I watched his face carefully.
Too carefully.
Because sometimes the truth isn't in what people say.
It's in that first reaction they can't control.
And Ethan?
Yeah.
He reacted.
His whole body froze.
Like someone hit pause on him.
"Ava…?" he repeated.
Not confused.
Not "who's that?"
He knew exactly who.
My stomach twisted.
So it's like that.
"You know her," I said quietly.
Not a question.
A fact.
He blinked a few times like his brain was catching up.
"Where did you see her?"
There it was.
Not who is she?
But where did you see her?
I hated how small that made me feel.
"She came here," I said. "To the shop."
His eyebrows shot up. "She came here?"
"She asked for you. By your full name."
He ran a hand over his face.
Stressed.
Why are you stressed?
That's what scared me.
If she's "nothing," why do you look like this?
"She said you grew up together," I continued. My voice calm but tight. "Same street. Same school. Same everything."
He didn't deny it.
Didn't laugh.
Didn't say "it's nothing."
He just exhaled slowly.
"Yeah… we did."
That hurt more than it should've.
Because history again.
Always history.
Why does every girl in your life come with chapters I never got to read?
"Basically siblings," I added.
He let out a small awkward laugh. "She still says that?"
Still says.
Still.
So they're that close.
Cool.
Cool cool cool.
I nodded. "She just got back. Said she wanted to surprise you."
He looked away.
And that's when my chest really tightened.
Because why are you avoiding my eyes?
"Ethan," I said softly.
He looked back immediately.
"Is there something I should know?"
Straight question.
No drama.
Just truth.
He hesitated.
And that hesitation?
Yeah.
I felt it like a slap.
"Nothing like that," he said quickly. "Relax."
Relax.
I hate when people say relax.
If I could relax, I would.
"So what is it like?" I asked.
He sighed and leaned against his car.
Thinking.
Choosing words.
I crossed my arms.
Waiting.
Finally he said, "She's just… Ava."
That's not an answer.
"That doesn't explain anything."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"You know how Lena was my high school thing?"
"Yeah…"
"Ava was before that. Like… childhood. Before dating. Before all that stuff. We were just always together."
Before dating.
Before all that stuff.
Why does that somehow sound worse?
"So you liked her?" I asked.
He paused.
There it is again.
Pause.
God, I hate pauses.
"Everyone liked their childhood friend at some point," he said carefully. "It wasn't serious. We were kids."
Not serious.
Kids.
But still something.
My brain started doing what it does best.
Overthinking.
So she knew you first.
Before heartbreaks.
Before baggage.
Before me.
She probably knows your favorite food.
Your old embarrassing stories.
Your family.
Your childhood nickname.
Things I'll never know.
I swallowed.
"And now?" I asked.
"Now what?"
"Now how do you feel about her?"
He looked straight at me.
This time no hesitation.
"Nothing."
Just like that.
Simple.
Firm.
Nothing.
"You sure?" I whispered.
He stepped closer.
Took my hands.
Warm. Steady.
"Mira," he said quietly, "I just fought to get you back. Do you really think I'm about to start another emotional mess?"
My chest softened a little.
But not fully.
Because life isn't that nice.
"You looked scared when I said her name," I admitted.
He laughed softly.
"Not scared like that."
"Then how?"
"Scared because she's chaos."
I frowned. "Chaos?"
"She talks too much. Shows up unannounced. Invades your life like a storm. You think Lena is dramatic? Ava is worse."
Despite myself, I smiled a little.
"Seriously," he continued. "If she's back, my peaceful life is finished."
"Wow. Poor you."
"I'm serious. She once convinced me to sneak out at 2AM just to buy ice cream."
"That sounds fun."
"I got grounded for a month."
I laughed.
Okay… that actually sounded harmless.
Just childhood madness.
Not romance.
Not history like Lena.
Just memories.
Maybe I'm overreacting.
Maybe not every girl in his life is competition.
Maybe—
His phone buzzed.
Right between us.
Both of us looked down.
Screen lit up.
And my stomach dropped.
Unknown Number:
"Guess who's back in town 😉"
Followed by another message.
"Missed you, idiot."
My chest tightened.
Ethan groaned. "Oh God. It's her already."
Already?
He declined the call instantly.
Didn't even hesitate.
Then switched his phone to silent.
And slipped it into his pocket.
"I'm not dealing with that today," he muttered.
I blinked.
"…you're not answering?"
"Nope."
"Why?"
He looked at me like the answer was obvious.
"Because I'm with you."
Simple.
No performance.
Just truth.
My heart did that stupid soft thing again.
Damn him.
But still…
Still…
Something in my chest whispered:
Be careful.
Because sometimes the past doesn't come back to steal love.
Sometimes it comes back to remind someone who they used to be.
And that can be just as dangerous.