Chapter 10: Noticing Her
374 Words
The school courtyard buzzed with noise, laughter, and movement—but at one corner, under the shade of a tall tree, Ethan stood with his friends.
Marcus was mid-laugh.
Leo was dramatically acting out a story.
Daniel leaned casually against the wall.
Sophie scrolled through her phone, half-listening.
But Ethan?
He wasn’t paying attention.
His eyes were fixed across the courtyard.
On Amara.
“...and then I told him—wait,” Marcus paused, squinting at Ethan. “Not again.”
Leo followed his gaze.
“Ohhhh,” he dragged out dramatically. “Her.”
Sophie looked up immediately.
“Let me see.”
Amara walked beside Lily, laughing softly at something. Her posture was different now—more relaxed, more confident. Not perfect, but growing.
Sophie raised an eyebrow.
“She’s pretty.”
Ethan said nothing.
Marcus smirked.
“Pretty? He’s been staring at her like she invented oxygen.”
“I’m not staring,” Ethan replied calmly.
Leo clutched his chest.
“Denial. Stage one.”
Daniel folded his arms.
“You’ve been watching her for days, Ethan.”
Silence.
Sophie turned fully toward him now.
“You like her.”
Ethan exhaled slowly.
“I just…” he paused. “…noticed her.”
Marcus burst out laughing.
“Yeah, noticed her every single day.”
Across the courtyard, Amara felt something.
That strange feeling again.
Like someone was watching her.
She glanced around.
And her eyes met his.
Ethan.
For a moment, everything slowed.
He didn’t look away immediately this time.
And neither did she.
Then—
“Amara!” Lily snapped her out of it.
She turned quickly.
“What?”
“You’re doing it again,” Lily said, smirking.
“Doing what?”
“Staring,” Lily teased.
Amara’s cheeks flushed.
“I wasn’t—”
“Mm-hmm,” Lily hummed. “Sure.”
Back under the tree—
“OH SNAP,” Leo whispered loudly. “Eye contact. This is serious.”
Marcus slapped Ethan’s shoulder.
“Go talk to her.”
“No,” Ethan said immediately.
Sophie rolled her eyes.
“You’re unbelievable.”
Daniel spoke calmly.
“If you keep waiting, someone else won’t.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened slightly.
That thought…
He didn’t like it.
- Writer
