Illusion

Chapter 10

Avery's POV

I stand frozen, my eyes glued to the chair, the only trace of him being the slowly rising imprint in the cushion.

Why did he have to come here again today? Hasn't he already done enough damage? I walk over and gently reach down to grasp the pillow, picking it up and promptly re-fluffing it, slightly desperate to remove any indication that he was here. After all, he is the reason Tristan broke up with me.

After I got home yesterday, I immediately slid into bed crying. I'd been with Tristan for two years, that's a long time. Yet he dumps me after one incident that wasn't even my fault. The amount of trust he has in me is astounding. My sobs echoed around my room as I slowly came to terms with the fact that, maybe, Tristan never trusted me.

I pulled the duvet up around my neck, hugging it to my body and curling up into a little ball. Do I even trust him? I thought I did, but as my body wracked from crying, I began to wonder if he ever gave me a reason to, or if I just blindly accepted his words. My mind drifted to all the times I would call him not knowing where he was. All the times he wouldn't touch me and then pretend he didn't see my advances. All the times he spoke uninterrupted, and if I made a comment he would get mad, saying that 'I never listen'.

My arms wrapped tightly around my legs, pulling them even closer to my body. My mind suddenly became overwhelmed with a sudden thought. Why did I trust him?

My nose was running and my face was hot from my tears, but I didn't move, immobilised in my bed. I trusted him, because I needed someone to trust. Someone who would make me feel safe. I thought back to times when I'd be out and need him to pick me up, only to receive an abusive text telling me that it was my own fault I was out that late. He would then see me the next day, making sure to hug me and ask if I got home alright, tricking me into thinking he cared.

My mind slowly cleared from the fog he had placed over it. He didn't make me feel safe. He just made me feel weak.

I shake my head to clear the thoughts from my mind, not wanting to replay last night again. I go to replace the pillow back on the chair, when I see a glint of metal. Harry's cellphone. I consider leaving it there, sure that he'll realise and promptly come back. But the longer I stare at it, the more I feel inclined to pick it up.

My fingers graze the metal as I gently place the pillow on the chair. They wrap around the device as my body takes over, not letting my mind comprehend what I'm doing. I dig my hand into my back jean pocket, retrieving my own device and swiftly texting Maddie.

Hey Mads, can you ask Zayn if he knows Harry's address, he left something at the store.

Still holding Harry's phone, I make my way to the counter, waiting for Maddie to text me back. Placing my own phone in front of me, my fingers thrum on the table top, slightly impatient. Harry was acting strange today. He was so cruel to me at the club, and he always makes me feel scared, but today he was... almost normal? Why?

I know I saw something I shouldn't have, but I've never even done anything to make him hate me. Yet he constantly belittles me, sending me vindictive smirks and aggravated eye rolls every change he gets. So why was today so different? When I looked at him, it was almost as if he felt sorry for me, like he had compassion for how scared and upset I was.

I hear my phone ping and quickly glance down to see the text.

Hey, yeah sure, let me send it to you now x

Before I can stop myself, my feet are carrying me to the door and I'm chucking on my coat. 'Sorry Nickie but something important has come up.' I say while swinging open the slightly unhinged door thanks to Harry's dramatics from yesterday.