Charlie let out a noise of rage and fisted his hands in his hair. “You’re so difficult to get along with!Thisis why we broke up, because you take every little thing and blow it out of proportion!”
“What?” My mouth bobbed open. Had he really said that?
But he kept on going. Charlie seemed to be on a tirade as he ranted, “You know what I said. You're just a spoiled little rich girl who wants everyone to think that you give a shit, but deep down inside, you’re just looking out for yourself. You pretend to care about everyone else because no one gives a fuck about you, just so you can feel like you matter!”
I didn’t know someone could actually rip your heart in two. Or that it would keep beating afterwards. Because at that moment, I wanted it to stop.
Charlie!Oberi reared her head back, like she was shocked.
For the first time in my life, I was speechless. I couldn’t think of anything to say back. Even the voices in my head were quiet, muttering Charlie’s words over and over.
I couldn’t think or breathe. All I could do wasfeel.
He’d really hurt me this time.
I think he knew it too, because his angry expression dropped, replaced with horror. “Pidge—”
I did my best to blink the tears away, grateful he couldn’t see them. I stormed away before a sob could escape from my throat that he would hear. The tears were overwhelming me this time, and I couldn’t make them stop.
I had to get away. Somewhere no one would see me cry.
The storage room that Ivy was using to build his secret nightclub was my first thought. Oberi trotted after me as I let myself in. By this time, I was bawling. I fell to the floor and curled up against the side of the stage, wishing the tears would stop but being unable to halt them.
I knew Charlie had been triggered by Opal’s story. He was frustrated that he couldn’t teach the Elves how to defend themselves, and that the potion was taking so long.
And maybe I’d been a bitch to him earlier, but seeing him with another girl had really twisted me up inside. I didn’t want to care.
I did care. His words had gutted me.
Ava, Ava,Oberi said. She sank down, so she was lying across from me.Don’t heed what he said. His words were cruel, but he doesn’t mean it.
“I just want it to stop,” I cried. “I should be doing something about this pain, not keep letting it get to me.”
Tears are good. Cryingisdoing something about it. You are letting your feelings flow, so they don’t get bottled up inside and ruin you.
I cast away my tears with the heel of my hand. “He wouldn’t have said those things unless a small part of him believed it.”
Oberi lifted my chin with her horn.You are my Ava, and even if the world burns and Charlie goes down with it, you will still be my Ava.
“But he needs you, too.”
I am here for whichever of you needs me most. And right now, you need me more.
I sobbed into my hands. I heard the sound of the door opening and closing. I glanced up and saw Ivy, his skirt swishing as he hurried to sit down at my side.
“Oh, Ava.” Ivy brushed my tears away. “I know it takes a lot to make you cry.”
“It hasn’t been the best day,” I admitted.
“It’s Charlie, isn’t it? You got in another fight.”
“Yeah.” I didn’t tell Ivy what Charlie had said, because I knew if I did, he’d rip Charlie’s head off.
Ivy parted my hair back. “I’m sure he’ll stop being a moron and come to his senses. And if you two can’t work it out, I know a grave we can bury him in. Or some concrete shoes, if he’d like to take a swim in the lake.”
A laugh bubbled up from my core. “You’re the best, Ivy.”
I noticed there was a bit of blood mottled around Ivy’s nails. He didn’t attempt to hide them as I asked, “What’s that from?”
