Killing Time | N.H. AU

Part 10 | FINAL

How could I have been so stupid? This was all my fault. I should never have even come out tonight. Now I felt nothing but guilt and regret. I would never have made this beautiful girl cry if I had just stayed home like I had intended.

I moved around a few people, trying to keep my eyes on Avery's still retreating figure. Jake watched her pass by quickly and shot me a confused and slightly worried look as I too passed him. I waved him off knowing if I stopped to talk with him I would lose Avery altogether.

I slid down the steep hill, the flashlight Avery was carrying shown brightly just a few feet away. I picked up my pace and made it to her just as she slipped on unstable ground and I quickly caught her arm to keep her from falling. She turned to face me, shocked for a second, before pulling away from me like she'd catch something if she kept in contact for too long.

She said nothing as she continued on down the hill. My breath was heavy as I tried my best to keep up with her. This was the worst feeling in the world. I barely knew this girl, but when she turned away from me after I told her my diagnosis, it felt like a hundred knives were stabbing me in the chest. I did not want to feel like that and I could only imagine how Avery felt now that she knew I was sick.

"Shit." We had finally made it down to where the cars were parked.

"Shit!" Avery repeated herself as she turned and glared back up at the mountain.

"What is it?" I asked and she noticeably flinched at the sound of my voice. Did she hate me now?

"The car keys," She pointed back up the way we came. "I don't have the keys!"

She was frustrated and I could see tears start to well up in her eyes again and I quickly pulled out my phone in hopes of keeping those tears from falling. "Don't worry. I'll just call us a cab."

Avery stared up at me helplessly, like she wanted to say something, but decided to keep it to herself instead. I wanted to console her. I wanted to tell her that everything was going to be all right, but what was the point in lying now?

I quickly turned my gaze away from her and put my phone to my ear. The night was over, that was obvious, but as I watched Avery from a safe distance, I still couldn't bring myself to want to go home. I didn't want her to be angry with me and honestly, I wasn't sure if she was angry at me or angry with herself for letting this night turn us into something more.

It didn't take very long for the cab to pull up the road, the headlights blinding me as I turned my head away. I made it to the cab before Avery, opening the door and allowing her to slid in first. She sent me a sideways glance and I swore I saw a slight smile appear on her lips. I took a deep breath before climbing into the cab behind her, shutting the door tightly.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as we sat in the back seat of the cab in complete silence. The loud underground rap blasting through the speakers of the car really contrasted well with the 40-year-old Persian man who sat behind the wheel. I kept looking toward Avery in hopes of gaining her attention to see if she had noticed the same thing that I had. As her eyes finally turned up toward me, I raised my eyebrows in amusement and the frown that had been on her face melted into that pretty smile I liked so much.

The lighthearted moment passing between us felt nice and I quickly emphasized that fact by gyrating my body slightly to the music. Avery covered her mouth as she held in a laugh, but she quickly recovered, a stern look on her face as she punched me lightly in the arm.

"Ow!" I finally broke the silence as I rubbed my arm in mock offense.

I grinned, pleased with myself as another smile graced her face. She wasn't angry with me. That was the one thing I didn't want. I wanted nothing more than to end our night happily.