Player meets church boy

Chapter 2: Curiosity sparks

The following week, Mia couldn't stop thinking about Ethan. She had always been the one to make the first move, to dictate how things would go, but Ethan had thrown her off balance. Determined to learn more about him, Mia began showing up at places she knew Ethan would be—community service events, study groups, and even church youth meetings. She wasn't sure what she was looking for, but something about Ethan made her want to get closer.

One evening, Mia attended a youth group event at Ethan's church. She felt out of place as she walked into the church hall, surrounded by teenagers who seemed to know each other well. But when she saw Ethan standing at the front, speaking to the group with a calm confidence, her discomfort faded. He was leading the session, talking about the importance of faith and how it had shaped his life. His words were simple, yet powerful, and as Mia listened, she felt something stir inside her—a sense of longing she hadn't expected.

After the session, Ethan spotted Mia and walked over to her. "I didn't expect to see you here," he said, smiling warmly. Mia shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I was curious," she admitted. "You seem really passionate about this." Ethan nodded. "It's a big part of who I am," he said. "It gives me purpose." Mia found herself wanting to know more, to understand what drove him to be so committed to something she had never given much thought to.

As they talked, Mia realized that Ethan was different from anyone she had ever met. He wasn't just kind—he was genuinely interested in helping others, in making a difference. He spoke about his experiences mentoring younger kids, about the satisfaction he got from seeing them grow and succeed. Mia was used to people looking out for themselves, but Ethan's selflessness was a revelation. It made her start to question her own life, her own choices.

Over the next few weeks, Mia continued to attend church events, not just to be close to Ethan, but because she found herself drawn to the sense of community and purpose she saw there. She was still the same Mia—flirty, fun-loving—but something was changing inside her. She started to wonder if there was more to life than just the next party, the next fling. And every time she saw Ethan, those thoughts grew stronger.

One afternoon, after a youth group meeting, Ethan asked Mia if she wanted to grab a coffee. They walked to a nearby café, and as they sat down, Mia realized how comfortable she felt around him. They talked about everything—school, their families, their dreams for the future. And for the first time, Mia found herself opening up about her fears and insecurities. She told Ethan about her parents' divorce, about how she had learned to hide her feelings behind a smile. Ethan listened without judgment, offering her the kind of understanding she had never experienced before.