Rays of Hope

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight: Avery’s POV

I stare after Ray, unsure of what had just happened. Did I want him to kiss me? I didn’t know, but after the long day I had just had, I knew I needed to get some much needed rest. With that, I started to head home. As I’m walking home, I can’t help but be mad at Ray. He almost kissed me, but he didn’t. I thought he was going to kiss me and when he didn’t I couldn’t help but feel insecure. What made him change his mind?

****

It was around noon, when I finally remembered Jesse’s number. The piece of paper he handed to me was still sitting in my jeans pocket, which I had thrown lazily over my bedroom chair. Fishing through the pockets, I finally found it, and began to dial the digits from the landline.

When Jesse picked up, I cheerfully said. “Hey! It’s Avery! Are you up for that coffee you promised me?”

****

Jesse sat across the booth from me, casually sipping his iced latte from a neon colored straw. I had found out that Jesse was in the arts program at school just like I was. However, he was an actor, while I was an artist. Both trying to save a little cash, we decided to pay for our own coffees at a cheaper location.

Jesse was fun to be around. He understood me, and was great at making me laugh. He seemed to know what I was thinking before I knew myself. I knew we would be great friends. I had not known him that long, but we could tell each other our secrets. He knew about my money situation and my occasional nightmares, as well as the fact that I didn’t own a cell phone. I knew many secrets about him as well.

“Avery,” Jesse started, sipping his coffee. “I need to tell you something…”

****

Jesse decided to walk me home, not wanting me to walk home alone in the dark, for we had spent hours in the coffee shop. He didn’t really trust my neighborhood, which I completely understood.

Upon reaching the steps of my apartment, he gave me a quick hug and said goodbye. I waved back to my new best friend and headed inside.

Ray’s POV

When I come home, I begin to notice how expensive my penthouse is. It’s big for only one person, and filled with items that seem too fragile to stand near. It seems almost unlivable, for even some of the furniture is uncomfortable to sit in, covered in leather and other strange materials, and shaped in the weirdest ways that I never know how to sit properly in.

I sit on the black leather couch and let my thoughts take over. I almost kissed Avery today. Avery. The woman who I just met. The only woman who has ever argued with me, not that I would ever let her win an argument. The woman who has mediocre looks and an unsophisticated job. I mean she’s pretty, but not the prettiest. She isn’t even rich or famous, so even if we ever did start dating, the attention would be so new to her, I’m not sure she would be able to handle it. She has never even seen a real paparazzi group before, when it was just the normal for me. And it seems like she has a secret, she’s so mysteriously intriguing. It’s like she has this big secret she doesn’t want me to ever know.

I wonder if that Jesse guy knows her secret. I wonder if Avery ever called him. She does have his number now. With the limited number of “friends” she probably has, it seems pretty likely that she would call him.

Maybe Avery can just go and kiss Jesse. Then my problems would be solved and I wouldn’t have to stress over our almost kiss. Besides, they would make a better couple than she and I would. She’s just a broken girl who won’t share her back story, while I’m a rich writer with a promising future.