Finding Ava

Starry Eyed - Ellie Goulding

Hello! Thank you for trying this chapter out! Here is the first chapter of my new story that will be out in June.

1| Where It All Started

2 Years Ago

"Max stop!" I shrieked as he hoisted me into the air like I weighed nothing. I giggled as he started to spin me around on the beach.

"Nah, I'm not finished with you yet." I could hear the smile in his voice as he continued to spin me around. People around me were staring at us or giving us looks of adoration. It made me feel a bit embarrassed that we were showing some PDA.

If my back wasn't facing Max's chest, I would have sent him a nasty glare.

Eventually, Max put me down on the sandy beach. And me being the childish 16—year old that I am, bent over and picked up a handful of sand and threw it at Max. What I didn't seem to consider was that sand isn't snow. The sand didn't stick together so majority of the bits ended up missing Max.

"Well, that didn't—"

"Shut up." I cut Max off.

"Sure thing sunshine," Max teased, using the pet name I hated. Since I met him a couple of months ago, all Max would do was tease me with the nickname I hate: sunshine. To say it irritated me was an understatement.

We were both on holiday and we were staying at the same hotel. We met after I spilled my ice cream all over Max's white top at the hotel pool. I had expected him to shout at me but instead, he laughed and said I should probably get a new ice cream.

After apologizing and offering to buy him an ice cream too, we started talking. And from there we hit it off.

I've spent the majority of my holiday with Max. We've spent most of the time at the beach or at the water park. We even started dating, which amazed me. Max was super hot, like crazy hot whilst I'm ordinary.

I know I shouldn't care but a part of me feels insecure. I feel like he'll dump me for another girl, one who is prettier and better than me. I guess I'm as afraid as every other girl.

"Do you wanna head back?" Max asks as he runs a hand through his silky brown hair. It looked puffy and soft. I just loved running my hand through his hair forever.

"Sure." I agreed, smiling as he stretched his large hand out to me. My smaller hand fit perfectly in his, like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

We started walking along, me smiling at the passers-by. I could see the hotel as we neared it, the glamorous really stood out. It had a long driveway that was surrounded by palm trees, with a fountain at the end where the grand doors were.

In the lobby, they had a bar, a waiting area, the lifts and of course, the reception desk. The hotel had many floors, each having a balcony that overlooked the stunning beach. My room was one below from Max's, so we could communicate whenever.

"Hi, Jeff." I gave a big smile at the doorman, who I had taken a liking to. He reminded me of my late Grandfather, who was always kind to others, no matter how bad he was feeling.

"Miss O'Connor. Did you have a nice stroll?" Jeff asked, a knowing smile on in his face that had me blushing like a tomato.

"Oh, you can bet we did," Max smirked, the jerk enjoying my embarrassment. I gave Max a playful glare as I stuck my tongue out at Jeff. Max rolled his eyes at my childish behavior. "Wow, aren't you mature."

I grinned back at him. "Oh, you can bet I am."

Max tried not to smirk at me copying his words but failed.

Max lead me through the lobby and up to my room. It was a thing we did after a day out. We'd choose a movie to watch and cuddle up on the bed.

"So what are we watching today?" Max casually asked as he fell onto my bed.

I pondered on what to watch. "Hmm, I dunno. Let me look on Netflix."

Max handed me my remote that was on the table beside my bed and let me flick through some movies. I was fancying a romance, partly to get back at Max for what he did earlier. Spinning me in the air like a rag doll is not how you treat a lady.

Eventually, I found one of my favorite films. As soon as Max saw what I chose, he groaned.

"There is no way you are making me watch that."

"Of course I'm going to make you watch that. Its an important, iconic film. You have to watch it." I told him, pressing play.

Immediately, the film went to the beautiful house by the lake. I had always loved how magnificent it looked; on a number of occasions, I had thought about Googling where the house was—just so I could visit it.

After 10 minutes, Ryan Gosling's younger face came onto the screen. If you were guessing that we were watching The Notebook, then you got the right answer.

Every time I watched this amazing film, I cried. Unfortunately, I'm a sucker for romances like this. I'm like every other teenage girl who wished they had a man like Noah. A man who was devoted to me, who put me first, who loved me was my dream.

2 hours later

I sniffled as I wiped my face with my arm sleeve. Once again, I had a break down at how romantic it was. I glanced at Max to see his light brown eyes trained on the screen. He was staring at it with such intensity, he just had to be deep in thought.

I decided not to be nosy and ask him, instead I just let him continue. Perhaps he felt a bit upset and his man pride wouldn't allow him to cry. Once my tears had settled down, I would bring Max back to reality.

"So..." I started. "Want to watch something else?"

Max didn't respond at first so me being the nice person I am, I pushed him off of the bed. That should wake him up.

"Hey!" Max protested, getting up. "Was that necessary?"

I nodded my head, a small smile on my face as he pouted. Yes, pouted. A grown sixteen-year-old who looked like an Adonis model pouted like a five-year-old. It was comical.

"What do you want to do now Max?"

Max ran a hand through his hair as stood up. "I don't know beautiful. I think I might have an early night, you know, start some packing now?"

Now it was my turn to pout, upset that he was ditching me. "But—"

"Ava, I promise I'll make it up to you tomorrow. We can spend the whole day together. Its just otherwise I won't have time tomorrow to pack."

Max was being logical. We were leaving in two days, going to different states. We should probably pack for it now so that I could spend the whole of tomorrow with him.

And plus, we were going to be staying in contact, chatting online. And we discussed meeting up on weekends and weeks off when we have a holiday. So we would still see and hear from each other.

"Okay." I sighed in defeat, sagging my shoulders.

"See you tomorrow beautiful," Max said as he kissed my on the forehead. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. The contact ignited electricity, that had my stomach turning upside down.

It was magical.

Max walked out of the door with a final wave. I lied down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I guess packing some items now would be a good idea.

The next day, I woke to the sun shining brightly on my face. I felt refreshed showering last night.

Yawning, I stepped out of my bed and walked over to my balcony. The sky was completely blue and the sun was shining. Some dog walkers were walking along the beach and some surfers were tackling the waves.

To wake up here every day, with such a beautiful sight would be a dream.

I heard a girl's giggle somewhere close by. I frowned, confused as I couldn't see anyone above me. Just when I thought I imagined it, I heard it again but louder. It was coming from down below.

Looking over the railing's to where Max's balcony was, I saw something that would stay embedded in my brain forever. A drop dead gorgeous girl with blonde hair and blue eyes stood on his balcony, wearing one of Max's favorite tops. Max was opposite her, his chest bare as he smiled at the girl.His hair was ruffled and he looked happy. It didn't take a genius to work out what they had done.

My heart broke as I realized he cheated on me, with a girl who was stunning. That's why he wanted to leave early yesterday, not to pack but to hook up with a girl.

I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to stifle a sob as I ran back into my room.

How could he do that to me?!

I quickly ran around my room packing everything, not bothering to tidy my clothes. I could feel tears fall down my cheeks. I didn't want to cry. I wanted to be strong but the first guy I loved just cheated on me, dumped me for somebody better. My insecurities were right.

Max didn't want to be with me. He probably just wanted to use me. He probably wanted to see if I was an easy lay.

I bit my lip from sobbing, nearly drawing blood.

No. You are not going to cry.

Once I was finished packing, I took the last piece of paper on the desk and the pen and wrote a letter.

A letter to him.

Placing the letter outside of his door, I walked to my parents to tell them I wanted to go home a day early. I just couldn't tell them why, they liked Max's parents and I didn't want to ruin their friendship just because Max was a dick.

After talking to them, they said it was okay to leave. I waved them a goodbye as I boarded the plane. I was thankful to go home where I could do the traditional girl thing and cry whilst binge-watching Netflix shows.

I vowed to myself that I would never make the same mistake again and trust a guy. Especially one like Max.

I hated him.

I despised him for now ruining my outlook on life. I swear, if I ever saw him again I would make him pay for breaking my heart.

Now, because of him, my heart would never be the same.

Little did I know my heart was going to turn cold. Little did I know it was going to build wall after wall to protect itself.

I was never going to fall for a man again. That was a promise.

Thanks for reading this chapter! I would really appreciate it if you voted and commented! I would like to know if you want to read this story or not.

Chapter two will be up in June!!! I hope to see you then!