AVA’S POV
I told myself I wouldn’t think about it anymore.
That was the easiest lie to believe when you were alone.
Because the moment I stepped outside, reality had a way of reminding me anyway.
“Random girl.”
It wasn’t even said with anger.
That was what made it worse.
I didn’t matter enough for it to carry emotion.
Just a label.
I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and kept walking faster than necessary.
*****
I stayed out late at school on purpose.
Every excuse I could find to delay going back.
Group chats, Library, Even sitting outside pretending to revise.
Anything worked, as long as it kept me away from that house and him.
Because I didn’t know what to say anymore.
Or how to act like nothing had changed.
The worst part was… I didn’t even understand why it bothered me th
