The bus rolled along the winding road, surrounded by tall pine trees and the soft glow of sunset spilling over the mountains. Students laughed, sang, and chattered in their seats, but for Aria and Ethan, the world seemed quieter. Ethan sat beside the window, his headphones on, while Aria leaned slightly toward him, watching the orange sky melt into pink.
After a few hours, the bus finally stopped in front of a lakeside resort — their home for the week. The air smelled of pine and fresh rain. Everyone stepped down, stretching after the long journey. Aria turned to look at the wide, glimmering lake — still and peaceful, reflecting the dimming sky.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said softly.
Ethan followed her gaze and smiled faintly. "Yeah… but not as much as someone else here."
Her cheeks turned a little pink, and she looked away quickly, pretending to fix her hair. "Stop teasing."
Their teachers gathered the students, assigning rooms. To Aria's surprise — or maybe not — her room was right next to Ethan's. Mia noticed it too, giving Aria a sharp glare, whispering something to her friends before walking away. Aria decided to ignore it.
That evening, everyone gathered near the bonfire. The flames danced high, crackling in rhythm with the laughter around them. Aria sat across from Ethan, watching how the orange light played on his face — the warmth reflecting in his eyes, softening his usually calm expression. He caught her looking, and she quickly looked down, poking the ground with a stick.
After dinner, some students stayed near the fire, but Aria wandered toward the lake. The moon had risen now — silver and perfect, casting its reflection on the water. She stood there silently, lost in the ripples. A moment later, she heard familiar footsteps behind her.
"I knew I'd find you here," Ethan's voice came, calm and warm.
Aria turned slightly, her hair moving gently in the wind. "I just wanted some quiet."
He walked beside her, standing so close that their arms brushed slightly. "You like the stars, right?" he asked.
She nodded. "They make me feel… small, but safe at the same time. Like the world's too big for my worries to matter."
Ethan looked at her quietly for a few seconds, his voice low. "You always find beauty in the simplest things. I like that about you."
Her heart skipped a beat, but she only smiled faintly, saying nothing.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The night air wrapped around them like a soft blanket. Somewhere far behind, faint laughter echoed from the bonfire, but it felt like they were alone in the world.
Suddenly, Aria slipped on a smooth rock near the water's edge. Before she could fall, Ethan's hand caught hers — firm and quick. She gasped, her other hand landing on his chest for balance. Their eyes met — too close, too long. The reflection of the moon shimmered in her eyes, and for that moment, everything else faded.
Ethan finally spoke, his voice almost a whisper. "Careful, Aria. You'll give me a heart attack one day."
She laughed softly, her breath shaky. "Maybe you should stop catching me then."
"Not a chance," he replied, his thumb brushing her hand unconsciously before he let go.
They both turned toward the lake again, standing side by side. The silence wasn't awkward — it was gentle, like a shared secret.
When the teachers called everyone back to their rooms, Aria and Ethan walked together. The corridor was quiet except for the echo of their footsteps. As they reached their doors, Aria turned to him.
"Thanks… for today," she said.
Ethan tilted his head slightly. "For what?"
"For making me feel… special."
He looked at her for a moment, then smiled softly. "You don't need me for that, Aria. You already are."
Her heart fluttered again, and before she could reply, he gently brushed his fingers against her hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. "Good night , my girlfriend."he said.
Her cheeks flushed bright red. "Good night, boyfriend," she murmured, turning toward her door before he could see her smile.
But Ethan did see it — and it stayed with him all night.
Later that night, Aria couldn't sleep. She kept replaying every small moment — the lake, his hand catching hers, his voice so close to her ear. She sat by the window of her room, looking at the moon. Across the small balcony, she saw a light still on in Ethan's room. He was standing there too, looking at the same moon.
Their eyes met through the glass — distant yet connected. Ethan raised his hand slightly, a faint smile on his lips. Aria smiled too and mouthed a quiet good night.
The moonlight touched both their faces like a soft promise — a promise of moments that were yet to come.