The Act

•29•

I didn't leave my bed.

I hardly slept. Jace has been visiting my dreams more often than not recently. Most nights I wake up in a cold sweat, my heart racing as I take in my surrounds. I then remember the events that have taken place and hurl a pillow across the room.

I've done it. I have successfully driven away the one person who could sooth the nightmares. The one thing I didn't account for was how much it was going to hurt. I bury my face deeper into my pillow, waiting for the aching in my chest to swallow me whole. That's when I heard it. Whispering outside my bedroom door.

            "She just needs time, Tris." I heard Emery say.

            "Okay, but what about you? What do you need?" Tristian asked, worry laced in his tone.

            There was a moment of silence before Emery's voice sounded again. "To make sure she's alright."

            "Emery–"

            "I appreciate you for worrying, Tris, but Avery's my sister. She needs me right now."

I heard the sound of footsteps retreating before my bedroom door swung open. The usually pleasant aroma of grilled cheese filled the room, making my stomach lurch.

"Everyone is asking about you," Emery stated, setting the tray of food on my bedside table. I turned away from it, trying to escape the putrid smell. "You've lost a dangerous amount of weight, Avery. You need to eat something."

I didn't answer.

Emery let out a tired sigh. "I already lost my father. I'd really prefer not to lose my twin sister too."

            A minute of silence fell over us before I turned to face her, opening my eyes. She sat on the edge of my bed, eyeing me warily. If I knew anything about my sister, it was that she wasn't going to leave until she watched me take a bite of something.

            Letting out a breath, I tucked my arms under me and pushed myself into a sitting position.  Emery placed the tray on my lap before folding her hands in her lap and returning to her perch at the edge of my bed. Picking up the sandwich, I took a large bite before returning it to the plate.

            "Happy?" I asked.

            "Immensely," She stated, a triumphant smile decorated my sister's face. I sat back against my pillows as Emery dipped her head, fiddling with her fingers. "Look, Avery, I don't know what happened in Fiji between you and Damien but–"

            "Can we not talk about him?" I asked, feeling my heart nearly shatter at the mention of his name. "We can talk about anything else just...not him."

            Emery's face fell. "He wants to know if you're okay. Everyone does."

            "I'm not," I snapped. "I am not okay, Emery. I'm the furthest thing from okay."

            Emery dropped her gaze once again as silence fell between us. I brought my knees to my chest as she spoke again. "Do you love him?"

            "It doesn't matter," I replied bringing my knees up to my chest. "He's better off without me."

            "What makes you think that?"

            "He's a billionaire, Emery," I scoffed. "He can get another girlfriend."

            "He doesn't want another girlfriend, Avery." Emery stated with an edge to her voice. "He wants you."

            "I can't, Em."

            "Why not?" She said, irritation lacing her tone.

"Because the last time I said, 'I love you' to someone, we had to change our names," I snapped. I watched as Emery's face fell at the realization. "As long as Jace is out there, Emery, I can't get into another relationship."

Putting the pieces together, Emery says, "You pushed Damien away to protect him from Jace."

            More like to protect him from me.

"Can we just drop it?" I asked, tucking my head into my knees. The all too familiar burn appeared behind my eyes.

"Avery–"

"Please?"

Emery let out a sigh before getting up from her spot on the edge of my bed. "Fine."

With that, Emery took the tray from my bedside table and started for my bedroom door.

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A/N:
Emery and Tristian maybe my favorite. They're so cute.

Happy Reading,
Arctic