Ethan had finally decided to confess his feelings to Lyla. But the moment he stood in front of her… words failed him. His lips trembled, his voice disappeared, and all he could offer was silence.
Seeing this, his friends teased him, "Just let it go, man. At least message her online if you can't speak in person." But Ethan refused.
Then one friend warned him, "If you don't tell her today, someone else will take your place tomorrow."
That hit him hard — the fear of losing her forever. The fear of watching her walk away with someone else. And that very night, with trembling fingers, he sent her a simple SMS:
"I like you… more than just a friend."
Lyla replied after a while:
"I don't have those kinds of feelings for you…"
Just one sentence — yet it shattered Ethan's heart.
---
Days passed. College resumed. Ethan and Lyla saw each other almost every day, face to face… but not a word was exchanged. Only fleeting eye contact that hurt more than silence. Lyla walked her path. Ethan walked his.
He tried to forget her. Tried meeting new people, making new friends — even talking to beautiful girls… but none of them made his heart race like she did.
Only Lyla had that power.
He knew deep down she would probably never say 'yes' to him… but his heart still clung to her image. He wanted to talk to her again, to meet her like before — but courage failed him every time.
Eventually, he sent her another message…
She saw it — and never replied.
That was when Ethan finally gave up hope.
---
But fate, as always, had its own plans.
A college event brought them face-to-face again. Their eyes met across the room — and this time, Lyla spoke.
Ethan felt alive again. He wanted to talk more, laugh again — but Lyla's friends were always with her, leaving him with no chance to talk to her in private.
Through some mutual friends, Ethan learned something —
Lyla liked guys who worked out — gym freaks, bodybuilders.
And that was all Ethan needed to know.
---
Despite his family's weak financial condition, Ethan couldn't afford a gym membership. So, he started working out at home every day, drenched in sweat — chasing change. Months passed, but there were no big differences… only slight muscle lines on his chest when he took off his shirt. Still, he wasn't satisfied.
Until one day, he overheard that Lyla admired soldiers.
That made his heart leap.
He smiled again — not because he had become one, but because now he had something more to strive for. Something to be proud of.
His friends were stunned. Ethan, the guy who barely completed his sentences… who avoided everyone since day one… was now a man on a mission