Beneath The Surface

Chapter 38: A Crossroad of Hearts

The weekend couldn't have arrived sooner for Ava. After the emotionally exhausting week, she wanted nothing more than to lock herself away from the world and think. Her feelings for both Ethan and Lucas were tangled up in ways that made her feel overwhelmed, lost, and conflicted. As she stared out of her bedroom window, watching the soft morning light filter through the trees, she realized that no amount of isolation would make the decision easier.

Her phone buzzed beside her, shaking her out of her thoughts. It was a text from Lucas.

**Lucas:** _"Hey. Are you free today? I was hoping we could talk."_

Ava's stomach flipped. Lucas had been patient after his confession, giving her space to process everything, but now she knew he needed answers. She wasn't sure if she was ready to give them.

She took a deep breath and typed back a response: **"Yeah, we can meet. Where?"**

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed again. **Lucas:** _"The park. I'll see you there at noon."_

With a sense of dread and anticipation, Ava dragged herself out of bed and got dressed. The park had always been a place where they hung out together with friends, but today felt different. She couldn't shake the weight in her chest, knowing that she'd be confronting her feelings head-on with Lucas.

When she arrived at the park, Lucas was already there, sitting on a bench under the shade of a large oak tree. His usual carefree expression was replaced with one of quiet intensity, as though he had been lost in his thoughts. When he spotted her approaching, he stood up, stuffing his hands into his pockets as if unsure what to do with them.

"Ava," Lucas greeted her softly, a small, uncertain smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks for coming."

Ava nodded, her heart racing. "Of course. I figured we needed to talk."

They sat down on the bench, the air between them filled with the quiet sounds of rustling leaves and distant laughter from children playing in the park. It felt almost too peaceful for the gravity of what they were about to discuss.

Lucas turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. "I've been thinking a lot since I told you how I felt. I know this must be confusing for you, especially with everything going on between you and Ethan."

Ava swallowed hard. "It's been a lot, yeah. I just... I don't want to hurt anyone, Lucas."

He sighed, nodding as if he had expected her to say that. "I get that. And honestly, I'm not asking you to make a decision right now. I just... I needed you to know how I feel about you because I couldn't keep it in anymore. But if it's too much for you, I'll back off."

His words were sincere, and Ava felt a pang in her heart. Lucas had always been so steady, so supportive. But now, he was vulnerable, opening himself up to her in a way that made her feel both comforted and terrified.

"I care about you, Lucas," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I really do. But I'm still figuring things out. Ethan... he's been a huge part of my life for so long, and I don't know if I'm ready to let that go."

Lucas looked down at his hands, his jaw tightening. "I understand. But I guess what I'm asking is... do you think there's a chance? For us?"

The question hung in the air, heavier than anything she had expected. Ava's heart raced as she struggled to find the right words. Could she see herself with Lucas? The thought had crossed her mind more than once, but it was always complicated by her history with Ethan. No matter how hard she tried to separate her feelings, they always seemed to bleed into one another.

"I don't know," Ava whispered, her voice barely audible. "I just... I need more time."

Lucas let out a breath he had been holding, nodding slowly. "I can wait, Ava. As long as it takes. Just... be honest with me, okay?"

She nodded, feeling a wave of relief that he understood. But that relief was quickly replaced by the gnawing guilt that came with knowing she was still unsure of what her heart wanted.

As they sat there in silence, Ava's phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced down at the screen and saw Ethan's name flash across it. Her stomach twisted into knots. He had sent her a text: **"Hey, can we talk later? I've been thinking about some things."**

Ava stared at the message, feeling the familiar pull between the two boys once again. Her life had become a balancing act, and she wasn't sure how long she could keep walking the tightrope without falling.

She looked over at Lucas, who was watching her with quiet understanding. "I should go," she said softly, standing up. "Thank you, Lucas. For being patient."

He stood up as well, his expression softening. "Take all the time you need, Ava. I'll be here when you're ready."

As she walked away from the park, her mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one pulling her in a different direction. Ethan. Lucas. Her future. Her feelings. Nothing seemed clear anymore, and all she knew for certain was that no matter which path she chose, someone would end up with a broken heart.

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