Chapter 7: A Lie We Tell Ourselves

I spent the next few days avoiding Ethan.

I skipped breakfast when I knew he'd be there. I stayed late at school, making excuses to Claire about extra studying. When I got home, I locked myself in my room, pretending I didn't exist.

It was pathetic, but I didn't know what else to do.

Avoidance was the safest option. Because if I saw him again, I wasn't sure I could keep pretending I didn't want him.

But Ethan wasn't the type to let things go.

I should have known he'd find a way to corner me.

I was in the library one evening, trying to focus on my calculus homework, when I felt someone slide into the seat across from me.

I didn't need to look up to know who it was.

"Aria."

I kept my eyes glued to my notebook. "Go away, Ethan."

"You've been ignoring me." His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

I forced a laugh. "Maybe because I have school? Not everything is about you."

He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Right. So the way you ran out of the house this morning before I came downstairs—that was just coincidence?"

I clenched my jaw. "It doesn't matter."

Ethan studied me for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. If that's how you want to play it." He stood, shoving his hands into his pockets. "But if you think ignoring me will make this go away, you're wrong."

I swallowed, gripping my pencil tightly.

Because deep down, I knew he was right.