The vacation was supposed to be a time of relaxation, a moment to breathe before stepping back into reality. But for me, it felt like I was trapped in a game I never agreed to play, a game between what I should feel and what I actually felt. It was almost evening when my mother called me over.
“Ava, can you run to the convenience store and grab a few things? We forgot to buy more drinks.”
I was about to answer when Ethan, who had been sitting beside me, stretched a little. “I can go with her.”
Before I could react, Lucas spoke up, voice smooth and unbothered. “I’ll go.”
I froze.
My mother, unaware of the growing tension inside me, smiled. “That’s great, Lucas! Ethan, you can help out here instead. We need an extra hand.”
Ethan glanced at me, hesitant, but I forced a smile. “It’s fine
