Mia's footsteps echoed softly as she entered Ava's tiny apartment, the air heavy with the faint scent of damp clothes and detergent that never quite faded. The place was dim, a single bulb buzzing weakly in the ceiling. The living room had no furniture except for a worn-out plastic chair and a small table stacked with books and papers, her schoolwork piled like fragile towers.
The bedroom was even smaller. No bedframe stood in the corner, only a thin mattress laid flat on the cold cement floor, its edges curling up where the foam had been worn down. A single faded blanket was tossed over it. The walls were bare, cracked slightly in places, and the curtain covering the window was nothing more than a sheet clipped on one side.
Mia sat beside Ava on that mattress, gently rubbing her back. Ava's shoulders shook as she cried into her friend's arms, her sobs muffled and uneven, breaking through the silence of the room.
"What am I going to do now, Mia...?" Ava's voice cracked, so soft it almost disappeared in the still air.
Mia swallowed hard, her chest tightening. She had seen Ava struggle before, but never this broken. "Hey, it's okay," she whispered, brushing Ava's hair back. "You'll get through this. I promise."
Ava shook her head, her tears wetting Mia's shirt.
"Listen," Mia continued gently. "How about this, let me help you. I can give you some money until you find another job. I'll even help you look for one."
But Ava immediately pulled back, her eyes red and swollen. "No... Mia, you should save your money. You're already barely making enough to cover your rent. I can't take that from you."
Mia sighed deeply. Ava was always like this, too proud, too stubborn to accept anything freely. She grabbed Ava's shoulders firmly and gave them a small shake. "Ava, listen to me. You can't keep doing everything alone! You're only nineteen, you need someone to lean on!"
Ava bit her lip, her chest rising and falling unevenly. She's right... but what if she ends up struggling because of me? I can't live with that guilt. I can't take what she's worked for. I'm not selfish.
Mia's expression hardened. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded stack of bills, pressing it into Ava's trembling hands. "Here. One thousand dollars. Enough to buy food, pay your bills for a little while. Don't you dare try to refuse it." Her own voice cracked as her eyes welled with tears. "You know I can't stand seeing you like this. If you don't take it, I'll cry too."
Ava stared at the money as though it were poison. Her fingers twitched around it, hesitant, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. "Mia... I can't. What if-what if something happens to you? I don't want to drag you down with me."
"You won't." Mia's voice was firm now, almost scolding. "I'm stronger than I look. And you... you deserve better than this. Stop thinking you're a burden. You're my friend, Ava. My only real friend. So please... let me do this for you."
Tears spilled down Ava's cheeks again, hot and relentless. Slowly, almost as if her body betrayed her mind, she clutched the money tightly in her hand. Then she collapsed into Mia's arms, hugging her tightly, burying her face in the crook of her neck. Her whole body shook with silent sobs.
"Thank you, Mia," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'll never forget this. Ever."
Mia kissed the top of her head, her own tears finally falling. "You don't have to thank me. Just promise me you'll keep fighting, okay? You're stronger than you think."
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🥀THE NEXT DAY 🥀
Despite the storm in her heart, Ava arrived at school early, as she always did. Her uniform was neat, though the skirt was slightly faded and the collar of her blouse had begun to fray. She clutched her worn schoolbag tightly as she stepped into the classroom.
It was silent, rows of empty desks waiting, the chalkboard still clean from yesterday, the faint smell of dust lingering in the air. Ava set her bag down slowly, her movements heavy, her mind still replaying last night's humiliation at the restaurant. Her chest ached, but she forced herself to open a book. I can't fall behind... no matter what.
Just as she was about to sit, a familiar voice broke the silence.
"Ava. Come with me to my office."
Her stomach dropped. She froze. That voice, the one she had cried about all night.
She turned her face away, her throat tight. "No," she said, trying to sound firm, but her voice wavered with sadness. "I want to study for the test."
Charles stepped closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over her desk. With a faint roll of his eyes, he leaned down and grabbed her wrist, his grip tight but not painful. "I said, come with me."
Something in his tone caught her off guard. It wasn't sharp. It wasn't cruel. When she dared to glance up, his eyes weren't filled with the coldness she expected. Instead, she saw something strange, something soft. Guilt.
"Let me go! I don't want to see your face," she snapped, tugging her arm, her tears threatening to spill again.
Charles ignored her words, his jaw tight as he led her firmly down the hall. He didn't speak until they reached his office. Once inside, he shut the door, caging her against the wall with one hand braced beside her head and the other still gripping her wrist. His body loomed close, trapping her in place.
Ava's breath caught in her throat, her heart hammering.
"Look," Charles began, his voice low, softer than she had ever heard it. "I couldn't sleep last night because of you. What Britney did to you... it was horrible."
Her eyes widened, stunned, not at his words, but at the way they sounded. Genuine.
Ava's throat went dry at his words. For a moment, she couldn't find her voice. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor, her teeth worrying her lower lip, her hands fidgeting at her sides.
Charles studied her in silence, his chest tightening at how small and fragile she looked. Slowly, he tilted her chin upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. His touch was firm but surprisingly gentle.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you, remember?" His voice dropped lower, softer than she had ever heard it. Then, with a flick of his thumb, he freed her lip from her teeth. "Stop biting that lip so much, you'll ruin it."
His eyes lingered on her lips a second too long before he tore them away, his jaw tightening.
Heat rushed into Ava's cheeks, and she quickly glanced aside, startled by the tenderness in his tone. Why is he suddenly acting this way? Is it... pity?
A crooked smirk tugged at Charles' mouth as her blush deepened. He drummed his fingers lightly against the wall beside her head, the sound echoing in the quiet office like a ticking clock. "Well," he drawled, his tone casual but his gaze sharp, "I think I've got the perfect job for you. That is... if you're looking." He tilted his head, eyes narrowing with challenge. "So. Will you accept my offer?"
Her eyes widened with a spark of hope. A smile, small, fragile, but genuine, broke across her face. "Really? You'd... help me?" But almost as quickly, the smile faltered. Her brows knitted, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"But if you're only doing this because you pity me, then forget it." Her voice cracked slightly, though her eyes burned with determination. I won't let anyone see me as weak.
Charles blinked, caught off guard. Then, a low chuckle slipped past his lips. "You're stubborn as hell, you know that?" When he saw her unwavering expression, he sighed and shook his head.
"I don't pity you, Ava. If it were anyone else, I'd have walked away without a second thought." His gaze hardened, but there was an edge of sincerity in it that made her heart skip. "But you're not anyone else. I just... want to make up for last night." He reached out and lightly patted her head, almost playfully. "Don't get used to it. I'm not the type to play savior."
Her fists tightened at her sides, her chest twisting with doubt. What if he's lying? What if he's just toying with me?
Noticing her hesitation, Charles leaned in closer, so close his breath fanned her ear. A sly smirk curved his lips. "Come on. It's ten dollars an hour. Are you really going to hesitate over that?"
Ava's eyes widened. Ten dollars an hour? That was more than enough to help her stay afloat for a while. Her lips parted, then closed again, still wrestling with the thought. Finally, she whispered, "Fine... What's the job?"
Charles leaned back slightly, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "Simple. You'll be working at a shop I know. Stocking shelves, arranging items, helping customers find what they need. Nothing too hard."
Relief washed over Ava, and she nodded quickly, almost eagerly. "Okay... I'll take it. I just... I just hope you're not lying to me."
His lips curved into a knowing smile. "I don't lie, Ava. Not about this." He finally pushed away from the wall, spreading his arms theatrically. "Now, don't I deserve a hug for this? Come on, don't make me do it myself."
Her cheeks flared red, and she spun her face away from him. "I'm not hugging you. But... thank you." She reached for the door handle, desperate to escape before her blush betrayed her further.
But just as her fingers brushed the handle, she froze. Warmth wrapped around her waist as Charles pulled her back against him. His arms held her firmly, his chest pressed against her back. Ava's eyes went wide, her breath catching in her throat.
"Charles-" she stammered, her voice trembling. No one has ever held me like this...
He dipped his head, his lips near her ear, his voice low and steady. "After school, meet me at the parking lot. I'll drive you there myself."
Ava swallowed hard, her heart racing, her hands trembling against his arms. "O-okay... Can you let go now?"
But instead of releasing her, Charles tightened his grip just slightly. His silence stretched for a moment before he spoke again, his tone softer, almost vulnerable.
"Promise me something."
Ava blinked, her pulse thundering in her ears. "What...?"
"Promise me that if you ever need someone-someone to talk to, you'll come to me." His breath was warm against her skin. "No matter what it is... I'll help you."
Ava stood frozen in his embrace, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She didn't know what scared her more, his words, or how much she wanted to believe them.
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