Ava Collins is a high school junior who has mastered the art of makeup to conceal her insecurities and present a flawless image to the world. Behind her confident facade lies a girl struggling with self-doubt and a deep-seated fear of being judged f...
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Ava couldn't shake the tension between her and Ethan. Ever since that night, she felt like there was a barrier between them—one she couldn't quite name. His texts had become sporadic, the warm, late-night conversations replaced by silence. Her mind raced with questions: Did he regret what happened? Was he pulling away because of her?
At lunch, she sat with her usual group of friends, but her mind was elsewhere. Every glance toward Ethan's table only deepened her worry. He was there, laughing with his friends, but his eyes never met hers. She absentmindedly picked at her food, drowning in her own thoughts.
"Ava? Earth to Ava?" a voice said, snapping her out of her daze.
It was Lucas. He slid into the seat next to her, his usual easy smile in place. Ava forced a smile back, trying to hide her inner turmoil. Lucas had become a constant presence in her life recently, always showing up with his effortless charm and confident grin. But today, there was a softness in his gaze, a hint of concern that Ava hadn't noticed before.
"You seem off today," Lucas said, leaning closer. "Want to talk about it?"
Ava hesitated. She wasn't sure how much she could reveal. "It's just... some things have been on my mind," she said vaguely.
Lucas tilted his head, his brow furrowing. "You know I'm here if you ever need to talk, right?" His voice was gentle, lacking the usual teasing tone. There was something comforting in that.
"Thanks," Ava whispered, feeling a small weight lift off her shoulders.
Later that evening, Ava found herself restless at home. Her phone buzzed—Lucas again.
**Lucas**: *Want to go for a drive? Clear your head?*
Ava stared at the message. A part of her wanted to decline, to stay home and sort through her tangled feelings. But another part of her craved the distraction, something to take her mind off Ethan.
**Ava**: *Sure. See you in 10.*
---
The cool evening air did wonders for Ava's mood as she sat in Lucas's car, watching the city lights blur by. They drove in silence for a while, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Lucas had a way of making her feel at ease, like she didn't always need to fill the silence with words.
Eventually, they parked at an overlook, the city sprawling out below them, glittering in the night. Ava leaned back, taking in the view.
"This helps," she admitted softly.
Lucas smiled at her, his eyes studying her face. "You always look so deep in thought, Ava. It's like you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Ava shrugged, unsure of how to respond. She wasn't used to people noticing the small cracks in her armor.
Without thinking, she turned to face Lucas fully, and for a moment, their eyes locked. There was something different in the air between them, something Ava hadn't anticipated. Lucas leaned in, closing the distance between them, and Ava didn't pull away.
The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, but then it deepened, their emotions spilling over. Ava felt a wave of confusion and excitement as her heart raced. This was different from what she felt with Ethan—Lucas's presence was magnetic, and the intensity of the moment washed over her like a tide she couldn't control.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavily. Ava's mind was spinning. She wasn't sure what she felt—guilt, excitement, or maybe both. The lines between friendship and something more had blurred, and now, she wasn't sure where they stood.
"I... I should go," Ava stammered, her emotions overwhelming her. She needed space to think, to process what had just happened.
Lucas didn't press. "Okay," he said, his voice soft but steady. "But you know where to find me if you need to talk."
Ava gave a weak smile before stepping out of the car and heading home. As she walked through the door, her mind was in turmoil. She had kissed Lucas, and while it felt right in the moment, it only added to the confusion swirling inside her.
Back in her room, Ava sat on her bed, staring at her phone. A message from Ethan was waiting for her.
**Ethan**: *I've been thinking about us. We need to talk.*
Her heart sank. Everything had just become even more complicated.
---
Author's Note: Hey Guys 👋, you might be wondering what night that Ava might be talking about. Now this is my faultbecause I kind of skipped. My mistake I'm sorry. Now, what happened is that Ethan kissed Ava one evening, that's why he's been keeping his distance. He's so shy ☺️. Don't forget to vote alright and also feel free to express your opinion on this book. Thank you 😊
