The Heart Never Forgets

CHAPTER-1 Della, Lucas, and Ethan have been studying together at the same school since childhood. They have just finished high school, and their graduation ceremony will be held soon, as they have all passed their exams. Very soon, all three will be moving on from high school to college. Della, Ethan, and Lucas are very good friends. Their parents have also known each other for a long time. There is a strong bond of kinship among them, and no one has ever been able to create any rift or c***k in their friendship. Della has always seen Ethan and Lucas as just friends. But lately, she has noticed that Ethan seems to be giving her a little more attention, just like anyone else would give to his girlfriend. Della is quite enjoying this. Della thinks Ethan may be behaving this way because he has recently entered his teenage years. Della has read in books that when a boy or girl reaches their teenage years, they experience many physical and mental changes. The world seems much more colorful to them. Ethan, Della, and Lucas are all teenagers now. Although Lucas is a year older than Della and Ethan, they have all grown up together. Della, Lucas, and Ethan are all the only children of their parents. They are all teenagers now, and they are understanding these changes within themselves. Della, however, never discusses these changes with Ethan or Lucas. But Lucas and Ethan often talk about these things among themselves. When they talk about these topics, they whisper and then suddenly burst into laughter. Della, on the other hand, feels more comfortable talking about these things with her female friends. Although her mother has helped her learn many things, Della is not interested in talking to her mother about this. Della feels a little shy. But her mother had explained everything to her. These physical changes happen in everyone's life. These changes help people become complete. Della listened to her mother's words quietly, like an obedient daughter. She noticed how Ethan and Lucas's voices had deepened. Lucas and Ethan had entered adolescence. Their looks had improved compared to before; they had both become handsome. Della and Lucas were born in Virginia and grew up there. But Ethan wasn't born there. He lived in California with his parents. When Ethan was seven years old, his parents moved from California to Virginia to expand their business. They bought a small farmhouse there, where they started living with Ethan. They enrolled Ethan in school there. Since then, Ethan has been friends with Della and Lucas. Whenever Ethan's school was closed for any reason, they would all go to California to spend their holidays with their grandparents. They have a permanent residence there. Ethan's grandparents are still alive and well. Once Ethan's father's business expands in Virginia and Ethan finishes high school, they will all return to California to live, where their permanent home is. However, while Della accepted Ethan as a friend from the beginning, Lucas didn't accept Ethan easily. Ethan is a very quiet boy. Anyone who looks into his blue eyes will be captivated by his charm. Ethan's silky, reddish-black hair always covers his forehead. There is a mixture of charm and magic in Ethan's words that compels anyone to like him. Although Ethan isn't a very moody boy, he has an attractive personality. He never got into fights or arguments at school. Della rarely saw him angry. Ethan doesn't like interference in others' affairs. He cannot tolerate injustice. Once, a boy was stealing and eating Della's lunch (Della had stomach inflammation, so her mother had given her easily digestible food for lunch). Seeing this, Della was crying a lot. Seeing Della cry, Ethan came to her and asked... Ethan: Why are you crying? Della: That boy took my food away. As soon as Ethan heard this, he started beating the boy severely. The boy, frightened, immediately returned to Della's lunchbox. Dela was very happy about this incident. Della immediately made Ethan her friend. When Della first introduced Ethan to Lucas, Lucas didn't want to talk to Ethan at all. But Ethan always showed interest in talking to Lucas. But Lucas always avoided Ethan. One day, Della almost forced Lucas to go to Ethan's farmhouse. While Lucas and Della were visiting Ethan's room, Lucas's attention fell on one of Ethan's guitars. That was the first time Lucas started talking openly with Ethan... Lucas: Oh!! It seems you like playing the guitar just like me. Ethan: Yes, my father wants me to practice playing the guitar alongside my studies. He wants me to become a great guitarist. Lucas: Can you sing? Ethan: Yes, of course. I've also written song lyrics. I'm a good composer too. Lucas: Hmm, then you seem very talented. I can't compose good melodies, but writing lyrics is no problem for me. Your guitar is really beautiful. Ethan: Yes, my father gave it to me as a gift on my tenth birthday. I've been playing the guitar since I was very young. Lucas: Oh, then it wouldn't be right to ask you to give it to me... Ha... ha Ethan: You're right, but if you become my friend, I might consider it... Lucas: Oh no, I can never ask for a birthday present from anyone. But yes, I can be your friend. Then surely you'll let me play it. Am I right? Ethan then hugged Lucas emotionally... "Yes, you're right. From today, you are my good friend." That's how their friendship began. But now it seems Lucas is about to start another story. The day their final exams ended, the three of them decided to go to the movies. In the evening, the three of them got ready and set out to watch a movie. Ethan was driving the car. Lucas and Della were sitting in the back, goofing around. Ethan was playing a very nice song. Suddenly, Lucas stared at Della for a while. Then, pointing to her dress, he said... Lucas: Della, you could have worn a slightly sexier dress. You're so beautiful, but you wear clothes like old aunts. Tell me, why? Della: No, I don't want to wear those kinds of clothes. I don't have those kinds of clothes. Lucas: If you don't have them, tell me. I'll buy them for you. Ethan: Ah, Lucas! Why are you bothering Della? She will wear whatever clothes she feels comfortable in. Lucas: But Ethan, have you noticed any girls Della's age? How beautifully they carry modern dresses. They look so amazing. It makes me want to fall in love with them. Ethan: Yes, I've seen them. They wear modern dresses very beautifully. It's their personal choice. Everyone's taste is not the same. Lucas: Whatever you say, Ethan, it's time for Della to become more aware of her clothes. Della: But friends, you know my mother; she's very strict. My mother will never agree to let me wear such clothes. Lucas: Hmm, I understand. Without your aunt's knowledge, you'd secretly wear a sexy dress one day. Alright. That evening, another annoying incident occurred at the movie theater. Della couldn't tell Ethan about it. Della thought that if she told Ethan, he would get into a conflict with Lucas. Della kept the incident a secret to preserve their friendship. The incident was... without Ethan's knowledge, Lucas forcefully pressed his hand on Della's thigh. Della was truly surprised by Lucas's strange behavior. She considered it the foolishness of a newly turned teenager. But a question arose in Della's mind...Ethan is also a teenager. But why is he so different from Lucas?