Lost in Europe

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN- COLLIN

The bus came back to the lot a few minutes after we arrived. In the ten minutes we were alone, Mr. Evens, Trinity, and Xanthee showed up.

“ What did you see?” Trinity asked me, with a deep voice.

“ We walked around for a while and then went to a park. Honestly, it was probably better than tourist sites.” Avery said, smiling up at me. We were still sitting on the bench, my arm around her waist and my jacket still over her shoulders. I circled the middle of her back with my hand and smiled back at her.

“ Aww. That''s sweet.” Xanthee said. I completely forgot she was there. Avery tucked her hair behind her ear, blush showing on her cheeks. It was the same color as her hair, about as cute, too. The horn beeped, and the rest of the group arrived and piled on to the bus.

Avery slipped her hand in mine, at the same time that Cindy looked over and scowled at us.

Back off. I mouthed to her, eyebrows furrowed.

“ I need you all to pack your stuff when we get back and head down to the cafe for dinner. Then we'll talk about tomorrow.” Mr. Evens called out, checking his clipboard for all of the students.

We called out here one by one as he made his way down the isles of the big red bus. It was a one story bus, but longer than normal school buses.

The first time I tried to ask Aves out was on the bus, in the morning, headed to school. She kept changing the subject, completely oblivious to my intentions. Of course, we were only in fifth grade, but still. I knew I liked her from day one.

“ Am I still helping you pack?” I whispered to Avery.

“ Sure. Just stop by my room later. I want to take a shower first though, if that's okay.” I laughed.

“ Of course it's okay. It's not my body.” I said.

I heard my name being whispered from the back of the bus, so turned around.

Cindy and Ryan were in the last two seats, probably gossiping or stupid stuff. I turned back around just in time to catch Avery's head on my shoulder.

She sure does sleep a lot. I smiled as her chest rose slower and slower until she was at a normal, sleeping pace.

“ How the hell could you do this to me, Collin? After all of this! After all of the chances. After last night... You're nothing but scum to me now! I gave everything to you, and now this?” Avery yelled between sobs.

“ I don't understand.” I said, almost silent.

“ You do too! You know exactly what I'm talking about! Don't ever talk to me ever again.” She put emphasis on ever both times.

“ Aves, dont-” I tried.

“ Don't. Don't call me Aves, don't talk to me, don't look at me, and don't touch me! Ever!” I caught a tear from her cheek.

“ Just leave me alone.” She started to walk off.

“ Avery, please.”

“ I'm done. I'm done with you.” She said as she turned back, face red as a tomato.

And with that, I was left gasping for air in a dark room. A wall-less, dark, dead room. Alone. Without my other half...

I flew up as the bus slammed on it's brakes. I was still gasping for air by the time Avery had woken up.

We were sitting outside the hotel, Aves and I being the last on the bus.

This was going to be a long night...

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The room I sat in now looked exactly like mine, only bigger, and with a better bathroom. Plus it wasn't as messy. Tim and I both have a bad habit of not caring what anything looks like, but hey, we're only teenage guys!

“ Here.” Avery tossed a shirt from the bathroom at me. I folded it neatly, shutting her second suitcase.

“ Are we done yet?” I asked jokingly.

She put her hand to her her forehead in a dramatic way. “ Not yet, Mr. Fold- it. Still have a few more shower things. Oh! My sponge!” She said as she ran back to the bathroom.

“ Oh, Lord.” I said, tiredly.

“ Thanks a bunch, Collin. You saved me again.” She said, handing me her sponge in a bag.

“ I'll always save you.” I said, smiling at her. She sat down next to me, hugging me.

“ Promise?” She said through my T shirt.

“ I promise. Always.” I kissed her on her head and laid her down with me.

She leaned over and kissed me, probably only intending to kiss me quick, but it turned in to a long, drawn out kiss. Our legs tangled together, fingers lacing with each kiss. My jaw tightened and my body flew up at the sound of the door unlocking. Becca and Tim walked in, laughing and talking.

“ Oh, sorry. I didn't know you'd be in here.” Becca apologized.

“ It's okay. I was just heading out. I've gotta go pack, now that Aves over here set me back.” I teased her.

“ Hey, you're the one that volunteered yourself when you became friends with me. You practically signed a contract. Not my fault.” She smiled.

“ I'm glad I did. Night, Aves. Goodnight Becca, Tim.” He tipped his hat and jingled his boots as I shut the door.

I could still feel the taste of Avery's lips on mine, longing for more.

To do list...Pack, go to sleep, wake up, go to England with Avery. Watch Avery sleep on the ride up there, and avoid Cindy and her bullshit at all costs. Shouldn't be too hard. For now.