Chapter Three: The Study Partner
635 Words
Maya
By Wednesday morning, I had almost convinced myself that Ethan Carter was just another student.
Almost.
I walked into the library with Sofia and headed toward our usual table.
“I need to finish this assignment before tonight,” I said, dropping my bag onto the chair.
Sofia pulled out her laptop.
“You mean we need to finish it.”
I smiled. “Exactly.”
We had barely started when someone pulled out the chair across from me.
I looked up.
Ethan.
Of course.
“You've got to be kidding me.”
He placed his books on the table.
“Good morning to you too.”
“This table was empty five minutes ago.”
“And now it's not.”
Sofia looked between us and tried not to smile.
“I suddenly remembered I have somewhere else to be.”
I stared at her.
“What?”
She grabbed her bag.
“Very important. Extremely urgent.”
“Sofia—”
“Good luck!”
She disappeared before I could stop her.
I turned back to Ethan.
“You planned that.”
He shook his head innocently.
“I'm offended you think I'm that clever.”
“You are that annoying.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
I sighed and opened my notebook.
“Why are you here?”
“Study group.”
“With who?”
“You.”
I looked at him.
“We're not a study group.”
“We are now.”
“You can't just decide that.”
He leaned back.
“Sure I can.”
I tried to ignore him and focus on my notes.
Ten minutes passed.
Then twenty.
To my surprise, Ethan was actually studying.
No jokes.
No flirting.
No irritating comments.
He was focused, his eyes moving across the pages of his textbook.
I glanced at him.
“You're quiet.”
He looked up.
“Is that a problem?”
“No. It's just unexpected.”
He smiled.
“You missed me?”
I immediately looked back at my notebook.
“Don't flatter yourself.”
He laughed quietly.
A few minutes later, he leaned over my notes.
“Your outline is wrong.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“You've got the dates mixed up.”
I checked his textbook.
He was right.
“How did you notice that?”
“I studied.”
“I thought you were just here to bother me.”
“I can do two things at once.”
I smiled despite myself.
“Thanks.”
He looked at me for a moment.
“You're welcome.”
There was something different about his expression.
Less playful.
More serious.
Before I could figure it out, my phone vibrated.
I looked at the screen.
A message from Sofia.
So... how's your date going?
I quickly locked my phone.
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“Something interesting?”
“No.”
He smiled.
“You're a terrible liar.”
“And you're too curious.”
“Maybe.”
I packed my books.
“I have another class.”
He stood too.
“What class?”
“Literature.”
“I have that one too.”
I stared at him.
“You're kidding.”
“Nope.”
We walked out of the library together.
For once, I didn't mind.
As we crossed the hallway, Ethan reached for the door before I could.
“After you.”
“Thank you.”
He smiled.
“See? I'm not always annoying.”
I looked at him.
“Don't get used to me being nice.”
He laughed.
“Too late.”
I shook my head, but I couldn't stop myself from smiling.
Maybe Ethan Carter wasn't as simple as everyone thought.
And maybe...
Just maybe...
I was starting to enjoy having him around.
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