When the Heart Stays

Chapter 5

Maya woke up to the soft sound of birds outside her window. She couldn't remember when she had actually fallen asleep last night. The sun was still low, spreading a warm glow over the old curtains she used to hate as a teenager.

She turned on her side, hugging the pillow to her chest. Even though her body felt tired, her mind was alive — memories of last night flashing over and over. Dinner had been a blur of glances and awkward smiles. She could still feel Ethan’s gaze on her, even when she pretended not to look.

Why does he still make me feel like this? she thought. She pressed her face deeper into the pillow, as if it might hide the blush creeping up her cheeks.

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Maya was in the kitchen helping Lily arrange the fruit bowl when she heard the front door swing open.

Mrs. Bennett’s familiar laugh filled the hallway first, followed by Mr. Bennett’s cheerful voice.

“We’re home!” Mrs. Bennett called out, her tone full of warmth and excitement.

Lily dropped the apple she was holding and dashed into the hallway. “Mom! Dad!” she yelled, wrapping her arms around them before they could even set down their bags.

Maya stepped out slowly, her heart pounding.

Mrs. Bennett’s eyes lit up as soon as she saw her. “Maya! Oh, look at you!” She opened her arms wide, and Maya hurried forward into her hug.

“You look so grown up! And so beautiful,” she said, stepping back to look at her properly, eyes glistening.

Mr. Bennett stepped in next, his grin big and genuine. “There’s my favorite extra daughter,” he teased, pulling her into a warm, fatherly hug.

Lily came over, smiling wide, clearly happy to have her whole family back together again. The room felt warm and alive, like the heart of the house had started beating again.

They all moved into the living room, talking over each other with stories about the trip, the funny people they met, the new places they explored. Lily showed them little trinkets she’d picked up around town, while Mrs. Bennett handed out small gifts from Oregon.

In the middle of it all, Ethan came down the stairs quietly.

He didn’t say anything at first. He just stood there at the bottom, his eyes finding Maya right away.

She was sitting on the edge of the couch, her fingers twisting together in her lap, her eyes shining as she listened to his mum.

He felt something shift inside him.

She looked so gentle in that moment — soft hair falling around her face, her smile hesitant but real.

When they were kids, he used to pass her in the hallway and catch her staring. Sometimes she would pretend to doodle in her sketchbook, but he always noticed the way her eyes followed him, almost afraid to meet his gaze fully.

Back then, he thought it was cute. Sweet. But he didn’t let himself think too deeply about it — he was older, focused on college, on getting out of their small town.

Now, standing here, he realized how much he had missed those quiet glances.

He didn’t realize he was staring until his mother called out, “Ethan! Come here and greet us properly.”

He snapped back, moving forward with a small laugh. He hugged his mom, then his dad, letting them fuss over how he looked thinner or more tired. But his mind stayed fixed on her.

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Ethan’s POV

He tried to focus on his parents’ stories, but it was no use.

Every small movement she made, he noticed. The way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the way her eyes crinkled when she laughed at something his dad said.

She looked like she belonged here more than anyone. And it pulled at something deep in him — something he didn’t know he had missed so much.

He remembered her back in high school, the girl always hiding behind her sketchbook, glancing at him when she thought no one noticed. Back then, he didn’t let himself look too closely.

Now, it was he who couldn’t look away.

He wanted to ask her about her art, her life in Chicago, if she still drank that weird lemon tea she loved as a teen. But he couldn’t form the words. Every question felt too heavy, too dangerous.

And then his phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the moment.

He looked down: Nathaniel.

He answered quickly, his voice lower than usual. “Yeah?”

“Hey, man! I just got into town early. Any chance you can swing by and grab me?” Nathaniel’s cheerful voice carried through the line.

Ethan glanced at his parents, then at Maya, who was quietly arranging the little souvenirs on the coffee table.

“Yeah,” he said after a pause. “I’ll come get you.”

When he hung up, he turned to the group. “I need to pick up Nathaniel. He just arrived.”

Lily waved her hand. “Go ahead! Tell him to come by later if he wants.”

Mrs. Bennett was already gathering tea cups. Mr. Bennett started teasing Lily about her driving skills.

Maya just looked up at him for a second. Their eyes met — quick, electric, like a secret only they knew.

Ethan felt his throat tighten but he managed to mask it.

He stepped toward the door, his keys in hand, but before he crossed the threshold, he stole one last glance at her.

She was still looking at him, her lips parted just slightly, like she wanted to say something. But she didn’t.

And neither did he.

Outside, the cool evening air hit him, but it did nothing to clear his head.

As he slid into his car and started driving, his mind refused to move on. Nathaniel’s jokes and stories would have to wait.

All he could think about was Maya — the softness in her eyes, the warmth in her laugh, the gentle shape of her hands on the table.

He didn’t know when he had started wanting more than small hallway smiles and polite conversation.

But today, it felt too big to ignore.