Chapter 7: Almost Caught.

The sun, a harsh glare, pried Ava's eyes open. Lucas's arm lay heavy across her, his slow breaths filling the quiet. Her cheeks burned. Last night's images flickered: laughter, soft words, a tangled mess of limbs.

"Oh no," she whispered, her fingers pressed to her forehead. A nervous giggle escaped, then died. She looked at Lucas, asleep, a soft smile on his lips. He looked peaceful.

"I love you," she breathed, the words barely there. Her cheeks heated. Wow. Just wow.

Then, fear hit. How do I face him? She threw back the blanket, the sheets crumpled on the floor. A dark stain, clear against the light fabric, made her stomach clench. Oh no.

"Crap," she hissed, barely a sound. She paced, her eyes searching for a way to hide it. Think, Ava, think.

"Damn it!" she muttered, grabbing the stained blanket, holding it like a shield. She backed into the bathroom, eyes wide with panic and shame. The lock clicked, loud in the silence.

The shower water burned, a desperate attempt to wash away the night. Ava scrubbed her skin red, but his scent lingered. She stared at her flushed face and wide, scared eyes in the steamy mirror. What did I do?

Dressed, she avoided her reflection. The room felt charged, heavy with unspoken words. She couldn't face him yet. She needed time, space.

Sunlight, sharp and bright, hit Lucas's face. Ava gasped, a tiny sound. "Damn," she whispered, rushing to the window, fumbling with the heavy drapes. She pulled them shut, making the room dim again.

"Ugh..." Lucas groaned, his hand going to his forehead. He squeezed his eyes shut, wincing.

Gotta go, Ava thought, her heart pounding. She tiptoed toward the door, her bare feet silent. "Just gotta... sneak out..."

"Ava?" Lucas's sleepy voice stopped her. "Where are you going?"

She turned, a forced smile on her face. "Hey, good morning, Lucas!"

He blinked, opening his eyes. "Morning... Wait. This isn't my room." He sat up, running a hand through his hair, confused. "What am I doing here?"

"Well... I... I don't know," she stammered, looking away. He doesn't remember, she realized, feeling a mix of sadness and relief.

She looked at him. His bare chest, his abs, the way the light touched his shoulder... Memories flooded her: his lips on hers, his hands on her skin, soft words in the dark. Her cheeks burned.

The click of Lucas's fingers brought her back. His eyes, still sleepy, looked at her. A blush crept up her neck.

"Earth to Ava," Lucas said, a playful smirk. "You zoned out. Still haven't answered my question."

Ava fidgeted with the blanket, avoiding his eyes. "Um... well, actually... I... I don't know..." Her voice faded.

Lucas frowned slightly. "Come on, Ava, tell me.

"Y..you...you were so drunk last night. You walked into my room, and just... crashed. I figured you needed the bed, so I slept on the couch."

"Oh," Lucas breathed, surprised. "Oh my gosh, Ava, I'm so sorry! I must have been awful." He rubbed her temples, embarrassed.

Suddenly, his eyes landed on the clock.

"Oh Shit! it's already 10 o clock am, I am really late for office, I'll go freshen up."

Before she could answer, he was gone, the door clicking shut.

Ava stared at the door, then let out a shaky breath. She held the blanket, smelling his cologne. "Phew," she whispered, smiling in relief. "Thank goodness he doesn't remember. I'm leaving soon anyways, and he has a girlfriend now. I don't want him thinking I'm trying to trap him with a drunken confession."

She went to the bathroom, the blanket in her hands, ready to erase the last traces of the night.

Her cheeks were still wet, and she scrubbed at them with her sleeve.

Moments later, Lucas entered her room. She, so caught up in getting rid of the blood stain from the blanket, didn't notice him standing by the bathroom door.

"What are you doing?" He barked, his voice a sudden intrusion.

Ava jumped, her hands flying to hide the sopping blanket in the sink. "I... um... the blanket got dirty," she stammered, avoiding his eyes. "I thought I'd wash it."

Lucas's gaze swept over the small bathroom. "Why not just use the washing machine?"

Ava's eyes darted around the room, searching for a reasonable answer, but her mind was a blank.

Lucas glanced at his watch, his expression tightening. "You'll be late for college. Grab your bag, I'll give you a ride."

"No, really, I'm fine," Ava insisted, but her voice lacked conviction. "I can take the bus."

Lucas ignored her, snatching her bag from the bed. "Meet me at the car," he said, already halfway down the hall.

Ava sighed, kicking the doorframe in frustration. "Ow!" she hissed, hopping on one foot as she followed him.

Lucas's fingers drummed a nervous beat on the steering wheel. Ava slipped into the car, the door slamming shut like a heavy book closing.

The car was filled with a cold silence, it wasn't always like that . Ava remembered car rides filled with giggles, stories tumbling over each other. Now, the quiet pressed down on her, a weight she couldn't lift. They were miles apart, even though they sat side-by-side.

Lucas's phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with "Sophia."

"Hey Lucas, how's Ava?" Sophia's voice, bubbly and light, felt like a slap.

"She's fine. I'm going to the office. We'll talk later." Lucas's voice was sharp, like he wanted to get rid of her.

" You are so lucky Sophia," Ava thought, her teeth clenched. "You get to be with the man you love, not many people are that fortunate." She watched Lucas, a burning ache in her chest.

"He smiles for you. I wish..."

Her eyes stung, tears threatening to spill. Why her? she wondered.

The car stopped with a jolt. Ava's hand gripped the door handle. Before Lucas could turn off the engine, she was out, the slam of the door.

"Thank you, brother Lucas." She said already turning.

"Ava!" Helen's voice, like a snapped twig, broke the quiet behind her. Ava whipped around. Helen's smile stretched too wide, too fast.

"Where have you vanished to? Felt like ages!" Helen's eyes shone, almost too bright, making Ava's stomach clench. "I was just coming to get you."

"Ages? But... weren't you just in history yesterday?" Lucas's eyebrows jumped, his face a puzzle of confusion.

Before Helen could speak, Ava's nails dug into Helen's arm. Helen hissed, her smile wobbling. Ava's eyes narrowed, a silent, "Be quiet."

"She's just kidding, Lucas," Ava said, her voice tight like a pulled string. She stared at Helen, "Agree with me, or else."

Helen's laugh sounded fake, like thin ice cracking. "Yeah! Just a joke. I love teasing." Her eyes flicked away, the smile now a painful grimace.

"Okay, Ava, see you." Lucas walked away, a little frown still on his face. The car door slammed, a hard, final sound.

As soon as Lucas was gone, Helen shoved Ava, her face angry. "Why did you do that?"