The cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chaos, but for Ava and Ethan, it felt like they were in their own little world. As they continued to share stories, Ava noticed the way Ethan's smile would occasionally falter, as if he were wrestling with something beneath the surface.
"Do you miss your old school?" Ava asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Ethan paused, his fork hovering over his plate. "Sometimes. I had a few good friends there, but… it wasn't perfect. There were things that happened that made it hard to stay."
Ava leaned in, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Let's just say that not everyone was as supportive as I'd hoped. There were some… incidents. I guess I'm just trying to leave that behind."
Ava felt a pang of empathy. "I get that. High school can be brutal. But you seem like you can handle yourself."
Ethan smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I try. But sometimes it's hard to shake off the past."
Before Ava could respond, a loud voice cut through their conversation. "Hey, look who it is! The new kid and the loser!" Tyler sauntered over, flanked by his usual entourage, a smug grin plastered on his face.
Ava's heart sank. She had hoped Tyler would stay away after their earlier encounter. "What do you want, Tyler?" she asked, trying to sound braver than she felt.
Tyler leaned against the table, his eyes narrowing at Ethan. "Just wanted to see if you're as tough as you look. Or if you're just another wannabe trying to play hero."
Ethan's expression hardened, but he remained calm. "I'm not looking for trouble, Tyler. Just trying to enjoy lunch."
"Enjoying lunch with a loser like her?" Tyler scoffed, gesturing dismissively at Ava. "You really think you can fit in here? You're just a nobody."
Ava felt a rush of anger. "You don't know anything about me, Tyler. Or about Ethan."
"Yeah, I do," Tyler shot back, his voice dripping with disdain. "I know you're both just trying to play it cool, but trust me, you don't belong here."
Ethan stood up, his posture straightening as he faced Tyler. "You need to back off. Ava's not a nobody, and neither am I. You don't get to decide who belongs."
The cafeteria had fallen silent, all eyes on the confrontation. Ava's heart raced as she watched Ethan stand his ground, a mix of admiration and fear coursing through her.
Tyler's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "You think you're tough? Let's see how tough you really are." He turned to his friends, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "How about a little challenge? A game of basketball after school. Winner takes all."
Ethan glanced at Ava, who nodded slightly, urging him to accept. "Fine," he said, his voice steady. "But if we win, you leave us alone."
"Deal," Tyler replied, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Get ready to lose, new kid."
As Tyler and his crew walked away, Ava felt a mix of dread and excitement. "Are you sure about this?" she asked Ethan, concern etched on her face.
Ethan shrugged, a determined look in his eyes. "I can't let him push us around. Besides, I used to play a lot back at my old school. I think I can hold my own."
Ava felt a surge of admiration for Ethan's bravery, but she also worried about the pressure he was putting on himself. "Just be careful, okay? Tyler's not just a bully; he's got a reputation."
"I'll be fine," Ethan assured her, though she could see the tension in his jaw. "I just want to show him that he can't intimidate us."
As the lunch period came to an end, Ava couldn't shake the feeling of unease. She wanted to support Ethan, but she also feared what would happen if things didn't go as planned.
---
After school, the gym was packed with students eager to watch the showdown. Ava stood at the edge of the court, her heart pounding as she watched Ethan warm up. He moved with a fluid grace, his focus intense, but she could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"Hey," she said, stepping closer. "You've got this. Just remember to have fun."
Ethan nodded, but the tension in his shoulders didn't ease. "Thanks, Ava. I appreciate you being here."