STORY 4: ETHAN'S TOUCH (I)

Chapter 1 Lila’s Pov Jason was perfect on paper. Everyone said it, and I used to believe it too. He was kind, attentive, and dependable. The type of boyfriend any girl would be lucky to have. My mom loved him. My friends envied me. Even I thought I was lucky. But as I sat on the couch with him, listening to him talk about his plans for next week, my mind wasn't where it should be. My eyes wandered to the clock on the wall, then to the front door, then to my hands folded in my lap. Anywhere but him. I wanted to care. God, I really did. Jason deserved someone who hung on his every word, who got excited about weekend plans and dinner reservations. Someone who felt butterflies when he smiled. I felt nothing. Jason's hand rested on my thigh, his thumb brushing absently over my jeans in that gentle way he always did. It should have made me feel something warm and fuzzy. Instead, it felt polite. Expected, like a gesture done out of habit rather than desire. The thought made guilt twist in my