(Jackson)
Luca and I pushed the cafeteria doors open. The noise of people talking and laughing filled the room. I felt much better than I had all morning but I knew what I had to do next. Avery and Elias were still at our table, waiting. Avery’s eyes found me right away. She looked at me like she had been holding her breath. I hated that I had made her worry.
Luca walked beside me, but I slowed down as we got closer. My hands itched to stay in my pockets, to hide, but I forced myself to keep them at my sides. Elias gave me a small nod when he saw me. He knew. He always knew.
I pulled out the chair across from Avery and sat down. She kept her eyes on me. I did not want to waste time, so I spoke right away.
“Avery,” I said. My voice came out lower than I wanted. “I’m sorry. For the way I
