Beneath The Surface

Chapter 39: A Glimpse of Clarity

Ava stood outside the café, her nerves a tangled mess as she read Ethan's message again. The question was simple: _"Can we talk?"_ But the weight of everything behind it was enough to make her stomach churn. Ethan wasn't just another guy in her life—he was her first love, her best friend, the person she had confided in for years. And now, the lines between friendship and something more had blurred beyond recognition.

She took a deep breath and stepped inside, the smell of coffee and freshly baked pastries greeting her. It was a cozy, quiet place, one they had often gone to together after school. The memories were bittersweet, now tinged with the confusion that came with everything that had changed between them.

Ethan was already there, sitting at a small table in the corner, his dark eyes fixed on the door. When he saw her, he waved, offering a small, hesitant smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Ava's heart clenched at the sight. Things were different between them now, and she wasn't sure if they could ever go back to the way they used to be.

"Hey," Ethan greeted her as she approached the table. He stood up, pulling out the chair for her. "I'm glad you came."

Ava nodded, sliding into the seat and trying to steady her breathing. "Yeah. I think we need to talk."

They sat in silence for a moment, neither of them sure how to start. The tension between them was palpable, and Ava's mind raced with all the things she wanted to say but couldn't quite find the words for.

Ethan broke the silence first, his voice low and uncertain. "I've been thinking a lot, Ava. About us. About everything that's happened between us lately."

Ava bit her lip, her heart pounding in her chest. "Me too."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair in that familiar way he did when he was frustrated. "I feel like we've been avoiding this conversation for weeks, maybe even longer. But I need to know where we stand. Where _I_ stand with you."

His words hit her hard, and Ava struggled to keep her composure. She had been avoiding this conversation for exactly that reason—because she didn't know the answer. Her feelings for Ethan had always been complicated, and now, with Lucas in the mix, they were more tangled than ever.

"I... I don't know, Ethan," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "Everything is so confusing right now."

Ethan looked down at the table, his jaw clenched in frustration. "Do you have feelings for Lucas?" he asked, his voice tight with tension.

Ava's heart sank. She had been dreading that question, knowing that no matter how she answered, it would hurt someone.

"I don't know," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I think I do. But I'm not sure what that means for us."

Ethan's expression hardened, and he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "So, you're telling me that everything we've been through, everything we've shared... it doesn't matter anymore?"

"No!" Ava shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "It does matter, Ethan. You matter to me. You always have. But I... I don't know what to do. I'm so confused."

Ethan was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant as if he were trying to process what she had said. Finally, he looked at her, his expression softer but still filled with hurt.

"I get that you're confused, Ava," he said quietly. "But I can't keep waiting around, hoping that you'll figure things out. I've been here for you for so long, and it feels like I'm just... not enough anymore."

His words cut deep, and Ava felt a fresh wave of guilt wash over her. Ethan had always been there for her, supporting her through everything. And now, because of her indecision, she was hurting him in ways she had never intended.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I never wanted to hurt you."

Ethan sighed, his expression pained. "I know. But it still hurts."

They sat in silence, the weight of everything unsaid hanging heavily between them. Ava felt like her heart was being torn in two, and no matter what she did, someone was going to get hurt.

Finally, Ethan stood up, sliding his hands into his pockets. "I think we both need some space, Ava. To figure things out."

Ava's breath caught in her throat, her chest tightening at the thought of losing him. "Ethan, please..."

He shook his head, his gaze filled with sadness. "I can't keep doing this, Ava. Not until you know what you really want."

With that, he turned and walked out of the café, leaving Ava sitting there alone, tears streaming down her face as she watched him go. The emptiness inside her felt unbearable, and for the first time, she realized just how much she stood to lose—no matter which path she chose.

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