Trust in Her Tricks

Chapter 13: Breaking Point

The air between them had been thick with tension for days now, something neither of them could seem to shake. Ethan had noticed the change in Eris's demeanor—her teasing wasn't as playful, her smiles didn't reach her eyes, and there was a slight distance that he couldn't quite bridge. It gnawed at him. He couldn't figure out what had gone wrong. After everything they'd been through, things had seemed so perfect—too perfect.

It was Friday, and Ethan waited for Eris outside their last class, leaning against the lockers, his arms crossed and his mind racing. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but every time he tried, she brushed it off. This silence between them was starting to feel unbearable.

When Eris finally appeared, her eyes barely met his. She offered him a small smile, but it felt forced. Ethan straightened up, determined to figure this out once and for all.

"Hey," he said softly, walking beside her as they headed down the hallway. "You've been kinda distant lately...is something going on?"

Eris hesitated, her fingers gripping the strap of her backpack tighter. "I don't know... maybe it's just been a long week."

Ethan frowned, sensing her deflection. "It's more than that, though. We've barely talked, and when we do...it's like you're not really here."

Eris stopped walking, and Ethan turned to face her. She let out a deep sigh, avoiding his eyes. "I don't know, Ethan. Maybe I just need some space."

The words hit Ethan like a punch to the gut. "Space?" he echoed, struggling to keep his voice steady. "From me?"

Eris's eyes flickered with uncertainty as she finally looked at him. "I don't know how to explain it. Things just feel...off. And I don't want to hurt you, but I need to figure out how I'm feeling."

Ethan's heart raced. He had no idea this was coming. "Did I do something wrong? I don't understand—everything was fine, wasn't it?"

"That's the problem, Ethan," Eris said, her voice wavering. "Everything's perfect, and maybe that's why it's scary. I don't know how to deal with it."

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling to the surface. "So you're pushing me away because things are going well? That doesn't make any sense, Eris."

She bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I don't know what I'm doing. I care about you, but... I've never felt like this before. And it's making me confused."

The hallway around them felt quieter, emptier, as Ethan tried to process her words. The hurt in his chest deepened. He thought they had been on the same page, that their connection had been growing stronger. Now it felt like everything was crumbling before him.

"I don't want space," Ethan said, his voice breaking slightly. "I don't want to lose you."

Eris looked up at him, her eyes full of uncertainty and guilt. "I'm not saying we're done, Ethan. I just... need to figure out what's going on in my head."

Silence stretched between them, thick and painful. Ethan's hands balled into fists at his sides, the frustration, confusion, and hurt swirling inside him, but he didn't want to lash out. He didn't want to push her away even more.

Just then, a voice broke through the tension. "Hey, guys. What's going on?"

It was Juan, who had spotted them from across the hall and approached, sensing something was off. His calm presence was a relief, even though the timing was far from ideal.

Ethan forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Hey, Juan. We're...just talking."

Juan's brow furrowed slightly, glancing between the two of them. "Everything okay?"

Eris took a deep breath, stepping back from the conversation. "I'm going to head home. We'll talk later, Ethan."

Ethan opened his mouth to say something—anything—but the words wouldn't come. He watched helplessly as Eris walked away, leaving a hollow feeling in his chest. He wasn't sure what had just happened, but it felt like something between them had shattered.

Juan waited until Eris was out of sight before speaking again. "You guys fighting?"

Ethan let out a shaky breath, his frustration finally boiling over. "I don't know, man. She says she needs space, but I don't even know what I did wrong."

Juan put a hand on Ethan's shoulder, his calm demeanor steadying Ethan's swirling emotions. "Sometimes it's not about what you did. People get overwhelmed, even when things are good."

Ethan frowned, glancing at Juan. "What do I do? I can't just leave her alone like this."

Juan paused, his eyes thoughtful. "Maybe she needs some time, but that doesn't mean you stop being there for her. Just...give her space, but don't disappear. She'll come back when she's ready."

Ethan nodded, though the frustration was still simmering beneath the surface. "I just don't want to lose her."

"You won't," Juan reassured him, giving Ethan a supportive smile. "You guys are good for each other. She just needs to work through whatever's going on in her head. You can't force it."

Ethan sighed heavily, the weight of uncertainty still pressing down on him. "I hope you're right."

"I am," Juan said confidently. "Besides, you're not in this alone. We've got your back, man."

Ethan managed a small smile, appreciating the support. But even as he stood there with Juan, the sinking feeling in his chest remained, and he wondered if things would ever go back to how they were.