Elliot and Avery

Chapter 17

The car sped past Avery, leaving a trail of dust.

She lifted her head and saw the blurry tail lights of the Rolls-Roice in the darkness.

Was that Elliot’s car?

She wiped the tears off her face, calmed herself down, and walked toward the house.

She saw the car parked in the courtyard when she arrived.

She waited outside in hopes of going in after Elliot had gone to his room.

Her eyes stung. She looked up at the stars shining brightly in the night sky.

It was a beautiful spring night.

Before she knew it, she had been standing outside for an hour.

The driver had already moved the car into the garage.

The lights in the living room were still on, but there was nobody in sight.

Avery felt normal, so she walked slowly into the house.

On the veranda on the second floor, Elliot, dressed in a grey robe, was sitting in his wheelchair. The last dregs of wine sat at the bottom of his wine glass.

He had watched Avery the entire hour that she had stood outside in the cold.

He could not figure out the thoughts that would lead her to spend an entire hour out in the cold. She was so still that she could have easily blended in with the trees that stood next to her.

Elliot had met countless intelligent minds in his lifetime because they were the only people worthy enough to stand by his side.

However, Avery was an exception.

He did not consider her bright because she had provoked him despite knowing what kind of man he was.

She was an extremely foolish woman.

Seeing her miserable, however, affected his mood in a peculiar way.

It was a feeling that he had never felt before.

……

the cold wind, but Avery’s head

out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it,

sweated all night, ridding herself of the chill from the night

the next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky,

changed into clean clothes,

followed the smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately served

had

Master Elliot hasn’t come down

glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf down her

eating in under five

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly and added, “Seeing him makes me

be fine after spending a little more time together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will you be coming

do on campus today, so I won’t

take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left,

and said, “It’s fine. I’ll

Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs.

not

arrived on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back now. I’ll find my own way home

young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and

expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch

cutie. It’s ‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can

because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m

I never really wanted to go to graduate

boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of what had happened

only knew that she was dating someone but had

breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the

“Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a

off depending on myself

to grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck

head and said, “I just hope

top of the class in both majors. The sky’s

flushed

and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned

campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed

Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he here

remembered