Fred's POV
The music was loud, but all l could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat.
I saw her the moment she walked in - dark curls,full lips,and eyes that could stop time. She wasn't like the others. She looked…real.
Before l knew it,my feets were already moving towards her.
As I got closer, my palms turned cold. I'd never felt this nervous before. What was wrong with me. I didn't even know her,yet something about her pull me in like gravity.
"Hey there",I said, trying to sound calm even though my voice almost cracked.
The blonde girl replied first,but my eyes stayed on her - Ava.
I introduced myself, hoping she wouldn't think l was just some random guy. I could feel the stares from people around us,but hers….hers made me feel seen.
When l asked her for a dance, l was sure she'd say no.
But she said yes.
Then she mentioned she had a boyfriend.
I smiled, pretending it didn't matter,but inside it felt like a punch straight to the chest.
I wanted to say more,but the music stopped, cutting the moment short.
"See you around",I said, trying to sound causal.
But deep down,l already knew
I wanted to see her again.
No matter what it took.
Ava's POV
I wasn't angry at Kylie - just scared
Scared of losing him.
I wanted to spend my life with Edward. That's why I didn't want anyone saying anything bad about our relationship. But Kylie's words shook everything I'd been holding together.
She didn't lied.
I just wasn't ready to hear the truth.
Somewhere deep down,I still believed. Edward loved me. I needed to believe it.
Just as l was about to respond my phone beeped - and my world shattered.
It was him. Edward.
He had posted something on his Instagram story,and the caption made my heart stop. Underneath a photo,it read:
"Forever mine".
But it wasn't a picture of me.
It was a picture of my cousin.
I stared at the screen,frozen. Every word, every memory,every "I love you" we stared felt like a like.
I tried to stay calm, but my chest tightened painfully.
Every time I tried to reach him,he gave me excuses:
"I'm at a meeting",
"Something came up".
"Sorry,I have to go".
It felt like l was clinging to something that was already gone. But I wasn't ready to let him go - not now,not ever.
"Hey,Ava", Kylie said softly. Her voice carried concern.
I lowered my head as tears slipped down my cheeks. I couldn't bring myself to look at her.
"I'm sorry if I was too harsh",she whispered.
She hadn't hurt me with her words. She'd just touched a wound I'd been pretending didn't exist.
"It's okay",I said quietly,my voice cracking.
"Are you crying?". She asked gently,quilt written on her face.
"It's just about the post Edward made,I whispered. "It was my cousin. I'm having a breakdown".
Kylie frowned. It's okay. I mean….your cousin wouldn't actually be in a relationship with your boyfriend,right?"
"Yeah. She wouldn't".
Even as I said it,I wasn't sure I believed it.
"I think we should head home", I murmured.
"Sure",Kylie said, taking my hand as we walked toward the exist.
I tried to smile,but a strange uneasiness lingered in my chest like something dark was waiting just ahead.
"Ava!Ava!" Kylie tapped my shoulder.
"You've been zoning out like five time tonight", she teased lightly.
"I'm sorry. Let's just go", I said.
And with that,we stepped out of the hall.
Just as we reached the parking lot,my phone buzzed again.
I didn't flinch this time.
I was numb.
I unlocked it slowly.
The message was from an unknown number.
Only four words.
Four words that made my blood run cold:
"You'll regret trusting him?"