Emma took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her choices pressing down on her. She appreciated Lily's support but felt torn inside

"It... is," Emma sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just that I can't choose between both of them."

"Who are they?" Lily asked, concern etched on her face.

Emma turned to Lily, her eyes searching for understanding. "Ethan wants to go out with me at 6," she said, her heart racing.

"So..." Lily prompted, raising an eyebrow.

"At the same time, Noah wants to hang out with me at 6," Emma admitted, feeling the tension knot in her stomach.

"Ohh, so what's the matter? Ethan is your boyfriend," Lily pointed out, her tone light but serious.

"Lower your voice! I don't want my classmates to hear that I'm with Ethan," Emma replied, glancing around nervously.

"Shhh, okay, but what's your choice?" Lily pressed gently.

"I don't know," Emma admitted, frustration creeping into her voice. Just then, the bus came to a stop, and they all got off together. Emma, Lily, Ethan, and Noah stood at the school gate, the air thick with unspoken tension.

"I think I should leave," Lily said, sensing the awkwardness.

"Bye," Emma said, forcing a smile as Lily walked away, grateful for her friend's understanding.

"So, guys, don't you have school?" Emma asked, looking at both Ethan and Noah, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'll walk with you," they both said simultaneously, exchanging glances.

"I'll go by myself," Emma declared, trying to assert her independence. "Bye," she said, turning to head to her class, her heart pounding.

Once inside, she slid into her seat next to Lily, grateful for the familiar comfort.

_____

"It's because of you she walked alone," Noah said, his voice dripping with frustration as he glared at Ethan.

"Just shut up; I don't want to hear your voice," Ethan shot back, his eyes narrowing.

"You idiot!" Noah shouted, his anger echoing down the hallway.

______

As the day dragged on, Emma found it hard to concentrate. Thoughts of Ethan and Noah swirled in her mind, making her stomach churn. She glanced at the clock—only a few hours until she had to make a choice.

During lunch, Lily nudged her. "You okay? You seem a bit out of it."

"I just can't stop thinking about tonight," Emma confessed, pushing her food around on her plate.

"Have you thought about what you want?" Lily asked, her voice gentle.

Emma sighed. "I like Ethan, but Noah's always been there for me. It feels like I'm betraying one of them no matter what I decide."

"Maybe you need to talk to them both," Lily suggested. "Get a feel for what you really want."

"I don't know if I can handle that," Emma admitted, anxiety creeping in.

After lunch, Emma found herself wandering the halls, lost in thought. As she turned a corner, she bumped right into Ethan.

"Hey!" he said, a bright smile lighting up his face. "I was looking for you."

"Really? What for?" Emma asked, trying to sound casual.

"I wanted to make sure you're still up for tonight," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I have a surprise planned."

Emma felt a flutter in her stomach. "Oh, um, yeah, I just... I need to think about it."

"Think about what?" Ethan asked, his smile faltering slightly.

"About us," Emma said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Us?" he repeated, confusion crossing his face. "What do you mean?"

"Just... it's complicated," she admitted, her heart racing.

Before she could say more, Noah appeared, casually leaning against the wall. "Hey, Emma," he said, his tone light but his eyes serious.

Ethan's expression shifted, tension filling the air. "What do you want, Noah?" he asked, his voice tight.

"I just wanted to talk to Emma," Noah said, his gaze steady on her. "Can we chat for a second?"

Emma felt the weight of their stares, caught in the middle. "Guys, please," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. "I just need some space to think."

"Emma, I care about you," Noah said, stepping closer. "I don't want you to feel pressured."

Ethan crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "I'm not pressuring her. I just want to take her out."

"Yeah, well, I've been here for her longer," Noah shot back, frustration evident in his tone.

"Enough!" Emma finally said, her voice rising. "I appreciate both of you, but I need to figure this out on my own."

________

The hallway fell silent, and Emma felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on her. "I'll think about it," she said quietly, her heart racing as she turned away.

As she walked to her next class, Emma felt a mix of relief and confusion. She had to make a choice, but how could she decide when both boys meant so much to her?

________

Later that afternoon, as the final bell rang, Emma stood by her locker, her heart pounding. She needed to talk to one of them, but who? Just then, Lily approached.

"Did you figure anything out?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I don't know, Lily. I feel like I'm going to hurt someone no matter what I choose," Emma admitted, her voice trembling.

"Maybe it's time to be honest with both of them," Lily suggested. "You deserve to be happy, too."

Emma took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination. "You're right. I need to talk to them. I can't keep avoiding this."

"Good luck," Lily said, giving her an encouraging smile.

________

As Emma stepped out of school, she spotted Ethan leaning against his car, waiting for her. Her heart raced, and she knew this was the moment she had to face.

"Hey," he said, his smile fading slightly as he saw the look on her face.

"Can we talk?" Emma asked, her voice steady despite the nerves swirling inside her.

"Of course," Ethan replied, concern replacing his earlier excitement.

Emma took a deep breath, ready to finally confront her feelings and make a choice

"I... I don't know who to choose," Emma said, her voice trembling as she looked into Ethan's eyes.

"What do you mean?" Ethan asked, confusion etched on his face.

"I like you..." Emma said, her heart racing. "You're my boyfriend, but..."

"But what?" Ethan pressed, concern deepening in his gaze.

"I have feelings for Noah that I don't understand," Emma admitted, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"What?" Ethan's voice was barely above a whisper.

"I like you, and that doesn't change, but I have feelings for him too," she said, her voice cracking.

"I thought you liked me and wanted to be my girlfriend," Ethan said, hurt flickering across his expression.

"I do! I really like you... I just don't know who to choose," Emma replied, her emotions swirling inside her.

"Look, Emma, I get that this is tough," Ethan said gently, wiping away her tears with his thumb. "But you need to figure this out."

"You told me to hang out with you at six, and he said the same thing. I'm so confused," Emma said, her voice breaking.

"Let's go out right now," Ethan suggested, a hopeful smile breaking through.

"What about school?" Emma asked, hesitating.

"Let's skip today," Ethan said, determination in his voice.

"Okay," Emma said, a small smile creeping onto her face as he took her hand and they ran together.

They stopped in front of his house, breathless from laughter and the rush of running.

"Where are we?" Emma panted, looking around.

"My parents' house—my house," Ethan said, his eyes sparkling.

"Why are we here?" Emma asked, curiosity mingling with excitement.

"My mom and dad are at work, so we have the place to ourselves," Ethan said, grinning.

"Are you sure they aren't around?" Emma asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"Yeah, let's go!" Ethan said, his smile contagious. They entered the house, and Emma sank onto the sofa, feeling a mix of comfort and anxiety.

Ethan disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a bowl of noodles. "Eat," he said, handing it to her.

"Thanks," Emma said, grateful for the distraction. They started watching a movie, the room dimly lit by the flickering screen.

Suddenly, Ethan paused the movie and turned to her. "Emma," he said softly.

"Yes?" Emma replied, turning to meet his gaze.

"I love you," he confessed, sincerity shining in his eyes.

"Me too," Emma whispered, her heart swelling

He leaned closer, their breaths mingling, the moment electric. Just as their lips were about to touch, there was a loud knock at the door.

"Who is that?" Emma whispered, her heart racing.

"I don't know," Ethan said, glancing toward the door. He hurried over to peek through the peephole and his stomach dropped. It was his mom. He dashed back to Emma. "Emma, it's my mom!"

"Why is she knocking? She knows nobody's home," Emma said, panic rising in her voice.

"I must have left my shoe in the door. She must have seen it," Ethan replied, urgency lacing his words. Emma quickly tidied up the living room before darting into Ethan's room.

"I'm coming!" Ethan shouted, trying to sound casual as he opened the door.

"Why did it take you so long to answer?" his mom asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Um... I was in the bathroom," Ethan stammered, hoping to sound convincing.

"Why are you home early? Is there no school today?" his mom questioned, stepping inside.

"There is, but Mr. James told us we could leave at 3," Ethan said, keeping his tone light.

"Mr. James? I've never heard that name before. Is he new?" his mom probed, glancing around the room.

"Why are you asking so many questions? Just come in," Ethan said, trying to deflect her curiosity. She stepped further inside, her nose twitching as she sniffed the air.

"Why does it smell like...?" Ethan's mom began, her brow furrowing as she looked around