Vulpecula ✔️

Saved.

I felt the air rushing past me. The building zoning out from my sight. And my body surrendered to gravity as I stared up towards the smirking man who then vanished in a flash. Instead of him, I saw the face of Kayden appear. He looked worried.

Why was he worried? It was just me falling. Me dying. And why did he pretend to care? Did he feel bad that my last memory was of knowing that no one loves me so he is pretending to care?

But all those thoughts seemed irrelevant. I didn't get the flashback of my whole life, I didn't see the tunnel, and I didn't have any darkness. I just felt the air against my skin. I was numb. No feelings, emotions or pain. I succumbed to my fate. I let it happen. I was going to fall and die after all. What was the use of putting up a fight? I won't magically start flying.

The ground beneath me got closer and closer. And the sky seemed so far away. But I wanted to touch it, reach the sky and look below myself at everyone. The stupid people who think that life is good. That life is easy. And that they have everything figured out. Who is to tell them that they could die at any moment? And nobody will remember them. Like nobody will remember me. But maybe they do have someone who loves them. And I don't.

I knew I was about to hit the ground any moment so I closed my eyes and let it be. I let myself feel free. I let myself fly even if it was for a few seconds. I let myself draw in the last breath and let my heart beat for the last time.

I am ready to die.

"Fuck!" And just like that, I won't die. I was in the air. Five feet above the ground. And there stood Clayton. My saviour. He had his palm outstretched and for some reason, I thought that it was because of that hand that I was safe. And not dead with my brain spilling out of my torn skull.

But that just seemed bizarre. How can a simple 'fuck' and the stretch of a hand save someone from falling? Was he a human?

He slowly lowered me down onto the ground and came forward. He crushed me into his arms and then pulled away checking all over my body for any injuries. I stood there shell-shocked, not knowing what to do or what to say. I let him twirl me around to see for the injuries so once he was satisfied that I had none, he let me go and glanced up.

"How did you do that?" I found my voice and asked the first question that I had in mind.

"Seriously? You just get saved from death and this is the thing you want to ask me?" Clayton snapped at me.

"Don't snap at me! I want to know how you saved me because I was sure I was going to die and I was ready for death. Why did you save me and how did you save me?!" I shouted at him.

"I saved you because it's important for you to stay alive. I saved you because I must keep you safe." Clayton retorted.

"How did you do it?" I asked, suddenly calm. Sometimes my mood swings scare me. Seconds ago I was shouting at him and now I'm talking calmly. I'm scared.

"You'll get to know later."

"I want to know now." I demanded in the same calm voice, but anybody could hear the underlying anger and threat in my voice.

"Ava please don't-"

"So you won't tell me? Fine." I nodded and walked away towards the parking lot. I can't attend the stupid classes today. I need a break from the world. And as surprising as it is, I want a break from papa John and Joanna too.

"Where are you going?" Clayton asked.

"What's going on?" Kayden began following the two of us. He must have reached the ground floor a few moments ago. Whatever it is, I don't care anymore.

"Away from you." I replied curtly.

"Ava try to understand. We can't tell you. Not yet." Clayton begged me. I could hear how desperate he was in his voice. I turned around to glare at him. He shrank back at the look on my face but pleaded with me with his eyes. He was desperate and hopeful.

"No I wont understand today. I won't sit back and wait for one of you to finally decide that it's the fucking time to tell me what is going on. I'm not going to be a bother to you anymore. And as for your duty to protect me, don't. I will take care of myself on my own."

"I saw how well you could take care of yourself today." Kayden interrupted me rudely.

"Thank you so fucking much for saving my ass. I owe you my life! But no I'm not gonna sit around and wait anymore. So you all can go to hell."

"You believed him, didn't you Ava? Don't you see he was just messing up with your brain? Trying to make you vulnerable." Kayden said softly. For the first time I saw his eyes soften, his face didn't have the expressionless mask. His face held a tender emotion. But he can go to hell. I don't care about him or his idiotic expressions anymore.

I chose to ignore them both and opened the door of my car and got in. They both stood there looking at me with different emotions showing on their faces. While Kayden was pissed, he also had this longing look in his eyes that had me feeling that he felt more for me than just being my 'protector' but I brushed that thought away as soon as it entered my mind. And Clayton was standing there looking as helpless as ever. He wanted to stop me but thought better of it.

Just then the rest of the group walked towards us sporting huge smiles but that faded away as they saw the three of us. I rolled my window down and looked at everyone else. They looked at the three of us, but none of us offered any explanation.

"C'mon Ava. It's gonna be time for the psychology class soon." Harry summoned me.

"I wont be attending classes for a few days." I replied shortly.

"What's wrong?" He asked in concern.

"Don't push them away because of that dickhead Ava. It's not their fault that you are insecure and that he had the desired effect on you." Kayden warned me.

"You don't know a thing about my insecurities Kayden. You don't know anything so please don't pretend like you do or that you care." I glared at him causing him to shut up effectively. Though he glared at me instead.

"Will someone tell me what happened?" Calla demanded.

"I'll see you people later. I should get going." I told them and rolled the glass up. While on the road I realised that it would be awkward for Sophia to be with me, but I couldn't stop anymore. She can stay with me but I will be needing my time alone.

When I reached back in the mansion, I texted her saying that she could live with me. That I had no problem with it. I wasn't going to kick her out when she needed me. The least I could do was be there for her like I wished someone was there for me. Papa John and Joanna have been there most of the time, but I still hid a lot of things from them trying not to worry them unnecessarily. They already worried a lot about me.

I was on my own once again.