A Little Closer
648 Words
The next morning, Amelia arrived at school earlier than usual.
She told herself it was because she didn't want to be late again.
It definitely wasn't because she was wondering whether Ethan would be in class.
At least, that was what she kept telling herself.
She walked into the classroom and found Chloe already sitting at her desk.
“You're early,” Chloe said.
“I know.”
“Why?”
Amelia dropped her bag beside her chair. “Because I wanted to be early.”
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
“Hmm.”
“Don't.”
“I didn't say anything.”
“You were thinking it.”
Chloe laughed.
Before Amelia could say anything else, someone walked into the classroom.
Ethan.
He looked around before noticing Amelia. His face immediately brightened.
“Morning.”
“Good morning,” Amelia replied.
He sat down beside her.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
Amelia looked at him, surprised.
“Yeah. You?”
“Not really. Still getting used to the new house.”
“You moved recently?”
“Yeah. Last week.”
“That explains why you're new.”
“Exactly.”
The teacher entered before they could continue their conversation.
Throughout the lesson, Amelia tried to concentrate, but Ethan kept asking small questions about the school.
Where was the library?
Which teacher gave the most homework?
What was the best place to buy lunch?
Amelia answered everything.
By the end of the class, she realized she was actually enjoying talking to him.
During break, Ethan walked beside her toward the cafeteria.
“So, what's your favorite subject?”
“English.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I like writing.”
His expression became interested.
“What do you write?”
“Stories sometimes.”
“That's cool.”
“It's nothing serious.”
“You should let me read one someday.”
Amelia smiled. “Maybe.”
“I'm going to remember that.”
They reached the cafeteria.
Chloe was already waiting for Amelia.
She looked at Ethan, then at Amelia.
“So you two are together now?”
Amelia almost choked.
“No!”
Ethan laughed.
“We're just friends.”
Chloe raised both hands.
“Okay, okay. I was only asking.”
They sat together.
For once, lunch didn't feel like an ordinary school lunch.
Ethan told them funny stories about his old school. Chloe kept asking questions, and Amelia found herself laughing more than she had in days.
When the lunch bell rang, Ethan stood up.
“I'll see you later.”
“See you,” Amelia said.
As he walked away, Chloe leaned closer.
“You definitely like him.”
Amelia shook her head.
“I like talking to him. That's different.”
“Sure.”
The rest of the day passed quickly.
After school, Amelia was walking toward the gate when she heard someone call her name.
“Amelia!”
She turned around.
Ethan was running toward her.
“You forgot this.”
He held out her notebook.
Amelia looked down at her hands.
She hadn't even realized it was missing.
“Oh my gosh. Thank you.”
“You left it under your desk.”
“I would've been so upset if I lost it.”
“I figured.”
Amelia took it from him.
Their fingers briefly touched.
Both of them became quiet.
It was only a second, but somehow the moment felt different.
Ethan smiled.
“See you tomorrow?”
Amelia nodded.
“Tomorrow.”
She walked through the school gate with a small smile on her face.
She didn't know what was happening between them.
Maybe nothing.
Maybe friendship.
Maybe something she wasn't ready to name.
But for the first time, Amelia wondered if meeting Ethan wasn't just a coincidence.
And somewhere behind her, Ethan watched her disappear into the crowd, wondering exactly the same thing.
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