Episode 4: The Moving Day
653 Words
Three years can change a lot of things. It can change a girl’s style, her confidence, and definitely her height. But as eighteen-year-old Aria stood in front of the towering brick dormitory of State University, she realized it hadn't changed her heart at all.
She was officially a college freshman.
"Alright, let's get this heavy lifting over with before I throw my back out," Leo groaned, lifting a massive plastic bin filled with Aria’s shoes out of the trunk of their parents' SUV.
At twenty-two, Leo had filled out. He was taller, broader, and sported the permanent stubble of a stressed college senior. He looked like a real adult now, but the second he dumped the heavy bin right into Aria’s arms, she knew he was still the same annoying brother.
"Oof! Leo! I can't see over the top!" Aria complained, balancing the box precariously.
"Builds character, kiddo," Leo laughed, turning back to grab her suitcases.
Aria took a careful step forward, her sneakers squeaking on the pavement. She was trying so hard not to trip that she didn't notice the figure jogging down the concrete steps of the dorm building.
"Here, let me take that before you pull an Aria and crash into a bush."
The voice was deeper than she remembered, richer, and it sent an immediate jolt of electricity straight down her spine.
The heavy bin was suddenly lifted from her arms. Aria blinked, her vision clearing, and her breath hitched.
Ethan.
It had been nearly six months since she last saw him during winter break, but seeing him here, on his own turf, was different. The boyish charm of his teenage years was entirely gone. He had filled out his broad shoulders, his jawline was sharper, and he was wearing a simple grey university tee that did no favors for her mental stability. He looked devastatingly handsome.
"Ethan," Aria breathed, her voice a little higher than she intended.
Ethan set the bin down on a nearby bench and turned to look at her. His dark eyes swept over her, taking in her denim shorts, her fitted white top, and the way her hair fell past her shoulders. A look of genuine surprise flickered across his face, followed by a slow, dangerous grin.
"Wow," Ethan said, his voice dropping an octave. "Look at you. You actually grew up, Little Ari."
Aria’s cheeks flared a beautiful, stubborn pink. She crossed her arms, trying to channel an adult confidence she didn't quite feel yet. "I told you I would. I'm eighteen now, Ethan. You can stop calling me 'Little Ari'."
Ethan let out a low chuckle, stepping a fraction closer. The familiar scent of his mint gum and woody cologne washed over her, making her dizzy. "Eighteen or not, you're still Leo’s pint-sized sister to me." He reached out, his fingers brushing against her hair to gently tuck a stray strand behind her ear. "But I gotta admit... college suits you."
The touch was brief, but it felt like fire against her skin.
"Hey! Vance! Get your hands off my sister and grab a box!" Leo yelled from the back of the car, entirely breaking the tension.
Ethan rolled his eyes playfully, shouting back, "I'm helping her, you lazy slob!" He looked back down at Aria, his eyes lingering on her face for a second longer than necessary. "Come on, freshman. Let's get you moved in."
As they walked up the stairs, Ethan easily carrying two of her heaviest bags, Aria watched the flex of his shoulders. She was an adult now. She was living on the same campus. For the past four years, she had been the kid looking up to him.
But as Ethan paused at the top of the stairs, turning back to give her an encouraging, melt-your-heart smile, Aria realized the dynamic was shifting. The age gap hadn't disappeared, but the boundary lines were starting to blur.
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- Writer
