Chapter 11: Tears and Truths

Ava burst through the door of their dorm room, her cheeks flushed, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Chloe, who had been there at the restaurant, witnessing the whole uncomfortable exchange, was perched on her bed. She looked up in alarm as Ava entered, her friend's distress evident."Ava! What was that about? Are you alright?"Ava didn't answer. She marched across the room, threw herself onto her bed, and buried her face in the pillow, her body trembling with suppressed emotion.Chloe, her concern growing, hurried over to Ava's bed. She sat beside her, gently stroking her back, her voice filled with worry."Ava, talk to me. You were so abrupt with him! What happened?"Ava remained silent, her sobs muffled by the pillow. Chloe, her patience wearing thin, gently lifted Ava's face, forcing her to meet her gaze."Ava, you're scaring me. Please tell me what's going on."The dam finally broke. Ava's tears flowed freely, her body shaking with sobs as she poured out her heart to her friend."I messed everything up, Chloe," she wailed. "I ruined it.""Ruined what?" Chloe asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?""Liam," Ava sobbed, her voice thick with emotion. "I told him to leave me alone, that I didn't want to see him again."Chloe's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why would you do that? He looked so crushed!""Because it's the truth," Ava cried, her voice cracking. "We can't be together, Chloe. It's impossible.""Impossible? Why?" Chloe demanded, her voice rising in frustration. "Because of those stupid rumours? Because of what people might say?"Ava shook her head, her tears flowing unabated. "It's not just the rumours, Chloe. It's everything. Our worlds are too different. He's wealthy, powerful, he lives a life I can't even imagine. I'm just... me. A scholarship student with no connections, no money, no future except the one I'm struggling to build for myself.""But Ava," Chloe protested, "you can't just throw away something special because of those things. Liam clearly cares about you. He saved you, he defended you, he looked like he was genuinely excited to see you!""I know," Ava sobbed, her voice filled with despair. "And that's what makes it so hard. I care about him too, Chloe. More than I should. But it's not enough. We're not enough.""Don't say that, Ava," Chloe pleaded, her voice softening. "You don't know that. Maybe, just maybe, you could be enough. Maybe Liam sees something in you that goes beyond your social status, beyond the differences in your backgrounds."Ava shook her head, her tears blurring her vision. "It's not that simple, Chloe. You don't understand. The rumours, the gossip... that's just the beginning. If I choose to be with Liam, I'll be stepping into a world of scrutiny, of judgment, of expectations I can't possibly meet. I'll be constantly compared to him, found wanting, labeled as a gold-digger, an opportunist. I can't handle that, Chloe. I won't."Chloe's expression softened, her anger replaced by understanding. She reached out and pulled Ava into a hug, holding her close as she sobbed uncontrollably."I'm sorry, Ava," she whispered, her voice filled with compassion. "I didn't realize how much this was hurting you. I just wanted you to be happy."Ava clung to her friend, her tears soaking Chloe's shirt. "I know, Chloe. And I appreciate that. But this... this is something I have to deal with on my own. I have to make the right decision, even if it breaks my heart."Chloe held her tighter, offering silent support. She knew Ava well enough to understand her fierce independence, her determination to forge her own path, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness.Ava cried for a long time, releasing the pent-up emotions that had been weighing her down. Chloe remained by her side, a steady presence in the storm, offering comfort and understanding.As the tears subsided, Ava finally pulled away, her eyes red and swollen, her face streaked with mascara. She looked at Chloe, a faint smile touching her lips."Thank you, Chloe," she said, her voice hoarse but steady. "For being here for me."Chloe smiled back, squeezing her hand. "Always, Ava. Always."Ava knew she had made the right decision, however painful it might be. She couldn't allow herself to be swept away by a fairy tale romance, no matter how tempting it might be. She had her own dreams to pursue, her own future to build. And she would do it on her own terms, with her head held high and her heart guarded, even if it meant leaving a piece of it behind with Liam Blackwood.