Aces

TWELVE

Axel

"Avery... Avery. Avery?" I repeated as I tried to shake her awake. She didn't look as if she was in a very good state; asleep on a bench in the street in makeup that'd been ruined by tears. Oh God, had she been crying? She opened her eyes to reveal a bright blue that clashed with the red behind it. Her eyes were so swollen and puffy that I felt horrible for her.
"Hey Aves, are you alright?" No reply. "Look, you know you can always talk to me. What's bothering you?"
"Nothing."
"Come on, you may be a brilliant actress but you're not always the best at hiding your pain. Especially when you were blacked out on a bench in the street with black cheeks." She rubbed her cheek and groaned at the sight of her wrecked makeup that she'd obviously worked hard to put on.
"I can't tell you. I'm sorry, Axel. I can't tell you."
"Hey, no, no. Don't cry. Come here." I held her in my arms, running my fingers lightly through her beautiful, blonde hair. "Please, Avery. I love you and I care about you. You mean the world to me, so I'm not going to sit idly by whilst you're clearly struggling."
"Axel I-" she started to choke on her own words.
"Do you want me to guess?" She nodded her head. "Okay," I began. "Family?" She shook her head. "Friends?" She nodded her head. "Which one of us? Is it me?" She shook her head. "Thank God. Is it Amaya?" As soon as she started to nod her head, I felt a flame light inside of me, roaring like a lion hunting its prey. "What did she do?" Avery shook her head and the flame died out. "Okay, I'm sorry but you're going to have to talk. What's going on between you two?" She took a moment before she trusted herself to speak. "Axel, you can't tell anyone."
"I won't. I promise." I said, holding out my pinky finger. When she locked her finger with mine, she spoke again: "I like Amaya."
"So do I; she's really cool and-" I could see Avery's eyes filling with water and then I realised. "Oh." I finished. Avery looked down to the floor. "So you're-"
"Axel, don't tell anyone. They're probably already suspicious because I've never had a boyfriend."
"I understand." My voice was shaky.
"No, you don't, and that's okay."
"Avery, I understand." I moved her head, forming her to look me straight in the eye and I watched as realisation hit her like a bus. "Look, I do like girls, so I guess I kind of have a way to hide it, but that doesn't change the fact I like guys too."
"Oh, wow. Okay. Well, obviously I accept you; I mean, it'd be hypocritical of me not to."
"You're not alone; you never were, and you never will be." A wide grin spread across her face immediately. "Ah yes, that's the Avery I like to see." She wrapped her arms around me, laying on my chest. "Can you take me home, please?" she asked.
"Of course."

"Wait, how come you were outside at this time on a school night?" she inquired as we reached her street.
"I think sometimes you forget I smoke."
"Oh, right. I see. You should stop smoking."
"I should, I could, but I won't."
"It's not good for you."
"I know, but, you only live once."
"Isn't that more of a reason to quit?"
"Not at all."
"You're strange."
"Why thank you."
"I can do this last part on my own. Thank you for walking me home."
"As long as you're safe. Text me when you get inside?"
"You too. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye." As I turned away and began to make my way home, I felt a feeling of accomplishment fill me. I told someone. I actually told someone. Wow.