Not My Home Anymore

Chapter Seven

Avery’s POV:

I walked up to Victoria’s door without much hesitation, but as the door neared my feet started to get heavier, “C’mon Avery, you’ve been alone with her, in her room, at night. Gosh you’ve even held her hand!” I argued with my feelings of embarrassment and opened her door.

I walked in, trying to seem normal and scanned the room for her.

She was a sight to behold; her beautiful wavy brown hair was just brushed and flowing freely down her back, leading my eyes to her dress. She was still no match for Adrianne’s choice of clothing, but damn did she look good.

“So, Adrianne wanted me to take you around… And uh,” I stumbled on my words as she rose to smile radiantly at me. ‘God I hope I’m not blushing’ I thought to myself…

“I was wondering if you wanted to come with me for the day,” I continued, “Not like a date of anything!”

She smiled and walked closer to me, making me shy away again. It was all so different seeing her here in my home rather than going to see her, it was more personal.

Laughing she hooked her arm with mine and agreed, making me smirk down at her and lead her out her door.

We walked for hours, talking most of the time and the rest just simply walking. I showed her the shops, the marketplace and our archery and spying facilities. All the while she looked in wonder and amazement.

Finally we stopped just a few kilometers into the forest behind the hustle and bustle of the people in the square.

Victoria led me towards a small hill that was covered in a blanket of soft grass. As we both sat, she finally unhooked her arm with mine and looked at me, with a serious look in her eye.

“Avery, I need to ask you something important,” She spoke softly her lips barely moving.

I nodded my head and tried to slow my beating heart, the forest was so still that I was sure she could hear it.

She took a deep breath and questioned me, still with that serious face, “Will you teach me how to fight?”

I looked at her with a laugh slowly forming in my throat, “For what, Victoria? Everything is going to be done by my people, you won’t have to worry about any of it. I don’t see the point in trying to teach you how to fight a-”

Her lips met mine in a heat of passion that I was no longer able to speak. Surprised, I watched as she wrapped her arms around my neck and let her kiss become soft and sweet. No longer worried about her question, I closed my eyes and let her soft lips caress mine.

Victoria slowly pulled her lips away and opened her eyes to look into mine, a small line of red forming on her cheeks.

Alarmed by how I let this happen I stood up frantically and took a few steps away, “Victoria… We really…” I let my sentence dangle in the audience of the quiet forest, looking down at her reaction.

Her face dropped with humiliation and disappointment making my stomach contort in a whirl of guilt. She stood up silently and nodded her head in my direction, indicating that we should leave.

As we both walked back through the marketplace she kept a considerable distance from me, only ever looking at the ground. My feelings were whirling around and around in my head, I could pinpoint where I stood with Victoria.

We finally reached her room, and without much warning she spun around and faced me for the first time since we kissed. She was almost more radiant than this morning, her hair had fly always, her dress had a few green stains from the grass, her face no longer holding that welcoming smile…

“I was serious about my question, I will not be some princess, I will fight for myself.” She said this with purpose, without any feeling of friendship or love. “Avery…” Her face softened, and her eyes seemed to fill up with tears that were being painfully held back, “I’m sorry that I made you uncomfortable, it will not happen again.”

Without giving me a word of goodbye, she spun on her heels and went into her room, shutting the door with enough force that almost made me jump back. I stood there, too shocked to move that I began to hear the tiny sobs from inside her room.

My stomach for perhaps the third time tonight, twisted with guilt and confusion. I slowly turned away, and began to descend some of the stairs to reach my room.

As I walked down the stairs I tried to decide what my emotions were towards Victoria. I knew I liked her, that she was beautiful and smart. But there were always things that would hold us back like…

“Good evening, Avery.”

I looked up startled and almost banged right into Tosh, “G-good evening sir!” Speaking of setbacks, I internally cursed myself for calling up the devil.

“It seems you and Victoria were a bit late getting back from your stroll, I thought I would check up on you.” Tosh looked at me with a warning in his eyes. He knew what happened.

“Sir,” I hesitated, then sighed and looked at my superior straight in the eye, “I believe that Miss Greyhold has some unnecessary feelings towards me, Sir. I do not know if I share the same, but I would like to ask if I could be separated from her for a short time,” I knew my face was home to a deep frown, but it had to be said, no matter my denial.

Tosh looked at me and put one of his hands on my shoulder, smiling up at me, “Avery, your position shouldn’t get in the way of something that even my warning couldn’t get rid of,” He winked at me, securing a new smirk onto my face.

“But Sir…” I began.

Tosh laughed, “Avery, you’re a boy and she is a girl. I knew this would happen, I just wanted to go about it more… professionally. I am not in the mood for silly relationships though, if both of you are serious, stay that way.” His smile faded, and he bid me goodnight.

 As Tosh started to walk down the wooden stairwell, he paused and looked up at my still figure, “Oh, and… Go apologies. I don’t want to hear sobbing all night!” His serious expression came back and he returned to descending the stairs.

I smiled and turned, bounding my way up the short amount of stairs to yet again stand in front of Victoria’s room. Just like that morning I was shy and embarrassed, raising my hand to slowly knock on her door.

Sorry for the wait you guys... Please enjoy <3