EPISODE SIX: ALMOST
1457 Words
The silence between Ava Montgomery and Jaxon Reed was louder than any argument they could have had.
He stood near the door of her dorm room, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket like he didn’t trust himself to let them hang free. She stood near the window, arms folded tightly across her chest, as if holding herself together required physical effort.
They had agreed to slow down.
But slowing down didn’t make the pull disappear.
It made it ache.
“I should go,” Jaxon said finally, his voice low.
Ava turned to face him. “You don’t have to.”
“That’s the problem,” he replied softly. “I want to stay.”
Her throat tightened. “So do I.”
That admission hovered between them, fragile and dangerous.
Jaxon took a step closer. Not too close. Just enough that she could feel the heat of him, sense the restraint in every line of his body.
“You’re leaving this weekend,” he said.
She nodded. “My father called.”
His jaw clenched. “That bad?”
She exhaled slowly. “He didn’t yell. That’s worse.”
Jaxon let out a breath. “What happens when you go?”
“I get reminded of who I’m supposed to be,” she said bitterly. “And who I’m not supposed to love.”
The word love slipped out before she could stop it.
They both froze.
Jaxon’s eyes searched her face, intense and unguarded. “Is that what this is to you?”
Ava’s heart pounded. “I don’t know what it is yet. But it’s not nothing.”
“That’s enough for me,” he said quietly.
She shook her head. “It shouldn’t be.”
“But it is.”
He reached out slowly, stopping just short of touching her cheek. “You don’t have to decide anything tonight.”
Her voice trembled. “But you’re here.”
“Yes,” he said. “Because walking away felt worse.”
She closed her eyes, fighting the urge to lean into his hand.
“Jaxon,” she whispered. “If you stay… I don’t know how to pretend anymore.”
His voice dropped. “Then don’t.”
That almost broke her.
Almost.
She stepped back abruptly, breaking the tension. “We can’t.”
He nodded once, swallowing hard. “Okay.”
The disappointment in his eyes was unmistakable.
He turned and left without another word.
Ava sank onto her bed the moment the door closed, chest heaving as she stared at the ceiling.
Almost.
⸻
The drive home the next day felt longer than it should have.
Ava sat in the backseat of the sleek black car, her reflection staring back at her from the tinted window. The closer they got to her family estate, the heavier her chest felt.
Control. Composure. Perfection.
She straightened her spine as the gates opened.
Her parents’ house wasn’t just a home—it was a statement. Manicured lawns, white stone pillars, quiet authority.
Dinner was formal. Always.
Her father sat at the head of the table, her mother beside him, elegance effortless. Ava took her seat, posture perfect.
They discussed business first.
Then her father set down his fork.
“I’ve seen the photographs,” he said calmly.
Ava met his gaze. “They were taken without my consent.”
“That is irrelevant,” he replied. “Perception is what matters.”
Her fingers tightened around her napkin. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
He studied her for a long moment. “You allowed yourself to be seen.”
Her mother finally spoke. “Ava, darling, we worked very hard to protect your image.”
“I didn’t ask for protection,” Ava said quietly.
Her father’s eyes sharpened. “You benefited from it.”
Silence fell.
“The boy,” her father continued. “Jaxon Reed. He’s not suitable.”
“He’s not a criminal,” Ava said. “He’s a student.”
“He’s a risk,” her father replied. “And risks are unacceptable.”
Ava felt something inside her crack.
“He treats me like a person,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.
Her mother sighed. “That’s not enough.”
Ava stood. “It should be.”
Her father’s voice hardened. “This ends. Immediately.”
Ava looked at them—really looked at them—and felt the weight of years of obedience press down on her chest.
“I can’t promise that,” she said.
Her father stood as well. “Then you should reconsider what you want your future to look like.”
The threat was clear.
That night, Ava lay awake in her childhood bedroom, staring at the ceiling she’d stared at for years.
For the first time, it felt like a cage.
⸻
Back at Westbridge, Jaxon Reed was unraveling.
Marcus watched him pace the room. “You’re miserable.”
Jaxon scoffed. “Insightful.”
“You’re in love,” Marcus added.
Jaxon stopped pacing. “Don’t.”
“It’s obvious.”
Jaxon dragged a hand down his face. “She’s gone. Her family hates me. The campus thinks I’m a phase.”
“And?”
“And I don’t know how to fight something I can’t punch.”
Marcus leaned back. “Have you talked to her?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because if I hear her say goodbye, I might not survive it.”
Marcus nodded slowly. “Then don’t let her say it.”
That night, Jaxon received an email.
Subject: Academic Review
He opened it, heart sinking.
A disciplinary committee had been scheduled. Anonymous complaints. Behavioral concerns. Risk assessment for scholarship students.
Serena.
He knew it instantly.
They weren’t just attacking his reputation now.
They were threatening his future.
⸻
Ava returned to campus late Sunday night.
She didn’t text Jaxon.
She didn’t trust herself to.
Monday morning hit like a tidal wave.
Whispers followed her again, sharper this time. Serena smiled openly now, confidence renewed.
Ava ignored her.
Until she couldn’t.
She found out about the disciplinary review from Lila.
“They’re targeting him,” Lila whispered. “This isn’t fair.”
Ava’s blood ran cold.
She didn’t hesitate.
She went looking for Jaxon.
She found him sitting alone in the gym bleachers, staring at nothing.
When he saw her, something guarded slid into place.
“You’re back,” he said flatly.
“I heard,” she said. “About the review.”
His jaw tightened. “Of course you did.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you already have enough problems,” he replied.
“That’s not your decision.”
“Isn’t it?” he snapped. “Your family wants you away from me. The school wants me gone. The universe is pretty clear.”
Ava stepped closer. “What do you want?”
He stood, towering over her. “I want you to choose me.”
The words hit her like a punch.
“And if I do?” she asked.
“Then it gets ugly,” he said. “And I won’t pretend it won’t cost you.”
Her chest tightened. “You think I don’t know that?”
“Then why are you hesitating?” he demanded.
“Because choosing you means losing everything I’ve been taught to protect!”
“And not choosing me means what?” he shot back. “You lose yourself?”
Silence.
That was the answer.
Ava’s voice broke. “I’m trying not to be afraid.”
He softened instantly. “I know.”
She stepped closer, pressing her forehead against his chest. “I don’t want to be brave alone.”
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her like something precious.
“You’re not,” he whispered.
For a moment, the world faded.
Then reality rushed back.
Ava pulled away slowly. “I can’t fix this overnight.”
“I’m not asking for overnight,” he said. “I’m asking for honest.”
She nodded. “Then here’s honest.”
She looked up at him, eyes shining.
“I choose you,” she said. “But I need time to fight my way there.”
Jaxon closed his eyes briefly, emotion flashing across his face. “Time I can do.”
She reached for his hand, squeezing it. “Just don’t give up on me.”
“Never,” he said.
They stood there, fingers intertwined, knowing this wasn’t a victory.
It was a promise.
And promises, at Westbridge, came with consequences.
From across the gym, Serena watched them, phone already in her hand.
Her smile was sharp.
Almost wasn’t enough.
She wanted everything destroyed.
- Writer
