Possession
1053 Words
JULIAN’s POV
Morning came by quickly, I had barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ava. Not the innocent version of her I tried to protect in my mind but the version I imagined behind that door.
Her breath seizing. Her fingers working. Her phone angled just right.
And worst of all… the idea that she’d filmed it for someone else.
I kept telling myself I was disgusted. That I was only concerned because I was responsible for her.
But if that were true, I wouldn’t have been this… jealous.
Jealous.
Even thinking the word felt ridiculous.
I forced myself to stop. To bury it. To be a grown man again.
By morning, I had shaved, straightened my shirt, and made black coffee stronger than necessary. I needed control.
Ava came down the stairs like it was any other day, hair in a loose ponytail, wearing a fitted white top and jeans that made me forget what I was supposed to say for a second.
“Morning,” she said, grabbing a banana from the counter like she wasn’t haunting my entire mental state.
“Morning,” I replied, casually. “You’re up early.”
She shrugged, took a bite. “Didn’t sleep much.”
I wondered if it was guilt. Or if it was because some guy out there had messaged her back with a heart-eyes emoji at 2 a.m.
I turned away from her. “You’ll be joining another student for tutoring today,” I said. “Her name’s Alexa. She’s bright. Comes twice a week.”
“Okay,” Ava said. “Cool.”
“She’s your age,” I added. “I think you’ll get along.”
Right on cue, the doorbell rang.
I opened it, and there stood Alexa. Blonde. Polite. Big smile. Short floral dress.
“Hi, Mr. Grant!”
“Morning, Alexa. Come in.”
Ava came to the front hall just as Alexa stepped inside. They exchanged that quick look girls do when sizing each other up but it only lasted a second before they smiled at each other.
“Hey,” Alexa said. “I’m Alexa.”
“Ava.”
And just like that, they clicked.
It didn’t take long. By the time we got into the study, they were already whispering and laughing between questions.
Ava looked… lighter around her. Relaxed.
I kept the lesson structured. Focused. But I watched Ava more than I meant to.
And during the short break, while I was in the kitchen rinsing a mug, I heard Alexa’s voice from the other room.
“There’s a party Friday night,” she said. “It’s just chill. My friend’s place. You should totally come.”
Ava laughed. “I don’t know. I haven’t really gone out since I got here.”
“Exactly why you should. Come on, it’ll be fun.”
I walked back into the room just in time for Ava to say, “Maybe.”
I cleared my throat.
They both looked up.
“I’d advise against it,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. “This city… isn’t as safe as people think. Especially at night.”
Alexa gave a small smile. “It’s not that kind of party.”
“I’m not saying don’t go out,” I added, turning to Ava now. “Just… be smart.”
She nodded, but there was a flicker in her eyes.
What I wouldn’t let myself say was that the idea of Ava in a crowded room, dressed so hot, surrounded by drunk college boys…
I hated it.
I told myself I was being protective. Responsible.
But deep down, I knew what it really was.
Possession.
^^^^
The night had fallen quiet.
I stood alone in the kitchen, trying to fix myself some beer. The house felt too still.
Ava had been upstairs for the last hour with Alexa, laughing, music playing faintly through the walls, makeup bags probably spread across the bed like a battlefield.
I told myself I didn’t care.
I poured a beer, slow and steady, watching the amber rise to the rim. The cold bottle sweated in my hand as I leaned against the counter, sipping.
And then I heard them.
Footsteps.
Light and quick, giggles trailing behind them like perfume.
I turned casually at first.
Then I saw her.
Ava.
She came down the stairs like a slow-motion scene from a film I had no business watching.
Her black leather dress clung to her body like it was painted on her. It stopped mid-thigh. The neckline dipped. Her skin glowed under the chandelier light. Her lips were glossed, eyes sharp, hair framing her face just perfectly messy.
My jaw actually parted.
I had to shut my mouth before anyone noticed.
Alexa followed behind her in a tight red dress, but I barely registered her presence. Ava… was something else entirely.
I swallowed hard and stepped forward, forcing a smile. “You two look… stunning.”
Ava smirked a little. “Thanks.”
Alexa twirled playfully. “Told you we clean up nice.”
I nodded once, keeping my voice level. “You do. Both of you. Just… be careful.”
“Always,” Alexa said with a wink.
I turned to Ava, and my voice dropped just slightly. “Midnight.”
She raised a brow. “Seriously?”
“I mean it. Anything past twelve, I’ll come get you myself.”
Ava rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “I’ll be home before the clock strikes.”
“Good.”
I stepped back as they reached the door. Ava opened it and they disappeared into the dark, heels clicking on the driveway.
I stood there, gripping my half-finished beer, watching the door slowly close behind them.
And I hated it.
I hated that some i***t at that party was probably already waiting to buy her a drink.
That someone would try to make her laugh. That someone would stare at her the way I just did.
That someone might get to touch her.
I turned away from the door and ran a hand through my hair, pacing back toward the sink, the beer forgotten on the counter.
This wasn’t jealousy.
This was something worse.
Something dangerous and I have to control myself before it puts me into trouble.
- Writer
