words striking a chord he hadn't expected. "I'm trying," he admitted quietly. "I don't know if I'll ever be the same, but… I'm trying."

Emma got up and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That's all that matters, Ethan. Mom would've been proud of you."

Ethan's throat tightened, but he nodded. "Thanks."

She gave his shoulder a squeeze before stepping back. "Alright, I'm heading to bed. Don't stay up all night staring out windows or whatever it is you do."

Ethan rolled his eyes, a faint smirk on his face. "Goodnight, Emma."

Emma turned to walk away but paused at the bottom of the stairs, glancing back at him. "Goodnight, mystery guy," she teased, echoing Rika's earlier words.

Ethan scoffed lightly. "Idiot."

Emma stuck her tongue out. "Takes one to know one," she shot back before heading upstairs.

Ethan stood in the quiet of the living room for a moment, his thoughts drifting back to the day. He thought of Maya and Claire's teasing, Ryan's endless chatter, and Rika's surprising kindness. With a small sigh, he let a faint chuckle escape and headed to his room, feeling a strange mix of exhaustion and hope he hadn't felt in a long time.