Chapter 10 Torn between two worlds

Chapter 10: Torn Between Two Worlds

That night, Ava lay in bed, her mind racing. Her thoughts swirled like a vortex around Mia's arrival, making it impossible for her to settle down. The excitement she felt was replaced with anxiety, and the weight of the day felt heavy upon her chest.

She tossed and turned, glancing at her ringing phone, hoping for a message from Ethan, but it came through with nothing. She had to remind herself it was only one movie night-yet the idea of Mia trying to reclaim Ethan's attention made her stomach churn. She couldn't get out of her mind that Mia was more than just a casual friend.

School the next day was like a minefield. Every glance, every word spoken with Ethan, was like silent friction. When they met for lunch, Ava tried to keep things light, cracking jokes and laughing, but she just couldn't turn her back on the tension in the air.

"So, are you excited about tonight?" Ethan asked, his smile bright though his eyes clouded with concern.

"Yeah, sure," Ava said, forcing a smile as she picked at her food. "Popcorn, movies, and a side of awkwardness with Mia. What's not to love?"

Ethan laughed low, but his eyes told the story of his understanding. "I didn't know she'd show up last night. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to feel like... like there's competition."

Ava shrugged, playing it off. "It's cool. Just... let's not make it weird, okay? We're just friends hanging out."

Ethan nodded, but his eyes remained with an edge of uncertainty. "Right. Just friends.

As the day wore on, a lump of fear knotted Ava's belly. By the final bell, she was a nervous wreck. She met Ethan at the car, and together they headed to Mia's house, the silence in the car thick with unsaid words.

Upon arrival, Mia welcomed them, running to Ethan with a big bright smile and an over-enthusiastic hug. Ava felt jealous as Mia hung herself over him, and her heart continued to sink further when they all sat in the living room-Mia on purpose sitting right next to Ethan, leaving Ava on the other side of the couch.

"Let's start with something fun!" exclaimed Mia, flipping through the streaming service. "I have been dying to see this thriller."

She plastered a smile on her face, but couldn't help the third-wheel vibe when Mia continued to chitchat. The movie rolled, and Ava couldn't focus on it. Every time Mia emitted one of those guttural laughs or just reached out to touch Ethan's arm in some über casual manner, that made Ava feel small-invisible, almost-like the background of some story to which she really wanted to belong.

Halfway through the movie, Mia stood up to get some snacks from the kitchen. Ava and Ethan remained in the room, where the air seemed to thicken as they looked at each other, at a complete loss for words.

"I didn't mean for it to get like this," he said softly. "I want you to know that."

Ava swallowed hard, and her heart raced as she said, "I know, it's just. it's hard to watch."

Ethan actually looked perturbed, and in that moment, she could tell he did care. But before she could respond, Mia came back with a bowl of popcorn, laughing as she sat back down.

"Did I miss anything?" she asked, her eyes sparkling as she put the bowl in front of Ethan.

She forced a smile, her heart sinking again. "Just talking about how exciting this movie is."

As they watched, Ava couldn't help but feel that with every passing minute, she was losing Ethan to the past that they shared. The thrill of their secret connection was being shadowed by Mia's exuberance, and the more she tried to focus on the movie, the more her resolve crumbled.

By the time the credits rolled, Ava was exhausted. Mia jumped up, stretching. "That was so good! I'm so glad we did this."

Ethan smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes as he looked over at Ava. "Yeah, it was fun.

Ava forced herself to join in the laughter, but inside an ache hurt from a yearning for what they had shared in private. She had to speak with him, get back what they had before Mia had stepped in.

As they all moved into the kitchen for dessert, Ava was suddenly overwhelmed. She couldn't take it anymore. "I think I need some air," she stammered. "I'll be outside for a moment."

"Are you okay?" Ethan asked concern etching his features.

"Yeah, just... I'll be fine," she replied, not waiting for a response as she slipped out the door and left the warmth of the house behind.

The cool night air enveloped her, like a wave crashing against her skin, refreshing and cooling, yet unable to wash away the turmoil inside. She walked to the edge of the yard, looking for some solace in the bright light of the stars.

Just then, behind her, she heard the door open, and Ethan appeared, his face set in an expression of worry. "Ava?" he called softly.

She turned toward him, her heart pounding in her chest. "I just needed a moment," she said huskily, the words catching in her throat.

He took another step closer, the space between them shrinking. "You don't have to act with me. If this is too much, we could discuss it."

Ava felt the emotion begin to rise as she took a deep breath. "I don't want to lose what we have, Ethan. But every time I see you with Mia, it feels like I am losing you."

Ethan reached out and took her hands into his. "You're not losing me. I care about you, Ava. I chose you.

His words enveloped her like a warm blanket, and the weight of her insecurities began to lift. But just then, as they were about to lean in toward each other, the door burst open, and Mia's voice cut in.

"Hey! You two coming back in? I saved some cake!

The tension snapped back into place, and Ava's heart sank. Releasing her grasp on Ethan's hands, she plastered a polite smile back on her face as they turned to walk back inside.

But when Ava stepped back into the warm light of the kitchen, she knew this was only just the beginning. There was a line drawn now between friendship and something more. The more moments they spent together, the more it seemed their path was going to be an equal balance of both joy and heartache.

ges! I heard you're dating this hot girl. Is it true?" He glanced teasingly at Ava, a playful smirk on his face.

Ava blushed for a second time, the implication hanging in the air. Ethan opened his mouth to reply, but before he could get one word out, Mia jumped in, full of enthusiasm. "Oh, it's most definitely true! They're, like, glued together!

Ava's heart was racing, filled with mixed feelings. As Jordan played with Mia, Ethan's eyes darted to her, his eyes apologizing in silence.

Ava felt them drifting apart again. Jordan's arrival felt like it was fanning the fires of competition that she had been trying all night to squelch. She needed a minute to breathe, to clear her mind.

Excuse me, I'll be right back," Ava said, edging out of the kitchen and in the direction of the bathroom. She shut the door behind her and leaned against it, her heart racing.

In that instant, Ava knew the truth about what was happening to her with regard to Ethan. The stakes were mounting, and she felt more vulnerable than at any other moment of her life.

Then, suddenly, she heard muffled voices outside the door.

"Ava's a great girl," Ethan was saying. "But this is complicated."

"I know, man," Jordan replied, his voice low. "But you can't keep playing it safe. You've got to figure out what you want before you lose her."

Ava's heart did a flip. She leaned into the door, her breath catching. Ethan was really that into her?

Then again, Jordan continued,