I froze as Tyler's eyes looked over me with sadness and confusion. The memory of the kiss shared with him replayed in my mind, a wave of guilt washing over me. I felt Seth's hand land on my shoulder but I couldn't take my eyes off of Tyler.

He turned and started walking away from me.

"Tyler!"

He halted in his tracks but didn't turn around to face me. Giving Seth's hand a quick squeeze, I made my way to Tyler. I walked around him and stood in front of him. His eyes averted my gaze and focused on the floor instead.

"Can we talk?" I questioned, tilting my head to catch his eye. "Please."

"What's there to talk about?" he asked, his words laced with bitterness.

"Please, just hear me out," I pleaded, aware that Seth was looking at us very intently.

"Go ahead, you do whatever you like to anyway," he said, giving me a tight smile.

Licking my lips, I looked away and said, "I'm sorry about the other day. It was something that happened in the heat of the moment and I take full responsibility for my mistake."

"Mistake?" he inquired, his eyebrows rising. "I see."

"No! It's just...that's not what I meant. Just-"

"Ava, I don't need any explanation from you. Everything does seem self-explanatory," he said in an accusatory tone.

"No, please, Tyler," I begged, feeling helpless by every passing minute. "I agree that I did kiss you back but I wanted to tell you later that I do like you a lot but just...not in that way."

"Of course," he responded sarcastically."

"I'm really sorry," I said. "I hope we can work through this. I don't want this to ruin our friendship."

"Are you with Seth now?" he questioned, ignoring what I just said.

I swallowed and cleared my throat to buy some time before looking up at him and nodding.

"Well, he's a lucky guy," he commented with a shrug. "I hope he makes you happy."

I felt a lump rise in my throat seeing the look in Tyler's eyes. Without another word, he turned and walked away from me only topping to exchange a look and a nod with Seth. Inhaling deeply, I tried my best to not break down.

Honestly, I deserved this for not making it clear then and there. First of all, I shouldn't have kissed him back and secondly, I should've just told him that I didn't feel the same way.

Seth walked towards me hesitantly. "What was that about?"

I felt my mouth dry up. One problem dies off and another one rises.

"There's something you need to know," I started, clearing my throat.

"What is it?" he asked, sounding uncertain.

"That day when you walked in on Tyler and I in the Science Lab, he was about to kiss me," I said quietly.

"Yes, I kind of figured that bit when I walked in on you guys and I'm trying my best to forget about it," he commented. I could tell he was trying to not sound annoyed and lighten up my mood.

"Well, after you left, I decided to leave as well since things got awkward with Tyler," I explained as he waited patiently. "But...he kissed me."

Seth's wide eyes were fixated on my face as he tried to digest what I had just told him.

"Was this the day we kissed as well?" he asked.

I looked away, not being able to meet his eyes. He nodded slowly as if getting his answer.

"Did you kiss him back?"

"Seth, it's not-"

"Did you kiss him back?"

"Just-"

"Did you kiss him back, Ava?"

I shut my eyes and let out a breath. "Yes, but-"

"I got my answer," he cut me off and began backing away. "I'm late for class."

"Seth," I reached forward to grab his arm. "Please just hear me out."

"I said I'm late for class Ava," he said, my name sounding almost bitter on his tongue. He pulled away from me and walked without even sparing me a second glance.

Feeling a lump rise in my throat, I walked to the nearest toilet. I forced myself to not cry as I stared at my pale complexion in the mirror. It was beginning to redden around my eyes, causing me to blink quickly a few times.

Turning the faucet, I splashed cold water on my face. Letting the water run, I gripped the sides of the sink and let my eyes stay shut as I brought my breathing back to normal.

I heard the click of a door and instantly stood up straight. The mirror in front of me showed Carla stepping out the stall behind me.

Just what I needed.

"Oh, hi Ava," she said, her high pitched voice echoing in the bathroom.

Wiping my face with a tissue, I gave her a tight smile.

"How have you been?" she asked while washing her hands.

"Good, what about you?" I asked for the sake of being polite.

"Good, good," she agreed nodding. "Detention has been a bitch, though."

I gave her a sympathetic smile. "True."

She smiled in response too.

"As a former camp roommate," she said suddenly, "do you think I'm entitled to asking you something personal?"

My eyebrows furrowed.

Um, no.

"I guess?" I said, unsure.

"Is something going on between with you and Tyler?" she asked, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

I scowled. "What, no. We're just friends. Besides, I'm already in a relationship with home."

Or at least I hope I still am.

Her eyebrows shot up as she grinned. "Really? Who?"

"Seth," I tried to say as casually as I could.

I know it's really shallow of me but I couldn't help but feel victorious.

The smile on Carla's face faltered but she composed herself quickly. "What, wow. I'm happy for the two of you."

"Thanks." I smiled and threw the tissue in my hand in the bin. "I'll see you around. Bye."

"Bye!"

*

Five minutes before class ended, I decided to make my way from the library to Seth's class. A few minutes after the bell rang, Seth came out of the class and his eyes met mine. Looking away, he was about to walk away but I reached forward to grab his hand.

"Seth, please, just hear me out," I pleaded, squeezing his hand.

He looked down at me to meet my eyes and eventually, sighed and nodded. Holding his hand, I led the way away from the crowd. Seeing the door to the fire escape, I pushed it open and pulled Seth behind me.

"Why are we at the fire escape?" he asked, his voice sounding muffled.

"Because this is the first quiet place I could find without people," I answered, turning around to face him.

He sat down on the staircase and rested his elbows on his knees while clasping his hands together. Hesitantly, I sat next to him and reached for his left hand. He let me take it.

"Seth, you know that I really do like you, right?"

He continued staring at the floor and gave me a short nod.

"Tyler is just a really good friend. At least, I think so. I'm not sure about his feelings towards me but it doesn't matter...because I like you," I insisted. "I know that I should've told you earlier but it just slipped my mind. Yes, Tyler has been an amazing friend to me and he has helped me cheer up when you were just ignoring me."

He finally looked up at me and his limp hand squeezed mine back. Sighing, he moved to cup my face with his other hand.

"It's okay, I understand," he said, his thumb rubbing across my cheekbone. "I was just upset when I find out earlier. It was sudden."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, looking away.

"It's alright," he repeated himself. "I'm really lucky to have you."

A smile spread across my face as I looked back.

"There's that smile I love," he said with a grin.

Trying not to blush, I averted his gaze and concentrated on his nicely shaped pink lips. I never noticed how nice of a lip shape. I wish I had a nice lip shape.

He leaned forward and his lips connected with mine. Smiling on his lips, I kissed him back. His other hand left mine to hold my waist and pull me closer to him.

Pulling away, I moved to rest my head on his shoulder. His hand found mine again and we sat in a comfortable silence.

"Did you friend-zone him?" Seth asked out of pure curiosity.

"I guess I did," I agreed, staring at our adjoined hands.

Seth hissed in response. "Poor guy."

"I hope this doesn't affect our friendship though," I said genuinely.

"As long as he doesn't try anything on you, I'm fine," he stated.

"Are you jealous, Seth?" I asked, raising my head to look up at him.

"Pfft, no," he said, his eyes casting down to look at me.

Chuckling to myself, I placed my head on his shoulder again.

"Oh and just for the record, I like you a lot too."

A/N- Hello! I'm sorry I've taken so long to update and really, I don't have a valid enough reason for it. I guess I've just been busy.
Do you guys like the new book cover? It's made by @nightpiece who the chapter is dedicated to. Thank you so much for such a lovely cover!


The song for this chapter is "Not In That Way" by Sam Smith because it just seems to be fitting for Tyler and Ava's story. To any people who like Tyler, soz guys but it's not over yet ;)
Also, how are you guys liking Seva/Sava (I still don't know which one we're using xD)

Thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote, comment and share it with your friends! You can also follow me for updates of any new books I put up! 
Love you guyss <3