The Impact of You

Jase

I hadn’t expected to see Avery again, which is why the flash of auburn hair leaves me momentarily stunned. Seeing her in the daylight, I realize she’s even prettier than I first realized. But as quickly as I spot her, she’s gone – diving for cover behind a dumpster. “Avery?” I round the corner and see her couched down, knees drawn up to her chest.

Her eyes dart up and meet mine and she lets out a soft groan. She doesn’t say anything, just remains hunkered down next to the dumpster. I hold out my hand, offering to help.

Her gaze lifts from mine, searching for something in the distance before she takes my hand.

“Why are you hiding?”

“I wasn’t,” she says quickly.

I lift one eyebrow. I can feel her hand trembling in mine.

“Can you just get me out of here?” Her voice has a raspy, pleading quality to it that I can’t refuse.

“Where do you want to go?”

Her gaze darts behind me. “Anywhere but here.”

Sadness flickers in her eyes and instantly I know I’d gladly fuck up whoever had hurt her. “Come on. If we cut through there,” I point to a trail at the edge of campus, “my house isn’t far.”

She nods, and glances behind her once more before following me.

I have no idea what spooked her, but she’s pale and jittery, like she might dart away from me at any second. I’m not sure why, but I can’t let her do that. I reluctantly release her hand, but she keeps pace beside me. “Do you have a class right now?” I ask, needing to break the silence.

She shakes her head. “I’m done for the day.”

in the morning and she’s done for the

hesitates at the front door

in a frat house

on, I’ll show

follows me through the living room. There’s a random dude sleeping on the couch, and Avery looks slightly concerned

house is just for the juniors and seniors.” We stop in the kitchen and say hi to Drake and Jared. I figure if I introduce her to a few of my roommates – witnesses – she’ll be more comfortable following me up to my room. Of course I don’t like the way their eyes travel over her sleek jean-clad hips, visually molesting her. “Come on.” I take her hand again, which has become a natural reaction to her even though I’ve always hated

turn to face her, resisting the urge to brush the strands of hair back from her shoulders. “I pretty much only

disagree that my house is disgusting. “Okay. But no funny

which case I make

arm. “I won’t be starting anything, so don’t

out with, and I like that. We climb the three flights of stairs in silence and when I push open the creaky door to the attic,

and my acoustic on a stand in the corner. The room is large and open, with dark plank-wood floors and beamed ceilings. It’s freezing in the winter and stifling hot in the summer, but its September, so for the time being, it’s perfect. “What do

a photo from last summer of me and my mom at the beach – before she went cuckoo for

mom. “You look

always freaks over my eyelashes for some

rest of my room. “You make your

I guess. I had to every day growing up. It was the one chore I had to do, and my mom would freak if I didn’t.”

bites her lip, trying not

the edge of my bed, while I pull out the desk chair for

expression on

Shit fuck.

I’m sorry. It’s okay.” I hold up my

her shoulders dissipating slightly as

what?” I pull the chair closer to where