Illusion

Chapter 8

Avery's POV

Sitting cozily on the couch, wrapped in a thick knitted blanket and holding a steaming cup of coffee, I sigh slowly, trying to expel all the tension from my body. The sun has risen lowly in the sky as the early morning customers filter through the cafe.

I close my eyes and calmly take a deep breath, filling my lungs with oxygen. My eyes flicker behind my eyelids, unwarrantedly replaying the scenes over in my mind. I desperately try to focus on something else, but the memory just starts all over again.

'Hey love,' I peek one of my eyes open to find Louis in the same spot as before, glancing up from his phone, 'do you want me to take you home?' I search his face for any sign of judgement, but all I see is concern. My heart warms a little bit and I slowly shake my head.

'No, I need to go to work,' I say in a small voice, 'I can't put everything on hold just because something happened. Based on the last few days I've had, if I just went home, I'd never leave my apartment.'

Louis nods knowingly, gently resting his hand on my knee and slowly rubbing circles. 'Come on, let me walk you to the subway then.' I give him a weak smile and begrudgingly move from my curled up position, unwrapping the warm blanket that encompasses me. Louis extends his hand out for me to take and I let him help me up, giving him another grateful smile.

We make our way to the door and I slowly reach out to grab the handle, when I feel a hand hastily grip my arm. 'Wait, Aves,' I turn to be suddenly folded into a bone crushing hug from Sam, 'please call me if you need anything. I'm always here for you, okay?'

'Thanks Sam, I will.' I slowly pull back from the hug, beginning to move back towards the door. 'And thank you for this morning, letting me crash for a bit, I just...' my words dwindle and I don't know what to say.

'Hey, don't worry about it. You're safe, that's all that matters.' Sam's eyes dart to Louis, flicking with a momentary look of suspicion that is so quick I think I imagine it.

I give him a soft smile, looking to Louis who appears to be texting someone. 'Ready?' I ask. Louis glances up and nods, grabbing the handle of the door and opening it, making the little bell ring through the store.

I step out into the street, feeling slightly uneasy, but desperate to get to work where I know I'll be able to properly breathe again.

Louis and I walk to the subway, ambling along in silence, listening to the early morning birds and building bustle of traffic.

Walking down the steps of the subway, I look over to see Louis glance behind us and then back to his phone. 'Louis?' I question lightly to bring his attention back to me. 'What's going on?'

'Don't worry about it love, just thought I heard something that's all.' But his eyes are anywhere but on me. I begin to feel the weird pit in my stomach again, making me even more desperate to get to work.

I pick up my pace slightly, getting to the bottom of the stairs and heading in the direction of my platform, giving Louis a quick wave as I hear the train pull up. 'Thanks for everything, this is me though.' I reference the train, inclining my head slightly. He gives me a quick nod, but before he can say anything I walk through the sliding doors, feeling the train start to move under my feet and find a seat.

[Play: Heroes by David Bowie]

I dig through my bag until I find my headphones and place them in my ears, grabbing my phone and putting on my favourite playlist. I allow my mind to drift as I slowly shut my eyes, focusing on the words rather than any images that try to surface.

I turn my key in the lock of the bookstore's rickety wooden door. The small bell at the top chimes, but I don't hear it, still listening to the music pouring through my headphones. I take my coat off, hanging it near the door and flip the hanging sign to say OPEN. Making my way through the store, I pick up some stray books as I go, approaching the counter and singing softly to myself.