Return What Was Lost

Chapter 31

Julian wasn't sure what to do as Grace got back in her car and drove off. Avery was shaking in his arms but refused to look back at her mother until she was long gone. Once she was though, Avery quickly began walking up the path toward the school. Julian immediately followed after her.

"Avery," he called.

"I don't want to talk about it, Julian," she said. Her voice pained him, it was so tight and shaky, like she might cry again.

"Do you want me to leave you alone?" he asked.

"No," she whispered.

She faced Julian and her eyes began to water again. There was no way he was taking her up to the girl's dorm where no doubt even more rumors would begin to circle.

"Come on," he said finally as he put his arm around her.

He led her up to his dorm and they walked in silence. Thankfully, it was around dinner time so most people were not even out or near them. When they got to his floor, he noticed Nikki leaving Brady's room. He expected her to glare or send them the usual nasty look but instead she looked shocked to see Avery so upset. Julian didn't stop to explain though, he just opened the door to his room and watched Avery carefully as she sat down on his bed. The second he closed the door, her tears began to fall.

"Hey, it's okay," Julian said, coming back over to her. He sat down next to her and she buried her face in his shoulder.

"I don't know why I'm so upset, I don't want her in my life, but at the same time, I can't help but feel like I really hurt her," she said.

"She kind of had it coming, Avery," Julian reminded her.

"Did you hear what she said about my dad?" she mumbled.

Of course, he had. It made him angry too.

"You don't know the full story," he pointed out.

"It still hurts."

"I know, Avery," he murmured as he stroked her pink hair.

She put her arms around him and he shifted so that she was in his arms as well. They stayed like that until Avery no longer had tears going down her face.

"Thanks," she mumbled.

"I'm guessing you don't want to go out and face everyone," Julian said.

"Absolutely not," she whispered.

"Don't worry, Cole can go spend the night in Brady's room and Brady will go to Chelsey's room," he said.

Avery began to smile. "We really have a whole system figured out, huh?"

"It worked the last time you slept over," he said, smiling as well.

Avery looked up at him. He pushed the hair out of her face and stared back at her.

"Thank you for today as well, it really was perfect," she said. "You know except for Grace showing up."

"Are you going to tell your uncle she came to the school?" he asked.

"Should I?" she asked. "I mean just because I don't want her in my life doesn't mean I want to get her in trouble either."

"Then let's just forget about it," he suggested.

He waited until Avery felt a little better and then went over to his dresser to get her some clothes. Julian opened the top drawer and stared at the Metallica shirt for a moment. Although Avery's father had given it to Julian, he thought she might want to wear it tonight. Even if she didn't remember that it was her father's, it was Julian's most prized possession and he wanted her to wear it.