The Path Less Taken

Avery: October 17, 2014- 6:32AM

        Rrrrring!

Who could possibly be calling this early?

        Rrrring rrring ringgg!

What could be so important that you couldn't wait to call me?

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        I have dreams like this pretty often. I know that they're dreams, but I can never wake myself up. It feels all too real, like I'm reliving it all over again. I've been sleeping over at Collin's a lot lately, and he usually has to wake me up multiple times throughout the night. This morning is no different.

        "Ave, wake up! Avery? Avery it's a dream, just wake up. Listen to my voice."

        I wake up to the sound of Collin's voice. "Wha--where am I?" I usually can't remember where I am when I wake up from a nightmare.

        Collin gives me a concerned look and brushes my hair out of my face. "You slept with me last night, babe. You were crying in your sleep again."

        I nod as I start to remember and wipe the tears off of my cheeks. I look at the clock and jump out of bed. School starts in an hour and I still have to get cleaned up.

        "We really need to get ready to go," I say, pulling clothes out of my overnight bag. I used to love school. I was friends with just about everyone in our small school, and I got straight A's. After the trial started, and HE got his son taken away from him, everyone turned their backs on me. Even some of myc closest friends told me that I was making the story up to get attention. No one talked to me at school except for Collin. I don't know what I would do without him.

        "You don't have to keep doing this, Ave. You know Mrs. Daniels said she would homeschool you, and maybe--"

        "Collin I told you why I can't do that! Then HE wins! They win! I can't let them get to me. I have to make them think that they don't phase me." I grab my clothes and start toward the bathroom on the other side of Collin's bedroom, but he follows me. I turn on the shower and grab a towel from the closet.

        "Avery..." He looks at me, starting to try and continue the argument, but stops midsentence and shakes his head. "I put some shampoo in the shower for you, so you don't have to smell like Old Spice."

        "Thank you, babe." I smile and walk over to him. He puts his hands on my shoulders and I reach up to give him a kiss. He holds onto me like we hadn't seen each other in weeks. I run my hands through his dark curls and look into his piercing blue eyes. There's something different about them today. They look so sad. I give him one more peck on the cheek and head back to the shower.

        "Hey Collin?" I pause before stepping into the shower, "I love you, and I promise that I am fine. Everything will be okay." I give him a reassuring smile.

        "I know Ave. Just know I love you too, and I'm always here." I see a tear roll down his cheek before he closes the door behind him.

        I start thinking in the shower, how all of this has affected everyone that I love.Collin, Mom, Derek, Dad, Mrs. Daniels, my brothers...Everyone is filled with sorrow and hatred. I try to reassure everyone that I'm fine, but I know it hasn't been working.

        I get dressed and ready for school, and when I walk out, Collin is waiting for me with a boquet of red roses. "I bought them last night when you were sleeping. I know you feel really down lately and I just want you to know that I'm always here."

        I look at him and feel tears fill my eyes. "That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me." I know now that no matter how many friends I lose, he's always got my back. We gather our things and walk out to his truck. It's chilly, but the blue Ford shimmers in the sunlight. He walks me to the passenger side door and opens it for me. I put my bookbag in the back and wrap my arms around myself. It's autumn, and the weather is starting to get colder every day.

        When we pull into the school parking lot, Collin doesn't get out right away. He reaches behind him and pulls out a hoodie from the backseat. He hands it to me without a word, and I slip it over my head, taking in the scent of him. I breath deep and smile.

        "Check the pocket." he says, tears brimming his eyes. I reach into the front pocket of the sweatshirt, and pull out a small black box.

        "Wha--what is this?" I whisper. He takes the box in one hand, and holds mine in the other.

        "Avery Elizabeth Kelley, I've been thinking about this for a long time. Ever since the day I first met you--when you had that solo in eighth grade at the choir concert--I knew you were the one for me. Your smile lit up the entire room, and when you sang, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Now, almost four years later, I'm head over heels in love with you," he opens the box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. A gasp escapes my lips as I try to hold back tears and wipe Collin's tears from his beautiful, freckled cheeks.

        "You're one of the most beautiful souls I've ever met. You've got such a big heart and you'd do anything for anyone. You're absolutely gorgeous, the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes on. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Not just because you're sad, or because of any of the things that have happened recently. You've been dealt a bad hand and you still amaze me every single day. I love you so much." He takes the ring out of the box and takes my left hand.

        "Avery Elizabeth Kelley, will you marry me?"