"Some people fall in love out loud.I fell for her in silence—and I stayed there, even when it hurt."—Ethan Gray
The halls of Cresthill High always smelled like polished floors and teenage regret. Ethan Gray blended in like he was born to be invisible—hood up, headphones in, books clutched to his chest. No one noticed him. Except when Aira Callen smiled his way.
But her smile wasn't for him. It never had been.
She was sunlight in human form—laughing in group photos, dancing in hallways, waving at everyone and no one at once. And Ethan? He lived in the shadows of her orbit, a ghost with a heartbeat.
He'd loved her since seventh grade.
The day she wore yellow ribbons in her braids and punched a boy in the face for calling her friend ugly. That was the first time he thought, God, she's something else.
And maybe the last time he believed he'd ever be seen.
2. Lunchroom Moment – She sits with someone else
Ethan watched from his corner as Aira sat beside Lucas Gentry—star athlete, golden boy, her maybe-boyfriend. They laughed. She touched Lucas's arm. Ethan turned away before his chest caved in.
He wrote poetry she'd never read. Drew sketches of her smile she'd never see. He counted every time she walked past without knowing she'd just walked over the edge of his heart.
3. Flashback – Aira and Ethan's Childhood Memory
They had once shared a sandbox.
"Let's build a castle," she said.
"You always knock mine down," Ethan had replied.
"Not this time," she smiled.
She did. And she didn't apologize.
She never did.
4. Aira Talks to Him Briefly – A Glimmer of Hope
"Ethan!" she called out one day, jogging to catch up with him outside class.
His breath caught in his throat. She never said his name. Not since middle school.
"I forgot the math homework," she said breathlessly. "You're like... genius-level. Can I borrow yours? Just for reference."
He nodded, wordless, handing her the notebook.
She smiled—one of those real, bright ones.
"Thanks, Gray. You're a lifesaver."
She never returned the notebook. He didn't care.
5. Ending Scene – Ethan Writing in His Journal
October 3rd, 9:42 PMI think if she knew how much I loved her, she'd laugh.Or worse, she'd feel sorry for me.So I'll keep loving her quietly.Like always.