Joanne, I saw your fears, the walls you built inside, Yet in every heartbeat, your love could not hide
Plotline: Poxton notices Joanne growing colder and wonders what's going wrong. Amy insists it's Joanne's fault, feeding him a distorted version of events, Meanwhile, Ethan (Joanne's older brother) steps in to defend his sister when Paxton seems too distracted by Amy's opinions..
Ethan Overton wasn't just Joanne's older brother; he was her rock. At twenty-three, Ethan had an air of quiet confidence that turned heads without him even trying. His dark hair, perpetually tousled in a way that suggested he either didn't care or had mostered effortless style, framed a face marked by sharp cheekbones and piercing green eyes that seemed to read people better than they could read themselves. Ethan had an innate protectiveness about him, a trait that had often made him more of a father figure than a sibling ofter their parents' divorce. He was intelligent, perceptive, and fiercely loyal to the people he cared about, But he wasn't one to jump into a fight without knowing the full story; Ethan preferred to navigate conflicts with precision, like a chess player thinking three moves ahead.
His bond with Joanne was one of the most important relationships in his life. While Joanne had always been the quieter, more reserved sibling, Ethan's outgoing personality had a way of drawing her out of her shell. He'd taught her how to ride a bike, defended her against bullies, and spent countless nights listening to her insecurities when life felt too overwhelming. So when Ethan started noticing that Joanne wasn't her usual self, his protective Instincts kicked into high gear.
Paxton Lawrence had always prided himself on his ability to read people, but lately, Joanne had become an enigma. Ever since their friendship had started. to shift toward something deeper, something neither of them dared to name, Joanne had begun to pull away. She no longer met his eyes during rehearsals, her loughter no longer came as easily, and the easy camaraderie they once shared had been replaced by an uncomfortable distance.
Paxton racked his brain, trying to pinpoint where things had gone wrong. Had he said something? Done something? Every attempt he made to bridge the gap seemed to push her further away. The more Joanne retreated, the more Paxton found himself turning to Amy for advice. She always seemed to have a way of framing the situation that mode sense, even if her words left him unsettled.
"I'm telling you, Pax," Amy said one afternoon as they sat in the campus café, her tone light but her words pointed, "Joanne's just... sensitive. She probably
feels overwhelmed by everything, and instead of talking to you about it, she's shutting you out. It's classic avoidance behavior."
Paxton frowned, stirring his coffee absently. "But that doesn't make sense. We used to talk about everything. Why wouldn't she just tell me what's bothering her?"
Amy leaned in, her expression sympathetic. "Sometimes people can't handle their own feelings, let alone share them with someone else. Maybe she feels guilty or embarrassed. You've always been so... reliable, and that can be intimidating for someone who's not used to it."
Her words planted a seed of doubt in Paxton's mind. Was it possible that Joanne was pulling away because she felt inadequate? The thought hurt more than he cared to admit,
"You think I should back off? he asked hesitantly.
Amy's lips curved into a small smile. "Maybe just give her some space. Let her come to you, In the meantime, you've got me, I'm always here if you need someone to talk to."
Paxton nodded, though unease settled in his chest. Amy's advice made sense on the surface, but something about it didn't sit right. Still, he couldn't deny that Joanne's behavior was starting to wear on him. Maybe space was the answer.
Joanne could feel the distance growing between her and Paxton, and it was tearing her apart. Every time she saw him with Amy, laughing and talking as if nothing had changed, it felt like another brick was being added to the wall between them. She wanted to reach out, to explain the tangled mess of emotions she couldn't quite untangle herself, but every time she tried, her words caught in her throat.
Ethan noticed the change in Joanne almost immediately. She'd always been introspective, but this was different. She was withdrawing, not just from Paxton but from everyone around her. When she came home from rehearsals, her usual enthusiasm had been replaced by a heavy silence. Her smiles were rore, and when they did appear, they never quite reached her eyes.
One evening, as Joanne sat curled up on the couch with her notebook, Ethan decided it was time to intervene.
"Alright, Jo, spill," he said, dropping onto the couch beside her. "What's going on?"
Joanne glanced at him, her expression guarded. "Nothing, I'm fine."
Ethan raised an eyebrow "You're a terrible lior, you know that?"
She sighed, setting her notebook aside. "It's just complicated."
"Try me," Ethan said, his tone gentle but firm.
Joanne hesitated, then finally said, "It's Paxton. We things are weird between us right now And Amy... she's not helping"
Ethan's expression darkened at the mention of Amy. He'd never liked her even in passing. There was something about her that felt calculated, like every word she said was designed to manipulate the people around her
"What's Amy done? he asked, his voice steady.
It's not what she's done, exactly," Joanne said, frustration evident in her voice. "It's the way she talks to me, like everything I do is wrong. And she's always with Paxton now I feel like I'm losing him, Ethan, and I don't know don't know how to fix it.
Ethan's jow tightened. First of all, you're not losing anyone. If Paxton's letting Amy get between you two, that's on him, not you. And second, you don't have to fix anything. This isn't your fault"
Joanne looked at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "But what if it is? What if I'm not enough?"
Ethan's heart ached at her words. He reached out, pulling her into a hug Don't you dare think that, Jo. You're more than enough. And if Paxton can't see that, then he doesn't deserve you"
Joanne clung to him, the weight of her emotions finally spilling over. For the first time in weeks, she felt like she could breathe again
The next day, Ethan decided to pay Paxton a visit. He found him in the campus library, hunched over a pile of notes. Paxton looked up as Ethan approached, surprised but not entirely unwelcome.
"Hey, Ethan," Paxton said, setting his pen down. "What's up?"
Ethan pulled out a chair and sat across from him. "We need to talk"
Paxton's brows furrowed. About what?"
"Joanne," Ethan said bluntly. "She's been off lately, and I think you know why."
Paxton's expression shifted, guilt flashing in his eyes. 1... I know she's been distant, but I don't know what to do about it."
"How about starting by not letting Amy mess with her head?" Ethan said, his tone sharp.
Paxton blinked, taken aback, "What are you talking about? Amy's just trying to help
Ethan leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "No, she's not. She's trying to drive a wedge between you and Joanne, and it's working. Whether you realize it or not, you're letting her manipulate you"
Paxton opened his mouth to argue but stopped himselt Deep down, he'd felt the same unease about Amy's influence, but he hadri't wanted to confront it.
don't know how to fix this," he admitted, his voice quiet.
"You stort by being honest with yourself, Ethan soid Figure out what you really want, Paxton. If it's Joanne, then fight for her. Don't let someone like Amy get in the way. And if it's not Joanne, then let her go so she con move on."
Paxton nodded slowly, the weight of Ethan's words sinking in. He didn't want to lose Joanne, but he also knew he'd have to confront Amy and his own indecision if he wanted to make things right
Later that evening, Paxton found Joanne sitting on a bench in the campus garden, her notebook open on her lop. He hesitated for a moment before walking over and sitting beside her.
"Hey," he said softly
Joanne glanced at him, her expression guarded. "Hey"
Paxton took a deep breath. I've been an idiot. I let things get weird between us, and I'm sorry."
Joanne looked at him, her eyes searching his face for sincerity, "Why, Paxton? Why did you let her come between us?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because I was stupid. I let Amy's words get into my head, and I didn't see what it was doing to you to us. But I'm done letting her control how I see things. I core about you, Joanne, and I'm not. going to let onyone ruin that."
Joanne's eyes filled with tears, but this time, they were tears of relief. She reached out, toking his hand in hers. "I missed you, Pox: I missed us."
He squeezed her hand, a small smile playing on his lips. "Me too. Let's not let anything come between us again, akay?"
Joanne nodded, her heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. For the first time in what felt like forever, things were starting to feel right again.