Fire in His Eyes
The sun was setting behind the trees, casting golden streaks across the backyard as the pool lights flickered on. The sound of splashing, laughter, and music filled the humid air. Mia sat near the edge of the pool, her legs dipped in the water, the heat of the day slowly fading off her skin.
"Miaaa," Lila called, skipping out from the sliding doors. "Guess who's sleeping over for a few days?"
Jade stepped out behind her, all legs and confidence, in a bikini that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover.
"You remember Jade, right?" Lila added, beaming. "She begged to come."
Jade smiled at Mia. "Hey. It's been forever."
Mia gave a polite smile. "Yeah. Welcome back."
But Jade's eyes had already moved past her — to Ethan, who had just walked out with a bottle of water in hand and his shirt tossed over his shoulder. His damp hair was pushed back, his expression calm, casual, as if he didn't notice half the girls pausing to look.
Jade wasn't subtle. "Oh my god," she whispered. "He got hotter."
"He's like five years older," Mia muttered.
"Exactly."
"Don't get your hopes up," Zara said, tossing a towel over her shoulder.
Mia flinched a little at that.
Ethan walked over to them with an easy smile. "You all good out here?"
Lila nodded, but Jade spoke first. "You probably don't remember me…"
"I do," Ethan said, not unkindly. "Jade, right?"
She lit up. "Yup. Good memory."
Ethan's gaze briefly drifted to Mia. "You're not swimming?"
"I was waiting for everyone to settle," Mia said, shrugging.
He stepped closer, tugging lightly at the end of her towel. "You always do that — watch first, join last."
"Maybe I like observing."
Ethan raised a brow. "Observing, huh?"
Mia didn't answer. She wasn't sure if he was teasing or just making conversation. But the way his voice dropped slightly — not on purpose, just… naturally — made her stomach tighten.
Before anything else could be said, Eli appeared, walking out with a slow, lazy stride.
"Evening, ladies. Ethan," he nodded. "Pool party without me?"
"You're late," Ethan said.
"I'm not late," Eli said, eyes briefly meeting Mia's. "I'm just on time."
He took a seat near the pool, not too close — but his presence was immediate. He didn't say much more, just watched the group settle, watched Mia more than once.
Jade was all energy, splashing and calling for Ethan to swim. He waved her off with a lazy smile but didn't move. Instead, he sat beside Mia.
"You're quiet," he said under his breath.
"I'm always quiet."
"Not with me."
She looked at him. "I used to tell you everything."
His smile faded a little. "I know. Then you stopped."
Mia felt her throat tighten. "Maybe you stopped listening."
He looked at her for a beat. "That's fair."
The silence between them wasn't heavy — just there. Familiar. Unspoken things in the air.
"You still like the stars?" he asked randomly, looking up at the darkening sky.
"I never stopped."
"You used to drag me out to the porch at night. Make me sit there for hours."
"You never complained."
"I liked the way you talked when you forgot I was listening."
Mia blinked. That one made her pause.
He stood, tossing her a fresh towel. "Come in for a bit. Then sleep. You look tired."
"You sound like my dad."
Ethan grinned. "Nah. Just your annoying older brother."
Mia nodded, but the word brother stung a little more tonight.
They didn't swim. Not really. She dipped in for a few minutes. Jade kept trying to get Ethan's attention. Eli floated like a shadow, watching, but not pushing. And when the music died down and the lights went off, everyone drifted inside, yawning and wrapped in towels.
Mia changed in the room she always used, the one with the pale blue curtains and the extra pillows. She brushed her hair in silence. Listened to footsteps in the hallway.
A soft knock came at her door.
She opened it to see Ethan holding a folded blanket.
"For your bed," he said. "The A/C's cranked too high."
"Thanks," she said, taking it from him.
He didn't leave right away.
"Sleep good, okay?" he said, voice low, eyes warm. "We're all glad you're here."
"I know," she said softly. "Me too."
He gave her one more look — something lingering, something unreadable — and turned away.
Mia closed the door, her heart beating too fast.
She slipped under the blanket, but sleep didn't come easily.
Because something was changing.
And she could feel it.