Beneath The Surface

Chapter 18: A Mask That Cracks

Ava walked through the school halls feeling like a ghost, her mind still racing after the confrontation with Rachel and the brief, painful exchange with Ethan. It was becoming harder and harder to keep up the act, to hide her true self behind layers of makeup and forced smiles. She'd spent so long perfecting her outward appearance that the person underneath felt like a stranger.

In class, she barely heard a word the teacher said. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Ethan and Lucas. How had things gotten so complicated? She knew they both cared about her, but she felt trapped between them, and even worse—trapped by her own insecurities. She wasn't the girl either of them thought she was. The Ava they liked was just a mask, and she wasn't sure she could keep it on much longer.

When the bell rang for lunch, Ava gathered her things and headed for her usual spot outside. It was quieter there, and she needed some time alone to think. But as she turned the corner, she froze.

Lucas was already sitting on the bench.

He looked up as soon as he saw her, and his face lit up with that familiar smile. But there was something different in his eyes today—something more serious, like he'd been waiting for this moment.

"Ava," Lucas said, standing up as she approached. "We need to talk."

Ava's stomach churned. She wanted to run, to avoid another confrontation, but she knew Lucas wouldn't let this go. She nodded silently and sat down beside him, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I know things have been weird between us lately," Lucas began, his voice soft but firm. "And I know you've been avoiding me—and Ethan. But I can't just sit back and pretend like nothing's wrong."

Ava stared at the ground, unable to meet his eyes. She didn't want to hurt him, but she also couldn't handle the pressure of being caught between two people she cared about. And the truth was, she wasn't sure if she could be honest with either of them.

Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just need to know where we stand, Ava. Because this... whatever's happening between you, me, and Ethan, it's tearing me apart."

Ava finally looked up at him, her eyes filling with tears she fought to hold back. "Lucas, I don't know what to say. I don't even know how I feel right now."

Lucas's expression softened, but there was still pain in his eyes. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. But I need to know if you have feelings for him... for Ethan."

Ava's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected the conversation to go there so quickly, but she should have known Lucas wouldn't beat around the bush. He was always direct, always honest, and he deserved the same from her.

But could she tell him the truth?

Ava swallowed hard, her voice shaky. "I... I don't know, Lucas. I care about you—both of you. But everything is so confusing right now, and I'm not sure if I can figure it all out."

Lucas's face fell, but he didn't look away. "I get that, Ava. But I can't just be in limbo like this. I need to know if there's a chance for us—if you want there to be."

The pressure in Ava's chest grew unbearable. She felt like she was being torn apart from the inside, pulled in two different directions by two people she cared about, but for different reasons. She wanted to say something, to give Lucas the answer he deserved, but her words failed her.

Before she could respond, a shadow fell over them. Ava turned and saw Ethan standing a few feet away, his expression guarded but his eyes full of emotion.

"Am I interrupting something?" Ethan asked, his voice tense.

Lucas stood up, stepping toward Ethan. "We were just talking. You've got a problem with that?"

Ava jumped to her feet, stepping between the two of them before things could escalate. "Please, stop! This isn't what I want. I can't handle you two fighting."

Ethan's gaze shifted from Lucas to Ava, his eyes softening. "I'm not trying to fight, Ava. I just want to know what's going on."

Ava took a shaky breath, feeling like the weight of the world was pressing down on her. She had to choose, but how could she? Both of them were looking at her, waiting for an answer, but her heart was too tangled to give them one.

"I don't know," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I don't know what I want right now."

The silence that followed was unbearable. Ethan and Lucas exchanged a look, but neither said a word. Ava could feel the tension between them, but it was nothing compared to the turmoil inside her own heart.

Finally, Lucas sighed and backed away, his eyes filled with disappointment. "I'll give you space, Ava. But don't wait too long to figure it out."

Ethan didn't say anything, but the look on his face said enough. He was hurt, and Ava hated herself for causing it.

As both boys walked away in different directions, Ava stood there, her heart breaking. She had never felt more lost.

The mask she wore was cracking, and she didn't know how to fix it.