Hayden

Chapter 27.

Sunday, Avery and I stayed in with Uncle David. It was a fun day, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Being with them made me miss my family more, and I was only away for two days. I was planning on going back, I really was. I think now it wasn't so much about needing time, it was more about what am I even going to tell them. At night I would stay up and think, what the hell would I tell them? How could I go back and see my Mother's face after being away for these two days. Part of me thought that maybe walking away from the situation wasn't the best idea I've had. I know I walked away because I didn't want to say or do something I would regret, but now I'm starting to regret leaving. Being away from them, I think has made it harder on me to really process everything. Maybe saying something I would regret was better than leaving, because I think I really am regretting this. It feels harder to return now.

Monday morning came, and I just felt really nervous. After getting ready, I took a seat on the living couch. I was waiting for Avery to finish getting ready, meanwhile I was just on my phone. Aunt Julie pretty much ran around the house getting the kids ready for school, since she had to go drop them off before going to work. Uncle David tried to help, but he mostly got in the way. Aunt Julie wouldn't get mad at him when he did get the in way though, they would just joke and laugh about it. Is this a daily for them when it's a school day?

"Thank you for taking Avery to school, Hayden," Aunt Julie said to me as she passed by the couch.

"No problem, I have a feeling that even when I'm not here I'll be taking her to school," I answered with. Aunt Julie was stuffing some notebooks in the kid's backpacks.

"You mean for the rest of the school year, right?" Aunt Julie tried to joke, but I didn't get it. "I mean, there is a two year gap between the two of you. You're eighteen, and she's barely sixteen. Next year you'll be headed to college, and she's barely going to be a Junior," Aunt Julie explained.

I stayed silent for a little bit, just thinking about her words. I guess I've never thought about that. With Avery our age differences are gone, I always seem to forget she's my sister's age. It didn't bother me though, as long as Avery and I were happy with one another I was fine with it. There are couples with bigger age gaps than us, and they work out perfectly fine. As for college, I've never really thought about college. I guess I've always been to self-absorbed to even think about it. I always told myself one thing though, I didn't want to go far for college. I wanted to stay close with my family, and I still do.

"Yeah, I know. I haven't really thought about what college I would go to. Besides, just because I go to college I won't break up with her. She's too special to break up with because of a stupid age gap," I explained to Aunt Julie. She smiled at me, as she grabbed the back packs from the couch.

"Sounds to me like someone's actually maturing," Aunt Julie teased. Before I could say anything else, she walked away into the kitchen. She's probably getting their lunches ready.

I turned my attention back to my phone, but it was only for a second before I heard someone coming down the stairs. From the living room, you were able to see the stairs. So I had the perfect view when Avery walked down. I smiled at her, and she tried to do the same. There was this look on her face for a split second, but it quickly vanished.

"You ready to go?" She asked as she took the last step. I smiled at her and nodded. My back pack was already in my car, it's always in my car. I couldn't help but notice how beautiful Avery looked. She wore these dark blue jeans, and this girly white tank top shirt. It was simple, but it suited her.

"Yeah, come one," I said to her. "Uncle David, Aunt Julie, we're headed to school!" I shouted as I walked towards her.

We both heard some muffled okay's, and have a good day. I took her hand in mine, and lead her to my car. I couldn't help but notice Avery seemed a little nervous, maybe it was because we weren't hiding this anymore from anyone. Maybe she was scared to see everyone's reaction when they found out she was dating me. Mentally, I shook my head at the thought because that was ridicules. I opened the car door for Avery. She smiled, as she took off her back pack and climbed inside. I closed the door after her and walked around to the other side. I got in the driver's seat, and moments later we were off to school.