benevolent. ❀ lrh

Chapter Ten.

Nursing a two day hangover isn't exactly how Avery Harper had planned to spend her Monday morning.

Her thoughts are dizzying and relentless as they pound inside of her skull, far too preoccupied replaying Saturday night's events over and over again to pay the receptionist any mind when she steps through the front doors of the elementary school.

Nearly on the verge of making her bland, scrambled egg breakfast reappear if she breathes too deeply, Avery ducks into the staff break room, hoping that a cup of tea might settle her agitated stomach. Thankfully, it's empty, so nobody's there to ponder her sluggish movements and washed out face while she attempts to focus on the electric kettle's complex mechanisms.

The bag of loose chamomile tea reminds her of the flowers and potted plants decorating Luke's front yard and stoop. From there, everything comes pouring back like it only happened hours ago, still fresh in Avery's memory.

Luke's cologne, bright but woodsy with a crisp herbal scent to it. The way it clung to his navy sweater and stuck to Avery's tank top when he'd held her so close. How Luke's lips were so desperate to taste her own, like he'd been aching to kiss her all this time. Avery's stomach clenches tightly, as if it's been tightly wound and bound with twine, at the recollection.

A bright, chirpy beep from the kettle brings Avery back to reality. She fills an obscurely branded mug from the cabinet over head, pouring the water over the tea bag and watching the soft yellow seep from the leaves. Carefully, she cradles the mug in both hands, turning on her heel whilst blowing gently in a useless attempt to cool down her tea.

Crossing through the threshold of the break room, Avery's feet come to an abrupt halt as she nearly collides with a familiar, broad chest. Warm, amber colored tea dribbles over the edge of her mug, sprinkling the light colored carpet.

Luke, flushed with wide eyes mirroring Avery's own, stills, hands tucked in the pockets of his slacks. "You alright there?"

Eucalyptus. That's the herbal scent, Avery realizes, when she sharply inhales. A gray sweater stretches across Luke's chest, tight in the arms, sleeves perfectly rolled below his elbows. Leather bag slung over his shoulder. "Avery?"

"Sorry," She blinks, realizing the tea in her hands would've likely spilled completely if she'd remained zoned out any longer. "I wasn't paying attention."

"It's okay," Luke says slowly, cautious. He's visibly walking on eggshells, given the events of Saturday night, it's obvious he isn't sure how to navigate things with Avery. She should've told him the truth, but that'll only complicate whatever is going on, she's sure. "You look a bit pale. Are you feeling alright?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine," Avery musters up a pursed, tight-lipped smile. "I'll uh- see you in the classroom."

Luke sucks in a short, sharp breath like he's going to say something but clasps his mouth shut, offering Avery nothing but a curt, silent nod as she veers past him and down the hall. He dips to rest his forehead against the door's trim, puffing out his cheeks. Today's going to be a long one.

-

Luke and Avery are.. okay. Maybe. Luke isn't entirely sure.

She's talking and smiling so brightly like nothing is bothering her but Luke knows that's just a facade, he's guilty of doing the same thing on days where he just can't deal with anything properly. But Avery isn't ignoring him, so that's something.

When recess rolls around, the day nearly finished, Avery offers to take the littles out, muttering something about needing a bit of fresh air. Though Luke wants nothing more than to see the afternoon sun on her tanned skin, or her pretty blue dress floating in the gentle wind, he holds himself back at his desk. Under the guise that he'll chip away at next week's lesson plan.