The Art of Letting You Go

she doesn't want me anymore

Olly's POV:

The alarm beeping at my side jolts me awake. I was sweating, so I head to the shower to cool down and get ready for my flight. I've been here for a whole week now. Next thing on my list is checking out of this hotel. 

As I run shampoo through my hair I hear my phone buzzing. By the time my head pops out of the shower my phone had already turned itself off. I start to remember a little about last night.

(Last Night)

"What a successful day!" Damn this brunette was annoying. The only thing that was keeping me from telling her to shut up was the thought of ruining this opportunity. I was being treated like gold here.

"Yeah, yeah." I mumble, not bothering to look back at her as I get away with ordering a beer. I'm glad she picked out this bar, there were only two tables full of people and the bartender wasn't carding me.

"Why are you so upset? You've done great this week." She whined as she took a seat in the stool next to me. Today she wore her hair down, reminding me more of Avery than the first day I had seen her.

"I'm not upset." I say, hoping she'll get the hint and back off. She doesn't. She places her hand on my shoulder and I groan. "Do you miss someone?" She asks, catching me by surprise. I glare at her as if she had stepped on my foot or something. She removes her hand and puts it in her lap, staring at it intently. 

I take a swig of beer as my phone goes off. It was from an unknown number, they sent a picture. 

"What the-" I'm interrupted before I can curse. "Is that her?" She asks as I put my phone away. I take another gulp of beer, making it past the half way point.

"Yes." I say, probably loosened up from the alcohol. The picture was sent from some random student. It was of Taylor and Avery. I hadn't thought about leaving them alone together. Of course, I thought my plan would've worked. It looked as though Taylor had whipped Avery in the face with her hair. I'm glad it wasn't a picture of a fight. I'm also glad I was popular enough to have this photo sent to me.

"Why is she making you upset?" The brunette pushes, but I let her. Who else did I have to talk to about this? I guess I was getting friendly with Mason, up until he put his coat around Avery and walked her home. My body shivers at the thought, so I turn my blood warm by finishing off my drink and nodding for another.

"I'm worried about her." I say curtly as she scoots closer. 

"Can I ask why?"

"I left her in a weird situation." I quickly take another drink from the bottle. Before she can speak again I decide to keep going with my story.

"I did something, to hurt her, in order to protect her from later." Another swig. She hums in response, letting me rant to her. It must be obvious how lonely I am.

"But I ended up going back to her which will just hurt her even more. And now I'm here, and not with her. I want to be with her, I don't want her to think I don't want that." I know my words are jumbled and repetitive, but I blame it on the drink I keep bringing to my lips.

"Does she have a phone?" She asks and I scoff, looking at her. Who doesn't have a phone nowadays?

"Text her." 

Her words register in my head as I realize what's she's getting at. Why hadn't I texted her before? I thought we were over, that's why. But, with all of the silly texts we've shared in between, I think she might regret the words she had said before I left.

Me: Miss u :(

I set my phone down on the bar and wait. I was excited, I think. Why else would my heart be beating so fast? I order a couple more beers to calm my nerves before giving up after three. It had been an hour and twenty three minutes. She wasn't going to text me back.

She doesn't want me anymore.

-

I groan and rinse the shampoo from my hair. I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself. I look at myself in the mirror. It was clear I was hung over, and the pain would only get worse when I add jet lag. 

I'm glad my whole trip has been paid for. Even my hotel room and any food. I was given a credit card to use, so that I did. I even bought Av something on my third day here, dragging the brunette along with me. Not like I had a choice, she was paid for too, I guess.

I grab my phone.

Avery: Sorry, phone died last night  :(((( I miss you too <3

I had to stop myself from making a noise, I was so ecstatic. She wasn't ignoring me, she still wanted me. That's what I gather from the heart.

I throw on a tee shirt and jeans, an outfit I bought for myself when I went to buy Avery's gifts, and threw myself down on the hotel bed. I smiled up at the ceiling. I can't remember the last time I smiled since what happened in her bedroom.

I hope she was okay, that her dad was still gone. 

Me: Tell me your dad is still gone?

I plugged my phone in to charge as I packed. I hope she'd text me until I got home.

Avery: He is, my mom got the divorce papers a couple days ago. She's sending them to him.

I was happy. When her dad admitted to hitting her I didn't know what I was capable of doing. I had half the mind to punch him right there, on her floor. God knows he deserved it.

Me: Good. How does that make you feel?

I ask, hoping she'd feel comfortable enough to open up to me.

Avery: I'm relieved, really. Heyyyy I also got a job!! Now you don't have to pay for every date ;)

Her use of present tense makes me grin like an idiot. She was planning on going out with me, still, after everything I'd already done. That's it, I'm asking her out on a date as soon as I get back.

Me: A date, huh? :)

Avery: Yes, a date :)

I was interrupted from my smiling like an idiot moment by a knock on the door. The brunette lets herself in.

"Ready to go? The car will be here in five minutes." She says and I nod. I grab my bag and unplug my charger from the wall. As soon as I lock the hotel door and turn to walk down the hallway I pull out my phone again.

Me: Talk to you later, on my way home. <3