05. Ethan

The morning sun cast a warm glow on the path as Aria made her way to the test site, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. She clutched her application tightly, determined to prove herself. Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly bumped into something large and solid, causing her to stumble and drop her papers.

“Whoa there!” a deep voice exclaimed.

Aria looked up to see a majestic horse towering over her. A man quickly dismounted and approached her. “I’m so sorry,” he said, extending a hand to help her up.

Aria accepted his hand, feeling a rush of warmth at his touch. As she stood, she took in his striking appearance: dark green eyes that seemed to see right through her, and tousled blond hair that caught the sunlight. He had a strong, chiseled jawline and a confident, easy smile that made her heart skip a beat. She blushed, a mix of embarrassment and shyness overtaking her.

“Thank you,” she managed to say, her voice a little shaky.

“No problem at all. I didn’t expect anyone to be on this path so early,” he replied, his tone friendly. “I’m Ethan.”

“Aria,” she said, meeting his gaze. The intensity of his eyes made her heart flutter.

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Ethan glanced at the scattered papers and bent down to help her gather them. “Are you heading to the test site?” he asked, handing her the last of her papers.

“Yes, I am,” she confirmed, trying to steady her breathing. “It’s a big day for me.”

“Well then, you mustn’t be late,” Ethan said with a grin. “How about I give you a ride? It’s the least I can do after nearly knocking you over.”

Aria hesitated, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had never ridden a horse before, let alone with a stranger who made her heart race. “Um, sure, that would be... nice,” she finally agreed.

Ethan helped her onto the horse, his hands firm yet gentle. Once she was seated, he mounted behind her, his arms lightly grazing her sides as he took the reins. Aria’s heart pounded even harder, a strange but delightful tickle in her chest—a sensation she realized might be the first stirrings of love.

As they rode towards the test site, Ethan engaged her in conversation, his voice warm and soothing. “So, what brings you to the test today?” he asked.

“I’ve always wanted to prove myself as a technician,” Aria explained, trying to keep her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. “This is my chance to show what I can do.”

Ethan nodded, genuinely interested. “That’s impressive. Not many have the courage to chase their dreams, especially in the face of opposition.”

Aria glanced over her shoulder, catching his sincere gaze. “Thank you, Ethan. That means a lot.”

They reached the test site, and Ethan dismounted gracefully before extending a hand to help Aria down. “Good luck,” he said, his smile sincere and eyes twinkling with admiration. “I have a feeling you’re going to do great.”

“Thank you,” Aria replied, her heart skipping a beat. “I’ll do my best.”

As she walked towards the gathering area, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of confidence and excitement. Ethan’s words and presence had bolstered her spirits, giving her the extra push she needed to face the challenge ahead. She glanced back one more time and saw him watching her with a smile, making her feel as if she had already won half the battle.