Avery

~14~

-Avery-

Well.

Where do we start here?

How about we start with the basics?

I am waking up with a man, one I never wanted to say that about at that.

But I think the craziest part is that I do not regret a single thing leading up to this, and considering my track record of beating myself up at the slightest inconvenience, this is crazy.

To clear the air here, what most people would guess happened did not actually happen.

Believe me, some things definitely happened, but not that.

This is the first time I've been content laying in bed in the morning.

Mostly because the reason I wake up usually is currently spread across the floor and worth about as much as this ripped bedding I'm curled up in.

But also...the man in this bed with me.

One side of my brain wants to break down in confusion, anger, sadness or any other emotion the human being can experience after yesterday.

But the other side just wants to lay here peacefully with him until the end of time, when our bodies are limp and decaying.

Every time his body makes the smallest move, my eyes close immediately.

Who wants the guy they are in bed with to wake up to you staring at them?

It's all a bit odd really.

2 weeks ago, I was questioning it all and thinking there was no way I could let this carry on.

But now it all seems to be falling into place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adam stands behind me now as I stand in the kitchen, obviously observing and judging as I make a coffee.

"What is your problem?" I say, throwing my arms in the air.

"People seriously put milk in their coffee? I thought that was just for the 'Instagram aesthetics' or whatever." He mumbles, stumbling on the word 'aesthetics' for a few seconds.

I have no other response other than to roll my eyes.

I mean seriously?

Handing him a coffee, black of course, I lean back against the small counter and he does the same on the opposite one.

There's a soft tension, nothing making me want to crawl out of my skin, but it's there.

He gazes at me over the rim of the mug as he raises it to his lips.

We spoke about the bakery last night and came up with a plan, not that I 100% agree with it, but there wasn't much space for my opinion with his filling most of the space.

Services are a big no for me, I just have never had a great history talking to any of the services, and as much as they could help, I can handle this.

Adam says he will help, which is the part I do not necessarily agree with.

The last thing I want is to drag him into my problems.

We leave shortly after the coffee to 'assess the damage' as Adam phrased it.

Sounds a bit more professional than I would have said.

I mean, the damage is rather clear.

The windows are completely caved in, the glass has coated the floor, and the tile beneath is no longer visible.

The cash register is laid on its side, everything from the counter is splayed across the back, and everything is a complete mess.

My first thought is the ovens and mixers.

There is no way in hell I can afford new ones or to have someone come and fix them.

My hopes rise when I notice the kitchen door is seemingly closed.

Adam is watching me so, so carefully, assessing my reactions to every single moment.

Understandable.

The handle clicks as I push it down and my heart feels like it's going to give out.

The look on Adam's face is absolutely priceless when I jump in the air screaming.

They are okay, we can fix this.

Confusion is drowning his face as he looks around to check we are in the same building right now.

"Avery?" he says gently.

"Oh, Adam." I can feel the tears in my eyes.

The kitchen is practically untouched.

He finally walks over to me after a good 5 minutes of silence.

It clicks in his head, you can see it.

There's a light touch to my back and I sink into it.

We got this, easy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sweeping, sweeping, and just a little bit more sweeping.

That was my day today.

Every shard of glass, every bit of plastic.

There are at least 10 trash bags at the door that I can barely muster up the effort to carry away.

I'm not really too sure what the next step here is, but that is a bridge I am not prepared to cross today.

Adam has been working on something by the windows, I haven't really had the chance to look.

When I look up, I suddenly notice it's dark.

Looking down through the cracked glass of my watch, I see it's only 4 pm.

My eyes find what were once the windows, and I can't see through.

Adam's head peeks around the door frame and he's giving me the smallest hint of a smile.

He somehow found some kind of fabric large enough to completely drape over the gaping holes between window frames.

Each corner is bolted in and all up along the sides.

"I know it seems silly given the priority here, but I figured you needed some kind of cover until you can get windows, you know."

He rubs the back of his neck, almost nervous.

I give him the biggest smile I can do, which isn't all that great considering the situation.

Stepping up onto the very tip of my toes, I gently peck his cheek.

The tips of his ears begin to change colour, ever so slightly.

I am internally very smug.

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Short one today! I appreciate you all..