TRAILS OF THE HEART
As the days passed, the entire town of Walsvile grew more excited about the decision Ethan would soon make.
Everyone was preparing.
Women searched for the most beautiful dresses. Mothers styled their daughters' hair carefully, hoping they would stand out. Some families even bought gifts for Ethan, hoping their kindness would influence his decision.
But Ethan himself remained calm.
He never rushed anything. Whenever people greeted him, he simply smiled politely and returned their greetings.
One peaceful morning, Ethan decided to take a walk through the nearby forest.
As he passed beneath a tall apple tree, he suddenly heard a small cry above him.
"Ah!"
Looking up quickly, he saw Tiffany reaching for an apple high in the branches. Her foot slipped, and she began to fall.
Without thinking, Ethan rushed forward and caught her just in time.
He helped her stand safely on the ground.
"What were you doing up there alone?" he asked, slightly amused. "Where are your friends?"
Tiffany brushed leaves from her dress and answered calmly.
"They went to class," she said. "I got bored… so I climbed the tree."
Ethan laughed softly and set her down properly.
She thanked him, feeling a strange warmth flutter inside her chest.
They talked for a while as they walked slowly through the forest. Ethan asked her what she enjoyed doing, and Tiffany happily spoke about music and her dreams.
But after some time she suddenly remembered something.
"My class!" she exclaimed.
Quickly saying goodbye, she ran toward the university.
Ethan watched her disappear down the path and smiled slightly.
She reminded him of his younger sister… before she had died.
A little further down the road, Ethan noticed someone familiar in the distance.
It was Rose.
He was about to call her name when he saw that she was not alone.
Mathews was standing with her.
Ethan paused, wondering what they were talking about.
Suddenly, Rose raised her hand and slapped Mathews across the face.
"Leave me alone!" she shouted angrily. "I've found someone far more worthy than you."
Ethan felt uncomfortable watching the scene.
He walked closer and spoke firmly.
"That is not how you reject someone," he said. "Even if you are upset."
Rose fell silent.
Mathews nodded respectfully toward Ethan before quietly walking away.
Ethan looked back at Rose.
"I heard that you were kind and gentle," he said. "But what I just saw… does not fit someone like you."
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked away.
Behind him, Rose sank to the ground and began to cry.
She knew she had made a mistake.
Meanwhile, after finishing her class, Tiffany spotted Ethan walking quickly down the street.
He looked angry.
She called out to him, but he didn't stop.
Instead, Ethan walked straight to the library, where Luna was quietly reading.
Without saying much, he grabbed her arm and pulled her outside.
"Ethan?" Luna asked, confused. "What's wrong?"
He looked frustrated.
"You lied to me about Rose," he said sharply.
Before Luna could explain, Ethan turned and began walking quickly toward a nearby construction site.
"Ethan, wait!" Luna called after him. "That area isn't safe!"
But he refused to listen.
As he stepped forward, the ground beneath him suddenly gave way.
Ethan slipped and fell into a deep pit.
"Ethan!" Luna shouted.
She quickly found a rope nearby and tried to pull him out.
But as she leaned forward, the loose dirt beneath her feet collapsed.
She fell into the pit as well.
For a while they both tried shouting for help.
But the construction site was empty.
No one could hear them.
Eventually, they sat down, exhausted from calling out.
Hours passed.
The air grew colder as night approached, and Luna began to shiver.
Without saying anything, Ethan removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.
They sat quietly for a long time.
Occasionally they talked—about small things, about their lives, about the town.
At one point Ethan looked at her carefully.
Luna's eyes slowly began to close as sleep took over.
Before long, she leaned gently against his shoulder.
And fell asleep.
After such a long night, Ethan eventually closed his eyes too.
The next morning, construction workers finally arrived at the site.
When they noticed the two of them trapped in the pit, they quickly helped them climb out.
Embarrassed and exhausted, Luna hurried home without saying much to Ethan.
She didn't even look back.