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.”

morning and she’s done for the day? I don’t

house, she hesitates at the front door before stepping inside. It’s trashed, as usual.

being in a frat house during

smile. “Come on, I’ll

room. There’s a random dude sleeping on the couch, and Avery looks

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

of questions. I turn to face her, resisting the urge to brush the strands of hair back from her shoulders. “I pretty much only hang out in my room. The rest of

disagree that my house

case I make no promises to stop

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

I hang 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, Avery steps around me to peek inside. Taking the unfinished attic meant I had my own room. It didn’t matter that I didn’t have heat or air conditioning,

bedding, desk and chair in the corner, a tall dresser and my acoustic on a stand in the corner. The room is large and open, with dark plank-wood floors and beamed

a photo from last summer of me

points to the one of my mom. “You look like her. Same

my eyelashes for some damn reason. It’s embarrassing.

turns to survey the rest of my room. “You make

had to every day growing up. It was the one chore I had to do, and

lip, trying not

down.” I slide her backpack from her shoulders and set it on the floor. She sits on the edge of my bed, while I pull out the desk chair for myself. “So, are you going to tell me what

expression on her

Shit fuck.

I hold up my hands in surrender.

swallows, the tension in her shoulders dissipating slightly as she draws

to where she’s