Ethan was a quiet boy. He was 17 years old and always sat at the back of the classroom. He loved to draw in his notebook — trees, birds, people… and sometimes, one special face.
He never said much in class. When the teacher asked questions, he answered in short words. Many students didn’t even notice him. But he noticed one person every day — Maya.
Maya was the opposite of Ethan. She was full of life, always laughing, always helping others. Her voice was loud, but sweet. She sat near the front and talked to everyone. Teachers liked her, students followed her.
But Ethan liked her in a different way. Since class nine, he felt something special when he saw her. His heart beat faster. His hands felt cold. He didn’t understand what it was at first. But slowly, he knew. It was love—quiet love.
Still, he never told her.
He thought, “She is a bright star. I am just a shadow.”
In their last school year, the English teacher gave group work. Everyone had to work in teams of four. When the list came out, Ethan saw his name beside Maya’s. His heart jumped.
“Oh no… what will I say? What if I look foolish?” he thought.
The next day, in the library, the group met. Maya smiled when she saw Ethan.
“Hi, Ethan! You’re in my group!” she said.
“H-Hi,” Ethan replied, his voice small.
During group work, Maya talked a lot. She told stories, asked questions, and laughed. Ethan listened, smiled sometimes, but mostly stayed quiet. Still, he liked being near her.
One afternoon, they stayed a little longer. Maya saw Ethan’s notebook.
“Can I see?” she asked.
Ethan nodded shyly.
She opened it and saw his drawings. Flowers, sky, small people walking… and one page had a sketch of a girl reading a book, smiling.
“This looks like me,” she said with a small laugh.
Ethan blushed. “It’s just a drawing.”
“You draw very well,” she said. “Why don’t you talk much?”
“I… don’t know,” he said. “Maybe I feel safe in silence.”
“That’s okay,” Maya replied. “Silence can be beautiful too.”
From that day, they talked more. Not much, but enough. Sometimes about books. Sometimes about school. Once, Maya told him, “You’re kind, Ethan. I feel calm when I talk to you.”
He smiled the whole evening after that.
But he still didn’t tell her the truth—that he had liked her for years.
Soon, the school year was ending. There was a farewell party. Students wore their best clothes. Ethan wore a white shirt. Maya wore a blue dress that made her eyes look like the sky.
Ethan stood near the wall, watching others laugh and take photos. His heart was heavy. He knew this might be the last time he saw her.
In his pocket, there was a small letter he had written the night before.
“Dear Maya,
I have liked you since class nine.
But I was too shy to say it.
You are like the sun, and I am just a cloud.
But even a cloud can carry light if it’s near the sun.”
His hands were shaking. But he walked up to her.
“Hi, Maya,” he said.
She turned and smiled. “Ethan! Why are you standing alone?”
“I have… something for you,” he said and gave her the letter.
Maya looked surprised. She took the letter and opened it slowly. She read it silently, her eyes moving line by line.
Then she looked at Ethan.
“You liked me… since class nine?” she asked softly.
Ethan nodded. His voice didn’t come out. His chest felt tight.
Maya was silent for a moment. Then she smiled, gently.
“I knew,” she said.
Ethan looked up in surprise. “You… knew?”
“Yes,” she said. “I saw your eyes every time you looked at me. I waited… and waited… and I hoped one day you would speak.”
Ethan’s eyes filled with tears, but he smiled. A warm smile. A real one.
The final school bell rang. It was loud and clear. Students were hugging, laughing, and crying.
But Maya and Ethan stood near the school gate, away from the crowd.
“I will miss this place,” Maya said, looking at the old school building.
“I will miss you,” Ethan said.
Maya reached into her small bag and took out a notebook.
“This is for you,” she said. “A new one. Fill it with drawings. And if you ever miss me… write in it.”
Ethan held it like a treasure. “Will I see you again?” he asked.
“I hope so,” Maya smiled. “But even if we don’t meet, I want you to remember something.”
“What?”
“You were never just a cloud. You brought peace, softness, and rain. That’s also beautiful.”
Ethan didn’t speak. He just looked at her, full of emotion.
They walked out of the gate side by side, not touching hands, but walking close. The street was quiet, the sun was low.
The last bell had rung, but for Ethan and Maya, something new had just begun.
