𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒 | SPINOFF

CHAPTER NINETEEN

MARCELLA
CRIST

"So, tomorrow is her release day? Finally!" I exhaled, relief loosening the tension that had gripped me for what felt like forever. Avery would be back. And better yet, she'd stay with us until she was ready to face her own home again. My parents had to practically buy her father's permission, throwing money into the equation just to make him agree to let her heal here, where she'd be safe.

Dad nodded, smiling softly. "Yes, baby. I'm relieved too." He kissed my forehead before looking around the room, making sure each of us was listening. My friends, Jaxon's friends—we were all gathered in his office, waiting for this moment. "But listen up, all of you," he began, his tone firm. "Avery's been through hell and back. I need you to understand that she won't be the same, not for a while. Her body, her mind...they've endured more than any of you can imagine. So, you'll need to let her heal on her own terms. No drama, no stress. Be there for her and give her the space she needs." His voice softened but held a note of warning.

We nodded, absorbing his words. Then my mom's gaze shifted, narrowing slightly as it fell on Alessio. "And her...boyfriend," she forced out, her tone wrapped in a hesitant acceptance. "He may come by a few times to see her. No one's to start any trouble, understood?" Her eyes cut pointedly toward Jaxon, a warning flickering there.

Jaxon held her gaze, jaw tight, but eventually, he nodded.

____

It was late, past eleven. I was in the back seat with my driver, clutching a box of custom gifts I'd carefully selected for Avery's return tomorrow. I'd spent days planning this, picking out eight gifts—one for each of us. I wanted her to feel surrounded, supported, like she mattered to everyone in our circle. Even if they hadn't pitched in, I wanted her to think they had.

Then, out of nowhere, Damon appeared on the path to my house, a joint in his hand. His eyes fell on the box, then me. "Where were you?" he asked, his gaze piercing.

"My dad knows," I said quickly. "I went to pick up gifts for Avery. I even got ones for her from you and the guys," I added, hoping he'd appreciate my effort.

Damon nodded slowly, assessing. "Show me," he said, almost like an order. He led the way to the backyard, like this wasn't even my house, and we sat on the grass near the pool.

I took a deep breath, opening the box. "First, for Stella. I got them a Taylor Swift vinyl. They bonded over her music back when Stella would never be friends with a younger girl, but Avery... she found a way in through their 'Swiftie blood,'" I said, smiling as I pulled out the vinyl.

Damon just nodded, so I continued. "For Lily, I made a photo album. I love capturing moments, and I've taken so many photos of them over the years. I put it all together as a memory book for her."

His face softened just a fraction as he looked at the album. Encouraged, I pulled out my own gift for Avery. "I got her a stack of letters. I wrote them since I was young, took them out of my diary. She was always mentioned... like a light in my life." I glanced up, hoping he'd say something.

"You always liked writing," he murmured.

"Yeah," I breathed, showing him the small jewelry box next. A red diamond pendant, custom-made just for her. Dad had paid for it, sparing me the price tag.

Moving on, I smiled, bringing out Jaxon's gift. "For Jaxon, I got them matching bracelets. Avery loves bracelets, and Jaxon's the same. Thought it'd be something personal."

Damon nodded again. "What about Grayson?"

"A keychain. Sunshine for him, moon for her—they're like sunshine and moonlight, total opposites but they just... click."

"And Alessio?"

"I made a vintage memory tape of them. I saved every video from our group chat, collected it all into a single CD." Damon's face softened, genuine approval lighting his eyes.

"That's the best one yet," he admitted, making my cheeks flush.

He liked something I did. Wow.

Lastly, I pulled out two matching T-shirts. "I got you and her matching shirts, 'Big Brother, Big Sister.' Since you two are like siblings..."

He frowned, voice low. "We're not friends."

"Come on, Damon... you've been protecting her, all of them, since forever," I replied, sensing a part of him didn't want to argue. Not me though, he never protected me.

He hesitated, gaze dropping. "I used to have a sister, Marcella," he whispered, his voice so raw it was like a wound reopened. I froze, my heart pounding.

"What?"

"Her name was Daisy. She was fifteen... Avery's age. My dad killed her after I defied him. He knew Daisy was my world, knew losing her would break me. Her identity was hidden because of the mafia; she was homeschooled, kept out of sight. That's why I protect Avery and the girls. I saw her in Daisy." His voice wavered, heavy with pain. "I found someone else to live for, I'm not living for me," he finished, his eyes far away, lost in the memory.

I placed my hand over my mouth, tears slipping free. "I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice barely steady. "You didn't deserve that."

"I did," he said bitterly.

"No, Damon, you're living for someone else. That's not selfish. You're not what people say you are," I insisted softly, trying to reach him.

He shook his head, jaw tightening. "Don't try to see the good in me, Marcella. I'm just going to disappoint you," he growled, slipping back into that hard edge, retreating like he always did. "And I wouldn't be saying any of this if I wasn't high."

He shut down, walls locked firmly in place. Two steps forward, three steps back.

Feeling tears sting my eyes, I stood up, wiping at my cheeks. "Thanks for hanging out with me. I'm sorry if I was a bother."