Beneath The Surface

Chapter 12: Lines Begin to Blur

The school week came to an end, and Ava found herself walking home, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Lucas and Ethan. It had been days since she spoke to Ethan, and the weight of his silence grew heavier with each passing hour. Every time she passed him in the hall, it was like he was a stranger—no longer the boy she used to confide in.

Lucas had kept his word, not pushing her or asking for answers, but his presence in her life was undeniable. They continued to text casually, but Ava could feel the underlying tension in each conversation, as if they were both waiting for something to shift.

On Friday evening, as Ava lay in bed scrolling through social media, a notification popped up—Lucas had texted her.

**Lucas**: Hey, you free tomorrow? Wanna grab some coffee? Maybe go for a walk after?

Ava stared at the message, her heart pounding. It felt like an innocent invitation, but she knew there was more beneath the surface. The guilt returned, stronger than ever. She hadn't heard from Ethan, and now Lucas was reaching out again. How long could she keep dodging the inevitable?

After a few minutes of hesitation, she replied.

**Ava**: Sure, sounds good. What time?

**Lucas**: How about noon? I'll meet you at the coffee shop downtown.

Ava agreed, her stomach flipping with nervous anticipation. She spent the rest of the night overthinking the upcoming meeting, wondering if she was leading Lucas on by not giving him a straight answer.

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The next day, Ava arrived at the coffee shop a little early, her nerves in full swing. She glanced around the small café, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. There was a cozy atmosphere, with people chatting quietly at the tables or tapping away on their laptops. It was the kind of place that felt comforting and safe, but Ava's mind was anything but calm.

She spotted Lucas as he entered the shop, his tall frame and easygoing smile immediately catching her attention. He waved as he approached, and despite her anxiety, Ava felt a small flicker of relief. Lucas always had a way of putting her at ease.

"Hey, you look nice," Lucas said, his voice warm as he sat down across from her.

Ava blushed slightly, glancing down at her outfit—a simple sweater and jeans. "Thanks. You too."

They ordered their drinks and settled into a comfortable rhythm, chatting about school, homework, and the latest gossip. For a while, it almost felt like everything was normal—like there wasn't a heavy, unspoken tension between them.

But as the conversation slowed, Lucas leaned forward, his expression more serious. "Ava, I'm really glad you agreed to meet up today. I've been thinking a lot lately... about us."

Her heart skipped a beat, and the familiar knot of anxiety tightened in her chest. "Lucas, I—"

"Let me finish," he interrupted gently, holding up a hand. "I know you've been going through a lot, and I don't want to pressure you. But I also can't pretend that I don't have feelings for you. I care about you, Ava—a lot."

Ava's breath caught in her throat. She looked down at her hands, avoiding his gaze. "Lucas, I care about you too. You're such an amazing person, and I don't want to hurt you. But... things are complicated."

"I get that," Lucas said softly, his voice full of understanding. "I'm not asking for an answer right now. I just wanted you to know where I stand."

The silence between them was heavy, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Ava could feel Lucas's sincerity, and it only made her feel worse. She wished she could give him the answers he deserved, but she couldn't.

"Thank you," Ava said quietly, finally meeting his gaze. "I appreciate you being patient with me."

Lucas smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."

They finished their drinks, and as they left the coffee shop, Lucas suggested a walk through the nearby park. The crisp autumn air and the sound of leaves crunching under their feet provided a welcome distraction from the weight of their conversation.

As they strolled through the park, Ava couldn't help but notice how easy it was to be around Lucas. He was kind, thoughtful, and made her laugh without even trying. But every time she felt a spark of warmth, her mind flashed back to Ethan—the memories they shared, the connection they had.

Was it fair to Lucas to keep seeing him while her heart was still torn? And what about Ethan? Could she truly move on if she didn't know where she stood with him?

They reached a small bridge overlooking a creek, and Lucas stopped, leaning against the railing. "This is nice," he said, his voice soft. "I've missed hanging out with you."

Ava smiled, though her heart wasn't fully in it. "Yeah, it's nice."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sound of the water flowing beneath them filled the silence, and Ava found herself lost in thought.

Then, out of nowhere, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the name.

**Ethan**: Can we talk?

Ava's chest tightened. She had been waiting for this message, but now that it had arrived, she wasn't sure she was ready.

Lucas noticed her expression change. "Everything okay?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Ava hesitated, her mind racing. She glanced from Lucas to her phone, the weight of the decision pressing down on her.

"Yeah," she said finally, slipping her phone back into her pocket. "It's fine."

But deep down, she knew things were far from fine. The lines between her relationships with Ethan and Lucas were beginning to blur, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep things from falling apart.

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