Secrets Look Different in the Light

Chapter 22

Avery's POV

The beauty of a party at Lockwell's house is that it's massive enough to vanish in. Even Jackie likes it here- not for the crowd, but because there's always an empty bathroom. Tonight, I find a quiet guest room with a balcony that overlooks the sea of parked cars below. The noise and music are still audible, but up here, it feels distant. Manageable.

"Hiding out?" Jayden's voice cuts into the silence. I jump slightly.

I am hiding out. Admitting that to myself feels like betrayal somehow, like I'm the one who's slipping away first. But I can't keep pretending that my mind isn't reeling.

"Sorry. Lost you in the crowd. Just needed a breather." I tell him. 

He makes his way over to me and tries to slip an arm around my waist, but I pull away. 

"Are you okay?"

I nod before leaning back into him, letting him his arm snake around me. Only to move again a moment later. 

"Place is packed tonight," I say, forcing a smile that doesn't quite land. "Kind of hard to breathe down there."

Jayden's brow furrows slightly. "Too much for you?"

"What?" I panic. "Oh no, I'm fine." 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." I snap.

He studies me. That look in his eye- half concern, half confusion.

"Then why are you pulling away from me?" He asks. 

"I'm not." Liar.

"You are."

"I am." Better.

"So why?" He asks, desperate for an answer. 

"Why did you get me pretzels?"

Jayden freezes, brow furrowed. "Pretzels? That's why you're upset?" He finally speaks.

"I hate pretzels, Jayden. Since 3rd grade. It is one of the easiest things to remember about me. And yet, you got me pretzels from the gas station." I try to explain.

"And that's an issue for you?" He ignorantly asks. 

"Yes it's an issue for me!" My voice spikes. I breathe deep, dialing it back. "We've been dating for two years, Jayden. How could you forget that about me?"  

He sighs, frustrated. "I don't know, Avery. I just can't believe this is something we have to talk about." 

His words sting.

"I just need to know it was a mistake. An honest slip of the mind and nothing more. I need to know that it's not because I occupy so little of your mind nowadays that you can't even remember that I don't like pretzels." I spill. 

He shakes his head. And with an exasperated sigh- turns away, walking towards the door.

"This is so fucking stupid." he mutters, and walks out.

Jackie's POV
 
       Up the stairs, and to the right at the very end of the hall is where we find Avery, passing Jayden on our way in. He barely looks at as we do. Avery's inside, pacing, silent except for the occasional muttered curse. Dylan and I stand there for a few minutes, waiting for her to explain the source of her anger, but then his phone dings. 

He reads something, face going tight. "You okay staying with her?" He asks

"Yeah." my one word response seems to be enough approval for him to flee, he's quick out the door to whoever summoned him. I already know where he's going. Who he's going to.