Chapter Ten: I Lied

Pat was really acting sweet. He didn't even mention my weird disappearance yesterday, so I wondered what magic wand Mia waved to all the problems I thought I was going to have today. Although during the drive, Sasha was noticeably silent.

When we got to the school, he made the effort to go around the car before I could even take off my seatbelt so he can open my door for me. He even carried my bag and refused to give it back when I tried to get it from him.

All in all, he was acting just like when we dated for the first time.

It was hard to get angry with him because I could clearly see that he was trying his best.

"I'll see you girls third period," he grinned after walking us to our first classroom.

"Thanks," I muttered, plastering a grateful smile as he handed me back my things.

Really too sweet.

Before I could enter the room though, Sasha reached out and tugged on the sleeve of my jacket. Mia had her arms crossed and was eyeing her, as if she was ready to shut her up once she made one wrong move.

"Avery..." she trailed off, her eyes casted down to the floor, "I-I'm sorry."

Sasha had her annoying moments and sometimes probably didn't know when she pushed too much, but I knew that her heart was in the right place. She saw Pat, a guy who admitted straight on that he liked me, and he was a very nice guy. I think even I would want to hook my friend up with a good person.

Maybe in her head, she was doing a right thing. She just wanted me to end up with someone who was caring. In another life, one wherein I haven't experienced the future yet and saw just how tragic everything would go, I might have been completely onboard.

Besides, I was crushing hard on Pat in my past. Even when Sasha and Mia tried to convince me all the time that he liked me too, I kept denying it because I really thought that he was completely out my league.

It was just one event. All I did was switch seats with Sasha and everything else felt like a new experience.

"It's okay," I reassured, reaching out to squeeze her hand, "I know you meant well but next time, if I say that I'm not interested in a guy, don't push it."

I never intended to be angry with her for too long.

Besides, she and Mia saved me so much.

"No!" I screeched, my mind going into pull panic mode. I could hear the loud music blaring faintly in the background but my ears were starting to ring. We were away from the rest of the crowd, nobody was coming for me but I still yelled as loud as I can, "Somebody help me!"

He covered my mouth with one of his hands and lowered his face nearer to mine. I smelt the horrid odor of alcohol mixed with vomit. I wanted to throw up myself because of it.

The tears started flowing out of my eyes but this only seemed to egg him on. I have never felt more helpless than I was in this situation.

"Avery!" I heard a loud scream. I didn't fully know what happened next, all I could recall was that he was pulled away from me. Several other boys started beating him up and I found myself squeezed between Sasha and Mia, both of them shielding me from watching on.

I could still remember it all vividly.

"Avs, are you okay?" Mia asked, lifting her hands and held my face still so she could examine it, "You look like you've seen a ghost."

No, I just thought of a memory I desperately wanted to forget.

"Yes."

It was the only reply I could muster before I went inside the classroom, leaving them wondering. My heart was pounding hard in my chest and I had to take long and even breaths just to calm myself. The last thing I wanted was to have a full-blown panic attack in the middle of first period.

My hand went to my chest and I instantly felt the whistle under my shirt. It gave me a small sense of comfort that even though that happened, I still managed to stand where I was right now. Even with the incidents, even when Pat broke up with me, even after waking up in the past, I could still feel my heart beating.

You'll be okay, Avery.

You've managed to jump through time and you still haven't completely lost it. Well, yet.

* * *

"There's our new couple," one of the guys hollered when Pat and I approached the table. Some other friends did a joking round of applause, causing Pat to laugh and for me to simply force a smile on my face.

"Hey, I only agreed to a date," I let out, hoping that it came out as teasing.

We already bought our food so we all went down to sit. One of the few available chairs was right across from Leon and I rushed to take it before anybody else could. Pat then asked the person next to me if he could change seats and of course, they said yes.

"So I was wondering if we could go out this Friday or Saturday?" he asked, threading carefully around the topic.

Underneath table, my foot extended until it touched Leon's. I watch him steal a quick glance my way before resuming with his food, pretending that it didn't happen. Although, I did feel him tap my foot back so I was well aware that he was paying attention to this conversation.

"How about Friday?" I suggested, "Since I usually go out with my best friend during Saturday mornings."

That usual Saturday morning outing was the one way I managed to throw away whatever pride or shame I had left in order to befriend the man sitting right across from me.

And the payoff was damn good.

"Okay, I'm down for Friday," Pat grinned, finally turning away from me so he could start eating.

Just one date, right? Nothing could hurt, right?

You know, Avery, your optimism is very ill-placed.

I sighed and subtly took out my phone. My eyes kept switching from what I was typing to Pat, making sure he doesn't even glance towards the screen.

Avery Barber: You'll keep your promise, right?

The reply was almost instant. I wasn't even able to look up to him before his message came in.

Leon Colten: Yeah, I promise.

I was setting myself up for disaster, because if I was being completely honest, I was actually looking forward to this date. For one reason and one reason only, I missed Pat. Of course I will still have feelings for him, especially since we literally broke up so recently in my mind.

Not only that, I missed our relationship during its carefree stages.

When he was the perfect playful gentleman and I was the girlfriend who was always beside him, supporting him in whatever he did. He picked me up and carried my things for me, just like what he did today. I did spontaneous surprises for him like randomly bake him cookies and whatnot. He'll then surprise me with romantic dates, make my mom adore him, and introduce me to his own family.

In all sincerity, I wanted to go back to those days.

Even if it was just one night with him. He, oblivious to what will happen in the future. I, forgetting the timeline I came from and enjoy his company. Just one night, let me like him the way I used to, allow me to feel the butterflies again.

"Mia, Avery," Sasha spoke out of the blue, "Can we go to the restroom?"

Well, I had no plans on eating the dry cafeteria chicken anyways, "Sure."

Pat send me a tightlipped smile and scooted his chair a little bit so it would be easier for me to stand up. As I stood up, I kept my gaze on Leon, catching his eyes when he quickly glanced up towards me. Nobody knew what happened yesterday, it was a moment that was exclusive for us to know about.

I didn't want Sasha and Mia to know, I didn't want Pat to know. Not because I was ashamed that I spent time with Leon, but it was like that small memory of having him in my house, eating dinner together with my mom, was something I wanted to treasure.

Because in that brief time that we were together, I felt so assured. For the first time, I wasn't scared of what was to come.

Once we got to the restroom, Sasha checked every single cubicle to make sure nobody else was there. When the coast was clear, she turned to us and exhaled loudly to prepare herself, "What's going on between you and Leon?"

Safe to say, my eyebrows shot up so fast and practically disappeared into my hairline, "What?"

"That was the reason why I have been so pushy yesterday," she admitted, wringing her hands because she was clearly uncomfortable that she had to explain herself, "Somebody saw you giving the notes to Leon, Pat told me. Then every time I see you smiling at your phone, Leon is also coincidentally looking at his."

Hold on, she knew about it? More importantly, Pat also had knowledge that I went to the locker room for Leon.

"We're friends," I hastily replied, my tone coming out more defensive that I originally intended. I cleared my throat and calmed my voice, "Leon told me he was struggling with math so I volunteered to help him."

"Wait, when did you two get close?" Mia piped in, also confused about this whole ordeal, "I have never even seen you talk to each other."

"We ran into each other while I was out with Zoey," I told them, "And I asked him to become friends, it's a lot simpler than you think."

"Hold on," Sasha raised a hand to stop me, "You mean to tell me, you keep distancing yourself from Pat but will welcome Mister Gloomy with open arms?"

"Hey!" I yelled, offended by the way she labeled Leon.

Mia crossed her arms and to my horror, she agreed with her, "I mean, we can all agree that Leon's hot but his attitude is much to be desired. You're more into befriending guys like Pat, preppy and nice."

But I don't need preppy. I don't want somebody who was always rainbows and sunshine because more often than not, they were the scariest when angry. Zoey was like that and so was Pat.

When he and I used to get into arguments, it felt like I was talking to a whole different person. We manage to patch things up eventually but that does not discount the fact that he changes whenever he was upset.

Leon was a breath of fresh air. What you see was what you get. Actually, I saw him just like they did – Mister Gloomy. But as I got to know him, there were so many things to like about him.

Why can't they see that?

"He's a good guy and has been nothing kind to me," I reasoned out, "And yesterday, he was more of a friend than you were, Sash."

When the words escaped my lips, I gasped and slapped my mouth with my hand. She allowed the words to sink in and she shot, "Wait, what did he do?"

So much for keeping it a secret, Barber.

"Nothing..." I trailed off though the longer I was under their scrutinizing gaze, the more I felt myself cracking.

No, he would be obviously uncomfortable if I told them.

"Nothing," I repeated, this time with my tone filled with certainty, "He asked if I was okay, just like Mia did."

Technically, that wasn't a lie but it wasn't the full story as well.

"Wait, does Pat even have your phone number?" Sasha asked.

From there on, I didn't say anything anymore. Safe to say, she already knew the answer and I watched as she visibly slumped in disappoint. She knows that if she dared give it to him without my permission, she will hear another long ass lecture from Mia.

"One last question," she said, raising her hand as if she was reciting in class, "Do you like Leon and you know what I mean when I say that."

Did I like Leon more than as friend? Of course I don't. Though he had been nothing but a good support system, I wasn't falling head over heels for him. Besides, he was literally my ex's best friend.

"No," I replied smoothly.

Then why did I feel like I lied to them when I said that?

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Filler-ish chapter but this was your first hint of what was the incident Avery has been talking about since the prologue. Next update is her date with Pat and I'm so excited!

Question: What do you think was the 'incident'?

This day has been filled with horrible news, my country is suffering but I think we all deserve a small mental health break. For me, that's writing and I want to provide you guys a small escape. However, please always be aware of what's happening with the world.

Thank you guys for reading and please don't forget to vote, comment, and follow. See you guys next chapter!

P.S. If you guys didn't know, I created a small group chat on instagram with my other readers. If you want to be part of it, just comment you instagram name and I'll add you (I'll be putting this P.S. on all of the author's note from now on).