Come on, Ave. What are you doing?
She could be studying. If she is, I wish she’d just brought her laptop to bed.
I wonder if Smith-Hall posted a grade for the presentation. Avery wants to hit him up for the recommendation letter immediately, assuming he gives her a high score. He will. She killed it.
I smile. It was tough to see her nervous before the presentation when there was no way for me to help. But when she presented, I decided it was better she did it all on her own. More for her to be proud of.
“Ave,” I call out.
There’s no answer.
Raising my voice so she’ll be able to hear it downstairs, I repeat, “Avery?”
The house is silent.
Uneasiness hits me like a splash of cold water. I reach for my phone to be sure there was no security system alert while I slept. The phone’s not on the nightstand.
I roll out of bed and drag on a pair of jeans.
“Avery!”
In a matter of seconds, I’m scouring the house, but she’s nowhere to be found. My phone is on the floor of the guest bathroom, and I check it quickly to be sure she didn’t try to make a nine-one-one call.
No, the call log’s empty.
I open my text messages. There’s one from her that’s waiting to be opened. Thank Christ. If she went out for coffee or on a walk by herself before dawn, I’m going to give her hell about it.
Avery:Saw video of myself. Insurance_AK
For several secondsit doesn’t register. Then it does.
Fuck.
It’s a gut punch. I picture her watching it and feeling the exact same thing. I wish she’d confronted me immediately instead of taking off. Then I could’ve told her the truth. I kept it as insurance but planned to delete it after she told her mom we’re together.
I try to call her, but she lets me go to voicemail. I don’t leave a message.
Where is she now? Campus? Alone?
My fingers jab the screen as I type.
Shane:where r u? call me.
Avery:who else has seen it?
Who else has seen it?What the fuck? Like I’d show that to other people.
Shane:no one. kept it as proof of consensual relationship. at beginning, i thought i needed it. just insurance. not for fucking show and tell. would not do that. u can’t think i would
She doesn’t respond.
Shane:where r u? i don't want u outside alone in dark. let me come get u. let’s talk
Avery:i don’t want to. i’m safe. leave me alone.
Shane:for how long?
Avery:don't come to Colorado. I don't want to see you
