Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The First Message

The following morning, the weather was much brighter than the day before. Sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, filling the room with warmth that made the students unusually energetic. Conversations echoed across the classroom as everyone settled into their seats, but Amelia barely paid attention.

Her eyes kept drifting toward the empty desk near the back.

Ethan was still absent.

She immediately looked away when she realized what she was doing.

Why should she care?

He was probably at home enjoying an unexpected day off while everyone else suffered through classes.

That explanation sounded reasonable enough.

Unfortunately, it didn't stop her from noticing his absence throughout the day.

Whenever a teacher asked a question, she found herself expecting an unnecessary joke from the back of the room. During lunch, she instinctively glanced toward the table where Ethan usually sat with his friends. Even the hallway felt strangely quieter.

It was ridiculous.

The boy had been gone for less than two days.

By the time school ended, Amelia was already annoyed with herself.

She packed her books and headed toward the library to continue working on their project. Since Ethan wasn't there, she would have to organize everything herself.

At least, that was what she intended to do.

An hour later, Amelia was sitting alone at her usual table, surrounded by notebooks and research materials. She had finished reviewing several articles when her phone vibrated beside her.

A message appeared in the project group chat.

Ethan Hayes.

How's the project? Did the world end without me?

Amelia stared at the screen.

A few seconds passed.

Then a minute.

For some reason, she found herself typing a response.

No. The world is doing surprisingly well.

The reply appeared almost immediately.

Wow. That was rude.

Amelia rolled her eyes.

Just telling the truth.

You missed me.

Keep dreaming.

Another reply arrived.

That's not a denial.

Amelia stared at the screen for several seconds before locking her phone.

He was impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

Yet despite her irritation, she couldn't stop a small smile from appearing.

The conversation should have ended there.

Instead, twenty minutes later, Amelia found herself looking at her phone again.

The chat remained silent.

She hesitated.

Then opened a private conversation.

Her fingers hovered above the keyboard.

This was stupid.

Completely stupid.

Still, before she could change her mind, she typed a short message.

Did you finish today's notes?

The message was sent.

For a moment, Amelia simply stared at the screen.

Then panic arrived.

Why had she sent that?

She could have asked literally anyone else.

The message remained unread for nearly a minute.

Then Ethan finally replied.

Wait. Amelia Carter just texted me first?

She immediately regretted everything.

Forget it.

Nope. Too late. I already took a screenshot.

Delete it.

Never. This is a historic moment.

Amelia groaned quietly.

Some people truly did not deserve kindness.

A few seconds later, another message appeared.

And yes, I finished the notes. I'll send them.

Before she could respond, several photos arrived.

Amelia opened them.

The notes were neat.

Surprisingly neat.

Much neater than she had expected.

For a moment, she wondered if Ethan had borrowed them from someone else.

As if sensing her suspicion through the screen, another message appeared.

Yes, I wrote them myself.

How do you know what I'm thinking?

Because you've been making that exact face whenever you look at me for years.

Amelia stared at the message.

Then, despite herself, she laughed.

A real laugh.

The sound surprised even her.

For a few seconds, she simply sat there in the quiet library, staring at the conversation on her phone.

The strange thing was that texting Ethan felt different from talking to him in person.

Without the teasing grin and playful expressions, his words seemed lighter somehow.

Easier.

More genuine.

The realization made her pause.

Maybe she didn't know him as well as she thought.

The thought lingered in her mind long after she left the library that evening.

When she arrived home, she finished her homework and prepared for bed earlier than usual. Before turning off the lights, she checked her phone one last time.

A new message waited.

Good night, partner. Don't work too hard.

Amelia stared at the words.

No joke.

No teasing.

Just a simple message.

For some reason, her heart skipped slightly.

Only slightly.

She quickly typed a reply.

Good night. Get better soon.

After sending it, she immediately put down her phone and buried her face in her pillow.

A few seconds later, another message arrived.