Chapter 3: Cracks in the Wall

The next few days at Saint Crest felt… different.

It wasn’t anything big no dramatic confessions, no sudden change in how they acted. But something in the air had shifted.

Liam noticed it first.

When he passed Ethan in the hallway, Ethan didn’t tease him the way he used to. He just smiled a real one, soft and easy, like they shared some kind of secret. And for reasons he couldn’t explain, Liam found himself smiling back.

He told himself it meant nothing. That they were just getting used to working together. That was all.

But every time he caught himself glancing in Ethan’s direction, every time Ethan’s laughter echoed across the classroom and Liam’s chest tightened a little it became harder to believe his own excuses.

During lunch, Ethan dropped his tray down across from him. “Hey, partner.”

Liam looked up, confused. “You’re sitting here now?”

“Obviously,” Ethan said, unwrapping his sandwich. “You eat alone every day. It’s tragic.”

Liam raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I like eating alone.”

Ethan leaned forward, grinning. “No one actually likes eating alone.”

Liam wanted to argue but when he looked at Ethan, really looked, the words wouldn’t come. Ethan’s smile was bright and real, his eyes full of something Liam couldn’t quite name.

He sighed. “Fine. Just don’t talk with your mouth full.”

Ethan saluted playfully. “Yes, sir.”

Later that week, they worked on their science fair presentation in the library again. This time, there was less arguing. More quiet. More small, almost unnoticed moments that felt strangely comfortable.

“Your handwriting’s terrible,” Liam muttered, peering at Ethan’s notes.

Ethan laughed. “It’s called personality.”

“It’s called illegible.”

“Whatever, Mr. Perfect.”

Liam rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile. Ethan saw it and for some reason, it made his chest feel warm.

As the hours passed, they found themselves talking less about the project and more about everything else.

Ethan told him about his little sister, how she liked to draw but always stole his markers. Liam listened quietly, nodding now and then, secretly amused by the way Ethan’s eyes lit up when he talked about her.

In return, Liam mentioned almost hesitantly that he used to spend hours at the local observatory as a kid, staring at the stars.

Ethan tilted his head. “You? The serious science guy who acts like emotions are illegal?”

Liam chuckled softly, surprising even himself. “Stars aren’t emotions.”

“Maybe not,” Ethan said, smiling. “But you sound different when you talk about them.”

Liam didn’t reply. He didn’t know how.

The following afternoon, it started to rain. The kind of steady drizzle that made the world feel smaller, quieter.

They worked by the window, the sound of raindrops filling the silence between them.

Ethan glanced outside. “I used to love the rain as a kid. My mom said it made everything feel cleaner.”

Liam looked up from his notes. “Do you still think that?”

Ethan shrugged. “I don’t know. These days it just makes me feel… stuck, I guess.”

Something in his voice softened something Liam hadn’t heard before. Without thinking, Liam said quietly, “Then maybe you just need someone to walk through it with you.”

Ethan blinked, surprised. Their eyes met.

For a second, neither moved. The rain kept falling.

Then Ethan smiled not teasing this time, not playful, just warm. “Maybe you’re right.”

When Liam got home that night, he couldn’t focus on anything. His mind kept replaying little moments Ethan’s smile, the way he’d said maybe you’re right, the sound of rain in the background.

He didn’t understand what was happening.

All he knew was that something about Ethan felt different now.

Or maybe he felt different.

Either way, the wall between them the one built on pride, competition, and stubborn denial had started to crack.

And neither of them seemed in a hurry to fix it.

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