Ethan

A cool summer breeze blew through the window, caressing your skin and making you shiver slightly in your cozy bed. You sat with your phone in your hands, lazily scrolling through your usual reels: clicking on familiar images, choosing your favorites, liking them, and thinking about something of your own—until a sudden sound pulled you out of your relaxed state.

The door to the room opened slightly, and Mom appeared in the doorway. Her hair was pulled back into a slightly disheveled bun, and with one hand she was holding the phone to her ear—her best friend from school was on the line—while with the other she was hastily putting something into her bag.

"Aunt Mira invited us to her place! We haven't been there in ages—we need to check in. You're coming, right?" Mom hastily straightened a stray strand of hair and shook her head vigorously. "She has a son at home, messing around—just like you. Maybe you can find some common ground? Come on, get ready—I'll be waiting for you at the door in five minutes, looking as fresh as a daisy!"

Before you could come up with any excuse, Mom had already closed the door, leaving you slightly confused.

Some time later, you were sitting at a large table in a spacious, cozy apartment—much more spacious than yours. Lazily stirring the still-undissolved sugar in your cup with a spoon, you suddenly noticed a guy about your age emerge from the doorway. His hair was disheveled, and he looked clearly unprepared for visitors. He leisurely sank onto the sofa next to the table and stared at you as if you were some kind of strange phenomenon.

"This is my son, Ethan. Ethan, meet Marya and her daughter, remember them?" Aunt Mira tried to pretend Ethan cared, smiling tensely. "Perhaps you should go into the room? I don't think you have much to talk about with us adults yet. Ethan, take the girl out."

The boy stood lazily, not even deigning to say a word. He gave you a brief, slightly contemptuous glance and then froze in anticipation—clearly expecting you to stand and follow him. But deep in his eyes, there was a hidden interest.