Lily sat cross-legged on the plush carpet, her eyes fixed on the front door. The anticipation felt like a swarm of butterflies in her stomach, each flutter a mix of excitement and anxiety.
"Hi, I'm Ethan," he said shyly, his voice barely a whisper as he glanced at Lily.
Lily's heart skipped a beat. "Hello," she replied, her voice a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty, as she tried to muster a welcoming smile.
Lily watched as her family gathered around the table. Her eyes often drifted towards Ethan, who sat quietly, fiddling with his fork. "Do you like lasagna?" she asked, trying to bridge the gap.
"It's my favorite," Ethan replied, his face lighting up with a small smile.
Lily felt a pang of jealousy as her parents showered Ethan with attention. "Why does he get all the questions?" she muttered under her breath, her fork stabbing at her meal with a bit more force than necessary.
Lily's ears perked up as her mother gently spoke about Ethan's journey to their family. "He's been through a lot, and we're so happy to have him here," she explained, her voice filled with warmth and understanding.
Lily glanced at Ethan, who looked down at his plate, a hint of vulnerability crossing his face.
Lily approached Ethan as he helped clear the table. "Do you want to play with my toys tomorrow?" she offered, her voice tentative yet hopeful.
"I'd like that," Ethan replied, his eyes meeting hers with a newfound warmth.
