Chapter 13:
Days passed, but something between Ava and Ethan had changed.
Not broken.
Just… deeper.
They spent more time together now.
Walking through the city. 🌆
Talking about small things.
Laughing in quiet moments.
With Ethan, Ava felt lighter.
Like the weight on her shoulders disappeared—if only for a while.
"You think too much," Ethan said one afternoon, smiling slightly.
Ava raised an eyebrow. "And you don't?"
He shook his head. "Not like you."
She laughed softly.
For a moment… everything felt normal.
But later that night, she sat alone in her room.
The pencil rested in front of her. 🖊️
And reality returned.
I can't live like this forever, she thought.
Hiding everything.
Lying to him.
She picked up the pencil slowly.
Her reflection stared back at her from the small window.
Tired.
Confused.
Afraid.
"I wish… I didn't have this," she whispered.
But deep down…
She knew she still needed it.