Chapter 6
That night, I couldn’t sleep.]
Just laid there staring at the ceiling after putting my bed back together.[]
Kept thinking about the past eighteen years, like watching some old home movie.]]
Dylan and I really did grow up together.
Our families lived on the same street, just a fence between our backyards.[]
When we were kids, he’d always hop over to hang out.[]
Once he totally ate it jumping the fence–scraped his knee up real bad–but just laughed like it was no big deal.[]
I’ll never forget when I was six.]
My parents got killed in a car accident while I was at after–school care.]
Mrs. Johnson had been crying and didn’t know how to tell a six–year–old that her mom and dad weren’t coming home.]]
Dylan burst through that door and hugged me while I was having a complete meltdown.[]
“It’s okay, Avery. I’ve got you.“]]
He was only six too, maybe an inch taller than me.[]
But that hug? It basically saved my life.]
After that, I went to live with my grandma.]]
Dylan’s mom felt bad for me and always invited me over for dinner.[]
“Avery’s like my own daughter,” she’d say.
At their table, she’d pile food on my plate nonstop.[]
“Eat more, sweetie. You’re skin and bones.“[]
Dylan took care of me too.
Walking to school, he’d always hold my hand.
His hands were always warm, mine were always freezing.
“How are your hands always so cold?”
“I don’t know.“]
Chapter F
“Here, I’ll hold them longer till they warm up.“[]
When it rained, he’d tilt the umbrella completely over me.
By the time we got to school, his right shoulder would be soaked.[]
I’d feel guilty. “You’re totally drenched.“]
He’d just shrug. “I’m tough. A little rain won’t kill me.“]
Then he’d catch a cold the next day and his mom would totally lose it on him.[]
In middle school, some jerks started picking on me, calling me a worthless orphan.]
Dylan went ballistic–just launched himself at them without thinking.]
He fought like a maniac. Like he’d rather die than let them hurt me.]
Everyone ended up with black eyes and split lips.
The principal called home. Dylan’s mom had to pay for doctor visits and write a bunch of apology notes.[]
I felt awful. “Why’d you do that?“]]
He looked at me like I was crazy. “They were being assholes to you. What else was I gonna do?“]
“But you’re all beat up too.“[]
“Who cares?” He messed up my hair. “Nobody picks on Avery. That’s the rule.“[]
Back then, he was everything to me.[]
The only person I could count on for anything.]
Eighth grade, Grandma had a heart attack.]
Happened out of nowhere–totally fine at breakfast, dead by noon.[]
I sat at her funeral completely alone, sobbing my guts out.[]
The last person who gave a damn about me was gone.[]
I was officially all alone in the world.[]
Dylan stayed with me the whole time–didn’t sleep for three straight days.]
He sucked at saying the right things, so he just sat there.]
Got me water when I needed it. Grabbed food when I was hungry.]]
Let me pass out on his shoulder when I couldn’t stay awake anymore.[]
Chapter 6
“Hey, you’re not alone. I’m here.“[]
In the middle of the night when everything was quiet, he’d hold me and whisper stuff like that.]
“I’m your family now.“]
“You’ve got me.“]
“I’ll never let anyone hurt you.“]]
I just cried all over his hoodie, getting it completely gross.[]
That black Nike sweatshirt was totally ruined by the time I was done.[]
But I believed every word.[]
Actually thought he meant it.]
That he’d never leave.[]
That he’d always have my back.[]
That we’d be like this forever.[]
So when Dylan’s mom offered to help pay for college, I didn’t know what to do.]
“Mrs. Carter, I can get student loans. And I’ll work part–time.“[]
I didn’t want to owe them even more.
“Sweetie, I’ve watched you grow up. Of course I’m gonna help.“]]
She touched my cheek, looking at me like I was her own
“Besides, you and Dylan are probably gonna…“[]
kid.
She didn’t finish, but it was obvious what she meant. That we’d end up together.]]
Finally she talked me into taking some help.
But I wrote down every penny, swearing I’d pay it all back someday.[]
I thought things would always be like this.
Dylan was my family, my safety net, my whole world.]]
But then Madison showed up.[]
Then that stupid nickname started.[]
Then I finally realized eighteen years of friendship wasn’t even worth defending against a stupid “joke.“[]
Frum Cliney Orphan to Unibothered Queen: The Block Button is My Best Revenge
