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| cinderella |

Rue could feel a tornado brewing up in her chest, sucking in all her insides and pulling back all her tears like a black hole. She didn't look up for a long time. She couldn't bring herself to see his broken face.

Why.

That's the only question that rang in her head.

'Rue... I... I know that sorry doesn't cut it. But I'll say it anyways. I'm sorry.'

She looked up at him, his eyes glittering purple and blue from the lights.

'Please don't get me wrong. I have... things to sort out and I didn't want to bother you. You've already been so nice to me I... I couldn't ask for more help.'

But I want to help!

She wanted to say that.

But she didn't.

'Fine.' Rue said taking a breath to calm herself. He looked at her worriedly. 'I'll give you one night. Tonight I'll forget about everything else. But you have to talk to me, Avery. Keeping secrets never helps.'

She could see the reluctance in his face, as if his secret was the burden of the world; something that would break her if he told her the truth.

But she had already made up her mind.

'I promise.'

She let the flutter of a smile trespass onto her lips as she clutched the collar of his jacket, arms still locked around his neck as they danced.

'Well then, Avery Black, let's hope we have a good night ahead.'

He looked thankful as he asked her a different question this time. 'So, how did the exams go?'

'Good, hopefully.'

'Yeah I don't trust them either.'

She managed to let out a soft laugh.

'Any plans for the holidays?'

'I'll be going back home tomorrow. Then mum and I have to travel to Surrey for the family Christmas plans.'

'Your family... gets together every year?'

'Doesn't everyone? We have a dinner and all the kids go out shopping. My grandpa ends up boring us all with the same old stories while the adults use Christmas as an excuse for wine.'

She smiled as she spoke, remembering the little memories she'd made over the years. Avery's face was at a standstill, as if she was describing something he had never experienced before.

'Don't you do something similar on Christmas?'

'Me? Uh, not really. Everyone is really busy with work so usually I end up celebrating it home alone.' He replied. 'It's not that bad.'

'You're kidding! I'm not letting you spend Christmas alone. Where do you stay? I'll come visit you.' Rue said, not thinking properly before she said it.

He looked touched. And sad. Really sad.

Someone spoke from behind them, causing them to pull apart. Tom.

'He's here, buddy.'

'Already? But I wasn't supposed to leave until tomorrow.' Avery remarked, furious and confused, glancing at Rue.

'Who's here?'

'Just a heads-up. I saw him talking to the Headmaster.' Tom patted Avery on the shoulder. 'Send me a text if you get caught up, alright? Don't... try to... you know.'

'Thanks, Tom. I'll deal with him, you don't need to bother.'

'What's going on?'

Avery turned to Rue.

'I have to leave.'

'Now?'

'I've asked Tom to fill you in tomorrow. I promised you the truth didn't I?' He stepped back and she stepped forward. Tom stood awkwardly at the side.

'Avery, what's going on?'

He stretched out one arm, brushing off her hair from her forehead with his fingers. She could feel her heart playing games with her again. She could see his eyes, pulling her in, yet keeping her apart.

'Take care, Rue. And I...'

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

12:00 AM.

'Avery, mate, you need to run.' Tom said, seeing the time.

And just like that without a word, he left. He turned away, unspoken words left in the air and Rue left feeling like she was dangling on a cliff.

She ran after him, out the doors, but she was met with nothing but the cool night air and the sound of crickets chirping. She stood at the top of the staircase, feeling utterly lost and hopeless. Gusts of wind ruffled her brown hair back to how it had been before he'd pushed it off her face.

At midnight, Cinderella ran away from the ball leaving behind a glass slipper so that the Prince could find her.

At midnight, Avery ran away from Rue, with nothing left to guide her.

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