Salty Licorice

Chapter 36

Avery's POV

I've been anxious all day since realizing Liz wasn't at school, hell I was a nervous wreck long before when I learned she saw Emily kissing me. I want to explain it isn't what it looked like. Desperate to tell her the truth that Emily means nothing and she is the only girl I have eyes for. But when she wasn't in class this morning it just made me more nervous and now I feel like I'm gonna break if I don't see her to explain everything. I haven't been this nervous since my parents caught me with that girl years ago, and threatened to send me to some conversion camp.

I keep bouncing my leg and biting my nails that I don't really have at this point. I feel a sharp pain in my finger tip. I pull my hand back and look to see a small bead of blood coming from under my nail. I groan and try to keep from doing more damage but I can't seem to keep my cool. I start rapidly clicking my pen subconsciously in replacement of biting my nails. I don't even realize I'm doing it till I feel a kick to the back of my chair from some kid in my class, I turn and see him with an irritated look and smile a small apology and look back at the board. Nothing on the board makes any sense to my buzzing brain that won't stop running in circles over and over again. At this rate I might give myself a panic attack with my mind running this endless loop of possibilities.

One thing that wont get out of my mind is the reason why Emily would do this at all, and the other is if Liz will ever forgive me. I just can't keep from having all the worst ideas making prominent features in my mental theater. One thing that can't be replaced from my mind's flat screen is Liz's eyes and the betrayal shown in them, the hurt that I didn't want or mean to be caused by me.

I take a shaky breath once the bell rings and I shoot out of my seat not even bothering with making sure everything is secure in my bag as I make my way into the crowd. I hear heavy boots behind me followed by the clicking of a pair of boots I wish would just disappear.

I see Marisa walking up next to me in long strides but not showing much excretion, I mean I'm not much shorter then her but damn. I hear the clicking pick up pace a bit till I feel a hand on my elbow pulling me back and turning my body to face her.

Emily stands with a shy smile and curious eyes. "You've been avoiding me all day," She doesn't pose it as a question but more of an observation.

"I wonder why that is?" Marisa snorts, finding humor in this situation.

"Avery, can't seriously be mad at me," Emily nearly whines, but all it does is gain a wince from me.

"I have somewhere I need to be," I pull out of her grip, but she catches my hand, making me flinch from the pain I caused in my fingers.

She lets go immediately and looks at my hand to see my nails all red from irritation. "Avery, you can't be biting your nails so low, they'll bleed and you can really hurt yourself," Emily coos with worry in her eyes.

"I'll keep that in mind next time, since they've already bled today," I scoff and walk away from her.

"She's kinda right about the nail thing," Marisa murmurs next to me, keeping in pace with me easily.

"Stop talking," I grit out, still feeling the pain in my hand and try to shake it out.

I make my way through the halls and don't even attempt to get out of people's way and just bump into them, no apologies, just pure motivation. I make my way towards Leo's locker seeing him talking with some dude from my grade that I barely have had a conversation with, I think he was one of Emily's past conquests. They seem to be having a private conversation, I will soon be destroying their small bubble in a few seconds as I cross the hallway.

"Hey bud," I smile a sharp grin with burning rage in my eyes. "You can finish discussing the next blow job session another time."

"What?" The guy's face burns red as his jaw drops. "It's not like that."