ℍ𝔸ℝ𝔻𝕊ℍ𝕀ℙ (Falling #2)

6

Will

Fear will eat you until it controls you. I turn to Avery, still shocked Gabriel's assistant had the audacity to talk to her like that. She's lucky Avery caught my wrist or Banks would be scared to death if she didn't stop me.

I kiss her jaw and she pushes me away. I narrow my eyes in confusion. Is she kidding? Sometimes I feel like I know Avery better than anyone else. Other times, it feels like she's messing with me. It feels like she's a stranger. I know that's how she shuts people out of her life. I know this is hard for her. But I am here now. And I won't let her go.

I just wish she could see herself the way I see her. I wish she could see herself the way the whole world sees her. I know everyone notices her when we walk in a restaurant or even in the fucking street. Her blonde hair, her red lipstick, and her long fucking legs. She's taller than Rika but she still is five foot eight.

I know everyone wants to fuck her. There's a reason why I let Alex do those things to her. I wanted to see what would please her. She experienced more and now she is more dangerous when it comes to sex. Kai told me she has this vibe. A vibe I know every man gets when they catch her in their sight. Who wouldn't?

I grab her wrist and as I pull her close to me, she pushes me, again.

''What are you playing at?'' I ask, brushing her hair out of her face. She walks away, avoiding me. She walks faster and I rush after her. Did I do something wrong? Did I say something wrong?

We walk past Michael, Rika, and, Kai. Avery ignores them and I shake my head at them. I can handle her. Rika stands up to follow us but Michael grabs her waist. Thank god they have my back. I know Avery's her sister but Rika hasn't done a lot to apologize to Avery. Of course, they hang out and they have fun. But, Rika doesn't feel the need to be closer to her sister. Even after what she did. Who am I kidding? I am talking shit right now. It's what it feels like. Can you blame me for looking out for my girlfriend?

''Avery'' she doesn't stop.

''Avery!'' I repeat. She's running towards my bedroom. I don't know what she thinks she's doing.

''Leave me alone Will'' she says. She tries to close the door but I hold it open. She sighs in frustration. I walk in, slamming the door behind me. She flinches and I do not care. She needs to understand I am here for her. This old habit of hers won't be much help if Damon comes back and tries to finish what he didn't the first time. She's a fragile thing. I don't care what the others think. She's fragile and she needs someone to rely on.

''I don't want you here, get out'' she stands in front of me. She's bold and confident, it makes me laugh. I see the fear behind her eyes. I can sense the 'don't leave' begging to get out of her throat.

''Will, get the fuck out'' She tries to push me, again. I catch her wrist and hold her to my chest.

''No'' I whisper. Avery sheds tears as she tries to get away from my grip. She swallows as I try to make her look at me.

''Did you flip a switch? Did you forget the past year? What's happening?'' I ask, my emotions getting the best of me. Avery squirms in my arms and she manages to turn. Her knees buckle and I grab her as she lets herself fall to the ground.

''Is it about Banks?'' A sob escapes her lips. I kiss the top of her head, trying to calm her. If someone can get through our little liar, it's me.

''I lied. I don't know her, never did'' she shivers. She's cold as ice. Her skin is like porcelain. Did Banks make her feel this way?

''Ave-''

'' You don't know what's in my head, Will'' she snaps, a bad attempt at trying to make me walk away. I would never leave her. Especially not in that state.

''Then tell me!'' I yell, louder than I should have. Avery lets herself fall in my arms. I hold her close to my chest, apologizing as I do.

''I can't. I just- can't'' she grabs the back of my neck, bending my head. Her lips lay on mine and I force myself to pull away. She's trying to get out of this. She doesn't talk about her emotions. I don't think I've seen her cry since last year.

''it's okay, calm down baby, it's alright'' I try to pull us up and she lets me help. It's not until I spot her trembling hands that I start to panic. What is happening? What am I supposed to do?

''You're fucking shaking'' I mumble to myself. Avery turns to me and I take her in my arms.

''Panic attack. I can't.. breathe'' I watch her chest heaves and I nod. What the fuck am I supposed to do? I set her down on my bed, sitting next to her. I can see her tears rolling down her cheeks, her lips shaking, her cries getting a hold of her. I can't stand to watch her like this. I am going to cry.

''Okay, baby look at me'' she shakes her head. I roll up my sleeves and force her to look at me. I might be too harsh but I need her to understand, I need her to talk to me.

''What makes you happy?'' she narrows her eyes before wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.

''What?''

''Just, tell me. What's your favorite thing in the world?'' she laces our fingers together before giggling. Even when she cries, she finds a way to smile.

''You'' I lock eyes with her. She's so beautiful. She's been through so much and there she is. On my bed, with me. Not Damon, me.

''That is so cliché'' I put a strand of her hair behind her ear and she laughs again. This time, I join her.

''I know. It's the truth'' I bite my lip. She's my favorite person in the whole world too.

''Okay. Breath with me, yeah?'' she nods quickly. We inhale at the same time before exhaling. We do this until she stops shaking. She lied to me. She knows Banks. This is twice. What is she hiding?

''I'll start you a bath okay? It'll make you feel better'' she might have turned Damon into her bitch once but I definitely am hers now. I don't wait for her answer. She wraps her legs around my waist as I walk her to my bath. I help her get out of her clothes, not that she needs any help. She gets in the bathtub and I have to keep my eyes on her eyes because otherwise, I'll fuck the shit out of her.

''Can you stay with me?'' she innocently whispers. Fuck.

''I just want you to stay, you don't have to get in'' she splashes water on her face and I pull my shirt over my head. She needs me. Whatever she's hiding, she'll tell me when she'll be ready. I just don't want her to have another episode like this. It doesn't scare me, I can handle her. It just breaks my heart every time.

''I am not going anywhere, baby.'' As soon as I am in the bath, she jumps on me and I hug her as tight as I can. She is hiding something, something so dark it makes her have a panic attack. What is it? What has she done that was so bad?