Something’s Different
494 Words
By Monday morning, Ridgewood High looked the same — same polished floors, same buzzing hallways — but to Ava, everything felt slightly off.
Maybe it was because she hadn’t stopped thinking about Ethan since the trip.
About the way he’d looked at her after the fair.
About what he’d said in the hotel lobby.
She kept telling herself it didn’t mean anything. That it was just adrenaline and exhaustion.
But her heart didn’t seem to agree.
When she entered Chemistry class, the whispers started almost instantly.
“Moreno and Blake? They looked pretty close at the fair.”
“Did you see the photos? They were smiling at each other!”
Ava pretended not to hear, but her face burned.
Then Ethan walked in — late, as usual. His hair was still a little messy from the rain, his tie hanging loose. He caught her eye and smiled. Not his usual smirk, but something softer.
“Morning, partner,” he said as he slid into the seat beside her.
Ava frowned, trying to sound calm. “Don’t call me that.”
He leaned back, grinning. “You didn’t mind at the fair.”
“That was work,” she said. “This is school.”
“Right. Totally different.”
But she couldn’t help it — a small laugh slipped out before she could stop it.
During class, Ava noticed something strange: Ethan was actually paying attention.
He was taking notes, asking questions, trying.
When Mr. Carter called on him, Ethan answered correctly — twice.
Ava blinked. “Who are you and what have you done with Blake?”
He chuckled. “Maybe I finally found a good influence.”
She wanted to roll her eyes, but the way he said it — so casually, so sincere — made her stomach twist.
At lunch, she sat with Lila, hoping for a normal break. No such luck.
“So,” Lila said, smirking, “how’s your partner?”
“Annoying,” Ava replied too quickly.
“Uh-huh. Annoying but cute?”
Ava nearly choked on her juice. “Lila!”
“What? Everyone saw how you looked at him when he went up for that medal.”
“I didn’t look at him!” Ava insisted.
Lila raised a brow. “You blushed.”
Ava groaned and buried her face in her hands. “I hate this school.”
That afternoon, she and Ethan passed each other in the hallway between classes.
He stopped. “Hey, Moreno.”
“What?”
“Thanks… for making the fair not totally awful.”
She hesitated, surprised by the honesty in his voice. “You’re welcome… I guess.”
They stood there for a few seconds — not talking, just looking at each other — until a teacher passed by, breaking the moment.
Ava turned away first, her heart racing.
Maybe nothing had changed. Maybe she was imagining it.
But as she walked off, she couldn’t stop smiling.
- Writer
