Lost But Found | ✔️ - Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Let Me In
Jaxon
Jaxon was officially screwed.
Not in the fun, easy way he was used to.
No, this was different. This was Ava Carter standing too close, looking at him like she was two seconds away from either kissing him or shoving him into a wall.
And Jaxon?
Jaxon wasn't sure which one he wanted more.
It had started as a normal school day—if normal meant trying not to think about the fact that he had spent the night at Ava's house, playing football with her little brother like it was the most natural thing in the world.
But now?
Now, they were standing in the empty hallway after practice, just the two of them, the tension so thick it was practically suffocating.
Ava had come looking for him—not that she'd admit it. She had marched right up after the team meeting, eyes sharp, voice firm.
"We need to talk."
Jaxon, being the reasonable guy that he was, had grinned and said, "Oh? About how much you missed me?"
Ava had not been amused.
Which led to right now—her backed up against the lockers, arms crossed, eyes narrowed, frustration radiating off her in waves.
Jaxon leaned against the locker next to hers, watching her carefully. "You gonna tell me what's got you all riled up, Carter? Or are we just gonna stand here making aggressive eye contact?"
Ava huffed. "You shouldn't keep showing up for Liam."
Jaxon frowned, caught off guard. "Why?"
"Because he's getting attached," she said, her voice quieter this time. "And people don't stick around, Jaxon."
Something in his chest tightened.
He had seen Ava throw up walls before, but this? This wasn't just a defense mechanism.
This was fear.
Jaxon exhaled, shifting slightly closer—not touching, but close enough that he saw the way her fingers twitched like she was fighting the urge to push him away.
Or maybe... pull him closer.
"I'm not people, Carter," he said, voice low. "I told you—I'm not leaving."
Ava swallowed, looking away. "You say that now."
Jaxon tilted his head. "You don't believe me."
She didn't answer.
And that? That did something to him.
Because for the first time, he realized—Ava wasn't just scared for Liam.
She was scared for herself.
She was scared of him.
Not because he was dangerous. Not because he would hurt her.
But because he could matter.
Jaxon reached out before he could stop himself, fingers brushing against her wrist. Just barely. Just enough.
Ava inhaled sharply, her gaze snapping back to his.
Jaxon smirked, but there was something softer behind it. Something real. "I get it," he murmured. "You don't do this. You don't let people in."
Ava didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Just watched him.
"But you can let me in, it's okay" he said in a comforting tone.
Ava exhaled shakily, her walls threatening to crack.
Jaxon leaned in, just a fraction closer.
Not touching.
Not pushing.
Just waiting.
And then—
Ava stepped back.
The tension snapped like a rubber band, and just like that, she was gone.
Jaxon didn't chase her.
Because he knew one thing for sure.
She was running.
But this time?
She wanted him to follow.