Lessons in Paris

The Girl in the Red Jacket

The first fight happened over something stupid.

At least that’s what Ava told herself afterward.

It was Friday night, and Westbridge High’s gym buzzed with music, laughter, and flashing lights from the senior fundraiser party. Students crowded the basketball court, shouting over the music while cheap decorations hung from the ceiling.

Ava stood near the snack table texting Noah for the third time.

**Where are you?**

No reply.

She checked the time again.

Twenty minutes late.

“Boyfriend problems?” her best friend Mia asked, sipping soda beside her.

Ava sighed. “He said he’d be here.”

“He will.”

“Yeah, but he’s acting weird lately.”

Before Mia could answer, the gym doors opened.

Noah walked in laughing with two teammates, his hoodie thrown over one shoulder. Girls instantly noticed him the second he entered—some openly staring.

But Noah’s attention shifted immediately toward Ava.

And for half a second, relief crossed his face.

Then Ava noticed the girl beside him.

Tall.

Pretty.

Red jacket.

Blonde hair curled perfectly like she belonged in some movie Noah secretly wished he was living in.

The girl touched Noah’s arm casually while laughing at something he said.

Ava felt something cold settle in her stomach.

“Noah!” Mia called awkwardly.

Noah walked over. “Hey.”

“You ignored my texts,” Ava said immediately.

His smile faded slightly. “My phone died.”

Ava glanced at the girl beside him.

“Who’s she?”

The girl answered before Noah could.

“Emily,” she said confidently. “I’m in his economics class.”

Ava nodded slowly. “Okay.”

But it wasn’t okay.

And Noah knew it.

“You ready?” he asked Ava quickly, like he wanted to move past the tension before it became a problem.

But Ava kept looking at Emily.

Pretty girls didn’t usually make Ava insecure.

Except this one looked exactly like the type of girl Noah’s friends always said he should date.

Confident.

Effortlessly cool.

The kind of girl who looked expensive without trying.

“You didn’t mention you were coming with someone,” Ava said quietly.

Noah frowned. “She needed a ride.”

“She lives near you?”

“No.”

The answer slipped out too fast.

Ava noticed.

“You drove across town for her?”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“It kind of is.”

Noah exhaled sharply already sounding irritated. “Ava, seriously?”

That tone.

That one irritated tone boys used when they wanted girls to feel dramatic for reacting normally.

Ava crossed her arms. “I’m literally asking a question.”

“And I answered it.”

Emily shifted awkwardly. “I should go find my friends.”

“Probably,” Ava muttered.

“Ava,” Noah warned.

“What?” she snapped. “Am I supposed to pretend this isn’t weird?”

“It’s not weird.”

“It is to me.”

Noah rubbed his jaw in frustration. “You’re overthinking it.”

The words hit harder than they should’ve.

Because Ava suddenly remembered every moment she’d reassured Noah whenever he felt insecure.

Every late-night conversation.

Every time she proved her loyalty.

And now here he was dismissing her feelings in less than thirty seconds.

“That’s funny,” Ava said quietly.

“What is?”

“You’re allowed to feel insecure whenever you want.” Her eyes locked onto his. “But the second I do, I’m overthinking?”

Noah went silent.

Because deep down… he knew she was right.

But instead of apologizing, embarrassment turned into defensiveness.

“There’s nothing going on.”

“I didn’t say there was.”

“You’re acting like it.”

“Because you’re acting different.”

Noah laughed once without humor. “Different how?”

“Like you suddenly care what other people think.”

His jaw tightened immediately.

And Ava realized she’d hit a nerve.

His teammates stood nearby pretending not to listen.

Emily avoided eye contact entirely.

“You know what?” Noah muttered. “Forget it.”

He started walking away.

Ava stared at him in disbelief. “You’re seriously leaving?”

“I don’t wanna fight right now.”

“So instead you’ll just walk away?”

Noah stopped for a second but didn’t turn around.

Then he kept walking.

And somehow that hurt worse than the argument itself.

Because for the first time since falling in love with Noah Bennett…

Ava felt alone while standing right beside him.