7 - Take Care

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It's been two weeks since my first and last catch up with my long lost father. Never in my right mind did I ever think I would think those thoughts. The more time that had passed, the more rational I was being, I was willing to try and make this work once more. I still refused to let Alena in on what was happening though, I wasn't 100% sure on how this was going to work. Truth be told, I didn't know my father from a bar of soap, this was my way of confirming that he was a true father, someone with good intentions for his daughters. Alena's safety will always be the first priority in any situation for me.

Our holidays went a lot quicker than what I had anticipated, but at least now I had another distraction to keep me occupied from my thoughts. It didn't help that now I had to see Jaxon's face everyday knowing that we were no longer a thing, we weren't even on talking terms. I was almost proud that I had managed to avoid seeing him the first three days of school. I knew it wasn't helping the situation that I was avoiding Jaxon every opportunity I could get, clearly much to his dismay. However, I was upset, angry even because he was so quick to throw in the towel. Now that the holidays were over, he's trying to speak to me? A little late for that.

"Morning Everyone."

I snapped out of my thoughts as Mr. Reid walked into class. Today was the day we finally got to hand in our English projects, the next two days were going to be spent on these diary entries, which also meant no homework for the weekend. I couldn't help but think back to the nights I spent trying to write this diary entry, and how it hit so close to home. After recent events, I managed to get my emotions onto pen and paper, just in time.

"Avery? Want to start off for your group?"

I took in a deep breath before exhaling nervously as I stood up to walk to the front of the class. As I turned around, paper in hand, I unintentionally looked at Jaxon who was now leaning his forearms against his desk, full attention on me. Surprisingly, he slightly nodded in encouragement and in all honesty, it was the encouragement I needed. No one in this class knew just how honest my entry was, except for Jaxon of course.

'Here goes nothing.'

I mentally prepped myself before starting, refusing to look into anyone's eyes.

"When I think back to my childhood days, you were in all of them. You taught me how to ride my bike and how to swim. You showed me it was good to laugh and joke around, it was okay to be sad as long as you picked yourself back up. You made the promise to always be my rock.

No matter the situation, I was okay because I had you in my life, I woke up with a smile on my face knowing you were only a few meters away.

Until one day you weren't.

You weren't there when I needed you the most, my first broken bone, my first detention.... my first high school heartbreak. My life was turned upside down and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get off this rollercoaster I called my life. I grew up knowing that people made promises only to break them, they tell you what they want you to hear but only to get what they want.

I spent all of my teenage years without you, I didn't get to appreciate the smallest things in life during those years; You threatening my dates for all my school dances and/or grounding me for sneaking out of the house. Let's not forget, you giving me the birds and the bees speech every dad hates to give, before threatening the life of my future non-existent boyfriend."

I appreciated the little giggles at my lame attempt at being funny, but I took a deep breath before continuing, my only aim was to finish this presentation without freaking out from nerves.

"I had a missing place in my heart that I tried to replace, instead finding myself stuck with a psychotic ex-boyfriend. I needed you the most then, to protect me from him controlling ways. But you never showed. I needed you to reassure me that not all guys were like that, that some of them were good.

As I got older, I grew with the fear that I would never get to walk down the aisle with you, have that special dance with you, introduce you to your grandchildren. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that you would somehow come back into my life. After recent revelations, you made me realise that there are always two sides to every story. If you asked me a few months ago, who would walk me down the aisle if I was to ever get married, I'd say no one. Now I have the possibility of it being you."

I stared at my paper for a few seconds before realising my hands were shaking out of nervousness? Relief? I wasn't sure but it brought a smile to my face as I looked up to the class. Impressed by my entry they all cheered while a few whistled. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I walked back to my desk, refusing to make eye contact with Jaxon, whom I could feel his eyes on me.

"Well done Avery. Jaxon, you're up." Mr. Reid said as he gave me a supportive smile before writing down on a clip board, I'm assuming were my grades. My eyes moved from Mr. Reid to Jaxon as he stood up and replicated my actions to the front of the class. His eyes moved from his paper to Mr. Reid,

"Mr. Reid, I hope you don't mind I wrote this a little differently."

That comment caught my attention.

"How so?" Mr. Reid responded with a hint of surprise in his tone.

"It's from a man's perspective as he writes about the woman he loves."

"Awesome. Show us what you got."

I watched as Jaxon's eyes moved to where I was sitting before instantly looking down at his paper. He let out a silent sigh, I could see that he was just as nervous as I was. What I would have given to be able to read his mind right in this instance, as I watched him begin reading his entry.

"I watched her from afar, I saw the way she always had her head down when she walked alone in the school hallway. The way she was so closed off, constantly avoiding people. The way she would smile at people but when she thought no one was looking, the sadness immediately took over her beautiful features. Along the way I learnt that she holds secrets and battle scars from her life. Battle scars she should be proud to have because she's a survivor.

She's reserved. She has trust issues. She always has one foot out the door ready to run. Her beauty is captivating but if I look closer, I can see the pain you have put her through.

You are the reason why she's reserved, why she has trust issues, why she always has that one foot out the door. It's your fault she is scared to open up, you are the reason why I have to work harder to show her that not all men are like you. I will show her that there are men out there who can love her and treat her the way she deserves to be treated.

My mother taught me that good things are hard to find, when you find something that is good in your life, hold onto it otherwise you won't realise what you've had until it's gone. It's a lesson I've had to learn the hard way, but I'm to blame for that. I let fear take over my decisions, fear made me lose her.

From this day forward, I will show her it's not over, there is love in the world and that love is reserved specially for her. She may be a quarter mile away, but I'm catching up, full speed ahead."

The class erupted in a cheer while I sat there baffled by the words that came out of Jaxon's mouth. I didn't know how to react to his words, I was a little angry because of how confusing he was being. One minute he was all in, the next; he was pulling away.

"Well done. Even though it was from a Man's perspective you still focused on the girl, her age and the issue. Lucas you're up."

I didn't pay attention to the rest of the entries that were presented after Jaxon's because my thoughts took over. I was so confused with Jaxon and his actions; one minute he doesn't want to be with me and then the next, he's talking about showing me love.

There were multiple things going through my mind at this very moment.

'What if this entry wasn't about you?'

'Could be about Brittany?'

'Not everything is about you, Avery!'

"Avery?"

My head snapped up and immediately noticed just how empty the class was, I looked up at a concerned Mr. Reid,

"Yes?"

"Class was dismissed for lunch five minutes ago. You okay?"

I nodded quickly as I grabbed my things to exit class, "I'm fine, thanks." With that said, I hurriedly left the classroom and walked towards my locker.

"So I heard through the grapevine you met with your dad?"

My heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice which was directly beside me, I already knew exactly who that person was. I had gotten accustomed to Jaxon's voice over the past couple of months. My hands started to shake as I tried to keep my cool, I didn't want to show that he still affected me, I didn't think it was fair that he appeared so cool, calm and collected while I was drowning in my misery and my thoughts.

"I'm starting to notice that Drew has a bit of a big mouth." I responded while pretending to go through my belongings in the locker, an attempt to avoid looking at him.

"Only with me. I am his best friend after all."

"Yeah well it's not your concern what goes on in my life." I snapped back.

I let out a sigh when I saw his hand gently close the locker shut, forcing me to turn and look at him.

"What do you want, Jaxon?"

His eyes roamed over my face, from my hazel eyes, my cheekbones down to my collarbones which we both knew were more prominent than he remembered. It was obvious that I'd lost a lot of weight since he saw me last but thankfully didn't press the matter.

"I just want to talk." He spoke calmly.

"So, talk."

I knew I was being rude but I didn't have time to play these games, I didn't want to play these games anymore. I opened up my heart to him, only for him to crush it when he spent so much time saying he wouldn't hurt me.

"What happened the other week with Brittany was taken out of context."

I let out a sadistic giggle as I shook my head in disbelief.

"Of all the things, you think I want to talk about that? I couldn't give two shits about her. I'm more concerned about the three sixty you did on me when I was in hospital."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

I clenched my jaw as I watched him divert his eyes past me, down the hall. I shook my head in disbelief before turning to walk to the cafeteria, however was stopped in my tracks when Jaxon grabbed my forearm gently,

"Where are you going?"

"Jaxon, we clearly aren't ready to talk if you don't want to talk about what happened at the hospital."

I watched as he swallowed the lump in his throat as he had an internal battle with himself, he looked between his hold on me and then looked into my eyes. He knew he could either let go and watch me walk away or, be honest about what happened.

I waited patiently as I watched his eyes flicker between his hold and my eyes, I knew he was debating my words, I expected him to open up but instead, he let go of his hold and took a step back. At that point I knew where we both stood, I looked over his features once more before turning to walk away, not looking back.

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A/N: Happy Tuesday (or Monday) my little bears! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please leave me a little vote. Xx

Next Chapter: Avery wants her job back and gets an unexpected call from her mum. What do you think it's about?

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