Trust in Her Tricks

Chapter 3: Shared Moments

The days at Maplewood High settled into a rhythm that was both familiar and new for Ethan. His encounters with Eris had become a regular part of his routine, and though he'd never admit it out loud, he found himself looking forward to them. The girl who had once seemed like nothing more than a playful prankster was turning out to be someone he could actually talk to—someone who seemed to care.

Eris, too, noticed the subtle shift in their interactions. She still enjoyed teasing Ethan, but she made sure her pranks were always lighthearted, designed to make him laugh rather than leave him feeling uneasy. And when they weren't joking around, they found themselves having more serious conversations—about life, school, and the little things that mattered to them.

One afternoon, as the final bell rang and students began pouring out of classrooms, Ethan spotted Eris lingering by the vending machines. She was frowning slightly, clearly debating whether to indulge in one of the snacks she loved so much. Ethan hesitated for a moment, then decided to approach her.

"Having trouble deciding?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.

Eris looked up, startled but quickly recovering. "Oh, hey, Ethan. Yeah, I can't decide if I want something sweet or something salty. It's the eternal struggle."

Ethan chuckled, appreciating the lightness in her tone. "Why not both? You can't go wrong with a little balance."

She laughed, nodding in agreement. "True. But then I'll have to justify it to myself later. You know how it is."

He didn't, really, but he liked the way she included him in her thoughts. "How about I make it easy for you? My treat," Ethan offered, reaching for his wallet.

Eris blinked, surprised by the gesture. "You don't have to do that, Ethan."

"I want to," he said, and to his relief, she didn't argue.

After a moment's consideration, she chose a chocolate bar and a bag of chips. Ethan quickly fed the machine some coins and handed her the snacks. "Here you go. Problem solved."

Eris accepted the snacks with a grateful smile. "You're too nice, Ethan. I'm supposed to be the one who does nice things, remember?"

Ethan shrugged, trying to downplay the warmth in his chest. "Consider it a return favor for the cupcake."

They found a spot outside the school where they could sit and talk while Eris enjoyed her snacks. The late afternoon sun bathed the courtyard in a warm glow, making it feel like a small sanctuary away from the chaos of school. As they settled in, the conversation flowed easily, with Eris sharing stories about her family, her love for cooking, and how she got into the habit of pulling pranks.

"Cooking is my stress relief," she explained between bites of chocolate. "Whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed, I just start experimenting in the kitchen. It's probably why I'm such a foodie. If I didn't have school, I'd probably spend all day trying out new recipes."

Ethan listened intently, genuinely interested in what she had to say. "That sounds nice. I don't really cook much, but I can see how it would be relaxing."

"What about you?" Eris asked, tilting her head slightly. "What do you do to unwind?"

Ethan hesitated, not used to talking about himself. "I read a lot," he admitted after a moment. "It's easier to lose myself in a book than to deal with everything going on around me."

Eris nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Books are a great escape. What do you like to read?"

"Mostly fantasy," Ethan replied, feeling a little self-conscious. "I like stories that take me somewhere else—places where the problems are different, where people can be heroes."

Eris smiled, sensing the depth behind his words. "I get that. Everyone needs a way to escape sometimes."

As the conversation continued, Ethan found himself relaxing more than he had in a long time. Talking to Eris felt... comfortable, like he didn't have to put up the usual walls. She had a way of making him feel seen, and not just as the quiet guy who sat in the back of the class.

Eris, for her part, was starting to see beyond the guarded exterior Ethan usually presented. She could tell that he was still wary, still unsure of her intentions, but she also saw the kindness in his eyes, the way he listened carefully to everything she said. It made her want to break down those walls, to show him that he didn't have to hide from her.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard, Eris finished her snacks and leaned back, letting out a contented sigh. "Thanks for hanging out with me, Ethan. I know you're more of a lone wolf, but I'm glad we're spending time together."

Ethan smiled, a genuine warmth in his expression. "I'm glad too. You're not what I expected, Eris."

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what did you expect?"

"I don't know," he admitted, shrugging slightly. "Someone who didn't take things seriously, I guess. But you're... different. In a good way."

Eris felt her heart flutter at his words, a warmth spreading through her. "You're different too, Ethan. I like that you're honest."

There was a brief silence between them, not awkward but filled with the weight of unspoken thoughts. For a moment, it felt like something was shifting between them, like the air was charged with possibilities. But before either of them could say more, the distant sound of the school's custodians locking up for the day broke the spell.

"We should probably head home," Eris said, standing up and brushing crumbs off her skirt.

"Yeah," Ethan agreed, though part of him wished they could stay a little longer.

As they walked toward the parking lot, Ethan felt a strange mix of emotions—happiness, confusion, and something else he couldn't quite name. He wasn't sure what was happening between him and Eris, but he knew he didn't want it to stop.

Eris glanced at him as they parted ways, her usual playful grin replaced by a softer, more genuine smile. "See you tomorrow, Ethan."

"See you tomorrow, Eris," he replied, watching as she walked away, a small smile lingering on his face.

As he headed home, Ethan couldn't help but feel that something had changed. Their conversations, the shared moments—it was all starting to mean something more to him. And while the uncertainty still gnawed at him, there was a growing part of him that was willing to see where this new connection with Eris would lead.