Shattered Ice

Ava, a 17-year-old girl, had recently discovered a passion for fitness. She loved to go on long walks, finding solace and peace in the rhythmic motion of her steps and the crisp air that fills her lungs. As she walks, she feels the tension of the day melt away, each step bringing her closer to a sense of calm and clarity. The gentle rustle of leaves under her foot and the music she plays calms her mind. These walks were her escape, a way to clear her mind and find solitude amidst the chaos of everyday life.

Ava goes on walks nearly everyday, so she usually sees some of the same vehicles around. She sees the same two boys everytime she goes walking. One has asked her if she has needed a ride before, but she never has thought anything about the encounter. Ava thought because it was getting dark, the boys were just being polite. She never thought theyd want to be friends. Ava always wants to see the best in people, but has had some issued in the past with friends that have betrayed her trust. For example, her ex best friend julie larkin invited her over for a sleepover, but when she got to the location julie sent out ava was confused. It was in the middle of the woods, freezing, oh and a clown chased her from the location back to the car. Ava never spoke to Julie again. Now she finds it unusual when someone wants to do something nice to make her smile. In fear that Ava might be in tears 5 minutes later pressing the gas as hard as she could. Ava thinks about the fallouts she has had with many of the girls in Julies friend group. Ava thought as if Julie just made a master plan for her to be kicked out of the group. Ava jumps for joy when she gets free time. All she wants to do is feel the peace that had been deprived from her since she was a littlr kid.

Zach is a 17 year old boy whos only mission in life is to be bold, make friends, and well get rich somehow. He has been challenged with his goals because one, he has social anxiety, and two he does not have the will to get a job. He knows that one day he will get all his affairs in order, but even he knows that day is further away than graduation. His best friend Ethan has been by zachs side since the 1st grade. They lived in Arizona together before Ethan moved to Oregon. Only half a year back Zachs familh decided to follow Ethans family to Oregon. One of the reasons why they went up to Oregon is because Zach has been having trouble with school, and convinced his parents that having Ethan around would solve all of his problems.

The time while Ethan has been up in Oregon he had been crushing on Ava. They are 17 and its been a 5 year crush. Ava has never known Ethans name but she knows she does not like him. She has had no problem rejecting him every time he asked for her number, or even a pencil.

Within the first couple months of Zach moving in ethan and him rode around on zachs golf cart nearly everyday. Zach enjoyed the cooler weather and the gorgeous scenery. One time they were riding together and drove past Ava. "Who was that?" Zach asked. "Would you like a ride miss?". Ava looked at zach weird. Ethan sighed, "that is Ava". "Do you know her? Zach asked. "No i do not" Ethan answered clearly knowing he has had feelings for years. He started to give up because he had been rejected so much by Ava. "I will say if you talk to her good luck to you man" ethan stated. "Ok? Zach looked at him weird, but did not want to question him.

After Zach dropped Ethan at his house Zach went on a mission to find Ava. That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Ava set out for her usual walk intending to walk laps around the lake. She enjoyed the serenity of dusk, the way the world seemed to quiet down and prepare for the night. The way the cooler air of the nearing night would touch her skin. However, as she approached a familiar bridge, she noticed a golf cart coming towards her. Instinctively, she stopped, unsure of the driver's intentions.

The golf cart came to a halt, and the driver, a boy with striking green eyes, looked at her and asked, "Do you need a ride?"

Ava hesitated for a moment, and thought about the last time he asked. Ava thought if she said yes to the ride then he would stop talking to her after because he got what he wanted. Something about his eyes and demeanor reassured her. Her instinct told her he was likely safe. "Sure, why not," she replied with a small smile. "I've got to get home."

She climbed onto the golf cart, and as they started moving, she turned to him and asked, "What's your name?"

"Zach," he answered. "I'm new to the area and homeschooled." Zach laughed and asked "why did you reject me the first time I offered you a ride?" Ava replied, "I-". "Did you think I would kidnap you?!". "Well no, I enjoy my walks no matter how tired I get" Ava said. Zach replied "oh I get it, you are really active." "Yes, infact I am." Ava smiled.

"I would totally be active if it wasnt for my golf cart" Zach joked. Ava replied "i can tell". "Well damn someone has an attitude infront of someone who is being nice to you" zach said. Ava was surprised at how easy it was to talk to Zach. They discussed their favorite music, shared stories about their lives, and laughed at each other's jokes. The conversation flowed naturally, and Ava felt a connection forming between them. Ava has not felt a genuine connection since she talked to her sister about her struggles with friendships. Both ava and her sister have had a fsir share of not so fair friendships. Zach had remembered Ethan telling him about how Ava was not gonna get along with him. " do you know ethan? Zach asked. "Unfortunately yes I do know him" ava answered remembering all of the times she had rejected him because her mom always taught her to reject the things she did not want. "Why do you ask that zach?". "No reason, just curious" zach answered.

"Which one is it?" Zach asked. "It is the white one with the two trees in the front" ava replied. "Wow it is a very pretty house" zach said". Ava replied "thank you zach".

As they neared Ava's house, the sky had darkened, and the first stars began to twinkle overhead. Zach pulled up to the curb and stopped the golf cart. "Well, this is me," Ava said, a bit reluctantly. She didn't want the conversation to end.

Zach smiled. "It was nice meeting you, Ava. Maybe I'll see you around?"

"Yeah, maybe," Ava replied, stepping off the golf cart. "Goodnight, Zach." Ava waved walking inside.

"Goodnight, Ava," Zach said, watching her walk up to her front door before driving away. He waved one last time before he got out of her driveway. It felt like a dream to him.

As Ava entered her house, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. Meeting Zach had been unexpected, but she was glad it happened. Little did she know, this chance encounter was just the beginning of something much more significant. Ava could not bare to think that Zach could just never talk to her again after that conversation. It was not that deep but in her case it was refreshing to see a possible new friendship bud. Ava felt that Zach is an outgoing boy that just talks to everyone, but little does she know all Zach wants to do now is to talk to her.

Zach felt like this was the start of an unordinary friendship. He kept riding around smiling at the fact he finally got what we wanted. A conversation with a pretty girl who he is going to keep talking to. Somehow. He knew he had to continue talking to her no matter what it would take, he would not stop trying. The first thought Zach had when walking back into his house was that he had better keep this a secret incase something went wrong. He could not handle telling anybody until anything was official, or until it was over.

One part of their conversation was stuck in their minds. They are both 17, seniors, and going to graduate in about 5-10 months. How could they keep their friendship? Will this not last long? How much longer till something goes completely wrong?