Distress

Twenty-Two

AVERY

We all huddle up the floor, and that includes the aroma filling up our nostrils. I have always liked how Elizabeth cooked, something that will make you run up to the kitchen in no time, without considering it finished. But of course I won't do it, since 1.) We have guests. 2.) That, certainly, is a shameful-slash-rude gesture for me to do. So I strictly have to settle my feet in here with bunch of crazy teens, including me, playing a lifetime board game. I huff, because the power of Taco Bell a few hours ago has completely left my system.

I felt the need to take a piss so I hoist to tear myself away from the floor and take the lavatory.

"What, you're getting bored of us?" Hayes scrunch up his lips, completely acts like a three year old when seriously he's taller than me.

"No silly, I'll take the bathroom." I turn my heel and head out simultaneously.

As I reach the stairs, I wander my eyes from the living room, to the kitchen and in front of me. Feeling something unusually missing. There is this gut in my stomach that I am dreading to find out. Or is it because I'm too tired from the events that has ever occurred to me this wholesome day? First few weeks and a lot happened, except I wasn't certain if it is what you call an improvement.

"Damn." I breathe, a lot... did changed.

Turning to the leftmost door, the hallway's usually dark but there's an unusually dim light in the room across the bathroom, as it is a guest room. I slowly peak my head to see if someone's inside but considering all of people are downstairs, it makes it more suspicious.

I take my last step as the silhouette of the back of the person is nearer. The figure is looking out the balcony and right when the cold breeze hit my face, the person turns around.

Turns around.

To see it was Cameron.

Just when I thought my day will finally be better.

I stare at one final second before turning my heel and up to the bathroom.

Every thump of my feet causes another to land. And the person I was looking at is now behind me. Can people just stop preventing me from walking away?

"Avery, wait!" 

Cameron's voice rings through my ears as my eyes shift to the bathroom. I shrug him away, and proceed on walking unknowingly.

I swiftly entered the ajar and let myself in the bathroom while he, unsurprisingly, still calls out my name.

"Shut it Cam."

"Hey. Please open the door." His fist meets the hard wood while I am still processing how hard this day was for me.

I sink downwards, bringing my hand to my temple and find a millisecond to breathe soothingly. It was the only time of the day I should breathe according to my likeness. 

I hear nothing after that. Not even a bang. Not even a wisp of a wind.

And that leaves me wondering if a person is still there. Because I know this is some stupid cliché story you'll see in movies.

Where there is an unknown presence lingering to the opposite side of the door.

Right?

Well I am not wrong, though. I felt a weight shift to the opposite side of the door. And by the obvious reason, I knew it was Cameron.

But I still have this dread to not talk to him or even forgive him that easily. This gut feeling that I should acknowledge in the first place. The feeling I must endure because I know it will cost me massively.