"Have you heard about Ethan?" my friend asked, catching me off guard. Ethan. The title immediately transported me again to a time when life was easier, and love felt like the most effective force in the universe. Ethan used to be my first love, the boy who made my heart race and my world brighter. Memories of late-night talks, shared dreams, and whispered guarantees came flooding

I hadn't heard about Ethan in years. After we parted ways in college, it was once as if our paths were destined never to cross again. I went to the University of the Philippines, diving into my studies and forging a new existence in Manila. Ethan, on a different hand, chose San Carlos University in Cebu, a region that would possibly as properly have been on the other aspect of the world. We tried to preserve in touch at first. However, slowly, life took over, and our as soon as fervent connection dwindled to sporadic messages until it faded completely.

"No, I haven't heard about him," I replied, making an attempt to mask the curiosity and mild unease in my voice. There used to be a pause, a moment the place the previous and present seemed to collide.

"Ethan is getting married to someone he met in college," my friend continued. Her phrases hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me shocked and struggling to locate my footing. Ethan, getting married. The Ethan who once told me he couldn't think about a future except me, who shared goals of a existence together, of a love that would stand the test of time. It felt surreal, almost like a bad dream, hearing that he used to be transferring on with anyone else.

I tried to compose myself, but it felt like my world was spinning out of control. My thinking drifted returned to the moments we had shared, the plans we had made. We had talked about touring the world together, discovering an at ease home, and starting a family. Those desires had been as vivid as ever in my heart. However, now they seemed to belong to some other lifetime.

As I struggled to process this new reality, my friend persevered, talking, oblivious to the turmoil internal me. She shared greater details about Ethan's fiancée, how they had met at some stage in a college event, and how their relationship blossomed over time. I listened, but it was as if her words were far away echoes, muffled via the reminiscences and feelings swirling inside me.

I could not assist but marvel what went wrong. Was it the distance? The extraordinary paths we chose? Or perhaps we were never intended to be together, notwithstanding how deeply we cared for every other. The questions stored coming, each one including to the anguish in my chest.

"Ethan and I had plans too, you know," I in the end managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "We dreamed of getting married, of building a life together. But lifestyles had different plans for us, I suppose."

My friend gave me a sympathetic look, but it did little to ease the pain. It used to be tough to accept that anybody I as soon as cherished so deeply was now making new memories, new dreams, with any person else. It felt like a chapter of my lifestyle was once closing, one that I wasn't ready to let go of.

Later that night, as I lay in bed, I could not give up wondering about Ethan. I remembered the way he used to seem to be at me, with so a great deal love and hope in his eyes. I puzzled if he seemed at his fiancée the identical way if he whispered the same candy nothings to her. The thinking used to be nearly too much to bear.

I knew I had to pass on, just as Ethan had. Holding onto the past would not change anything, and it absolutely wouldn't carry returned what we as soon as had. But knowing that did not make it any easier. My coronary heart felt heavy, weighed down by way of the reminiscences and the what-ifs.

As I stared at the ceiling, I made a silent promise to myself. I would cherish the reminiscences of Ethan. However, I would not let them outline my future. There used to be a world of possibilities out there, and I owed it to myself to explore them, to discover my very own happiness, simply as Ethan had observed his.

Hello, I'm Mia. I'm a new student in a public high school, and everything feels so unfamiliar. I'm naturally quite shy, which makes it even more challenging to adapt to my new surroundings. This is a significant change for me, and it's taking some time to get used to everything.

Every day, I walk into school feeling a mix of emotions. There's a part of me that's excited about the new experiences and opportunities that lie ahead, but there's also a big part of me that feels overwhelmed by the new environment. It's like I'm stepping into a world where everyone else already knows the rules, and I’m just trying to figure things out.

It's been difficult for me to approach new people and start conversations. I often find myself standing on the sidelines, watching other students who seem to know each other well and have already formed tight-knit groups. They laugh, talk, and share stories while I struggle to find the courage to join in. It feels like there's an invisible barrier between me and the rest of the students.

Every morning, I feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. I'm eager to make new friends and become a part of the community, but my shyness holds me back. Walking through the crowded hallways, I sometimes feel invisible, hoping that someone will reach out to me, yet too nervous to make the first move myself. The noise and hustle of students moving to their next classes can be overwhelming, and I often feel like I'm drifting through the crowd, unnoticed.

In class, I tend to keep to myself, focusing on my work rather than engaging with my classmates. I listen attentively to the lessons, take notes diligently, and try to understand the material. However, when the teacher asks for group work or discussions, I find it challenging to participate actively. I worry about saying the wrong thing or not being accepted by my peers. This makes it hard for me to build connections during class time.

During lunch, I usually find a quiet corner to eat alone, feeling a bit isolated but unsure of how to change the situation. The cafeteria is bustling with students chatting and laughing, and it seems like everyone has a place to belong. I often bring a book to read or scroll through my phone to pass the time, but deep down, I wish I could be a part of the social interactions happening around me.

I'm really hoping that as time goes on, I'll find ways to break out of my shell, meet new people, and make friends who can help me feel more at home in this new school. I know that building relationships takes time, and I need to be patient with myself. Maybe I can start by joining a club or activity that interests me, where I might find others who share similar passions. I believe that with a bit of effort and courage, I can gradually open up and form meaningful connections.

In the meantime, I'm trying to stay positive and remind myself that it's okay to feel nervous and uncertain. Every new beginning is a challenge, and it's a part of growing and learning. I’m hopeful that soon, I'll look back on these early days and see how far I've come. Until then, I'll keep pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone, little by little, and embrace this new chapter in my life.

That was my experience for the past few weeks, being a loner. I never thought someone in my class would approach me. I spent my days sitting quietly in the corner of the classroom, watching the other students laugh and chat in their tight-knit groups. The sound of their laughter often made me feel even more isolated, like I was an invisible spectator in my own life. It felt as though a glass wall separated me from everyone else, and I couldn't find a way to break through it. My classmates were friendly enough, but they already had their established circles and didn't seem to notice the new girl sitting by herself.

Every morning, I walked into school with a knot of anxiety in my stomach, hoping that today would be different but knowing deep down that it wouldn’t be. The teachers were kind, the classes were interesting, but the loneliness was always there, lurking in the background. Lunchtimes were the hardest. I would sit by myself, picking at my food and pretending to read a book, trying to look busy so no one would notice that I was alone.

Then, out of nowhere, someone did approach me. That someone was Ethan, the boy who seemed to have it all. Ethan was well-known around school; his reputation preceded him. He was the kind of guy everyone admired—smart, kind, athletic, and always surrounded by friends. I had seen him many times, usually at the center of attention, whether he was acing a test, scoring the winning goal in a soccer match, or simply making everyone around him laugh. He had this magnetic energy about him that drew people in, and I never imagined someone like him would even know I existed.

One day, I was sitting at my usual spot in the back of the classroom, absorbed in a book, when I heard a voice beside me. "Hi, are you the new girl in class?" Ethan asked, his voice full of genuine curiosity and eagerness.

His question caught me off guard. I looked up from my book, my heart racing. Why would Ethan, of all people, want to talk to me? I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Uhmm, yeah, I'm the new girl," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. I could feel my cheeks burning with shyness, a wave of self-consciousness washing over me. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention, especially from someone like Ethan.

Ethan smiled warmly, a smile that seemed to light up his whole face. "I thought so. I’ve seen you around but never got the chance to say hello. How are you finding our school so far?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Part of me wanted to open up, to share how lonely I had been feeling, but I didn’t want to come across as needy or pathetic. "It's... okay, I guess. Still getting used to everything," I said, glancing down at my feet. The words felt inadequate to express the turmoil inside me, but they were all I could manage.

"Well, if you need any help with anything, just let me know," Ethan said with a sincerity that made me feel a little more at ease. "I'd be happy to show you around or introduce you to some people."

I managed a small smile, feeling a glimmer of hope for the first time in weeks. "Thanks, Ethan. That's really nice of you."

He grinned again, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of warmth and belonging. Maybe, just maybe, things were about to change. Maybe I wouldn’t have to be the lonely new girl anymore. As Ethan walked away, I felt a strange mixture of excitement and apprehension. Could this be the beginning of a new chapter in my life?

The next day, Ethan kept his promise. During lunch, he waved me over to his table. I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding, before walking over. His friends, who I had seen from afar but never interacted with, greeted me warmly. They were curious about my background, asking where I was from and what I liked to do. The conversation flowed easily, and for the first time, I felt like I was part of something.

Over the next few days, Ethan continued to include me in his group. He introduced me to more people, and soon I found myself chatting with classmates I had previously only watched from a distance. Each day, I felt a little more confident, a little more comfortable in my new environment. The loneliness that had been my constant companion began to fade, replaced by a sense of connection and belonging.

Ethan’s kindness didn’t stop there. He helped me with my schoolwork, explaining things I didn’t understand and encouraging me to join clubs and activities. He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me, and his support gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone. I joined the school’s book club, participated in group projects, and even signed up for the soccer team, something I had never imagined I would do.

Looking back, I realized that Ethan's simple act of reaching out had changed everything. It wasn’t just that he had made me feel welcome; he had given me the confidence to be myself and to believe that I could find my place in this new school. The days of sitting alone in the corner of the classroom were behind me, replaced by a future full of possibilities and new friendships. And for that, I would always be grateful to Ethan, the boy who had everything but chose to share it with me.