Aria’s POV
———
The city hummed around me, loud with honking cars and people chatting as they hurried through the busy Saturday afternoon.
I dragged myself down the sidewalk, arms aching under the weight of grocery bags, half of them are from Zianne, because of course she ditched me. “I’ll come with you, Aria, I swear!” she’d said this morning, only to be passed out, snoring like a bear, when I left.Typical.
My sneakers scraped the pavement, the plastic handles cutting into my hands, and I grumbled under my breath. I wanted to call a cab, my wrist still hurt from that dumb banner accident, even without the cast... but life had other plans.
“Aria!” a voice cut through the noise, sharp and fake-sweet, like sugar mixed with poison. My stomach twisted before I even knew who it was.
Oh, please, not her.
 But I turned anyway, like an idiot, and there she was... Professor Claire Davies, strolling toward me like she owned the street.
Her heels clicked with every step, her fancy blazer fitting perfectly, her hair pulled back in a way that screamed I’m better than you. She gave me a smile, all teeth and no kindness, and I wanted to run.
Why is she here? Why is she talking to me?
 My brain yelled to escape, but my feet stayed stuck, bags weighing me down like anchors.
“Hey, Professor Davies,” I said, keeping my voice calm, though it sounded tight. “What are you doing here?”
She stopped close, tilting her head like she was judging me. “Just running errands. You? Stocking up for the weekend?” Her eyes flicked to my bags, staring too long, like she was mocking my choices. 
Yeah, Professor, it’s ramen and pizza. I know it's unhealthy, deal with it.
“Yeah,” I said, shifting the bags, the handles digging deeper. “Stuff for me and Zianne. She’s… sleeping off a late night.”
Claire’s laugh was high and annoying, making me clench my teeth. “College life, right? Well, good news... I’m here with Ethan. He’s getting the car. Come ride with us! We’re going your way.”
My heart sank, a cold, nervous flutter hitting me.
Ethan? Here? With her? 
The bags felt heavier, my arms shaking as I tried to think of an excuse. “No, thanks. I was going to get a cab—”
“Don’t be silly!” she interrupted, waving a hand like I was being ridiculous. “It’s no trouble. Ethan won’t care, and why waste money on a cab when we’re right here?” Her smile sharpened, her eyes glinting like she was daring me to argue.
You’ve got to be kidding. 
My mind raced for a way out, but before I could say anything, a sleek black car pulled up, Ethan at the wheel. His eyes widened when he saw me, surprise flashing across his face before it turned blank.
Perfect. Just perfect. 
He got out, wearing a casual sweater, his hair messy in a way that made him look too good for someone I was supposed to hate.
“Claire, what’s—” he started, then stopped, his eyes locking on me, heavy and intense. “Aria?”
“Surprise!” Claire said, clapping like she’d planned something amazing. “I ran into Aria, and since we’re all going to the same direction, she’s riding with us. Great idea, right?”
Ethan paused, his jaw tightening like he was biting back something. His eyes flicked to me, then to Claire, and I could tell he didn’t want this, didn’t want me stuck in this mess but he couldn’t say it. Not without her noticing. “Yeah, sure,” he said, his voice stiff. “Makes sense.”
No, it doesn’t! 
I wanted to yell, but my mouth wouldn’t work. Claire’s pushiness trapped me, her smug smile saying he’s mine now, and I had no way out. No cabs, no good excuse.
“Fine,” I mumbled, barely loud enough to hear, feeling defeated. “Thanks.”
Ethan opened the trunk, stepping over to put my grocery bags. His fingers brushed mine, a quick spark that made my heart jump, and I pulled back like he’d shocked me. He didn’t say anything, just loaded the groceries quietly while Claire rambled about some shop she’d visited.
I slid into the backseat, sinking low among their stuff. Fancy wine, books, her overpriced candles and I just stared out the window, wishing I could disappear.
Claire took the front seat like it was hers, all cheerful and smug as Ethan started the car. The engine hummed, and we merged into traffic, the city blurring past. I kept my eyes on the window, my reflection looking pale and angry. This is fine. Totally fine. But it wasn’t.
I used to sit up front in this car, laughing with Ethan, picking songs, feeling like I belonged. Now? I was stuck in the back, an outsider to their perfect little couple, and it hurt like crazy.
They started talking, their voices light and easy, twisting my stomach. Claire’s laugh was too loud, her hand touching Ethan’s arm as she bragged about some work thing. “Ethan, you should’ve seen Professor's Mendoza face when I shared my idea, he loved it!”
Ethan chuckled, a sound I used to adore, now stabbing me. “Yeah, he falls for anything big,” he said, sounding relaxed, like I wasn’t sitting here falling apart.
Sometimes, they’d throw me a question. “Aria, how are you doing after the accident?” Claire asked, her voice fake-sweet, making me want to roll my eyes.
“I'm fine,” I muttered, not looking at her. “Still recovering.”
“That's good,” Ethan said, a small smile in his voice. I caught his eyes in the rearview mirror for a second... warm, familiar, intense before I looked away fast.
Don’t look at me like that, don't you dare.
The ride dragged on, their chatter filling the car while I stayed quiet, anger building inside me.
She’s doing this on purpose,
I thought, my jaw tight. Claire’s little touches, the way she leaned toward Ethan like she owned him, it was obvious. She wanted me to feel small, to know he was hers. And Ethan? He just went along with it, like he didn’t care, and it made me furious.
We stopped at a light, and Claire turned, her smile sharp. “How’s your wrist? Nice to have the cast off, huh?”
“It’s okay,” I said flatly, staring at the people passing outside. “Hurts sometimes, but I’m fine.”
“Ethan was so worried about you,” she said, her voice syrupy, her hand on his arm. “Weren’t you, Ethan? Practically stayed at the hospital.”
My eyes flicked to the mirror, catching his gaze, and he didn’t look away fast enough. Something flashed in his eyes... guilt, maybe and my heart fluttered stupidly. “Yeah,” he said, quieter, rougher. “I was.”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight, and looked out the window.
Don’t say that. Don’t act like you care.
The light changed, and we drove on, Claire talking about some wine event they’d gone to, her voice grating like nails on a chalkboard. I ignored her, my mind spinning with bitter thoughts.
She’s so annoying. How does he stand her? I was never like that. I was better.
We finally reached Claire’s fancy condo. Ethan got out to help with her bags, and I stayed in the car, watching through the window. They moved together. Her laughing, him carrying her stuff, their shoulders brushing like a perfect, annoying team. She leaned close, saying something I couldn’t hear, and he smiled, small but real. Jealousy burned through me, hot and sharp.
They look so happy. So together. 
It broke my heart, seeing him with her, like I’d never mattered, like I’d been erased.
He came back alone, sliding into the driver’s seat, and turned to me, his voice soft but serious. “Hey, why don’t you sit up front? It’s more comfortable.”
I shook my head, my voice sharp. “I’m fine here.”
“Come on, Aria,” he said, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror, pleading. “There’s more room.”
“No,” I snapped, harsher than I meant, and his face fell. I softened a little, because I couldn’t help it. “Really, I’m okay. Let’s go.”
He sighed, a tired sound, and started the car. We drove off, the silence heavy without Claire’s chatter. I stared out the window, the city fading into quieter streets. But then I noticed... the streets were wrong. This wasn’t the way to Inkwell, to my dorm.
“Ethan,” I said, my voice tight, suspicion growing, “where are we going?”
He didn’t look at me, his hands steady on the wheel, his tone calm but firm. “My place.”
My heart jumped, a mix of excitement and dread. “What? Why?”
“Just… calm down, okay?” he said, his voice quieter, tense. “We need to talk.”
“Talk?” I repeated, my voice sharp and sarcastic. “Ethan, turn around! Zianne’s waiting, I’ve got groceries, and I don’t want your vague nonsense! Take me to the dorm!”
He glanced at me, his eyes dark and serious, a storm behind them that made me pause. “Really, Aria? You’re worried about groceries? Not about fixing this… mess between us?”
I stared, my jaw dropping, my mind racing.
Fixing us? What does that mean?
Before I could argue, he pulled into his driveway, turned off the car, and got out, coming to my side. I fumbled with my seatbelt, ready to run, but he opened the door, his face determined, almost desperate.
“Ethan, I’m not—” I started, but he scooped me up, his arms strong and firm, like I weighed nothing. I yelped as he carried me, my legs kicking. “What are you doing? Put me down, you lunatic!”
He didn’t answer, just carried me inside, his grip tight but careful, like I might break. My heart pounded, a mix of panic and something warm I couldn’t ignore. He kicked the door shut, setting me down in his living room, the familiar space hitting me hard... cozy couch, bookshelves, the coffee smell I used to love.
I stepped back, my sneakers squeaking, my voice loud and dramatic. “Are you crazy? You just kidnapped me!”
He ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated, his voice sharp but controlled. “Call it what you want, Aria, but can you stop acting like a kid for one second and listen?”
I scoffed, hands on my hips, sarcasm dripping. “A kid? You’re calling me a kid when you dragged me here like a caveman?”
He stepped closer, his eyes flashing, his voice low and rough, like he was barely holding on. “I just want to talk, okay? I want to fix this... fix us. I can’t keep pretending you don’t matter to me, watching you walk away like I’m fine. I’m not, Aria. I care too much.”
My breath caught, my mind spinning with thoughts crashing together.
Fix us? He cares? What’s happening? 
I opened my mouth to argue, to yell, to push him away, but he moved faster, his hand gently grabbing my chin, pulling me close.
And then he kissed me.
It was sudden, intense, his lips pressing against mine like he’d been holding back forever. My world spun, a heart-pounding, heart-breaking jolt that took my breath away. For a moment, I gave in, his warmth, his taste, the way he held me like I was everything and it was all I’d missed, all I’d tried to forget.
But then he pulled back, his forehead against mine, his breath uneven, his eyes searching mine with a desperate look. I stood there, frozen, my lips tingling, my mind a mess of what just happened and why did he do that and he kissed me.
He spoke first, his voice a shaky whisper. “I’m sorry, Aria. I’m so sorry... for everything.”
I stared at him, my heart racing, tension thick between us, and all I could think was... what now? 
My anger fought with that stubborn, fluttery feeling, and I didn’t know if I wanted to hit him or kiss him again.
Because Ethan Ramsey had just flipped my world upside down again and I didn’t know what to do.
What do you want me to do now that you kissed me? Do I pretend everything’s okay? Do I forget you’re with Professor Davies? What now, Ethan? What now? I thought, standing there, silent, my mind screaming with questions.
___
Ethan’s POV
———
The air in my living room felt electric, heavy with the aftermath of that kiss. A wild, desperate move I didn’t plan but couldn’t stop. Aria stood close, her lips parted, her eyes stormy with shock, anger, and something softer I couldn’t name. My heart pounded, my chest tight, every nerve waiting for her to react... to shout, to push me, to do something. Anything but this silence that was tearing me apart.
Her breath shook, a small sound that broke the quiet, and I stepped back, my hand falling from her chin like it burned. “Aria, I—” I started, my voice rough, but she flinched, her eyes narrowing, and I stopped.
What did I just do?
 Panic clawed at me. I’d kissed her. I’d crossed every line I’d set to keep her safe, and now I was stuck in the mess I’d made.
She didn’t move, didn’t speak, just stared at me with those fierce eyes, like she could see right through me. My hands twitched, wanting to pull her back into that moment where everything felt right, where she was mine. But I couldn’t. I’d gone too far, and the weight of it hit me hard.
“Say something,” I said, my voice low, desperate. “Please, Aria. Yell, hit me, anything—just don’t stand there like that.”
Her lips moved, a flash of anger or pain, before her voice came, sharp and shaky, cutting me deep. “What now, Ethan? What was that? You think kissing me fixes everything? Like I can forget you broke up with me, forget you’re with her?”
Her words hurt, each one sharp, and I winced, my chest tight. “No, I—” I ran a hand through my hair, pulling hard, trying to find words. “I don’t expect you to forget. I just… I couldn’t keep acting like I don’t care, Aria. Not with you here, not after everything.”
“Acting?” she snapped, stepping closer, her voice loud, sarcastic, stinging. “You’ve been acting fine for weeks, Ethan! Parading around with Professor Davies like you’re perfect together, texting me ‘I miss you’ like it’s a joke, and now you bring me here and kiss me? What am I supposed to do with that? Tell me!”
Her eyes burned, tears shining but not falling, and it broke me, seeing her so hurt, so angry, so beautiful. I tried to speak, but the words stuck, a mix of guilt and need I couldn’t sort out.
“I’m not with her,” I said suddenly, the truth spilling out, rough and unsteady. “Not really. It’s… complicated, Aria, but it’s not what you think.”
She froze, her breath catching, her glare sharp. “Not with her? Ethan, don’t lie! Everyone’s seen you... holding hands, laughing, all close at the faculty lounge! You dumped me four days before you started dating her! What ‘complicated’ explains that?”
My stomach twisted, dread sinking in as I realized how much she believed the lie. I stepped closer, my hands hovering, wanting to shake her, make her understand, but I didn’t touch her. “It’s not real,” I said, my voice low, urgent. “Claire… she forced me. Blackmail, Aria. She threatened to report us... to get you kicked out, to ruin my job if I didn’t break up with you and go along with it.”
Her jaw dropped, her eyes wide as the words hit, confusion and disbelief mixing in her face. “Blackmail?” she repeated, her voice shaking, sharp. “You’re saying Professor Davies blackmailed you into dating her? Ethan, that’s crazy! Why would she do that?”
I sighed, rubbing my face, my shoulders sagging as the truth came out, heavy and bitter. “Because she’s… jealous, I guess. Obsessed. She saw us, saw how much I cared about you, and she hated it. She cornered me after the symposium rehearsal, told me to end things with you or she’d go to the school board. I didn’t have a choice, Aria. I couldn’t let her ruin your future.”
She stared, her breath fast, her hands clenched into fists. “So you broke up with me to protect me? That’s your excuse? And then you just… dated her? Ethan, that sounds so messed up! You could’ve told me! We could’ve figured it out together!”
“I know!” I snapped, my voice loud, frustration and guilt crashing together. “I know it’s messed up, and I know I should’ve told you! But I was scared, okay? Scared of what she’d do to you, scared of losing everything, your school, my job, Kai’s trust. I thought pushing you away would keep you safe. That you’d move on, hate me, and be okay.”
Her laugh was sharp, cutting through the air. “Okay? You think I’m okay, Ethan? I’ve been a mess since you dumped me! I’ve tried so hard to hate you, to forget you, and then you do this... this kiss, this ‘I miss you’ stuff and I’m back where I started! You can’t do that to me!”
Tears ran down her face, hot and angry, and it crushed me, seeing her break because of me. I stepped closer, my hands shaking, my voice a desperate whisper. “I’m sorry, Aria. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want any of this. I miss you every day, every moment. I see you in class, laughing with your friends, and it kills me that I’m not there. I kissed you because… I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I love you, and I’m an idiot for letting you go.”
Her breath caught, her eyes wide, and the room went quiet, the words “I love you” hanging between us like a spark. My chest tightened, waiting, hoping she’d say something.
“You… love me?” she whispered, her voice shaky, disbelieving. “Ethan, you can’t say that! Not now, not after everything! You’re with her... you chose her!”
“I didn’t choose her!” I shouted, my voice breaking, hands waving in frustration. “I chose you! Every day, I choose you, even when I can’t have you! Claire’s a lie, a trap I’m stuck in, but you... you’re the one I want, the one I’ve always wanted. I messed up, Aria, but please... give me a chance to make this right.”
She stepped back, wiping her tears, her voice loud and heartbroken. “Make it right? How, Ethan? You broke my heart, you lied to me, and now you kiss me while you’re still with her! What am I supposed to do? Act like it’s fine? Forget she’s there? Forget you picked her over me?”
“I didn’t pick her!” I yelled, my voice echoing, desperation taking over. “I picked you, I’m still picking you! I’ll end it with Claire, I’ll fight her, I’ll do anything. Just… don’t give up on us. Please.”
Her eyes blazed, full of hurt and want and anger, and she stepped back, her voice shaking but strong. “You don’t get to decide that now, Ethan! You had your chance, and you ruined it! I’m not your toy to pick up when you want  I’m done being your secret, your backup, your anything! I deserve better!”
“You do,” I said, my voice breaking, raw and pleading as I stepped closer, my hands hovering near her shoulders, not touching her. “You deserve everything, Aria. I know I messed up, but I’m not giving up on you. I’ll prove it, I’ll end things with Claire, I’ll tell Kai, I’ll face whatever comes. Just… tell me there’s a chance. Tell me I haven’t lost you forever.”
She stared, her breath uneven, tears streaming, and for a moment, I thought she’d say yes... that spark in her eyes, that aching pull between us. My heart pounded, waiting for her words like they were my lifeline.
But then she shook her head, her voice a broken whisper, crushing me. “I can’t, Ethan. I can’t do this again. Not now. Maybe never.”
My chest collapsed, a heartbreaking blow that left me reeling, but I didn’t move, my eyes locked on hers, begging. “Aria—”
“No,” she cut me off, stepping back, her voice stronger, final. “I’m leaving. I need space, Ethan. Don’t follow me. Don’t text me. Just… let me go.”
She turned, her sneakers squeaking as she stormed to the door, her shoulders shaking but her steps firm. My heart screamed to stop her, to grab her, to kiss her again and make her see, but my feet wouldn’t move, my hands falling limp.
The door slammed, a loud, final sound that echoed in my head, and I sank onto the couch, my head in my hands, my chest shaking with a sob I couldn’t hold back.
She was gone. Again. And this time, it felt real.
I’d lost her, and the question of whether she’d ever come back hung over me like a storm I couldn’t escape.