A Dream She Couldn't Wait to Live
997 Words
Sunlight slipped through the curtains of Ava Carter’s apartment, slowly filling the room with a warm golden glow.
The soft light fell across the desk where her laptop still rested, closed now, quiet and innocent—hiding the dangerous secret it had helped create last night.
Ava stirred in her bed.
Her alarm had already rung twice, but she had ignored it.
For the first time in days, she had slept peacefully.
The heavy pressure that had sat on her chest for nearly a week was finally gone.
The hack was done.
The money had been transferred.
Ethan’s mother would be saved.
And Ava… Ava felt lighter than she had felt in a long time.
Her eyes slowly opened.
A soft smile spread across her lips as she stretched lazily beneath the blankets.
Today felt like the beginning of something wonderful.
In exactly three days, she would graduate.
Top of her department.
Top of the entire cybersecurity program.
The thought made her heart flutter with excitement.
Four years of sleepless nights, endless coding assignments, complicated algorithms, and brutal exams were finally coming to an end.
She had done it.
And the best part?
Ethan would be there to celebrate with her.
Ava rolled onto her side, reaching for her phone on the bedside table.
Her fingers moved quickly as she opened her messages.
There it was.
Ethan’s message from the night before.
"I still can't believe what you did for me, Ava. You saved my family. I will never forget it."
Her cheeks warmed instantly.
Just reading his words made her heart beat faster.
She typed a reply quickly.
"You don’t have to thank me so much. I'm just happy I could help."
A moment later, three dots appeared.
Ethan was typing.
Her stomach fluttered with anticipation.
"You’re too good for this world, Ava."
Ava bit her lip shyly.
Too good.
Ethan always said things like that.
Things that made her feel special.
Things that made her believe their future together would be perfect.
Her gaze drifted toward the small gift box sitting on her desk.
Inside that box was something she had been preparing for weeks.
A surprise for Ethan.
Ava hugged her pillow happily.
Graduation night was going to be perfect.
She had already imagined everything.
The ceremony.
The celebration.
The after-party.
And then…
She would finally confess everything she had been too shy to say before.
Ava had never even kissed Ethan.
Not for once.
Their relationship had always been gentle and patient.
Ethan had never pushed her.
Never rushed her.
He had always respected her boundaries.
That was one of the many reasons she loved him.
But on graduation night, Ava had decided she would give him something special.
Her trust.
Her heart.
And the future she dreamed of building with him.
She sat up in bed suddenly, her excitement bubbling over.
“I should start preparing,” she murmured to herself.
There was so much to do.
Decorations for the small celebration Lily wanted to organize.
Her graduation dress.
Her hair appointment.
And the little surprise she had planned for Ethan.
Ava hopped out of bed and padded toward the kitchen, her bare feet brushing softly against the wooden floor.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, staring out the window at the busy streets of New York.
Cars rushed past.
People hurried to work.
The city was alive as always.
And somewhere out there, Ethan was probably preparing for the future they would share together.
Ava’s smile widened.
Everything was finally falling into place.
Just then—
Her phone rang.
The screen lit up with a familiar name.
Mom
Ava answered immediately.
“Mom!”
“My brilliant graduate!” her mother’s cheerful voice came through the speaker.
Ava laughed softly.
“You're starting early with the compliments.”
“You deserve them,” her mother replied warmly. “Top of your department! If your father were here, he would be bragging about you to everyone.”
Ava’s chest tightened slightly at the mention of her father, but the sadness quickly faded.
Her mother continued happily.
“Rose sent pictures of the baby this morning. Mia is getting so big already.”
Ava smiled.
“I wish I could see her.”
“You will soon,” her mother said gently. “After graduation, come visit us in California.”
“I will.”
Her mother sighed softly.
“I’m still sorry we can't attend the ceremony, sweetheart. Your sister really needs help with the baby.”
“It’s okay, Mom,” Ava assured her quickly. “You already sent gifts. And Lily will be there with me.”
“And Ethan?” her mother asked knowingly.
Ava blushed instantly.
“Yes… Ethan will be there.”
Her mother chuckled softly.
“I knew it. The way you talk about him… that boy must be very special.”
Ava leaned against the kitchen counter, smiling shyly.
“He is.”
Very special.
Very kind.
Very patient.
Everything Ava believed a future husband should be.
They spoke for several more minutes before the call ended.
After hanging up, Ava finished her coffee and quickly began preparing for the day.
There was still one final exam review meeting with her professor before graduation.
As she grabbed her bag and headed toward the door, her eyes briefly flickered toward the laptop sitting on her desk.
For a moment—
Just a moment—
A strange feeling passed through her chest.
A tiny whisper of unease.
She had stolen thirty million dollars.
Even if it was for a good reason…
Even if it saved a life…
It was still a crime.
Ava shook her head firmly.
“No,” she murmured.
She refused to think about that now.
Ethan’s mother needed that surgery.
That was what mattered.
And Ethan trusted her.
Everything would be fine.
With renewed determination, Ava stepped out of her apartment and locked the door behind her.
- Writer
