***COMPLETED*** Around the World and Back [A Patty Walters Story]

Chapter 22, Part 2: "I'm scared, Patty."

July 23, 2018
Minneapolis, Minnesota

*** Patty's POV ***

The numbers on the hotel room clock read 12:13 a.m. We had to be back on the buses in four hours, and I couldn't sleep at all. Lately, I haven't been able to. I can't stop thinking about Avery, even though I know we need some time apart before we talk to each other again.

I had finally just gotten into a comfortable spot and was starting to fall asleep when a light knock on the door caused me to wake up again.

"Who in the fuck could that be?" I groaned as I sat up, flipping on the lamp before going over to the door. "Coming," I muttered, even though I knew the person couldn't hear me.

Even though I had a hunch who it would be, it still kinda shocked me to see Avery standing at my door.

"Avery," I said as I looked down at her. "What do you want? It's nearly 12:30 and we're leaving in four hours."

Her eyes were red and slightly puffy, and I could tell she hadn't been asleep yet. It didn't register with me that she was crying because she hated storms. She always has.

"Can I," she paused, looking down at her feet and then back up at me. "Can I sleep in your other bed? I can't sleep."

"No," I answered almost immediately. It broke my heart to see her crying, but I wasn't ready to have a conversation with her yet, especially in the middle of the night. "Go back to your own room, Avery. I'll see you in a little while."

She didn't move from her spot.

"Please?" She asked softly, holding her blanket. "I'm scared, and I don't want to be alone ... Britt is sleeping in Ronnie's room, and I don't want to wake them up either."

I sighed, standing to the side and opening up the door all the way so she could come in.

"Fine," I said quietly. If it would allow me to at least try and get a few hours of sleep, then fine. "You can take the bed I was just sleeping in, I'll take this one."

I figured if I let her have the bed I was in, she'd calm down at least a little bit.

"Goodnight," she said quietly as she flipped the light off, climbing under the covers and turning her body away from me as she pulled them up over her. "Thank you."

"Night," I muttered as I got comfortable in the bed across from her. "No problem," I sighed, trying to get comfortable again.

It was still raining pretty hard outside, and the thunder was pretty loud at some points. It made me think of the times when I used to stay the night at Avery's house, and I would hold her all night. But things were different now. We were broken up, and I wasn't even sure if we were friends anymore.

Suddenly, a loud crash of thunder shook the room, and I knew what was about to happen next.

Avery jumped out of the bed and ripped the covers away that I was holding onto. She climbed into the bed next to me and buried her head in my neck. I could feel her shaking.

"Avery," I groaned. "You asked to sleep in the other bed, not with me," I said, keeping my hands at my sides. It took everything in me not to hold her.

"I'm scared, Patty," she sniffled as she started to cry again. One of her tears hit my neck. "I'm sorry."

After a few seconds, she moved away from me, and our bodies were a few inches apart. She turned away from me to face the wall and pulled the covers over herself like she did a few minutes prior.

I laid on my back, staring up at the ceiling. It was obvious I wasn't going to get any sleep tonight, so I mostly gave up on trying.

To see if she calmed down, I looked over at her. I could tell she was still awake, but I knew from experience that she wasn't going to bug me anymore because she was afraid I would get mad.

"Come here," I said softly after a few minutes of laying there silently. I turned towards her and laid on my side, holding my arm up for her. "It's okay."

She hesitated, but rolled over to face me and scooted closer. My arm fell over her still shaking body and pulled her closer to my chest.

"I got you," I muttered softly as my fingertips went to her hair, massaging her scalp. I placed a kiss to the side of her head. "You're okay," I whispered softly.

The familiar scent of her strawberry shampoo filled my nose, and I calmed down almost immediately. I wasn't annoyed with her anymore. I couldn't be.

She hummed softly as she looked up at me. I met her gaze for a second before tilting her chin and bringing her face closer to mine.

Gently, I placed a soft kiss to her lips as her hand came up and rested on my cheek, stroking it with her thumb.

She kissed me back with the same amount of softness, and it just felt right. I realized how much I missed her.

I pulled away, kissing her nose, and then her forehead, making her giggle tiredly. God, I missed her. I don't even care if it was just a few days. It felt like an eternity.

"Will you be my girlfriend again?" I whispered, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. "I missed you so much."

She nodded with a smile, bringing my head down to kiss me again as she linked our free hands together.

"A million times yes," she said with a blush. "I love you."

My heart skipped a beat. I thought I would never hear those words again.

"I love you," I whispered as I kissed her forehead again.

I laid on my back again and pulled her closer to me. She wrapped one of her legs around mine and buried her head in my neck. Within minutes, we were both asleep.

My heart felt whole again. Avery is who I'm supposed to be with. My best friend, my girlfriend, the love of my life all wrapped up into one beautiful woman.