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SOMEONE FROM HEAVEN
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Lily had just finished delivering a small bundle of fireworks to Mrs. Donovan when she spotted Ethan leaning casually against the old oak tree near the house. She had seen him around the village before—always standing out, always trying to talk to her. She didn't liked the attention, so she could easily ignore.
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"Hey, Lily," Ethan called as she walked by, his tone smooth, as though they were old friends. "Where are you off to? Let me walk you home."
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Lily paused, glancing over at him. She had seen him many times trying to strike up a conversation, always with that confident air, that smile that seemed a little too practiced. It wasn’t that she didn’t notice him—she did—but she wasn’t about to fall into the same pattern as the other girls who always fawned over him.
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“I’m headed home,” she replied, her voice firm, not giving an inch.
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Ethan shrugged, stepping forward slightly. “Come on, it’s no trouble. I could use some company.”
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Lily’s eyes narrowed. She had heard this line before. He never really seemed to take “no” for an answer. It always felt like he thought he could charm his way into her time, into her attention, and she wasn’t in the mood to indulge him today.
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“You don’t get it, do you?” she said, stopping in her tracks and turning to face him directly. “You act like you’re from heaven, looking down at everyone else. Like you’re somehow above the rest of us.”
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Ethan blinked, taken aback by her bluntness, but Lily wasn’t done. She had spent too many days watching him strut around like he was the king of the village, and she wasn’t going to let him get away with it any longer.
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“You think your fancy clothes, your money, and your connections make you special,” she continued, her voice growing more heated. “But not everyone’s impressed by that. Not everyone needs you to try to fix everything for them.”
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Ethan opened his mouth, as if to protest, but she wasn’t finished.
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“You see the other boys like they’re beneath you, like they can’t even play on the dirt ground without making a mess. Well, guess what? They’ve got something you don’t. Realness. Something you can’t buy.”
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There was a beat of silence between them. Ethan was caught off guard, not used to this from her. She didn’t shy away from his gaze, her eyes steady and unyielding.
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“If you want to get to know people, Ethan, stop pretending like you're from a different world,” she added, her tone softer now but just as firm. “Start looking at us like we matter, because right now, you’re not even seeing us.”
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With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps steady as she headed toward her home, leaving Ethan standing there, frozen. His heart pounded in his chest, his mind reeling from the truth of her words. She didn’t want his pity or his attention. She wanted something deeper, something real—and for the first time in his life, Ethan wasn’t sure if he could give it to her.
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SCENE:THE STRUGGLE
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Ethan stood at the edge of the dirt field, his feet shifting uncomfortably. The other boys were laughing and running, their laughter echoing in his ears. He had never been a part of this—the dirt, the rough play, the feeling of being just like them. To Ethan, it felt like lowering himself to their level. He glanced at the other boys, his heart heavy. They were so carefree, so natural in this environment, while he felt like a stranger in his own skin.
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Lily’s words echoed in his mind: "You act like you're from heaven, and see others as trash who can't even play in the ground." She had been right. He had always kept his distance from them, thinking he was better, too good for the simple joys that came with being a part of something raw and real.
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But now, in this moment, he wanted to prove her wrong. He wanted to show Lily he could be someone who belonged, someone she could respect. Yet, the more he tried to step forward, the more the fear gripped him. What if they saw him as weak? What if they laughed at him for trying so hard to fit in?
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His pride kept pulling him back, urging him to stay away, to stay in his safe bubble of arrogance. But then, he thought about Lily—her smile, and the kindness in her eyes. It was his love for her that made him want to be a better man.
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Ethan let out a frustrated sigh and finally walked onto the field. His heart pounded in his chest as he joined the game, awkward at first, but determined to push past the discomfort.
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Ethan’s feet moved more naturally with each step, the awkwardness slowly fading as he got into the rhythm of the game. He hadn’t realized how freeing it felt, the dirt and sweat mixing with the energy of the other boys. For the first time, he wasn’t worried about being perfect or looking out of place. He was just... playing, and it felt good.
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As the game picked up pace, his eyes flicked to the side. Lily was walking by, with Peter eagerly greeting her, as usual. Ethan’s heart skipped a beat when he saw her. He couldn't help but notice the small surprise in her eyes when she saw him, but she quickly masked it, pretending not to notice him. She spoke to Peter casually, her focus elsewhere.
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A pang of hurt hit Ethan, but it also sparked a new kind of resolve. She wasn’t going to make this easy for him, and that was okay. He hadn’t earned her respect yet, but he was going to work for it. He played harder, louder, each movement now fueled by a mixture of frustration and determination to prove himself—both to her and to himself.
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Peter smiled at Lily, oblivious to Ethan’s inner turmoil, and for a brief moment, Ethan wished he could be as carefree as the others, someone who didn’t have to constantly prove anything. But he wasn’t there yet. For now, he just kept playing, letting the game speak for him.
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SCENE: PROGRESS IN MOTION
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The game raged on, the boys shouting and laughing, but Ethan's mind was a storm of thoughts. Every time his foot connected with the ball, he felt a small piece of his old self chipping away. The arrogance, the pride—it was all being left behind in the dust he kicked up with every sprint.
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But his eyes kept drifting back to Lily. She stood there, her arms crossed, talking to Peter like Ethan wasn’t even there. That stung more than any rough tackle or harsh word from the boys on the field. But maybe that’s what he deserved. He had ignored these people, dismissed their lives, and now he was the one trying to claw his way in.
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A sharp pass came his way, snapping him out of his thoughts. Instinctively, he trapped the ball with surprising ease, then dribbled past two boys before shooting it towards the makeshift goal. The ball flew in, hitting the net with a satisfying thud. The boys cheered, clapping him on the back, and for the first time, Ethan felt a genuine connection to them. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t fake. It was real.
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He glanced toward Lily again, hoping to catch her eye, but she was still engrossed in conversation with Peter. His heart sank, but he reminded himself—this wasn’t about instant results. He couldn’t expect her to forgive him overnight. Change wasn’t about one grand gesture; it was about consistency, proving over time that he was different.
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As the game wound down, Ethan sat on the edge of the field, wiping sweat from his brow. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting golden hues over the village. He watched as Lily finally said goodbye to Peter and began to walk away. For a split second, she turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting Ethan’s from across the field. There was no smile, no nod, just a brief, unreadable glance before she continued on her way.
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But that glance—it was enough. It wasn’t much, but it wasn’t nothing either. Ethan felt a small spark of hope ignite within him. The road ahead was long, but he was ready to walk it, no matter how hard it got.
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Because Lily was worth it. And maybe, just maybe, he was worth it too.
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SCENE: SMALL STEPS
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The next day, Ethan woke up early, determined to keep moving forward. He spent the morning helping Mrs. Kamau carry firewood to her house, something he would’ve never done before. She gave him a surprised look but didn’t say much, just nodded in thanks.
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Later, he joined some of the boys fixing a broken fence near the football field. They laughed and teased him at first, but Ethan didn’t mind. He laughed along, feeling like he was finally becoming part of the village.
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In the afternoon, he helped old Mr. Juma fetch water from the river. The buckets were heavy, and his arms ached, but Ethan didn’t complain. He knew these small actions mattered.
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As the sun began to set, Ethan passed by the market and spotted Lily talking with Peter again. His heart tightened, but he reminded himself—this wasn’t about rushing things. It was about showing who he was now.
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Lily didn’t look his way, but that was okay. Tomorrow was another day, and Ethan was ready to keep trying.
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SCENE: UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER
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The next morning, Ethan found himself back at the football field. The boys had invited him to play this time, and though he wasn’t used to playing on the rough, uneven dirt ground, he was actually a good player. He gave it his all, diving into the dirt, chasing after the ball, and laughing when he tripped over his own feet. For once, he didn’t care about looking foolish. The village boys started seeing him less as the distant, arrogant Ethan and more like one of their own.
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After the game, sweaty and breathless, Ethan decided to take a walk towards the river to cool off. As he reached the path lined with wildflowers, he heard familiar laughter up ahead. His steps slowed.
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There, by the water's edge, was Lily, her feet dipped into the cool stream, laughing softly to herself. Ethan’s heart thudded painfully, but instead of turning away, he took a deep breath and kept walking forward, his steps crunching softly on the pebbled path.
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Lily glanced up, her laughter fading as her eyes met his. For a moment, the world seemed to pause.
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Ethan stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to say. But Lily, instead of leaving, stayed seated, her gaze unreadable.
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“You play football now?” she asked, her voice neutral.
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Ethan shrugged, trying to seem casual. “Trying to,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Not very used to that kind of playground.”
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Lily raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Could’ve fooled me. That goal you scored yesterday wasn’t bad at all.”
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Ethan blinked, surprised. “You… you saw that?”
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Lily nodded, looking back at the water, the smile still lingering. “Yeah. You’re better than you let on.”
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Ethan chuckled softly, his heart lifting a little. “Guess I just needed the right crowd.”
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Lily’s smile faded as quickly as it had come. “People change, huh?”
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Ethan nodded, stepping closer but keeping a respectful distance. “Yeah. I’m trying to, at least.”
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Lily was silent for a few moments, staring at the ripples in the water. Ethan didn’t rush to fill the gap. He just stood there, letting the quiet settle between them like a fragile truce.
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Finally, Lily spoke again, her voice softer this time. “Well… we’ll see, won’t we?”
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Ethan smiled, a flicker of hope warming his chest. “Yeah, we will.”
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Without saying more, he turned and walked away, leaving Lily by the river, her thoughts as tangled as his own. But for the first time in a long while, Ethan felt like he was on the right path.
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SCENE: UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER – PART TWO
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The next day, Ethan found himself standing outside Lily’s house, uncertain whether to knock or wait for her to come out. He had hoped to catch her at the well earlier, but she never showed. As he stood there, the sound of laughter floated through the window, drawing his attention. Unable to resist, he moved closer, peeking through a small crack.
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Inside, Lily was laughing with her younger sister, Tedy. Ethan felt a pang of longing, but before he could think much of it, Lily’s eyes suddenly met his. Her expression quickly shifted to surprise, and she hurried toward the door, flinging it open.
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"What are you doing here?" Lily asked, her voice low, glancing nervously back into the house to make sure no one had seen him.
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Ethan, a little startled, stepped back slightly. "I couldn’t let the day pass without seeing you. I waited by the well, but you didn’t come, so I thought I’d try here."
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Lily frowned, clearly caught off guard. "You shouldn’t be standing out here. You need to go." She hesitated for a moment, her voice more serious now. "You shouldn’t have come. It’s better if you leave."
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Ethan stood firm, not ready to back down so easily. He met her gaze with determination. "I’m not leaving, Lily. I just want to take a walk with you, that’s all. A quick walk, and I’ll go. Please."
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Lily shook her head, her expression conflicted. "Ethan, this isn’t the right time. You can’t just show up whenever you want. My mom could see us—"
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"I know," Ethan interrupted gently, "but I’ve been waiting to talk to you. Just for a little while. Please." He gave her a look that was earnest, as if he wasn’t about to leave without hearing her out.
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Lily hesitated, caught between wanting to avoid any trouble and the odd pull she felt to continue the conversation. She sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. "Fine. Just a walk. But you have to keep it short, alright?"
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Ethan smiled, grateful she was willing to at least give him a chance. "I promise. I’ll make it quick."
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With a final glance to make sure no one was watching, she stepped out of the doorway, and together they began walking away from the house, the air between them charged with unspoken words. Ethan felt a quiet sense of victory, but he knew this was just the beginning.
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UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER – PART THREE
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As they walked in silence, the cool breeze rustled the leaves of the trees around them, creating a calm atmosphere that made the moment feel almost surreal. Ethan could hardly believe he was walking beside her, his heart racing with every step.
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Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Ethan couldn't hold back any longer. He turned to Lily, his voice soft but steady. "Lily, there's something I need to say. Something that's been on my mind for a long time."
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Lily glanced at him, a mix of curiosity and caution in her eyes. "What is it, Ethan?"
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He stopped walking, taking a deep breath before speaking again, this time with more resolve. "It's about what you said—the way I’ve been acting. I know I’ve been distant, acting like I’m somehow better than others. But the truth is, I’ve been wrong. You... you opened my eyes, Lily. The way you said I act like I’m from heaven, like I see others as beneath me—it really hit me."
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Lily’s brow furrowed, clearly surprised by his admission. "So, this is why you’ve been... changing? Why you’ve been helping people with the work and trying to get along with the other boys in the village?"
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Ethan nodded, his gaze not leaving hers. "Yes. I wanted to prove to you that I’m capable of change. That I can be more than the person I was. I never realized how much I was hurting others until you made me see it. And I can’t help but feel like... maybe I did all of this because I want to be someone you could respect. Someone worthy of your time, of you."
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Lily stopped walking too, her expression unreadable for a moment as she processed his words. For a brief instant, her eyes softened, but then they sharpened again, her voice quieter. "Ethan, I never asked you to change for me. I wanted you to change for yourself. People shouldn’t feel like they have to do something just to be noticed by someone else."
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Ethan swallowed hard, his heart sinking at the truth in her words. He stepped closer, gently taking a step toward her. "I know. And I can’t explain it, but something about what you said made me want to try. I want to be better—not just for you, but for myself too. But if it means anything, I want to be someone you could be proud of."
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Lily looked down at her feet for a moment, then back up at him. The tension between them was palpable, the weight of his confession hanging in the air. She didn't say anything right away, and Ethan could feel the uncertainty in her silence.
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Finally, she spoke, her voice a bit softer than before. "I’m glad you’re trying, Ethan. But it’s not enough to just say the words. You have to prove it. And I can’t promise anything just yet. But... I guess it’s a start."
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Ethan’s heart leaped at her words, though he could tell she was still cautious. He gave her a small, genuine smile. "I’ll prove it, Lily. Just give me time."
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She nodded, her expression softening a little as she continued walking. Ethan followed beside her, feeling a mixture of hope and determination. This was just the beginning, but it was a step closer to the person he wanted to be—someone worthy of Lily’s trust and, maybe, her heart.
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As Lily began to walk away, Ethan stood still, his heart still racing. He watched her retreating figure, knowing there was nothing more he could say. He had spoken honestly, laid his feelings out on the line, but he couldn’t ignore the feeling that he hadn’t made any real progress. She hadn’t given him any indication that things had changed between them—she hadn’t even looked back.
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Lily’s footsteps were slow but steady, and she didn’t turn back to glance at him. The breeze ruffled her hair, but it was the quiet in the air that seemed to weigh most heavily on her. She didn’t want to admit it, but something about Ethan’s words had affected her. His sincerity had caught her off guard, and for a brief moment, she wondered if there could be more to him than she had always thought.
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But she quickly pushed the thought away. This wasn’t about him anymore. It was about her, and the walls she had built around herself. She couldn’t afford to lower those walls, not now, not because of something he said. She couldn’t forget how he had treated others in the past. His words might have been sincere, but they didn’t change the history between them.
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Lily reached the end of the path and stopped for a moment, glancing back toward Ethan—who still hadn’t moved. She considered saying something else, but instead, she turned away. She didn’t need to say anything more. The distance between them felt as wide as ever, and despite the fleeting shift she felt in herself, she wasn’t ready to let him in.
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Ethan watched her disappear into the distance, the silence between them heavy. He stood there for a long time, but no part of him felt like he had won something. There was no satisfaction in this moment, no relief. He had spoken the truth, but it hadn’t made a difference. She hadn’t opened up. She hadn’t given him anything to hold on to.
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He realized, then, that he hadn’t done anything to earn her trust—not yet, and perhaps not ever. He had hoped, maybe, that she’d see something in him. But the reality was, she hadn’t moved an inch, and neither had he.
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Lily entered her house without looking back, her mind swirling with the faintest stirrings of something she didn’t want to examine. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between her and Ethan, but she also couldn’t bring herself to acknowledge it. It wasn’t enough, and maybe it would never be.
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As she closed the door behind her, she exhaled slowly. It was just another day—just another step in the same path.
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Ethan was still standing at the edge of the village, unsure of what came next, but he knew one thing for sure: he hadn’t earned anything today. Not yet.
