Stone Tower Serenade: Love Etched in Stone

Chapter 12: One fateful Summer

Avery POV

As the silence stretched on, Kevin's voice broke through the haze of memory, gently urging me back to the present.

"How much can you piece together so far?" he inquired, his words laced with a concern that mirrored the turmoil churning within me.

Straining to gather the scattered fragments of the past, I recounted the moments that stood out in sharp relief against the blurry canvas of time.

"You leaving for college... that's crystal clear," I began, a tremor of sadness creeping into my voice.

"But the rest feels like disjointed scenes from a half-forgotten film. Leaving Ejay soaked in the rain to get my car, bumping into you outside that same store - those snippets are vivid. The entire summer after my 15th birthday... then everything fades to black after you left for college."

A dull ache throbbed in my head, a physical manifestation of the emotional strain.

"Do you have any water?" I asked, hoping to alleviate the pressure building behind my eyes as I tried to decipher the fragmented memories.

Kevin acted without hesitation, his concern evident in his hurried steps as he fetched the water. He was acutely aware of my tendency to lose consciousness during these intense memory dives, and his voice held a gentle warning as he handed me the bottle.

"Don't push yourself too hard, Av," he cautioned softly. "Take a sip, try to piece it together slowly." His protectiveness mirrored the unwavering support he had shown me that summer, a comforting echo of a time when I needed him most.

The uneasy quiet that settled between us felt heavy. Finally, I decided to break the silence.

"Were you always this protective of me?" I ventured, probing for a deeper understanding of his past actions.

A hint of defensiveness colored his immediate response. "I've always been protective, especially towards you and the others," he replied, his words leaving a trail of unspoken reasons in their wake.

A wave of disappointment washed over me. 'Just like a brother,' I concluded with a heavy heart. His response seemed to confirm my fear - that within the depths of his past feelings, I was nothing more than a sibling figure. The weight of this realization cast a long shadow over our moment of reconnection.

Kevin POV

The journey home unfolded with a symphony of recovered memories. Avery's voice, weaving tales of a fragmented past, held a melody of bittersweet joy. The lingering sorrow of that tumultuous summer was laced with a glimmer of hope that shone in her eyes. It was the yearning of a soul piecing itself back together, a quest for wholeness reflected in her determined gaze.

Dinner found us at home, a warm embrace orchestrated by Mum's bustling presence. Avery, emboldened by her reclaimed memories, shared snippets of her past with the family, a tapestry woven from threads of rediscovery. I, ever vigilant, interjected a reminder to inform me if Ejay contacted her. Discreetly, I offered myself as a chaperone, promising to be the ghost in the machine, a silent observer ensuring her safety.

Avery acknowledged my offer with a curt nod. But a subtle dance of glances between Uncle Al, my parents, and myself didn't escape my notice. Their silent communication spoke volumes, prompting a silent vow. Later, I would brief them, ensuring everyone remained informed and alert.