đ CHAPTER FIVE
Avery's POV
Kissing Ethan didn't magically fix him.
Which was rude, honestly.
The next morning, he was distant again â not cold, just⌠careful. Like someone holding a glass object with trembling hands.
We sat on the grass outside the student center, laptops open, pretending to work.
"So," I said casually, "are we going to talk about the part where we kissed in public and shattered my emotional stability?"
He swallowed.
"Yes."
I smiled. Progress.
Ethan's POV
I'd replayed the kiss all night.
Every laugh. Every second I didn't feel broken.
But fear was louder than hope.
"I don't want to hurt you," I said.
Avery closed her laptop slowly.
"Ethan," she said gently, "you already could."
That hit harder than anger would have.
Avery
Before he could spiral, Lena appeared â like she'd been summoned by unresolved tension.
"Wow," she said, eyes flicking between us. "Didn't take you long."
I stood.
Oh no. Not today.
"You don't get to talk to him like he's disposable," I said calmly.
Lena laughed. "You think you're special?"
Ethan shifted beside me.
I felt him hesitate.
I squeezed his hand.
Ethan
Something changed.
I was tired of letting people define me by my worst moment.
"I transferred because I was grieving," I said. "Not because I'm weak."
Lena blinked.
"I didn't fail," I continued. "I survived."
She scoffed, but there was no bite left.
"Come on," she muttered, walking away.
My chest felt⌠lighter.
Avery
I turned to him, eyes bright.
"See?" I said. "Still standing."
He laughed softly.
"You make it easier."
"Good," I said. "That's kind of my thing."
Ethan
We walked in silence.
Not awkward. Just full.
We stopped near the dorms.
"I don't know what we are," I said finally.
Avery tilted her head. "Okay."
"I don't want labels if they turn into expectations."
"Okay."
"But I want this," I added. "Whatever this is."
She smiled â warm and real.
Avery
I stepped closer.
"We're two people," I said, "trying not to run."
He exhaled. "That sounds right."
I grinned. "So⌠emotionally reckless friends?"
He laughed. "With benefits?"
"Wow," I said. "Bold."
I kissed him again â slower this time.
"Let's just be honest," I whispered. "And see where it goes."
He rested his forehead against mine.
"I can do that."