Shades of Desire

Ivy

I stood in Jace's room, getting ready for class. The steam from the bathroom mixed with the smell of his body wash, reminding me he was just in there. I pulled a brush through my hair, trying to focus, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was wearing his T-shirt too often.

Then my phone buzzed on the bed. I looked over and saw it was a message from Ethan. Hey, can we meet? I need to talk.

My heart skipped a beat. I felt a strange mix of happiness and guilt. Why did I still want to see him after everything? I knew I shouldn't, but part of me wanted closure. I typed back, Sure, when?

He replied quickly, How about tomorrow at 3? Café on Main.

A small smile crept onto my face. I was nervous but excited. Just then, I heard the shower turn off. Jace was coming out, and I quickly shoved my phone into my pocket, not wanting him to see it.

Jace stepped out, water droplets on his skin and his hair messy. He looked good, and I hated that I noticed.

"What's up? Who are you texting?" he asked, sounding curious.

I hesitated, guilt washing over me. "Just Mia," I said, lying. "She was asking if I'd be at the dorms tonight."

"Oh, okay," Jace said, his expression softening. But I felt a knot in my stomach. Why did I have to hide things from him?

I finished getting ready and headed to class, but my mind was elsewhere. I kept thinking about that conversation I overheard between Ethan and Sam, where Ethan mentioned spending the night with another girl. It hurt, and I didn't know why I still cared.

When I got back to the dorm later, I decided to talk to Mia and Jess. "Ethan texted me," I said, feeling nervous. "He wants to meet."

Mia's eyes lit up. "You should go! Just see what he wants. You deserve to know."

"But what if it just makes things worse?" I asked, feeling torn.

"Or it could help you move on," Jess said. "You won't know unless you talk to him."

They were right. I needed to figure out what Ethan wanted. But as I lay in bed that night, I felt like I needed space from Jace. I texted him, saying I wouldn't be able to come over and that I wanted to hang out with Mia.

The truth was, I just needed to think. I didn't want to be with Jace while I was still confused about my feelings for Ethan. I had a lot to sort out, and I had to do it alone.

So I spent another night thinking, unsure of how meeting Ethan would change things. But I knew I had to find out. I just had to.