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Chapter 14
He was completely winded, obviously ran the whole way here.]]
“Avery, you’re really dropping out?” He stepped in front of me, eyes all bloodshot.[]
“Get out of my way.”
“Hell no!” He wouldn’t budge. “We’re talking about this before you go anywhere.“],
“Talk about what?” I let out this harsh laugh. “How you sold me out? How you let Madison ruin my life?“[]
“I didn’t…” He started to argue but couldn’t even finish. Because we both knew he did.]
“Dylan, you’re not who you used to be.” I stared at him and felt nothing.[]
“You used to beat up kids for calling me names.“[]
“Now you’re the one feeding me to the sharks.“[]
“I didn’t think it would get this messed up…” His voice cracked like he was about to cry.[]
“You didn’t think?” I almost started laughing. “What the hell DID you think would happen? That Madison would just tease me a little? That everyone would be cool with it? That I’d stick around to get shit on every day?“[]
Each word made him flinch like I was slapping him.[
He kept getting paler. “I’m sorry…“]
“Too fucking late.” I pushed past him. “Save your apology. I don’t want it.“[]
“Avery!” he shouted. “I messed up! I know I messed everything up!“]
“Please don’t go!”
“Can’t we just… start over?“[]
Π
I stopped but didn’t look back. “Dylan, some things break and stay broken.“]
“Like trust. Like everything we had.“[]
“Bye.”
Actually, more like good riddance.
…0
When I left Riverside, the weather was perfect. Sunny and cloudless, like the universe was celebrating my fresh start.]
I moved to this small town in the next state. Nobody knew me there, nobody knew my history.[]
72.2%
I got a job at a local coffee shop. The pay sucked, but it covered rent and food.[]
My manager was this woman in her forties, really sweet. “Avery, you’re so young. sometimes.]]
“Money’s tight at home. Thought I’d work first,” I’d tell her.[]
It wasn’t really lying.]]
y aren’t you in school?” she’d ask
“That’s tough, honey.” She’d shake her head. “But you’re young. You’ve got time to figure things out.“[]
Yeah. I’ve got Time.]]
I lived in this tiny attic above the coffee shop. The room was barely big enough for a bed and a desk.[]
But it was mine. Completely and totally mine.]
J
Nobody would leaye nasty notes on my desk. Nobody would trash my stuff. Nobody would call me a parasite.[]
My routine was simple.]]
Up at seven, shower, head downstairs to open the shop. Clean up, prep everything, wait for customers.]]
Close at nine, count the register, clean up. Then upstairs to read for a bit before bed.]]
My days were boring as hell.[]
But I loved it. This kind of peace was exactly what I needed.]
Except for all the missed calls and texts blowing up my phone constantly.[]
All from Dylan. Dozens of calls every day, relentless.[]
I didn’t answer and didn’t block him. Just let it ring.[]
Until one day, he switched to a new number.[]
The new number kept sending texts.[]
[Avery, where are you?]]
[Please just text me back.]
[I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.]]]
[I know I messed up.]]]
[Come back, please?]
[I can’t do this without you.]]]
…I
From Clion fraban to Unlvattud Queen The Blas
Chapter 14
I read every single one. But never replied.]]
What was the point? We were done.[]
The girl who trusted him more than herself was gone.[]
She died that rainy night. Died when he walked away with someone else under his umbrella.[]
The person I was now didn’t need anyone.[]
Time flew by. Three months passed like nothing.[]
The coffee shop was doing well, and I’d gotten pretty good at the job. Even came up with a few new drink recipes that customers loved.]
My manager was thrilled and gave me a raise.[]
“Avery, you’re a godsend,” she said with a huge smile. “I wish my daughter was half as responsible as you.“[]
I smiled back and kept making drinks.]
Life seemed to be getting back on track.
Until the day an unwelcome visitor showed up at the shop.
♡ (1)
