Aria's POV
After biology class, I grabbed my water bottle and headed out with Zoe toward the field for P.E. The morning air was cool, but the sun was already high typical winter in New York. Cold wind, bright light, and drama waiting to happen.
The entire class started gathering on the field. I noticed a few students from other grades hanging around too, probably waiting for their turn.
That's when I saw them.
Liam Hayes and Vanessa Hayes.
Twins from 9th standard, Section B. Known for being close with Ethan — childhood best friends or something.
Liam was leaning casually against the fence, tossing a football between his hands like he didn't have a care in the world.
Vanessa stood next to him, arms crossed, face like she was ready to bite someone.
I avoided her gaze automatically. She always looked at me like I'd stolen something from her and I had no idea what.
As Zoe and I passed them, Liam looked up and smiled.
A small, quick smile.
I felt my heartbeat stutter, and I hated how I instantly looked down at my shoes like a middle-schooler. I liked Liam not that I'd ever admit it out loud. He was kind, always polite, smart in his own quiet way. The opposite of Ethan's loud arrogance.
Zoe leaned in. "Did Liam just smile at you?"
"Shut up," I muttered, cheeks heating.
But the butterflies didn't go away.
Then, of course, came the sound that made all butterflies die instantly.
Footsteps behind me. Confident, lazy, and annoyingly familiar.
Ethan Walker.
"What are you following me for?" I snapped without turning around.
"Relax," he said in that irritatingly casual tone. "We're going to the same place. I didn't realize I needed your permission to walk."
I turned around to glare and caught Vanessa's furious gaze aimed right at me.
Yup. There it was.
Full-blown jealousy.
I didn't know if it was because Ethan was behind me or because Liam had smiled at me.
Maybe both.
She marched over and threw a fake-sweet smile in Ethan's direction. "Ethan, come on, Coach is calling you."
"Yeah, coming," He said and left with Vanessa.
---
Ethan's POV
At first, I didn't even realize I was watching her.
Aria walked ahead, hair bouncing with every step, her voice low as she talked to Zoe. Something about the way she moved — like the whole world should clear a path — caught my eye.
For a second, just a second, I watched.
And then I blinked, hard.
What the hell was I doing?
I scoffed to myself.
She's annoying. Competitive. Stubborn. And the only person in this school who doesn't treat me like royalty.
I don't like her.
Not even a little.
"Ethan, come on, Coach is calling you," Vanessa's voice broke through my thoughts, laced with fake sweetness but hiding jealousy like always.
"Yeah, coming," I said quickly and turned away from Aria, stepping toward Vanessa like nothing had happened.
I shoved the weird feeling aside.
Whatever that was, it meant nothing.
---
Liam's POV
When Aria stepped onto the field, my eyes instantly went to her like they always did.
She looked around casually, brushing her hair behind her ear as Zoe chatted next to her.
She looked… amazing. But not just beautiful confident. Focused. Real.
I smiled without thinking.
Then I noticed Ethan walking behind her, eyes locked on her back like he forgot he was alive. My heart clenched a little.
But then just like that he snapped out of it and walked toward Vanessa.
My smile faded.
So that was it?
Maybe he really didn't feel anything for her. Maybe I was just overthinking it all.
But still… that one second? That one look?
It didn't sit right with me.