Beneath The Surface

Chapter 11: The Weight of Silence

Ava had never felt more alone, even though she was surrounded by her classmates. The rest of the week dragged on, each day a blur of routine, classes, and awkward encounters with both Ethan and Lucas. Ethan hadn't reached out again since their conversation, and that silence weighed on her like a boulder, pressing down on her chest with every passing moment.

Lucas, on the other hand, continued to check in, sending her texts and offering to hang out after school. She hadn't been able to face him either, worried that her indecision would lead to even more confusion.

Ava sat in the back of the classroom, doodling absentmindedly in her notebook as the teacher's voice droned on. Her thoughts kept circling back to the same thing: how could she choose between two people who meant so much to her? Both boys had become fixtures in her life, and she wasn't ready to give up either of them.

During lunch, Ava avoided her usual group, opting instead for a quiet spot outside by herself. She needed space to think, but every time she tried to sort out her feelings, her mind became a tangled mess of emotions.

As she sat on a bench, picking at her lunch, she heard footsteps approaching. She didn't have to look up to know who it was—Lucas.

"Ava, you've been avoiding me," Lucas said, sitting down next to her. His voice was gentle, but there was an edge of concern in his words.

"I'm not avoiding you," Ava said quickly, though she knew it wasn't entirely true.

Lucas raised an eyebrow, his eyes searching hers. "Then what's going on? You've been... distant."

Ava's heart raced, guilt gnawing at her. She didn't want to hurt Lucas, but she also couldn't give him what he wanted. Not yet. "I've just had a lot on my mind," she muttered, looking down at her hands.

Lucas was quiet for a moment, and when Ava finally looked up, she saw the worry etched on his face. "Is it about Ethan?" he asked softly.

Ava's stomach twisted at the mention of Ethan's name. She didn't want to lie to Lucas, but the truth was far more complicated than she could explain.

"I don't know what to say," Ava admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just... confused."

Lucas leaned back against the bench, his gaze thoughtful. "You don't have to have everything figured out right now, Ava. I'm not asking for that. I just want to know where we stand."

Ava sighed, feeling the weight of his words settle over her. "I don't know, Lucas. I wish I could give you a clear answer, but I can't. I'm still trying to figure it all out."

Lucas was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he nodded slowly. "I get it," he said quietly. "I won't push you."

Relief and guilt washed over Ava at the same time. She appreciated Lucas's patience, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was keeping him in limbo, caught between her indecision and her fears.

"Thanks," Ava said softly. "I just... I need more time."

Lucas smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here."

Ava nodded, but as Lucas walked away, she couldn't help but wonder how long she could keep things like this. The more time passed, the more she felt the pressure building, and she knew that eventually, she'd have to make a choice. But no matter what she chose, someone would end up hurt.

---

That night, Ava lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her phone sat next to her, silent. She hadn't received any messages from Ethan since their conversation, and the lack of communication only made her more anxious.

She picked up her phone and scrolled through her old messages with Ethan, her heart aching as she read the words they had exchanged in happier times. Things had been so simple then, before Lucas had entered the picture, before her emotions had become such a tangled mess.

Ava's fingers hovered over the screen, tempted to send Ethan a message, to reach out and tell him how much she still cared about him. But she stopped herself. What could she possibly say that would make things better? She didn't have the answers he needed, and until she did, contacting him would only complicate things further.

She put her phone down and closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep. But as the minutes ticked by, her mind continued to race, filled with thoughts of Ethan, Lucas, and the impossible decision that loomed over her.

---

The next day at school, Ava was even more on edge. She kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with both Ethan and Lucas. She knew she couldn't keep this up forever, but for now, it was the only way she knew how to cope.

In the hallway between classes, Ava spotted Ethan at his locker. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt an overwhelming urge to talk to him, to explain everything. But before she could take a step toward him, someone else reached him first—a girl from his class.

Ava watched as they laughed and talked, her heart sinking as she realized how easy it seemed for him to move on. Maybe she had already lost her chance.

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