Beneath The Surface

Chapter 59: Between Two Worlds

Ava could feel the tension in the air the moment she stepped back into school on Monday. The conversations buzzing around her, the stolen glances in the hallways—it was like everyone was waiting for the next move in whatever drama they imagined her life to be.

She walked down the corridor with her head held high, her makeup flawless, her hair styled just right. It was a mask she'd perfected, one that helped her navigate through the whispers and judgment. But underneath it, she felt like she was unraveling.

The memory of Ethan's face at the park, the way his voice broke when he told her he missed her, haunted her. She wasn't sure how to move forward, but she knew she couldn't keep standing still, caught between two worlds, two boys, two versions of herself.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, heart racing when she saw a message from Ethan:

*"Can we talk today after school? I think we need to figure this out."*

Ava bit her lip, her fingers hovering over the screen. She knew he was right. They couldn't keep avoiding the conversation that needed to happen. But the thought of facing him, of trying to explain the mess she'd made, filled her with dread.

Before she could respond, another message popped up—this time from Lucas:

*"Hey, I'm thinking about skipping last period. Wanna join?"*

Ava stared at the two messages, her heart sinking. She hated this feeling of being pulled in two different directions. She hated how Lucas always made things feel lighter, easier, and how Ethan made her feel grounded but in a way that also scared her.

Sighing, she shoved her phone back into her pocket without replying to either of them. She'd deal with it later. Right now, she just needed to survive the day.

---

During lunch, Ava found herself sitting alone at the far end of the cafeteria. She wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. Even her usual group of friends felt like too much today.

She picked at her food, her mind wandering back to the park. Ethan had looked so vulnerable, so unlike the confident, put-together guy she'd fallen for. She didn't want to hurt him anymore, but every time she thought about pulling back, she remembered Lucas—how he always seemed to show up when she needed him most.

Ava shook her head, frustrated with herself. She couldn't keep going back and forth like this. Sooner or later, she'd have to make a decision.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice someone approaching her until they slid into the seat across from her.

"Hey."

Ava looked up, startled to see Lucas sitting there, his tray of food untouched.

"You've been avoiding me," he said, his tone light but his eyes serious.

Ava sighed. "I haven't been avoiding you, Lucas. I've just... had a lot on my mind."

He leaned back in his chair, studying her. "A lot on your mind, or a lot of Ethan on your mind?"

Ava winced, guilt washing over her. "It's not like that."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it?"

Ava opened her mouth to protest, but she couldn't. He wasn't wrong. Ethan had been on her mind constantly since their conversation at the park. But that didn't mean she didn't care about Lucas, too.

"I don't want to hurt you," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just trying to figure everything out."

Lucas leaned forward, his expression softening. "I get it, Ava. I really do. But you've got to stop running from this. From us."

Ava's chest tightened. "I'm not running."

"Aren't you?" Lucas's eyes bore into hers. "You're scared. And I get it. But you can't keep stringing me along while you figure things out with Ethan."

His words hit her like a punch to the gut. He was right. She *was* scared. Scared of making the wrong choice, scared of hurting someone she cared about. But she couldn't deny that Lucas had a point. She couldn't keep holding onto both of them while she figured out her own feelings.

"I'm not trying to string you along," she said, her voice shaky. "I just... I don't know what to do."

Lucas reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "Then tell me what you want, Ava. What *do* you want?"

Ava stared down at their intertwined hands, her mind racing. What *did* she want? She wanted things to go back to how they were before, when everything was simpler, when she didn't have to choose. But that wasn't an option anymore. The choice was staring her in the face, and she had to make it.

But as much as she wanted to, she still couldn't find the words.

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

Lucas sighed, letting go of her hand. "I can't wait around forever, Ava."

She looked up, her heart sinking as she saw the hurt in his eyes. She wanted to say something, anything, to make it better. But the truth was, she didn't know how to fix this.

Lucas stood up, grabbing his tray. "I'll see you around."

And with that, he walked away, leaving Ava sitting alone, her heart heavy with regret.

---