Smoke

CHAPTER 18

I wake up to Lily stroking her finger down my nose repeatedly, tickling my face. When my eyes eventually flutter open, they take a moment to readjust to the blinding rays of light streaming through the gaps in my curtain. I turn my head to face the disturbance, and I can't help but let out a strangled shriek; seeing her face so close to mine that our noses are almost touching. Her features had been distorted by the close proximity. My scream makes her to jerk back quickly, causing her to fall off the bed, landing with a loud thud that surely woke up the residents below.

I peak my head over the edge of the bed, only to see her rolling around in a fit of laughter. "What the f**k is wrong with you! I just about s**t out my f*****g heart!"

She snorted, "That would be a sight to see."

"What do you want?"

She rolled her eyes, yanking herself back to her feet, and then plopped back onto the bed next to me. "You have class and you slept in. You're welcome, grouchy ass," she said matter-of-factly while rolling out her hand out in front of her, as she took a dramatic bow.

I look over to the clock that's sitting on the nightstand and my eyes grow wide, "s**t!"

I shoot out of bed and rush over to my micro-closet to grab a pair of ripped, black skinny jeans and a white V-neck. I pull them on quickly, slipping on my grey vans, and gather my hair into a messy bun on the top of my head. I throw on my glasses since I don't have the time to f**k with contacts or makeup this morning.

"Bye Lily!" I exclaim, hearing her giggle as I rush past her, bolting from the bedroom.

I snatch my army green rucksack bag that's sitting next to the couch, quickly throwing it over my shoulder and wrench open the front door; not bothering to lock it behind me as I take off down the stairs.

>>

I make it to my Creative Writing class with a few minutes left to spare as I plop down in my seat next to Avery, with Zach now located on his other side instead of me being seated between them. A switch that I am thankful for since returning back from my medically advised home detention.

I make a mental note to get the dirt from Lily later, on her and Zach's relationship status, seeing as she hasn't been home for a couple nights in a row now. I'm safe to assume things are still working out.

Avery eyes me, taking in my appearance as I try to slow my chest's erratic heaving, induced from running the entire f*****g way here.

"Were you being chased by an axe murderer or something?" he chuckles, which earns him an eye roll.

"No," I say between my uneven breaths. Once the raging fire, burning wildly in my lungs slightly calms itself to a manageable tolerance, I continue, "I woke up late and cardio is clearly not my strong suit."

He snorts at my response, "Clearly. Trouble sleeping or something?"

"Something like that."

I decide to keep my reply short and sweet. I don't really feel the need to go into detail about my insomnia, or the nightmares that accompany my dream state when I finally manage to fall unconscious from pure exhaustion. Not only that, but there's also the fact that I can't seem to get the fight with Dawson out of my head.

It has been two weeks since I've spoken with him. The first week he managed to corner Zach and convinced him to bribe Lily for my number. Thankfully, Lily gave me a guilty, yet apologetic heads up so that I would know who was calling when an unknown number tried contacting me. He tried calling a couple times, both in which I just sent straight to voicemail. The only text he sent said, "It's Dawson. Can we talk?" to which I also ignored.

After about a week of my silent treatment, he tried popping into the book shop, but Graham had been able to give me sufficient warning in order for me to escape, disappearing into the back room, successfully dodging him. After three attempts, it seemed as though he finally got the hint.

Sure, I'll admit that I miss him. However, missing him does not mean that I'm ready to talk to him yet. Not after the way he flipped from being completely supportive, and caring, to acting like a jealous prick - patronizing me about s**t that he doesn't truly understand. Even if I had told him everything, he would never be able to completely comprehend what it has all done to me.

How have I only been here a month, and everything is already so f****d up? It's my fault really. If I would've just followed my own rules, everything would be so different right now.

When I'm not in class or at work, I have spent most of my time cooped up at home in my room, reading and catching up on my homework. Graham stops by and hangs out every few days, bringing me dinner and a new movie for us to watch. He said that since I was healing and have no chance of escaping him, that I had to sit and watch some of his favorite movies. Apparently, they are some of "the greats," and that I have been missing out on the wonders of the cinematic universe. In return, I have forced him to take home a couple of my favorite books to read, so that he can see a glimpse into my world.

My thoughts are interrupted by Professor King announcing our new assignment. He pauses and clears his throat at Avery and Zach who were chattering away – completely ignorant to the fact that class had begun.

"If you two are finished gossiping, I would like to start the class," he stated sarcastically.

"My bad Theo," Avery chuckles, swiping his outstretched arm from left to right exaggeratedly. "You may continue."

"That is Professor or Mr. King to you Avery. I trust you'll remember that for the future. Otherwise, maybe the class would like to know the cute nickname you had growing up."

"Savage." Avery held his hand over his heart mocking surprise before saying, "You win Mr. King. Won't ever happen again Mr. King."

Their little spat causes the class to burst into quiet laughter. Professor King smiles victoriously, shaking his head, before going on to tell us about our new project. "I'm sure by now you all have noticed the black journals on your desks. These are going to be the epicenter of your final grade in this class. I expect each an every one of you, each week, to write something that moves you. I don't expect each entry to be pages long. It just needs to be long enough to express your thought, experience, advise – you get my point."

We all glance around at each other, taking in the information of the assignment as he continues. "We are also going to do something a little different this year. One of my former students, who just got accepted on at a large publishing company, reached out to me requesting that a competition be admitted for this assignment. The both of us will review each person's journal entries at the end of the semester. and choose one student's work to be published. In other words, make it count."

>>

After class, Avery and Zach catch up to me, but Zach seems to be on the phone with someone and hangs back a bit. My poor attempt at dodging them was a complete and utter fail.

Avery begins walking next to me, keeping up with my hurried pace easily. "So, Miss Bennett, do you have any plans for this weekend?"

"Work," I try and stay short with him as I increase my speed which he is still able to match, much to my dismay.

"Well you should come to the frat cookout on Saturday night with Lily."

"I have plans."

"You only said you had work. Besides it'll be fun."

"I also have homework," I say blankly, hoping that my lack of emotion will get my point across.

I obviously didn't because I feel Avery grab ahold of my arm, brig me to a screeching halt. "Come on Austyn. After what happened, you need a chill night with friends. It's not going to be a rager or anything. Just a cookout. Please come."

I can't help but cringe at the fact that everyone seems to know about the attack at the bar. But he does have a point. I have been hiding away in my apartment, avoiding all human interaction at all costs. I decide to agree but only on one condition. "I'll come only if I can bring a friend since Lily is going to be busy with Romeo over there."

This seems to get his attention, as his eyebrows raise curiously. "Who are you going to bring?"

"A friend from work. I'll only come if he agrees. I'm not trying to be a third wheel all night."

He takes a second, mulling over my proposal, but nods in agreement. "Fine bring him. Normally we don't let a bunch of guys attend events but if that means you'll actually show up then I think we can make an exception."

"How sweet of you," I remark snarkily with a playful smirk. "Now if you'll excuse me, I don't want to be late for class."

He gives me giant smile and a quick hug before we finally part ways. I just hope Graham declines so that I don't have to worry about word getting back to Dawson that I brought the very guy that caused him to lose his f*****g s**t in the first place.

I pull out my phone and send Graham a quick text about the party Saturday, asking if he would like to come. He surprisingly replies within a few seconds.

"It's a date :)"

Crap!

>>

After finishing up Art History and Botany, I head straight to the shop. As soon as I walk in, I am met with a rather impressive glare from Heather. Bobby smacks her lightly, urging her to chill out, and then gives me a small, friendly wave. Charlie and Luca are in the back of the shop in deep discussion, clearly oblivious to my arrival. I sneak to the back to clock in and grab my apron, pulling over my head before heading back out to the floor.

"Hey guys," I say, breaking them out of whatever argument was just being had.

"Austyn, I'm so happy you're back! How are you feeling?" Charlie asks while Luca gives me a curt nod, shifting awkwardly, his eyes darting back toward Charlie wearily.

What did I just interrupt?

"I'm alright. Ribs are still pretty sore, but I got my stitches out yesterday and the bruising has pretty much faded. I have some pretty gnarly scars though from it." I make my way over to the cart of books that are waiting to be stocked. I gather a few in my arms, walking them over to put them away on a nearby shelf.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, and the scars make you look like a badass. But I don't want you doing any heavy lifting for a while, so if you need any help with the boxes in the back, be sure to grab one of us, okay?" His comment brings a smile to my face as I nod in response, and lightly run my fingers over the scar on my forehead.

Charlie grins, then turns his attention back to Luca, giving him a knowing glance before walking toward the café.

"Uh-um...Luca," I stutter, a little uncomfortable with their secret exchange that I feel was regarding me. He looks up, but his serious expression doesn't waver. "I still have your jacket. I figured you would probably be wanting it back."

He nods, briefly looking around the shop to locate his brother who looks to be talking to Heather, slightly frustrated. Once Luca sees that he's safe to talk freely, he takes a step toward me. "I can come by after your shift to pick it up if that's okay?"

"Sure, if you don't think you're going to get in trouble by the warden over there," I joke, tapping my hands against my thighs lightly. "He seems a little perturbed with you."

He chuckles while running his hand over the back of his neck anxiously. His blue eyes boring into mine as he leans in closer to whisper, "That's something I want to talk to you about actually. But not here. Do you mind if I meet you at your apartment after you're off? I'd walk you home but Charlie..."

I raise an eyebrow questioningly, but I nod in confirmation. "Sure. I'm off at 9."

"See you then." Before I can say anything further, he had already turned around, and was heading for the door, waving goodbye to Charlie - and then he was gone.

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