The cafeteria was chaotic, as usual. But my mind wasn't on the noise. It was on the boy across from me—Ethan Cole.
I took a bite of my sandwich, trying to focus on something—anything—but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was aware of my every movement. It was like his presence alone filled the space between us, heavy and dense, even though he had his headphones in and was pretending not to care.
I glanced at him again. His posture was rigid, as though the world had been too much for him to bear, and he had built this invisible fortress to protect himself. The fact that he had chosen to sit alone made a strange kind of sense. He didn't seem like the type to fit in with a crowd.
The thought lingered in my mind. Was there more to Ethan Cole than what everyone saw? Was he really as cold and aloof as he appeared, or was there something deeper—a reason for the walls he'd built around himself?
I wasn't sure why, but the thought of him being more than just an indifferent jerk sparked a curiosity inside me. I quickly tried to dismiss it. I had enough on my plate with school and my own struggles. I didn't need to add someone else's drama to the mix.
But then, as if fate had planned it, the silence between us was broken.
"So, why are you sitting here?"
I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth. His voice was low, almost as if he didn't want anyone else to hear. I hadn't expected him to speak to me—let alone ask a question.
I cleared my throat, hoping my voice wouldn't betray me. "Uh, I was looking for a seat, and… well, this was the only one left."
He didn't respond at first, just stared at me with that same cold expression. I had no idea what he was thinking, but the tension was thick enough to make it hard to breathe.
I pushed my food aside, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze. "So, uh… you like eating alone?"
Ethan slowly pulled out his headphones and let them hang around his neck. His eyes met mine for the first time since I sat down. For a moment, the world seemed to freeze. There was something in those eyes—something I couldn't quite place. He looked tired. Worn down, even.
"I don't mind it," he replied, his voice flat. "It's quieter."
I nodded slowly, not sure how to respond to that. What did he mean by that? Was he avoiding people, or was he just someone who preferred solitude?
I chewed the inside of my cheek, trying to think of something else to say, but nothing came to mind. The silence stretched between us again, thick and awkward.
Finally, he spoke again, his gaze shifting slightly as if he were trying to keep his distance without being too obvious. "You're new here, right?"
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "I'm not that new. I've been here since freshman year."
Ethan glanced at me, the corner of his mouth twitching into what almost looked like a half-smile. "I mean, you're new to me."
There it was again—the subtle hint of something more beneath his words. I didn't know why, but it made me wonder.
"Right," I muttered, feeling the awkwardness settle in once more. "Well, I'm Ariana."
He nodded. "Ethan."
And that was it. The conversation fizzled out, leaving nothing but the sound of chewing and the clatter of trays around us.
I couldn't help it. My curiosity was piqued. What made Ethan Cole—this quiet, distant guy—tick? Why was he so... withdrawn?
But before I could ask him anything else, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
I stood up quickly, grabbing my tray and trying to make a quick exit before my curiosity got the better of me.
But as I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of him watching me. His eyes weren't cold anymore, but something was there—something that made me wonder if he was asking himself the same questions I was.