It's Always Like This

Chapter 1: Reunion of Hearts

The sun shone brightly on the first day of the new school year as students bustled through the halls of Oakwood High. Among the crowd, Lily Thompson nervously adjusted her backpack straps, her heart beating faster with each step. After a long summer break, she was excited to see her best friend, Ethan Matthews, again, but a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that something was different.

As Lily turned the corner, she spotted Ethan by his locker, surrounded by a group of friends laughing at one of his jokes. Relief washed over her as she saw his familiar grin. Taking a deep breath, she approached him. "E-Ethan," she stammered, "it's good to see you again."

Ethan turned to face her, his eyes lighting up with genuine delight. "Lily!" he exclaimed, pulling her into a warm hug. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too," Lily replied, her cheeks flushing with happiness. She couldn't help but notice that Ethan seemed taller and more confident than before, and it made her heart skip a beat.

As they walked to their first class together, Lily couldn't help but steal glances at Ethan, marveling at how much he had grown over the years. They had been friends since kindergarten, and their bond had only grown stronger with time. But now, as they entered their final year of high school, Lily couldn't help but wonder if there was something more between them.

During their first class, Lily found herself stealing more glances at Ethan than paying attention to the teacher. Whenever their eyes met, they exchanged knowing smiles that spoke volumes about their unspoken connection.

At lunchtime, they found a quiet spot in the courtyard to catch up. "So, how was your summer?" Ethan asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"It was good," Lily replied. "I spent most of it helping my dad at his bakery. How about you?"

"Awesome," Ethan said with a grin. "I went on a road trip with my family and also managed to sneak in some time for video games."

Lily chuckled, shaking her head. "Some things never change," she said fondly.

As the day went on, Lily couldn't shake the feeling that their friendship was on the brink of something new. She wanted to ask Ethan about it, but the words caught in her throat every time she tried.

Later that afternoon, as they walked home together, Lily finally mustered the courage to speak up. "Ethan, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Ethan replied, giving her his full attention.

Lily took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "Do you ever feel like... like there's something more between us?"

Ethan's eyes widened, and he stopped walking. "You mean like... more than just friends?" he asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Lily nodded, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. "Yeah," she admitted, "I don't know, maybe I'm just imagining things."

Ethan smiled gently, reaching out to hold her hand. "You're not imagining anything," he said softly. "I've been feeling the same way too."

Relief washed over Lily as she looked into Ethan's eyes, seeing a mix of uncertainty and hope reflected in them. "Really?" she whispered.

"Yeah," Ethan replied, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I've been trying to figure out how to say it, but I didn't want to risk our friendship."

Lily smiled, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. "Me too," she admitted. "But I think we owe it to ourselves to find out what this could be."

Ethan nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. "You're right," he said. "I don't want to miss out on something great just because I was afraid."

With their feelings finally out in the open, Lily and Ethan walked hand in hand, embarking on a new chapter of their friendship that held the promise of something more. As they continued on their journey through senior year, they knew that whatever lay ahead, they would face it together, their hearts forever intertwined.