Rays of Hope

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven: Avery’s POV

I can’t help but let a few tears fall, sliding down my cheeks. How could someone go from joking around to being that mean? He was so sweet and then his mood changed and he became so horrible. He insulted my career, and basically implied that I was poor and all alone. He’s so arrogant.

After crying for a bit, I decide to stop being such a baby. Why am I crying over what this jerk said? I don’t care what he thinks, I don’t care what anyone thinks. I don’t have time to dwell on the past, I have places to be and people to see. Glancing at the clock on the wall above the sink, I realize that I really do have a place to be. I am almost late for my class! I grab my sweater off the back of the chair, and begin tossing the leftover food into tupperware. I could eat this for dinner, and make these groceries last a bit longer. Taking my bag from the living room chair, I run out the door.

Instead of walking, because I know I am going to be late if I walk, I jog down the sidewalk to the nearest subway, and board the train. I have taken the subway a million times before, so I know which route takes me to my school.

****

I sat in my seat, tapping my pencil against my desk with boredom. The ceramics professor was sick this morning, and our class had to join an arithmetic class. I was absolutely horrible at math and the fact that the professor was lecturing on and on was making it even worse.

I could have cheered when class had ended, but I just didn’t have the time. Now I had to run across campus to make it to my pottery class in time. Upon reaching it, I sat down in my usual seat and began shaping my clay.

However, I was still quite angry about what had happened between Ray and I in the kitchen this morning, which was causing me to no longer be able to focus on the sculpture I had been working on for some time.  Since I did not want to destroy all of my hard work, I decided to just put the clay down and begin sketching.

The anger was still showing up in my sketches, but this time I used it to my advantage. My sketch was now an emotional rollercoaster of dark colors. It seemed to just drip with pain and I loved it. It showed true potential, so I decided I would keep it.

After class had ended, I headed outside, breathing in the fresh air. for a moment, my anger, and even the sadness I felt about the fight was gone. It didn't last long though, as I was immediately bumped into by all the people rushing past.

Since my major was art, I had the talent to stop my daily hurry and see the beauty around me. These busy workers could not see this beauty, and for that I pitied them. Sure, my life had not been, or was at the moment, simple and easy, but I still had time to think about beautiful things. For instance, the ducks that swam around the ponds in the park. I even occasionally saw a swan, floating around gracefully. They had such an easy life, and by watching them for a moment, it made you forget about the hardships everyone had to suffer. It made you think about the simplicity of nature.

Just thinking about the park, one of my favorite places to go, made me feel calmer, a little better. So I decided to make the long, yet pleasant walk to the park, where I would sit and sketch for a while.

Upon arriving at the park, I found a tree that had branches overhanging the pond. Climbing up, I perched on a branch above the water. Just wanting to observe for a while, I set my sketchbook and bag in the crook of the tree. The park of the the branch that met the truck. I sat for a while, swinging my legs in happiness.

Suddenly, I felt the branch move. Looking down in horror, I saw a small crack that was beginning to run through the branch I was currently sitting on. With a loud creak, the tree branch detached itself, plunging myself and part of the tree towards the water. I could feel myself falling, and I was terrified. The wind was rushing through my black hair, and I quickly shut my eyes, and waited for the impact of my body hitting the water.

Then, I felt my body landing safely. I could feel myself being clutched in two strong arms. I peeled my eyes open, to find myself looking into a pair of pale blue ones, the opposite of Ray’s. I let out a deep breath. I was safe.

The man gingerly and carefully set my feet on the ground before looking me over. He wasn’t “checking me out,” just making sure I was not hurt.

“Are you okay?” he asked me hesitantly.

“Yes, thank you so much!” I said, flinging my arms around the man. He had saved me from being hurt.

“It wasn’t any trouble,” he told me, with a twinkle in his eyes. “I’m Jesse.”

“I’m Avery,” I told him with a smile, and held out my hand to shake it.

“Hey,” he said. “I’m a hugger.” Jesse held out his arms for another hug, and I let out a chuckle, before going in.

I wasn’t in his embrace long, before I felt myself being ripped out of it. Looking up at the face of the person who was grasping my arms, I gasped as I saw Ray’s steely brown eyes, glaring at Jesse.

What was he doing here?

Ray’s POV

I had just arrived at the park for a walk, for I was taking a break from my attempt at writing, when I saw Avery. At first, I wondered why she could be here, but then I saw her hugging another man. Was she on a date? I immediately felt my jealousy flair, although I didn’t have a clue why. Without thinking, I briskly walked over, and ripped Avery’s body away from that man. She looked at me in surprise, but I didn’t look at her. I just glared at the man who was standing across from us.

He was very tall, and it was obvious that he worked out. He was stylishly dressed and his long hair was curling around his collar. His hair was a shocking blue color.

“What are you doing here Ray?” Avery raised her voice at me.

“The real question is who is this?” I point to the man who was just holding Avery in his arms.

“I don’t see why that’s any of your business,” she stubbornly says, putting her hands on her hips.

“Uhm, hi. I’m Jesse Howell…” The stranger introduces himself to me, putting his arm out to shake hands with me.

I glance at the arm outstretched to me, rejecting it. I was not going to shake his hand. Ignoring him, I turn to Avery.

“Let’s go, I need to talk to you,” I tell her gruffly.

“Wait!” Jesse says to her, handing her a small slip of paper with black writing on it. “Here’s my number Avery, let’s get coffee soon.”

Avery smiles, accepting the small paper and pocketing it. I can’t really take the paper away from her so I just hope she never calls him.

We head to my favorite bench at the park and sit down a little too far away from each other for my liking.

“You’re not going to apologize?” she asks me.

“I’m not going to apologize for telling you the truth.”

“It may have been the truth for you, but it wasn’t to me!” she stands up from the bench and located herself in front of me.

Even standing up while I am sitting, she is still shorter than me. “You are such a dream crusher Ray!” she yells, hands on her hips.

She spins around, ready to leave. To stop her, I lightly encircle my hand around her wrist and pull her to face me. I stand up and look down at her. Her grey eyes peered up at me and I softly brushed the black hair that was in her face behind her ear. She looked up at me, emotion clear in her eyes and smiled, her hard features becoming softer as her anger faded. I start to lean in slowly, then just as I’m about to kiss her, I move my head to lightly kiss her cheek instead. Suddenly feeling awkward and insecure, two feelings completely new to me, I let go of her wrist and begin to head home.

I don’t even bother looking back at her, I don’t want to see her reaction to what I just did, or almost did.

 Javery (Jesse and Avery) or Ravery (Ray and Avery)? :)