LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Unspoken Connections
Chemistry class felt like a blur. The teacher droned on about atoms and reactions, while Ethan found himself lost in the rhythm of it all. For once, he wasn't focused on trying to hide who he was. The class was difficult enough to keep him engaged, but there was something else that kept pulling his attention—something he couldn't shake.
Lily.
She was sitting beside him, scribbling in her notebook at first, and then, as the class dragged on, her head slowly started to droop. Ethan watched, barely aware of the lesson, as she let her body slump forward. The soft sound of her breath told him she had fallen asleep, her long brown hair spilling across the desk like a curtain. Ethan couldn't help but glance at her every now and then, his eyes wandering back to her even though he tried to ignore it. She's just tired, he told himself. It's no big deal.
But even as he concentrated on the teacher's lecture, his gaze kept slipping back to Lily. Something about the way she sat there, so still and unguarded, made Ethan feel oddly protective. He wanted to wake her up, but at the same time, it didn't feel like his place. So, he looked away and forced himself to focus on the periodic table. But it wasn't easy.
The rest of the class passed in a blur, and by the time the bell rang, Lily was gone. Just like that. Ethan didn't see her again for the rest of the day.
When the school bell rang for the final time, signaling the end of his first day, Ethan felt a strange mix of relief and confusion. He was eager to get home, but at the same time, his thoughts kept drifting back to the quiet, tired girl he had sat next to. He wondered what her life was like—what had made her fall asleep so easily in the middle of class.
When he got to his locker, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a text from his mom.
"Ethan, we're going on a cruise this weekend. Make sure to let the butler know what you'd like for dinner when you get home. Don't forget to relax a little! Love you, Mom."
Ethan rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. A cruise, huh? It was typical of his family to get away on luxury vacations without much thought. As much as Ethan loved his family, he couldn't help but feel like an outsider in their world. But I'll get to stay home by myself, he thought. That's kind of nice.
He was about to text her back when someone bumped into him from behind.
"Yo, Ethan!" Jack's voice came from just behind him, and Ethan turned around to see his new friend smiling, as usual. "What's up? You heading out?"
"Yeah, just heading home," Ethan replied, slipping his phone back into his pocket.
"Hey, listen," Jack said, grinning. "I was thinking… How about we grab some fast food? I don't know about you, but I could really go for a burger right now. You in?"
Ethan hesitated for a second. He had a ton of stuff to do—work he needed to catch up on, his mom's message to respond to—but Jack was already pulling him along, his energy infectious. "Sure," Ethan finally said, "Why not?"
The two of them headed off the school grounds together, chatting about random things. Jack's excitement about the idea of fast food felt almost contagious, and Ethan couldn't help but feel more at ease with each passing minute.
They ended up at a fast food place just a few blocks away. The smells of fries and sizzling burgers greeted them as they stepped inside. They ordered their food and sat down at a booth near the window, the greasy paper wrappers in front of them.
As they settled in, Ethan noticed the hostess walking toward them, her name tag identifying her as Lily.
Ethan's heart skipped a beat.
She walked with the same quiet demeanor as she did in class, her expression blank, like she was in a world of her own. She didn't seem to recognize Ethan right away—her eyes were distant, like she was still processing her own thoughts, but when she glanced over at them, she smiled just enough to be polite. It was the same smile she gave to every customer.
"Hey, can I take your order?" she asked, her voice professional, detached.
Jack, ever the social butterfly, leaned forward. "Wait a sec… Are you in my chemistry class?" he asked, looking at Lily with a playful grin.
Lily froze for a moment, caught off guard. She forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I think so," she replied quietly, trying to keep the conversation brief. "What can I get you guys?"
Ethan remained silent. He could feel his pulse racing, his eyes locked on Lily's face. She didn't seem to recognize him either, or if she did, she wasn't giving any hint of it. It was like he was just another customer.
Jack went on, ordering the usual—two burgers, fries, and a soda. Ethan, still distracted by Lily's presence, ordered something simple. When Lily turned to leave, he couldn't help but watch her as she moved away, trying to catch a glimpse of the person she really was outside of the classroom.
The rest of their meal passed in relative silence. Jack talked about his plans for the upcoming football season, while Ethan nodded, but his mind kept drifting back to Lily. He tried to shake the feeling, but it lingered, like a thread he couldn't pull loose.
After they finished, they left the fast food place together, neither of them speaking much. The walk back to their neighborhood felt quiet. Jack continued to chat about school, but Ethan barely registered the conversation. His mind kept going back to that brief exchange with Lily. Why did she seem so… different?
When they reached the end of the block, Jack looked at Ethan and laughed.
"Man, I just realized—your place is right around here, huh?" Jack said, glancing down the street. "You live close. That's cool."
Ethan smiled, but he didn't feel the usual warmth of connection. He wasn't sure why, but the idea of Jack seeing where he lived made him uneasy. Their neighborhoods were different—very different. His house was just a few blocks away, but it felt like it was in an entirely different world.
Ethan wasn't about to let Jack find out where he really lived—not yet, anyway.
"Actually, I usually walk around the other way," Ethan said casually, trying to sound natural. "It's just quicker for me."
Jack nodded, seemingly unaware of the real reason. "Okay, cool. I'll catch you later, man!"
"See ya," Ethan said, waving.
As Jack walked off, Ethan took a deep breath and started walking the long way around, making sure to avoid the gated entrance to his family's estate. He hated this—hiding who he was from Jack—but it was the only way. The last thing he wanted was for Jack to find out about the wealth that separated them.
When he got home, the butler greeted him at the door.
"Good evening, Master Ethan. Dinner is ready when you are."
Ethan nodded, absentmindedly, and made his way up the grand staircase to his room. As he sat down at his desk, he pulled out his phone and opened up a search engine. Lily
But there was nothing on that person he though of. No social media, no profiles, not even a hint of her existence online.
Ethan sat back in his chair, staring at the blank screen. Who was she?
And why couldn't he stop thinking about her?