FRACTURED HEARTS

Brittany’s POV “You’re not touching her,” I snapped, stepping in front of Avery before I could even think. “Oh, so now you’re the brave one?” the officer mocked me, moving closer. “Back off,” I said, although my voice was shaking but I didn’t move. Avery laughed behind me, wild and careless. “Brittany, don’t, this i***t actually thinks he can scare me,” “Keep talking,” the officer said, lifting his hand. My heart slammed. “If you hit her, I swear—” “Do something,” Avery cut in, taunting. “Go on.” The officer’s hand came up, but suddenly, before his hands could move any further. A loud and deep voice rang out. “Don’t you lay your f*****g hands on her!” The entire room went still, even me. I turned slow, a bit surprised, and then I saw him. Ethan. 24 HOURS AGO I had just gotten admitted and had resumed for my first year. I should be excited. And I am, at least mostly. “Britt, stop overthinking,” Avery groaned from across the room, tossing a pillow straight at my face. I caught it, laughing. “I’m not overthinking. I’m just… thinking.” “Same thing.” I rolled my eyes and glanced around the room we just finished setting up. “There,” Avery said, stepping back and placing her hands on her hips like she had just completed a masterpiece. “Perfect.” I glanced around the room, trying to see it the way she did. It wasn’t perfect, not even close but it was ours. Clothes were half-hanging out of drawers, one of the pillows didn’t match the others, and there was a faint scent of vanilla mixed with dust in the air. Still, something about it made my chest feel lighter. “It’s not bad,” I admitted. “Not bad?” Avery scoffed, spinning toward me. “Brittany, this is the beginning of our independent, chaotic, slightly irresponsible era. Show some enthusiasm.” I laughed, dropping onto the edge of the bed. “I am enthusiastic. Just… quietly.” I stared up at the ceiling fan spinning lazily above us. “I still can’t believe I’m finally staying here,” I said with a small smile tugging at my lips. “No parents, no rules, just us.” Avery grinned, flopping down beside me. “Exactly. Freedom.” I leaned back on my hands, letting my eyes wander again around the room. “I still can’t believe your parents agreed to this.” “They didn’t,” she said immediately. “They just gave up arguing.” “That sounds more accurate.” We shared a small laugh. But there was this tiny knot in my stomach that won’t go away. Ethan. I sat up abruptly. “Wait…where is your brother?” Avery snorted like I just asked the dumbest question. “Out. Probably with some girl or girls. Who knows? But don’t worry, he barely stays here.” That sounds about right. Ethan Carter, Avery’s older brother, is basically the definition of trouble. The kind you see coming and still walk straight into. Not that it mattered. I mean… it doesn’t matter. “Good,” I said quickly, brushing invisible lint off my jeans. “More space for us.” Avery didn’t like talking about her brother. At least, not really. “Anyway,” Avery said suddenly, clapping her hands once like she was shaking off the mood. “We’re We’re celebrating.” I raised an eyebrow. “Celebrating what?” “Us,” she said, grinning. “This. New place, no supervision, no rules. Which is why,” She pointed at me dramatically. “we’re going to a party tonight.” I blinked. “Tonight?” “Yes, tonight.” She grabbed my arm and shook it. “We’re not staying here like boring people, Brittany. This is our moment. We’re going to be wild and have fun.” Two words that don’t usually describe me. But something about the way she says it makes my chest buzz with excitement. “And what does ‘wild’ mean exactly?” I ask suspiciously. Avery smirked. “You’ll see.” “Okay,” I said, surprising even myself. “Let’s do it.” “That’s my girl!” she cheered, jumping off the bed. I laughed, shaking my head as she started digging through her clothes like her life depended on it. “This is going to be amazing,” she declared. “You won’t regret it.” I hoped she was right. ———————————- By the time we got to the party, I was already questioning my decision. The music hit loud, heavy bass that vibrated straight into my chest. Lights flashed in every direction, cutting through the darkness in sharp bursts of color. The house was packed with many people. Avery, of course, looked completely at home. “Come on,” she said, grabbing my wrist before I could hesitate. “Don’t freeze on me now.” “I’m not freezing,” I protested, even as she pulled me deeper into the crowd. “You’re freezing internally.” “That still counts as not freezing.” She laughed, dragging me toward what looked like the center of everything, the dancing, the shouting, the chaos. I tried to relax. And slowly, surprisingly, it started to work. We danced. At some point, a group of strangers joined us, and Avery was already talking to them like they’d known each other for years. I stayed close, smiling when I needed to, nodding along. It wasn’t as bad as I thought. In fact… It was fun. “See?” Avery yelled over the music. “I told you!” “You might be right!” I shouted back. “I’m always right!” “That’s debatable!” She laughed, spinning away as someone pulled her into a different part of the crowd. And just like that, I was alone. I exhaled, stepping back from the dance floor. I needed a second. Maybe a drink. I made my way toward the bar, weaving through the crowd, dodging the occasional spilled drink and overly enthusiastic dancer. The bar itself was crowded, but accessible. I slipped into a small gap, resting my hands lightly against the counter as I waited but then I noticed a fight close to the bar and curiously got the best of me. “Move, sorry—excuse me—” I pushed through, my pulse already racing. A sharp crack split through the noise, gasps followed. Then I saw it, two guys fighting. One guy was already stumbling, barely holding his ground, While the other? Completely steady. He moved too fast to follow properly. Another hit landed, clean and precise, sending the other guy crashing into the edge of the table, glass shattering on him. Cheers erupted but I wasn’t watching the crowd. I was watching him. Something about him felt… familiar. I stepped closer, just enough to see his face And my breath caught. Ethan. And that moment he stared back at me.