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 stared at the message from Ethan, her mind racing. The words on her screen blurred as her heart pounded in her chest. *We need to talk.* She could sense the weight behind those words. It was clear that Ethan had been thinking about the night they spent together just as much as she had.
Her thoughts immediately returned to the kiss with Lucas earlier that evening. Her lips still tingled with the memory, but now guilt crept in, souring the excitement she had felt. She couldn't avoid it any longer—she was tangled in emotions for both guys, and the lines had blurred far beyond what she could control.
With trembling hands, Ava typed a reply:
**Ava**: *Yeah, we should. Tomorrow after school?*
Her finger hovered over the send button for what felt like an eternity before she pressed it. She didn't know if she was ready for this conversation, but she couldn't avoid Ethan forever.
The next day, Ava spent the entire school day in a haze, her mind jumping between Lucas and Ethan. She tried her best to act normal, but every time she saw Ethan from across the hall or caught a glimpse of Lucas's confident smile, the knot in her stomach tightened.
When the final bell rang, Ava made her way to the back of the school, where she and Ethan had agreed to meet. It was a quiet spot behind the gym, far from the usual hustle of students leaving for the day. Ethan was already there, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed as he stared at the ground.
Ava approached cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. Ethan looked up as she got closer, his face serious but unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them thick in the air.
"I've been thinking a lot," Ethan started, his voice low and steady. "About what happened between us."
Ava swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. She could feel her pulse quickening as she waited for him to continue.
"I just... I don't want things to be weird between us," Ethan said, his eyes meeting hers for the first time since they arrived. "I care about you, Ava. A lot. But I feel like I messed things up, and I don't know how to fix it."
Ava felt a rush of emotions—relief, guilt, and something else she couldn't quite place. She had been so focused on her own confusion that she hadn't stopped to think about how Ethan was feeling.
"You didn't mess anything up," Ava said softly, taking a small step closer. "I'm just as confused as you are."
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... ever since that night, I've felt this distance between us. Like we're both afraid to talk about what happened."
Ava nodded, her eyes downcast. "I know. I've felt it too."
For a long moment, they stood in silence, neither of them sure how to proceed. Ava wanted to tell Ethan about the kiss with Lucas, but the words wouldn't come. How could she explain that she had feelings for both of them? That the kiss with Lucas had only deepened her confusion?
"Maybe we just need time," Ethan said finally, his voice soft but full of emotion. "To figure things out. I don't want to rush anything if you're not sure."
Ava looked up at him, her heart aching at the vulnerability in his eyes. She wanted to reach out, to comfort him, but she knew that wouldn't make things any easier.
"Yeah, maybe," Ava agreed, her voice barely a whisper.
Ethan gave her a sad smile, then pushed off the wall and took a step closer. He gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing softly across her skin. The gesture was so tender, so full of care, that it made Ava's chest tighten with emotion.
"I'm here whenever you're ready to talk," Ethan said quietly, his voice full of sincerity. "Just know that."
Ava nodded, unable to find her voice. She watched as Ethan turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone in the fading afternoon light. She felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her—relief, sadness, and an overwhelming sense of guilt. Ethan had been nothing but kind and patient, but she still couldn't shake the lingering thoughts of Lucas.
As she headed home, Ava's phone buzzed again.
**Lucas**: *Hey, are you okay? I've been thinking about you.*
Ava stared at the message, her heart sinking. She had no idea how to respond.
