Chapter 5 : Unexpected Connections

Chapter 5: Unexpected Connections

In the aftermath of the party, Mia found herself caught in the ebb and flow of her emotions. Gratitude toward Ethan lingered in her heart, a silent acknowledgment of his unexpected heroism. She pulled away from their hug, her voice filled with sincere appreciation, "Thank you for saving me, Ethan." Ethan's response was simple but filled with a protective edge, "Don't roam alone, Mia. Not in these crowds. And go wash your face; you shouldn't let anyone see you like this."She nodded, her steps purposeful as she made her way to the washroom.

The cold water washed away the remnants of fear, leaving behind a sense of renewal. When she emerged, Ethan was waiting outside, his presence reassuring."Why are you still here?" Mia asked, genuinely curious."Some people are drunk out there," Ethan explained, his eyes scanning the hallway, ever watchful. "I wanted to make sure they wouldn't bother you." Gratitude welled up in Mia once more. "Thank you for everything," she said, her voice soft but sincere...

On the next day The university corridors echoed with the usual chaos of students rushing to their classes. Mia, her headache a dull throb behind her temples, clung to her determination to attend lectures despite her discomfort. As she walked, the memory of the previous night lingered, intertwining with her thoughts like an unshakable shadow.

Lily, her ever-observant friend, noticed Mia's distracted state. "Hey are you okay there?" Lily inquired, her brow furrowing in concern.

Mia shook her head, attempting to dismiss her friend's worries. "I just don't feel great today," she replied, her voice strained with the effort to sound normal.

Their professor's lecture seemed to stretch endlessly, the words blurring into an incomprehensible jumble. Mia's headache intensified, each word pounding against her skull. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she excused herself and made her way to the infirmary.

Inside, the clinical scent of antiseptic greeted her. Mia's footsteps were the only sound in the room as she sought out the medicine she desperately needed. She found it, a tiny relief in the midst of her pain. In her search for a place to rest, she noticed another figure in the room, partially hidden by the curtains. It was Ethan, his eyes closed in a peaceful slumber.

Despite her own discomfort, Mia felt a surge of sympathy for him. With careful steps, she approached Ethan, noticing the vulnerability in his half-asleep state. Her instincts kicked in, and she gently covered him with an extra blanket nearby.

Just as she finished, Ethan stirred, his grip closing around her hand. His eyes flickered open, confusion clouding them. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice laced with sleep.

"I came for medicine, and I saw you here," Mia explained, her voice soft. "I thought you might catch a cold."

Ethan regarded her for a moment, his expression a mix of surprise and something she couldn't quite decipher. Slowly, he released her hand and sat up, his eyes meeting hers. "Thanks," he muttered, the word carrying more weight than its syllables implied.

As Mia settled on a nearby bed, an awkward silence fell between them. "You skipped class too?" she asked, attempting to break the tension, her lips curving into a small smile.

Ethan nodded, his lips quirking slightly. "Boring lectures aren't my thing."

Their conversation ebbed and flowed, the initial tension dissipating like fog under the morning sun. Mia found herself feeling more at ease around Ethan, the layers of assumptions slowly peeling away.

"Are you okay now. last night you were so scared"? Ethan said suddenly, his voice soft.

Mia nodded, grateful for his concern. "I'm fine now, thanks to you."

Ethan fell silent, his gaze distant, lost in some unspoken thought. Mia hesitated before broaching a topic that had been on her mind. "Ethan, why did you help me last night? How did you know something was wrong?"

"I had an urgent call," he replied, his eyes meeting hers. "Your voice caught my attention."

Mia's curiosity piqued, but before she could delve deeper, she felt the need to express her gratitude. "I appreciate your help, really. I misjudged you before. I thought you might be like your father."

Ethan's demeanor shifted, his eyes darkening with an emotion she couldn't pinpoint. "I'm not my father," he said firmly, his words laden with a mix of frustration and defiance. "I'm not anyone else either. Just me. Don't assume you know who I am."

Guilt washed over Mia as she realized the weight of her assumptions. Before she could apologize, Ethan stood abruptly, his tone harsher than before. "Don't act friendly with me just because I helped you. I'm not looking for a friend."

With those words, he left the infirmary, leaving Mia in a swirl of conflicted emotions. She sank back onto the bed, replaying their conversation in her mind. As the door closed behind him, she made a silent promise to herself. She would unravel the layers of Ethan's complexity, peeling away the stereotypes and assumptions until she understood the person he truly was. It wouldn't be easy, but Mia was determined to see the real Ethan, beyond the shadows of his past and the expectations of others.

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