LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Confession
Ethan finally managed to break through the walls Lily had put up. In chemistry class, instead of her usual habit of putting her head down, they had a full-blown conversation, laughing and joking about chemistry.
"Wait, you actually understood that last question?" Ethan teased, leaning back in his chair.
Lily smirked. "Don't underestimate me. I'm not just good at keeping quiet, you know."
"Could've fooled me," Ethan shot back with a grin. "I thought you were sleeping half the time."
For once, Lily didn't shy away. She laughed softly, her voice light. "Maybe I'm just bored."
"Ouch," Ethan feigned offense. "And here I thought my jokes were keeping you entertained."
"They're... okay," Lily admitted with a playful shrug, making Ethan chuckle.
Jack, however, didn't come to school that day, which struck Ethan as odd. Normally, Jack's absence would have been a big deal, but Ethan was so engrossed in his conversation with Lily that Jack's absence barely registered.
At the start of the semester, Ethan needed to begin volunteering to fulfill a school requirement. He decided to volunteer at a daycare. On his first day, he met the counselor, Max, who greeted him warmly.
"Ethan, right?" Max asked, extending a hand. "Welcome aboard. Your job is pretty straightforward—keep an eye on the kids, step in if there's any trouble, and make sure everyone's safe. Think you're up for it?"
Ethan nodded confidently. "Sounds simple enough."
For most of the day, things went smoothly. Ethan watched over the kids as they played, occasionally stepping in to settle minor disputes. But then a fight broke out between two boys, Lirio and Arthur, who were tussling over a toy truck.
"It's mine!" Lirio shouted, pulling the truck.
"No, I had it first!" Arthur shot back, refusing to let go.
Ethan stepped in quickly, kneeling between them. "Hey, hey! What's going on here?"
"He stole it from me!" Lirio exclaimed, pointing at Arthur.
Arthur frowned. "I didn't steal it! He just wants everything!"
"Alright, that's enough," Ethan said firmly. "Both of you, corners. Now."
The boys groaned but obeyed, trudging to opposite sides of the room. Ethan turned to Lirio. "You can't just start fights because you don't get your way. Got it?"
Lirio crossed his arms, pouting. "Fine."
When the day ended, guardians arrived to pick up the children. Ethan was surprised to see Lily walk in, waving at Lirio. She spotted Ethan and blinked in surprise.
"Ethan?" she asked, walking over. "What are you doing here?"
Ethan grinned sheepishly. "Volunteering. Didn't expect to see you here."
Lirio snickered, pointing at Ethan. "He yelled at me today. Put me in the corner."
Lily raised an eyebrow, looking between them. "Oh, really? What did you do?"
"Started a fight," Ethan explained. "He's got quite the temper."
Lily shook her head, sighing. "That sounds about right. Thanks for handling him. He can be a handful."
As they left the daycare, Ethan offered to walk them home.
During the walk, Lirio's stomach growled loudly. He tugged at Lily's hand, pouting. "I want ribs. Can we get ribs?"
Lily hesitated, her face uneasy. "We've got food at home, Lirio."
Ethan noticed her discomfort, the way her tone wavered. It struck him—he had never experienced poverty, never had to think twice about something as simple as dinner. He fell silent, the weight of that realization settling over him.
Lirio huffed but eventually dropped the subject. "Fine," he muttered.
Ethan walked them the rest of the way home, trying to shake the unease he felt. Lirio, still miffed about not getting ribs, threw the occasional glare at Ethan, who couldn't help but tease him back.
"You're mean," Lirio said.
"You started it," Ethan replied, smirking. "Maybe next time, think before you act."
Lirio huffed, making Lily laugh. "You two sound like your at war with each other," she said, amused.
Ethan chuckled. "Don't remind me." Ethan felt his heart flutter during their walk. Lily's laugh—soft and genuine—lingered in his mind. The way her eyes lit up when Lirio made a cheeky remark or how she teased Ethan about his attempts to "manage" Lirio's attitude stayed with him. The small moments, like when her hand brushed his arm as she gestured or the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while smiling, left him reeling in ways he hadn't expected.
After dropping them off, Ethan called Gregory for a ride home. As he climbed into the car, he found himself lost in thought. Gregory, ever perceptive, glanced at him in the rearview mirror.
"Everything alright, Master Ethan?"
Ethan hesitated before asking, "What do you do if you like a girl?"
Gregory chuckled, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Ah, so it's that girl, is it? The one I had to turn the car around for?"
Ethan flushed, looking away. "Just answer the question."
Gregory's eyes twinkled with amusement. "You have to take initiative, sir. Make the first move before it's too late. Don't wait for things to fall into place—you make them happen."
Ethan mulled over his words during the ride home, his mind swirling with thoughts of Lily and the day's events.
The next morning on the bus ride to school, Ethan's usual routine of greeting Jack with carefree banter felt different—off, even. When Jack finally boarded, he seemed hesitant but sat beside Ethan with a sigh.
"Everything alright?" Ethan asked, studying his friend.
Jack hesitated before blurting out, "I think I have a crush on Lily."
Ethan's stomach dropped, but he masked it with a laugh. "Bruh, really? Lily?"
Jack shrugged, a small smile on his face. "Yeah. She's… different. I don't know. I like that."
Ethan forced a grin. "Well, good luck with that, man."
Jack nudged him. "What about you? Anyone you've got your eye on?"
Ethan avoided the question, staring out the window. "Nah, not really."
Jack didn't press, but as the bus rolled on, Ethan's heart felt heavier. He wasn't sure what bothered him more—Jack's confession or his own conflicted feelings about Lily.