Get in the Rhythm {Book 1}

18.

Once I woke up, I instantly got ready and told Scott to take me to Avi's house.

I knocked on the door and Shemi opened it. She hugged me and let me in. "How's he been" I asked.

"He's still in bed after a day and I'm really worried about him" She said with sadness. "I've tried to talk to him, but I can't get through to him....I think you can"

We walked over to his room and she knocked on his door. "Hey, Avi......Mitch is here" She walked away and left me to enter.

I slowly opened the door and I saw him lying on his bed. He wasn't facing the door. I walked around his bed and saw his tear stained face and bloodshot eyes. I instantly felt sorry for him and i didn't even know why yet.

"Avi?" I asked. He stirred in his bed moaning out of frustration. He didn't answer. "Avriel?" He slowly looked me and smiled softly.

"Precioso" He said weakly. I had never seen him so dull and so down in the dumps before. "I'm so glad you're here"

"Avi, are you ok?" I asked him. "You don't seem like yourself" He was usually full of passion and life but where did it all go?

"I'm fine" He said clearly lying. "Can't you tell?" He said with hysteria.

"No. No I can't tell" I stated. "Avriel, I know you're lying" I gave him a stern look.

"I know I'm lying" He began to break out in tears. "I've never felt so shitty before"

"Maybe some fresh air will do you good" I suggested. I held my hand out to him to get him up. He got up and we walked outside.

As we walked out of his room, Shemi looked at me with slight surprise and happiness. "Is he good?" She mouthed.

"A little" I mouthed back. We walked out to his garden and sat on the deck chairs. He took a deep breath, taking in the fresh air. "Now, Avi, you need to tell me what has made you feel so sad"

"I-I don't want to...me trae demasiados recuerdos" He said sadly.

"Please tell me, I want to help if I can" I said desperately.

"No estoy seguro"He said hesitantly.

"Please.." I begged.

"Todo empezó cuando lo conocí-" He started but I cut him off.

"Avriel, I can't help you if I can't understand you" I said.

He cleared his throat "It all started once I met him. His name is Sergio" He started. "He was the love my life. He always cared for me. He told me he loved me and I told him that too. It was only after about a year that I realised he only used me for sex" He paused. "I tried to confront him about him but he wouldn't listen......said I talked too much" He continued.

"He would always threaten to leave me anytime I confronted him on how he used me, but he was the best thing that had happened to me....I couldn't let him go....no quiero meter la pata. I was right where he wanted me. He was in my head. " Avi was so emotional invested to Sergio. "There was a moment where, he had gone too far"

"What did he do?" I asked curiously.

"He tried to force me....I didn't let him.....but when I didn't do it, he'd strike me. He hit me" He wiped a tear and so did I. "I was so scared. I was too scared to leave. Too scared to tell anyone....It got bad. It had reached a point in which I left Spain on a whole. I told my parents that I would only be gone for a month." A pause. "I haven't gone back since" He said with pure sadness.

"Oh my God, Avi" I walked over to him and hugged him.

"B-But I think I'm ready to go back" He whispered.

"Go back where?" I asked a little confusion.

"To Spain.......only if you come with me" He said. "Please come with me.....I want to go back but not alone"

"F-For good?" I asked still slightly confused.

"N-No. Just for a few weeks" He spoke.

I guess I could go with him. What harm could it do?

"I'll go with you" I said smiling. His face lit up and he hugged me tighter.

"Thank you, Thank you,Thank you" He said repeatedly in an excited tone. "I'll let you know all the details"

"There's still one thing" I informed him.

"What is it?"

"Why did you get emotional after I said te amo?" I said curious for an answer.

"I can't tell you.....not yet at least" I couldn't fight his answer.

I stayed with him for the rest of the day. To keep him company. I just wanted to make sure he was okay.

How could someone hurt someone so amazing like Avriel? How could they mistreat such an angel like him?

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Translations

no quiero meter la pata- I didn't want to screw up.

No estoy seguro- I'm not sure

me trae demasiados recuerdos- It brings back too many memories