After school, Lena found Ethan by his locker, throwing books into his bag with more force than necessary. He hadn't spoken to her all day and she wasn't about to let that continue.
"Ethan," she started, stepping closer. "Can we talk?"
He barely spared her a glance. "Pretty sure you've been talking to Jaxon enough lately."
Lena inhaled sharply. "Come on. Don't do this. Just let me explain."
Ethan slammed his locker shut and turned to her. "Explain what, Lena? That you lied to me? That you went behind my back? That you, of all people, decided Jaxon freaking Walker was worth throwing everything away for?"
Her throat tightened. "It's not like that."
He scoffed. "Then what is it like? Because from where I'm standing, it looks exactly like that."
Lena crossed her arms, frustration flaring. "You don't get to dictate who I spend time with, Ethan. You don't own me."
Ethan let out a humorless laugh. "No, but I thought we were friends. And friends don'tâ" He stopped himself, shaking his head. "Forget it."
She grabbed his arm before he could walk away. "Ethan, please. Just talk to me. I don't want to lose you over this."
For the first time, his expression cracked, something vulnerable beneath the anger. "Then maybe you should've thought about that before choosing him."
Lena felt her breath hitch at his words. "Ethan, I didn't choose anyone. I didn't evenâ" She stopped, exhaling. "You're my best friend. That hasn't changed."
Ethan clenched his jaw, looking away. "It has, though. You just don't want to admit it."
Lena opened her mouth, but no words came out. Because what could she say to that?
"You don't get it, do you?" Ethan's voice dropped lower, almost resigned. "This isn't just about Jaxon. It's about us. And I don't think things are ever going back to the way they were."
Lena's stomach twisted. "So that's it? You're just done?"
He looked at her then, something unreadable in his eyes. "I don't know."
And with that, he pulled away, disappearing into the crowded hallway, leaving Lena standing there, her heart sinking. Because for the first time, she wondered if Ethan was rightâif they really couldn't go back to how things were.