Beneath The Surface

Chapter 17: Breaking Point

Ava avoided Ethan and Lucas all weekend. She silenced her phone, ignored their texts, and retreated to her room, hoping some distance would clear her head. But no matter how hard she tried, the feelings swirling inside her only intensified. She couldn't hide from her emotions any longer.

Monday morning arrived, and Ava felt the familiar weight of dread as she walked through the school gates. She kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone who might notice her inner turmoil. Her friends asked if she was okay, but Ava brushed them off with a half-hearted smile. She wasn't ready to talk—about Ethan, about Lucas, or about the mess she had created.

In the hallway between classes, Ava caught a glimpse of Lucas. He was leaning against his locker, deep in conversation with one of his friends, but he looked distracted. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching for her. Ava's heart clenched, but she couldn't face him. Not yet.

She ducked into the nearest bathroom and leaned against the sink, staring at her reflection. The face staring back at her seemed like a stranger—perfect makeup, every flaw concealed, yet the girl behind the mask looked lost. Ava splashed cold water on her face, trying to shake off the overwhelming sense of dread.

Just as she was about to leave, the door opened, and one of her classmates, Rachel, walked in. Ava tensed. Rachel had never been kind to her—jealousy, or something else, had always seemed to fuel their interactions.

"Well, well, if it isn't the queen herself," Rachel sneered, leaning against the wall. "What's the matter, Ava? Having trouble keeping up appearances?"

Ava clenched her fists, refusing to take the bait. But Rachel wasn't done.

"I've heard the rumors, you know," Rachel continued, her voice dripping with malice. "You've got both Ethan and Lucas wrapped around your finger, huh? Must be nice to have that kind of power."

Ava felt her pulse quicken. "It's not like that."

"Oh, please," Rachel scoffed. "You think you can fool everyone with your little 'I'm perfect' act, but it's just that—an act. Sooner or later, they're going to see right through you."

The words stung more than Ava wanted to admit. She had spent so long hiding behind makeup, pretending to be someone she wasn't, and Rachel's words cut too close to the truth. Ava's eyes stung with unshed tears, but she blinked them away. She wouldn't give Rachel the satisfaction of seeing her break.

"I don't need to explain myself to you," Ava said, her voice low and steady, even though her heart was pounding. "You don't know anything about me."

Rachel smirked, stepping closer. "I know enough. You're not as special as you think, Ava. So why don't you drop the act before someone else does it for you?"

Ava stared at Rachel for a long moment, the weight of her words sinking in. She had spent so much time hiding, so much energy trying to be perfect, that she had forgotten how exhausting it was. And now, standing here in front of someone who saw right through her façade, Ava felt like she was finally reaching a breaking point.

Without another word, Ava turned and walked out of the bathroom, her heart racing. She needed to get out, to escape the weight of expectations pressing down on her.

But as she stepped into the hallway, her path was blocked. Ethan was standing there, his face a mixture of concern and confusion.

"Ava," he said softly. "Can we talk? Please?"

Her heart sank. She wasn't ready for this, but she knew she couldn't run forever.

"Ethan, I... I don't know what to say," Ava whispered, her voice barely audible as she looked down at the floor.

Ethan stepped closer, his hand gently reaching for hers. "I don't need you to have all the answers, Ava. I just need to know what you're feeling. I'm worried about you."

Ava's throat tightened, her emotions threatening to spill over. She wanted to tell him everything—about her insecurities, about her fear of being vulnerable—but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she shook her head, pulling her hand away.

"I can't... I can't do this right now, Ethan. I just need space."

Ethan's face fell, but he didn't push. "Okay," he said quietly. "But whenever you're ready, I'm here."

Ava nodded, her chest tight as she watched Ethan walk away. She stood there for a long time, trying to calm the storm raging inside her. But deep down, she knew that no matter how much space she put between herself and Ethan or Lucas, she couldn't avoid her feelings forever.

Eventually, something would have to give.