Choice of Love

Chapter 5: Crossroads

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon as I sat at my desk, the weight of my choices pressing heavily on my chest. My phone lay beside me, and the anticipation of my conversation with Jason filled the air with electricity. I had barely slept the night before, my thoughts swirling like a tempest, torn between the safety of Ethan and the allure of something new with Jason.

As I got ready for school, I tried to push the worry from my mind, focusing instead on my morning routine. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, I could feel the tension building, and my stomach twisted at the thought of facing Ethan.

When I arrived at school, the halls were buzzing with students chatting and laughing, but I felt like an outsider looking in. Ava spotted me immediately and waved me over, her expression bright and curious.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked, grinning mischievously.

"Not really," I admitted, forcing a smile. "I've got a lot on my mind."

"Well, whatever it is, you need to shake it off. We have that history project to finish today, remember?" she said, her energy infectious.

As we walked to class together, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread creeping back in. The closer I got to Jason, the more uncertain I became. I needed to know how he felt about last night, but what if he expected something more?

As we entered the classroom, I noticed Ethan sitting in the back, his gaze locked on me. The intensity of his stare made my heart race, and I quickly looked away, forcing myself to focus on Ava.

"Just breathe, okay?" she whispered, noticing my anxiety. "You've got this."

I nodded, but the words felt hollow. The morning dragged on, and I struggled to concentrate on the lesson. All I could think about was the moment I'd be alone with Jason, and the way it could change everything.

Finally, the bell rang, and I felt a rush of relief mixed with anxiety. I gathered my things and found Ava waiting by the door.

"Are you ready?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I took a deep breath, my stomach flipping at the thought of facing Jason. "I think so," I replied, though I wasn't sure if I meant it.

We headed to the courtyard, a space where students gathered to relax and unwind. The weather was perfect—sunny with a light breeze—but my mind felt chaotic. As I searched the crowd for Jason, I spotted him leaning against a tree, his expression unreadable.

"Hey, there he is!" Ava said, nudging me gently. "Go on, I'll be right here if you need me."

"Thanks," I said, forcing my feet to move. I felt a surge of confidence as I approached him, but it was quickly overshadowed by doubt.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual as I stood in front of him.

"Hey," Jason replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'm glad we could meet."

"Me too," I said, my heart racing. "I wanted to talk about... well, everything."

He nodded, his expression turning serious. "Yeah, me too. I've been thinking about last night."

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I had a lot of fun, but it's complicated with Ethan. I don't want to hurt him, but I also don't want to ignore what's happening between us."

Jason's eyes softened, and for a moment, the tension between us eased. "I get it. I don't want to come between you two. I just... I like you, Lesley. More than just as a friend."

My heart raced at his confession. The intensity of his gaze made it clear he meant every word, and I felt a thrill run through me. But just as quickly, a wave of guilt washed over me.