Chapter 4: Shadows Between Us

Ava didn’t stop walking until the cold air bit at her skin, grounding her back to reality. She pulled her jacket tighter around her, forcing herself to breathe. She had left Noah standing there, but his words lingered, settling into the cracks she had carefully sealed over the past year. She hated that he had the power to make her feel anything at all. Her feet carried her toward home, but she knew the silence of her apartment would be unbearable. Instead, she found herself at Lia’s house, knocking on the door before she could change her mind. Lia answered almost immediately, her expression shifting to concern the second she saw Ava’s face. “What happened?” Ava sighed, stepping inside. “Noah.” Lia groaned, closing the door behind her. “Again?” “I ran into him at the bookstore.” Lia gave her a pointed look. “Are you sure you didn’t accidentally run into him? Because the universe seems pretty determined to throw you two together.” Ava flopped onto the couch, rubbing her temples. “I don’t believe in fate. Just bad luck.” Lia sat beside her, tucking her legs under herself. “So? What did he say this time?” Ava hesitated, the weight of Noah’s words still pressing against her. I don’t want us to keep doing this. “He regrets leaving,” she admitted, voice barely above a whisper. Lia’s expression softened. “And how do you feel about that?” Ava clenched her jaw. “I don’t know. I want to hate him, but—” She exhaled sharply. “It’s not that simple.” Lia gave her a knowing look. “It never is.” They sat in silence for a moment before Lia nudged her playfully. “Well, if it makes you feel better, my dad made brownies. Guaranteed to solve at least half your problems.” Ava let out a small laugh. “Half?” Lia grinned. “The other half is solved by ice cream. Obviously.” For the first time that day, Ava felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders. Maybe she didn’t have all the answers yet. Maybe the past still held too many ghosts. But for now, brownies and ice cream would do. Later that night, after a sugar-induced movie marathon with Lia, Ava finally trudged home. The apartment was dark, silent except for the distant hum of traffic outside. She locked the door behind her, pressing her forehead against the cool wood. She should have felt better. She wanted to feel better. But Noah’s voice wouldn’t leave her alone. With a frustrated sigh, she tossed her bag onto the couch and headed for the bathroom. The reflection that stared back at her was one she barely recognized—tired eyes, tense shoulders, lips pressed into a thin line. She had spent so long pretending she didn’t care that she had almost convinced herself. Almost. With a groan, she splashed cold water on her face and changed into her pajamas. She climbed into bed, pulling the covers over her head as if they could shield her from the thoughts circling in her mind. Just as she was drifting off, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She ignored it at first, but when it vibrated a second time, she reluctantly reached for it. The screen lit up with a message from an unknown number. Can we talk? Ava’s heart jumped into her throat. She stared at the words, her fingers hovering over the screen. She didn’t need to ask who it was. Noah. Her thumb hovered over the keyboard. She could ignore him. Pretend she never saw it. Block the number and push him further away. But something stopped her. Instead, she typed two words and hit send before she could change her mind. Not tonight. She placed the phone face down and turned over, closing her eyes. Noah might have regrets, but that didn’t mean she was ready to face them yet.

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