Beneath The Surface

Chapter 51: Conflicted Hearts

The days after Lucas's call passed in a blur, each one weighed down by the uncertainty that clouded Ava's thoughts. She found herself caught in the crossfire of her emotions—torn between the boy who had left her and the one who had been there to pick up the pieces. Every time she saw Ethan, the guilt gnawed at her. Every time she thought of Lucas, the ache in her heart resurfaced.

At school, Ava felt like she was living in two separate worlds. One where Ethan's presence calmed her, made her feel understood, and another where Lucas's memory haunted her with what could have been. It was like trying to balance on a tightrope, her emotions dangerously unstable.

On Monday morning, Ethan met her at her locker, flashing her a soft smile that sent warmth through her chest. He was always so thoughtful, always so kind, and it made her heart ache with how much she was keeping from him.

"Hey, you okay?" Ethan asked, noticing the tired look in her eyes.

Ava nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just...a lot on my mind."

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" Ethan reached out, gently placing his hand on her arm. His touch was familiar now, comforting. "I don't want you to feel like you have to carry everything on your own."

Ava felt the weight of his words settle over her. She wanted to tell him, to let him in on everything that had been swirling in her head since Lucas's call. But how could she? How could she tell Ethan that Lucas was trying to come back into her life without breaking his heart?

"I know," she said quietly, biting her lip. "I just... I'm trying to figure some stuff out."

Ethan studied her face, concern flickering in his eyes, but he didn't press her. He trusted her, and that trust made the guilt in her stomach twist even harder.

"Alright," he said softly, dropping his hand from her arm. "Just remember, I'm here."

They walked to class together, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. Ava hated the distance that had grown between them, but she didn't know how to close it without hurting him. And Ethan didn't deserve to be hurt—not after everything he had done for her.

---

Later that day, Ava was in the library, hoping the quiet would help clear her head. She buried herself in homework, trying to distract herself from the turmoil inside. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Lucas, to his voice on the phone, to the way he had sounded so broken and sincere.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and felt her heart leap into her throat. It was Lucas again.

Ava hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen. She had told him she would think about it. She wasn't ready to confront all of the feelings she had locked away when he left, but part of her was curious. Part of her still wanted answers.

With a shaky breath, she answered the call.

"Hey," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper in the quiet library.

"Hey," Lucas replied, his voice tense, as if he had been waiting on edge for her response. "I know I said I'd give you time, but... I just couldn't stop thinking about you."

Ava's chest tightened. She didn't know what to say. How could she respond to that when her emotions were already in such a mess?

"Lucas, I..." she started, but her voice trailed off. She wasn't sure where she was going with her words.

"I miss you, Ava," Lucas said, his voice cracking slightly. "I miss us. I know I screwed up, but I can't stop thinking about how we used to be."

Ava clenched her fist, her knuckles white. She had been waiting to hear those words for so long, but now that she was hearing them, they didn't bring her the relief she had imagined. Instead, they only made everything more confusing.

"Things aren't the same, Lucas," she said quietly, her heart pounding in her chest. "You left. You made that choice, and I had to move on."

"I know," Lucas said, sounding desperate. "I know I hurt you, and I'll never forgive myself for that. But can we try again? Please?"

Ava felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to believe that things could go back to the way they were. But deep down, she knew it wasn't that simple.

"I don't know if I can," she whispered, her voice trembling.

There was a long pause on the other end, and Ava could hear the disappointment in Lucas's voice when he finally spoke again.

"Okay," he said, his voice low and filled with sadness. "I get it. But...if you ever change your mind, I'll be here."

The call ended, and Ava was left staring at her phone, her heart heavy with the weight of her indecision. She had no idea what to do, no idea how to untangle the mess of emotions that had taken root inside her.

She wanted to move forward, but part of her was still tied to the past. And as much as she tried to deny it, she knew that no matter what she chose, someone was going to get hurt.

---