The next morning, Maya woke with a smile already on her face.
She lay in bed for a moment, replaying the fireworks.
Ethan's smile.
His words.
"I'm really glad I met you."
She covered her face with her pillow, unable to stop smiling.
"Maya!" her mother called from downstairs.
"Breakfast!"
"I'm coming!"
She hurried downstairs.
Her mother took one look at her and grinned.
"You look suspiciously happy."
Maya nearly choked on her toast.
"I do not."
"Oh, you definitely do."
Before Maya could answer, someone knocked on the door.
She opened it.
It was Lily.
"You'll never believe what happened!" Lily burst out.
"What?"
"The festival committee is looking for volunteers to help clean up today. They even pay a small amount."
Maya's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Lily nodded excitedly.
"Come on!"
Within an hour, the girls were helping collect decorations and pack up festival booths.
As they worked, Maya noticed Ethan carrying heavy boxes with a few other volunteers.
He spotted her.
Their eyes met.
Without saying a word, they both smiled.
Lily looked between them.
Then slowly raised an eyebrow.
"Oh..."
"What?"
"So that's what's going on."
Maya pretended not to understand.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Lily laughed.
"Sure you don't."
Later that afternoon, the volunteers gathered to receive their payment.
It wasn't much.
But for Maya, every little bit mattered.
As everyone began leaving, Ethan caught up with her.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"I was wondering..."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Would you maybe want to study together sometime this week?"
Maya smiled.
"I'd like that."
"Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow."
Just then, an elderly man carrying several bags stumbled nearby.
Without thinking, Maya and Ethan rushed over.
"Sir, are you okay?" Maya asked.
"I'm fine," the old man said with a gentle laugh. "These bags are just heavier than I expected."
"We'll carry them," Ethan said.
Together, they walked the man home.
When they arrived, he thanked them warmly.
"Kindness always finds its way back to those who give it."
His words stayed with Maya as she and Ethan walked home together.
Neither of them realized someone had been watching from across the street.
A young man stood silently beside a parked motorcycle.
His eyes followed Maya.
His expression was unreadable.
"So..."
he whispered.
"I finally found you."
To be continued...