Chapter 2

Jaxon stood in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, drinking from a water bottle. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the definition in his arms, a visual testament to the months of training he had undergone. His dark hair was shorter now, cropped close on the sides, messy on top, and his eyes seemed to hold a hint of exhaustion, as if he was still running from the physical demands of his training. His shoulders were broader, his chest thicker, and his eyes were the same—warm brown, soft at the edges, always a little tired, always a little thoughtful.

He glanced up when Ava walked in. “Hey, kid.” His voice was low and smooth, the kind that made her feel like she was the only person in the room.

She rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool. “I’m seventeen.”

“Still a kid,” Jaxon said with a chuckle.

Ava huffed, trying to look affronted. “You can’t say that about me. I’m practically an adult now.”

“Practically?” Jaxon raised an eyebrow. “You are an adult. Just not old enough to buy me drinks... yet.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, trying to hide her smile.

Ethan chuckled and grabbed a granola bar from the pantry. “We're taking her to the store. She needs some stuff for college.”

Jaxon raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“I don't know,” Ethan said. “Dorm stuff.”

Ava crossed her arms. “I already made a list.”

Jaxon smirked. “Of course you did. You're a total planner, Ava.”

She huffed. “It's not a bad thing!”

He just laughed, the kind of warm, familiar laugh that made her feel like she was home.

Her mother walked in, keys in hand. “What are you guys planning today?”

“Taking Ava shopping for college stuff,” Ethan said.

“Good. Don’t let her buy anything ridiculous.”

Ava gasped. “I don’t buy ridiculous things.”

Her mother gave her a look. “You bought a lava lamp last week.”

“It was cute,” Ava said, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice.

Her mother raised an eyebrow. “It was unnecessary. But I suppose it's not the end of the world.”

Jaxon snorted. “I vote she gets another one.”

Ava pointed at him triumphantly. “See?”

Her mother sighed. “Fine. One lava lamp. But that’s it.”

Ava grinned, feeling a sense of vindication. Jaxon winked at her, a small smile playing on his lips. Ethan groaned, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.

The house felt warm again, the tension dissipating as they laughed and joked together.

They piled into Ethan’s truck—Ava in the passenger seat, Jaxon in the back. Ethan drove with one hand on the wheel, the other tapping against his thigh. Jaxon leaned back, legs spread, arms crossed, looking out the window like he was thinking about something far away.

Ava glanced at him in the side mirror. He caught her. She looked away fast. He smirked, a small, knowing smile.

Her cheeks warmed, and she felt a flutter in her chest. She hated that. She didn’t understand it. She wasn’t supposed to feel anything like that. Not at seventeen. Not when he was twenty-one. Not when he was Ethan’s best friend. Not when he was practically family.

But she did feel something. Something small. Something quiet. Something she didn’t have a name for. It was a flutter in her chest, a warmth that spread through her veins, a sense of being seen that made her skin prickle.

She shoved it down.

The store was loud and bright and full of people. Ava grabbed a cart and pushed it down the aisle, Ethan trailing behind her, Jaxon walking beside her with his hands shoved in his pockets. The fluorescent lights overhead cast an artificial glow, making everything feel bright and cheerful, but Ava's heart was still heavy with the unspoken emotions she'd been trying to ignore.

She grabbed notebooks, pens, a desk lamp, a laundry basket. Jaxon watched her with an intent gaze, as if he was trying to read her mind.

Jaxon grabbed a stuffed animal and dropped it in the cart.

Ava blinked. “What is that?”

“A dorm guardian,” he said seriously, his voice low and husky.

Ethan snorted. “A what?”

“She needs protection,” Jaxon said, his eyes serious, his expression deadpan.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “From what?”

“From the horrors of college life,” Jaxon said, a small smile playing on his lips.

Ava laughed, feeling a sense of unease. She wasn't sure what to make of Jaxon's serious expression, or the way he was looking at her with such intensity.

Ava picked up the stuffed animal, holding it to her chest. It was small, brown, and had a crooked smile.

“He’s cute,” she said, trying to sound casual.

“See?” Jaxon said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “She likes him.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. “You’re both ridiculous,” he said, but Ava could see the hint of a smile on his face.

Ava hugged the bear to her chest, feeling a sense of comfort with the soft, cuddly object. “He’s coming with me,” she said, trying to sound confident.

Jaxon smiled—soft, proud, warm.

Ava looked away again, feeling a sense of unease, but also a sense of connection with Jaxon that she couldn't quite explain.

They walked through the bedding aisle next. Ava grabbed a comforter, running her hand over the soft, plush fabric. Ethan grabbed a pillow, tossing it into the cart with a grin. Jaxon grabbed a fuzzy blanket and tossed it in the cart, making Ava raise an eyebrow.

“Really?” she asked, trying to sound skeptical.

“You'll thank me in winter,” Jaxon said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

She shrugged. “Probably.”

She wasn't sure if she'd actually appreciate the fuzzy blanket, but she appreciated the thought.

He nudged her shoulder lightly. “You're gonna do great, you know.”

His voice was low and sincere, and Ava felt a flutter in her chest. She froze, her heart skipping a beat.

Ethan looked over, a curious expression on his face.

Jaxon didn't seem to realize what he'd said until she stared at him, her eyes locking onto his. He cleared his throat, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

“I mean... college. You're smart. You'll be fine.”

Ava swallowed hard, feeling a mix of emotions. She didn't know how to respond to Jaxon's words, or how to process the way she felt when he spoke to her like that. She just knew that it made her feel seen, and heard, and valued.

“Thanks,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Look at you being supportive.”

“Shut up,” Jaxon muttered, but Ava could see the faintest hint of a smile on his face.

Ava smiled, feeling a sense of ease with Jaxon that she didn't understand. It was like they were sharing a secret, a moment of connection that only they understood.

They checked out, loaded the truck, and drove home. The sun was setting, painting the sky orange and pink, casting a warm glow over the landscape.

Ava leaned her head against the window, watching the world blur by as the trees and houses and streets all became a soft, fuzzy blur.

She was leaving. She was really leaving. In a few weeks, she'd be gone for four years. Ethan would still be here. Jaxon would still be here. Life would keep going without her.

She didn't know why that scared her. She didn't know why it hurt. She didn't know why she kept glancing at Jaxon in the mirror, memorizing the way he looked now—dark hair, strong build, soft eyes—like she was afraid she'd forget him.

She didn't know why he kept looking back.

She didn't know anything.

She was seventeen. He was twenty-one. He was Ethan's best friend. He was practically family.

And she was leaving.

The words kept echoing in her mind, a refrain of uncertainty and fear. But as she looked over at Jaxon, she saw him glance at her in the rearview mirror, his eyes locking onto hers for a moment before he looked away.

And in that moment, she felt a sense of connection, a sense of understanding, that went beyond words.

Back home, they unloaded everything. Ava carried the stuffed bear upstairs and set it on her bed, where it sat proudly beside her suitcase.

She stared at it for a long moment, the soft, cuddly object a reminder of Jaxon's thoughtfulness. Then she sat beside it, hugging her knees and letting out a deep breath.

She didn't cry. She didn't panic. She didn't fall apart.

She just felt... everything.

Excited. Terrified. Hopeful. Sad. Ready. Not ready at all.

The emotions swirled inside her, a mix of feelings that she couldn't quite untangle. But as she sat there, surrounded by the familiar walls of her childhood bedroom, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.

It was like the world outside was spinning out of control, but in this moment, she was okay.

A knock sounded on her door.

She looked up, expecting to see Ethan or her parents, but instead, she saw Jaxon standing in the doorway, a small smile on his face.

“You good?” he asked, his voice low and gentle.

She nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude toward him. “Yeah.”

He looked around her room, taking in the sight of her suitcase, her bed, and the stuffed bear.

“He fits,” he said, nodding toward the bear.

She smiled, feeling a sense of connection with Jaxon. “He does.”

He hesitated, his eyes meeting hers in a moment of understanding.

“You're gonna be okay, Ava.”

She nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance. “I know.”

“You're gonna make friends,” he said, his voice full of conviction.

She swallowed, feeling a sense of uncertainty. “I hope so.”

“You're gonna do big things,” he said, his eyes shining with belief.

She felt a surge of emotion, a mix of gratitude and wonder. “You think so?”

He nodded once, his expression serious. “Yeah. I do.”

She didn't know why that meant so much, but as she looked at Jaxon, she felt a sense of connection, a sense of understanding that went beyond words.

He pushed off the door frame, his eyes meeting hers in a moment of connection.

“Dinner's ready,” he said, his voice low and gentle.

She stood, feeling a sense of purpose. “Okay.”

He paused, his eyes locked onto hers.

“Hey.”

She looked up.

He nodded slightly. “Don't forget us while you're gone,” he said, his voice full of emotion.

Ava's heart skipped a beat.

“I won't,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded and walked away, leaving Ava to watch him go with a sense of wonder.

Her suitcase sat open on the bed, her dorm guardian watching from the bed. She exhaled slowly, letting the quiet settle around her.

Tomorrow would come fast, but tonight, she felt steady enough to face it.