Chapter 5: The Shift

The following days felt… strange.

Not bad. Not good. Just different.

Liam couldn’t figure out why the library felt too quiet when Ethan wasn’t around, or why the group chats suddenly seemed dull when Ethan didn’t reply with one of his annoying jokes.

He told himself it was just habit after all, they’d been spending so much time together because of the project. Anyone would get used to it, right?

But then again, not everyone’s heart skipped a beat when their “rival” smiled at them across the room.

It started small.

During class, Liam found himself glancing at Ethan’s seat more often than he meant to.

Sometimes, Ethan caught him and would grin like he knew exactly what Liam was thinking.

“Enjoying the view, Reyes?” he’d whisper, smirking.

Liam would scoff. “In your dreams.”

But the truth was… maybe he was.

One afternoon, while reviewing their presentation, Ethan leaned over his shoulder, pointing at the laptop screen.

Their arms brushed just a light touch but Liam felt it like electricity.

He froze, unable to move, while Ethan kept talking, completely unaware of the storm that touch caused.

“See? If we adjust the chart here”

“Yeah,” Liam cut in quickly, standing up to grab something from his bag, even though he didn’t need anything. His pulse was racing.

What was wrong with him?

Meanwhile, Ethan had his own confusion.

He used to love teasing Liam because it made him angry it was fun, easy.

But now, when Liam frowned, it didn’t feel as satisfying.

It made him want to laugh less and… reach out more.

During lunch, he’d catch himself waiting for Liam to show up.

When he did, something in Ethan’s chest would ease, just a little.

He didn’t understand it. Didn’t want to.

Later that week, they presented their science project together perfectly in sync, trading lines, finishing each other’s sentences without realizing it.

Their classmates whispered again:

“They’re weirdly good together.”

“Didn’t they hate each other before?”

After class, Ethan nudged him playfully. “Admit it. We make a great team.”

Liam looked away, trying not to smile. “You just followed my lead.”

“Oh, sure,” Ethan said, grinning. “Keep telling yourself that.”

But his voice was softer this time almost gentle.

That evening, it rained.

They shared an umbrella as they walked home, shoulders brushing, footsteps splashing through puddles.

Ethan was talking about something a movie, maybe but Liam wasn’t really listening.

All he could think about was how close Ethan was.

How their hands kept brushing when the wind shifted.

How it felt… comfortable.

Ethan suddenly looked up at him. “You’re quiet again.”

“I’m thinking.”

“About what?”

Liam hesitated. “Nothing important.”

But his heart knew that was a lie.

Ethan smiled, eyes soft. “You always say that when something’s bothering you.”

“I said it’s nothing,” Liam murmured.

For a moment, the only sound was the rain gentle, steady, falling between their silence.

Then Ethan spoke, barely above a whisper.

“You know… sometimes, I forget why we started fighting in the first place.”

Liam looked at him, really looked. The rain reflected in Ethan’s eyes like tiny stars.

“Yeah,” he said quietly. “Me too.”

That night, Liam lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Ethan laughing, smiling, standing in the rain.

He tried to shake the thought away, but it clung to him, warm and restless.

He didn’t understand what was happening.

All he knew was that something had changed.

And maybe just maybe he didn’t want it to change back.

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