The Rejected Luna

Chapter 13

_Avery's POV_

As we pulled into the driveway, my stomach twisted with a familiar mix of nervousness and nostalgia. It was strange how comforting yet haunting it felt to be back. The house looked the same—warm and welcoming, with the paint slightly worn but still homey. Memories rushed in, and for a second, I felt like a child again, stepping out of the car to run into my parents' arms.

Before I could catch my breath, I saw my mom standing on the porch, her face lighting up as soon as she saw the car. She came down the steps, and the moment I stepped out, she rushed to me, pulling me into a tight hug.

“Oh, Avery,” she whispered, her voice soft and full of love. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too, Mom,” I murmured, my own voice shaky with emotion. Her familiar scent, her warmth, all of it reminded me of the safety I had left behind. And for a moment, all the dread of being back faded.

When we finally pulled apart, her gaze shifted, noticing Liam standing a few steps behind me. She looked at him, a curious smile on her face. “And who’s this?”

I gave Liam a small smile, feeling a bit shy as I explained, “This is Liam. He’s… a friend of mine who came back with me. I thought he could stay here with us, if that’s okay?”

Liam smiled, extending his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, madam.”

My mom shook his hand warmly, glancing at me with a teasing glint in her eyes. “Of course, sweetheart. He is more than welcome to stay.” She leaned in closer, whispering, “I assume this ‘friend’ of yours is something a little more?”

Before I could respond, my dad joined us, coming over with a grin. He clapped a hand on Liam’s shoulder. “Actually, he is her boyfriend,” he said, chuckling as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

My mom’s eyes lit up even more. “Oh, really, Avery?” She sounded so delighted, almost as if Liam had already proposed to me right then and there. Her excitement was so genuine that it made me smile despite my nervousness. I just gave her a slight nod, not quite able to meet her gaze, and then I walked inside to avoid the attention.

My father helped Liam with the luggage, and they both carried it upstairs. I could hear my dad already chatting away, asking Liam questions about the flight and how long he planned to stay. I couldn’t help but smile at how easily they fell into conversation. It was nice to see my dad so welcoming, to see them getting along. I stayed downstairs, listening to their voices drift down, grateful for a moment to steady myself.

When they came back down, my mom was already in the kitchen, pouring two glasses of juice. She handed one to me and another to Liam, and we all sat down together in the living room.

“So, Liam,” my mom began, her smile warm as she looked at him. “Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from?”

Liam returned her smile, taking a sip of his juice before he answered. “Well, I grew up in Sweden. I am studying engineering and I am in the same class as your daughter. I like travelling.”

My dad nodded approvingly. “Sounds like you’re a hard worker. That’s good. Nothing like a bit of travel to keep life interesting.” He leaned forward, his gaze a little more serious. “And how long have you known Avery?”

Liam glanced over at me, his eyes softening. “It’s been a while now. We met not too long after she left… here. We hit it off, and, well, here we are.”

I could see my parents exchanging a look, both of them smiling. They seemed to like him a lot already, and it felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders. I was glad they were making him feel welcome, but my thoughts kept drifting, pulling me back to the reason I had left in the first place.

“So, Liam,” my mom asked, leaning in with a knowing smile, “what do you like most about our Avery?”

I felt my cheeks warm as I glanced at him, feeling a bit embarrassed but curious about what he might say.

Liam looked at me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “Avery is… strong,” he said finally, his voice soft but clear. “She’s been through so much, but she doesn’t let it stop her. She’s kind and brave and always puts others before herself. I really admire that about her.”

My mom’s smile grew even wider, and my dad gave Liam a pat on the back. “That’s a good answer, young man,” he said with a chuckle. “Avery is lucky to have someone who sees her for who she is.”

I didn’t say anything, just listened to them talk, my heart feeling a strange mixture of warmth and pain. Liam’s words meant a lot to me, but my mind was elsewhere. The thought of Kaden, somewhere close by, weighed heavily on me. The idea of seeing him again, of facing him with all the memories and regrets between us, felt overwhelming. I hoped, somehow, that I wouldn’t have to. I hoped he would be too busy, too wrapped up in his own life, to notice my return.

“Avery?” My mom’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I looked up, realizing she had been talking to me. “Are you all right?”

I managed a small smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a bit tired from the trip.”

Liam gave my hand a gentle squeeze, his eyes full of understanding. He knew this was hard for me. “It’s a lot to come back after so long,” he said softly, and I nodded in agreement.

My dad patted my shoulder. “Well, you’re home now, sweetheart. And you don’t have to worry about a thing.”

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and stories. My mom asked Liam about his hobbies, and he told her about his love for hiking and photography. My dad shared tales from his own youth, and they both seemed genuinely happy to have him here. It was comforting, in a way, to see my parents so open and welcoming. They made me feel like I wasn’t alone, like I had a real support system, and for that, I was grateful.

But no matter how hard I tried to relax, my thoughts kept drifting back to Kaden. The memories were relentless, haunting me like shadows. He was with Anna, planning a future that didn’t include me. I would be forced to witness their union.

I knew I couldn’t avoid him forever. He was part of this place, part of my past—and in some ways, part of who I was. But facing him, seeing him with her, felt like a wound I wasn’t ready to reopen.

As the evening drew closer, my mom got up to start dinner, and I excused myself, slipping away to my bedroom. I needed a moment alone, a chance to collect my thoughts. The room looked the same as it always had, everything neat and familiar, yet it felt like a stranger’s space. I sat down on the edge of the bed, running my fingers over the soft quilt, memories swirling around me.

A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts, and Liam stepped in, closing the door behind him. He sat down beside me, silent for a moment before he finally spoke.

“You don’t have to do this alone, Avery,” he said quietly, his hand reaching for mine. “Whatever happens with Kaden… I’m here for you.”

I nodded, squeezing his hand. “Thank you, Liam. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

He gave me a small smile, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I just want you to be okay.”

I managed a smile in return, but deep down, I knew this wasn’t something that would pass easily. The pain of seeing Kaden again, of facing the reality that he had moved on, wasn’t something I could avoid forever.

But for now, I was home, surrounded by people who cared about me. And even though the future felt uncertain, I knew that whatever happened, I wouldn’t have to face it alone.