Continuation of sidelined heart
Chapter 9:
Weeks passed since the breakup, and Ava focused on her photography. She started taking commissions and built a portfolio. Ethan, meanwhile, struggled with the aftermath of his championship win. The thrill had worn off, and he felt guilty without Ava.
As Ethan walked through the school hallways, he caught glimpses of Ava, her bright smile now reserved for others. He realized too late that he had taken her for granted.
"Ethan, can I talk to you?" Tyler asked, approaching him.
"What's up?" Ethan replied.
"Ava's doing great without you," Tyler said bluntly. "You messed up, man. She deserves better."
Ethan nodded, knowing Tyler spoke the truth.
Chapter 10:
Ava asked Tyler to dinner, and he agreed, thinking it was just a friendly outing. Over pasta and laughter, Ava couldn't help but notice Tyler's kind eyes and genuine smile.
"Ava, you seem different," Tyler said, as they sipped their coffee. "Happier."
"I'm just focusing on my photography," Ava replied, evading the truth.
Tyler nodded. "You're talented. Ethan was blind to let you go."
Ava's cheeks flushed. "Thanks, Tyler. You're always so supportive."
As the night ended, Tyler walked Ava home. At her doorstep, he turned to her.
"Ava, I had a great time tonight. Would you like to do it again?"
Ava's heart skipped a beat. Was Tyler asking her out?
"Sure," she said, trying to sound casual.
Tyler grinned. "Awesome. I'll plan something special."
Ava watched Tyler leave, her mind racing. Did she just agree to a date?
The next day, Tyler texted Ava:
"Hey, how about a sunset hike this Saturday?"
Ava hesitated, unsure if she was ready to reveal her feelings.
Chapter 11:
Ava's phone buzzed with an unexpected text from Ethan:
"Hey Ava, can we talk?"
Ava's heart sank. She thought she'd moved on.
"What's up, Ethan?" she replied cautiously.
"Can we meet at the park?" Ethan asked.
Ava agreed, curious.
At the park, Ethan looked contrite. "Ava, I was blind. I realize now how much I hurt you. Can we try again?"
Ava's resolve strengthened. "Ethan, I've moved on. I deserve better."
Ethan's eyes widened. "You're seeing someone?"
Ava smiled faintly. "Maybe."
Ethan's face fell. "I understand. I was too late."
Later that day, Ava met Tyler for their sunset hike. As they climbed, the silence between them grew thicker.
Ava couldn't help but feel drawn to Tyler's kindness and understanding. She found herself stealing glances, her heart racing.
At the summit, they watched the sunset paint the sky with vibrant hues.
Tyler turned to Ava, his eyes sparkling. "You're amazing, Ava."
Ava's pulse quickened. She leaned in, her lips almost touching Tyler's.
But Tyler gently pulled back. "Ava, I care about you deeply, but..."
Ava's heart sank.
"...it's not right to take my best friend's girlfriend," Tyler finished.
Ava's face burned. "Ethan and I are over."
Tyler's expression softened. "I know, but I promised Ethan I'd look out for you, not date you."
Ava felt a mix of emotions: disappointment, respect, and admiration for Tyler's loyalty.
"Why did you agree to this hike, then?" Ava asked.
Tyler smiled. "I wanted to spend time with you, as a friend. You deserve someone who'll treat you right."
Ava nodded, understanding.
As they descended, Ava realized her feelings for Tyler ran deeper than she thought.
But Tyler's loyalty to Ethan left her wondering: would she ever find someone who prioritized her heart?
---
Chapter 12 (optional):
Ava confides in her best friend, Sophia.
Sophia listens attentively. "Ava, you deserve someone who loves you unconditionally. Don't settle."
Ava nods, resolving to focus on her photography and self-growth.
Meanwhile, Tyler struggles with his loyalty to Ethan and his growing feelings for Ava.
Ethan, still regretful, begins to question his friendship with Tyler.
The love triangle thickens.
Chapter 13:
Tyler, feeling guilty for his own feelings, begged Ethan to reunite with Ava.
"Ethan, you idiot, you lost her once. Don't let her go again," Tyler urged.
Ethan, still longing for Ava, agreed.
Ava, hesitant at first, eventually agreed to give Ethan another chance.
Their reunion seemed perfect, with Ethan showering her with attention and affection.
But one fateful night, Ethan's true intentions surfaced.
As they parked overlooking the city, Ethan's hands wandered.
Ava, uncomfortable, tried to push him away.
"Ethan, stop. I'm not ready," she pleaded.
Ethan's eyes darkened. "Come on, Ava. You owe me."
Ava's heart sank. She realized Ethan only wanted one thing.
She quickly gathered her belongings and fled the car.
Ethan's face twisted in anger. "Fine, leave then!"
Tyler's words echoed in Ava's mind: "Ethan doesn't care about anyone but himself."
Ava vowed never to fall for Ethan's charms again.
The next day, Tyler confronted Ethan.
"Ethan, what happened with Ava?" Tyler demanded.
Ethan shrugged. "She's just playing hard to get."
Tyler's expression turned cold. "You used her, Ethan. Again."
Ethan sneered. "You're just jealous I got to her first."
Tyler's fists clenched. "You're toxic, Ethan. I'm done covering for you."
The friendship between Tyler and Ethan began to fray.
Ava, meanwhile, focused on her photography, using her art to heal.
But the encounter left her questioning her self-worth.
Chapter 14:
Ava arrived at Tyler's football training, her eyes scanning the field until she spotted him. Tyler noticed her and jogged over, concern etched on his face.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Tyler asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
Ava's voice trembled. "It's Ethan. He...he tried to..."
Tyler's expression darkened. "What did he do?"
Ava took a deep breath. "We were parked overlooking the city, and he...he tried to force himself on me."
Tyler's eyes widened, anger flashing across his face. "He what?!"
Ava nodded, tears welling up. "I had to run away. I was so scared."
Tyler pulled Ava into a comforting hug. "I'm so sorry, Ava. I had no idea he was capable of that."
Ava's tears soaked into Tyler's jersey. "You warned me, Tyler. You told me he doesn't care about anyone but himself."
Tyler's grip tightened. "I should have done more to protect you. I'm sorry."
As Ava composed herself, Tyler's determination grew.
"I'll make sure Ethan faces consequences," Tyler vowed.
Ava's eyes widened. "No, Tyler, please don't. It'll only make things worse."
Tyler's jaw clenched. "I won't let him get away with this."
The coach called out, "Tyler, get back to training!"
Tyler hesitated before returning to the field, his mind racing with thoughts of Ethan's actions.
As Ava watched Tyler train, she realized her feelings for him went beyond gratitude.
Chapter 15:
Ava couldn't shake off the feeling that Tyler was the one she truly wanted. But fear lingered, reminding her of their previous encounter.
"Will he reject me again?" Ava wondered.
As she watched Tyler train, Ava mustered courage and approached him during a water break.
"Tyler, can I talk to you?" Ava asked.
Tyler's eyes sparkled. "Of course, Ava."
Ava's heart raced. "I wanted to thank you for listening earlier. You're an amazing friend."
Tyler smiled. "Anytime, Ava."
Ava took a deep breath. "Tyler, I have to admit...I've developed feelings for you."
Tyler's expression softened, but Ava detected a hint of hesitation.
"Tyler, please don't say anything," Ava rushed. "I know you said it wasn't right to date me because of Ethan, but—"
Tyler's hands gently interrupted her. "Ava, stop. Let me talk."
Ava's heart sank, preparing for rejection.
"Ava, I care about you deeply," Tyler began. "But I need to be honest. My loyalty to Ethan...it's complicated."
Ava's eyes dropped, disappointment creeping in.
"But," Tyler continued, "seeing you with Ethan, realizing what he did...I realize my feelings for you go beyond friendship."
Ava's heart skipped a beat.
"Tyler?" she whispered.
Tyler's eyes locked onto hers. "I want to try, Ava. I want to be with you."
Ava's face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Really?" she asked, hope overflowing.
Tyler smiled back. "Really."
As they shared their first tender kiss, the football field faded into the background.
The end
.