Fourteen

"You sure you don't need a ride home?" Sam asked as we walked out into the parking lot, stopping right by her obnoxiously yellow sedan.

"That's okay, I'll take my bike. Gotta go pick up the kid, anyway."

"Aw look at you, already learning how to parent at the tender age of twenty," she cooed, pulling her car door open.

"Very funny. The only kids I'll ever have in my life are you and Toby."

She chuckled, "I think you're better off taking care of an actual kid rather than Toby."

"You might not be wrong about that. See you later."

"See ya," she waved as she turned on the ignition. I made my way over to the bicycle stand, freezing when a familiar figure approached me sheepishly.

"Hey," Avery said as I deliberately averted my gaze, busying myself with my bike lock.

"Hey yourself," I muttered. When he stood there for a few more seconds without saying anything, I looked up at him, quirking a brow. "Did you need something?"

"No, just thought I could walk you home today," he shrugged.

"Don't you have a car?"

"Oh, yeah it's... A friend is borrowing it today. Thought I'd walk."

I blinked at him, not believing a word but deciding to play along anyway.

"Sure, suit yourself man."

The walk to Anya's kindergarten was awkwardly silent at first, the bicycle serving as a physical barrier between us as I dragged it along by the handles.

"Do your friends know anything?" He finally asked.

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. They're none the wiser."

"That's good. I uh... I'd rather all this," he motioned between us awkwardly, "stayed on the down-low. I also think we shouldn't be seen together at school too often... If you know what I mean."

"Yes I figured," I shrugged, looking straight ahead, pretending I didn't care about the fact that he literally wanted to hide any sign of a relationship with me.

"I just... Don't wanna make it too obvious. People at our university... They talk. And they talk a lot of shit."

"Yes you'd rather keep your reputation nice and squeaky clean and have no association with the resident token gay guy. I got it."

"Hey, I didn't mean it like that," he stopped me, placing a firm hand on my bike seat. I finally turned to him, raising a brow.

"Then how did you mean it?"

He pursed his lips, "Okay yes maybe it's a little like that. But I'm also looking out for you. The guys at school, especially the ones on the team, they're complete jerks! You've seen it for yourself."

I sighed, "Listen Avery. I already knew what I was signing up for. I'm not an idiot. I want to keep this a secret as much as you do. But just a tip, if you don't wanna make it obvious, maybe don't get so shifty eyed the moment I come within a five-meter radius of you. Better yet, you can actually occasionally look at me when we're literally in a group conversation together. You're lucky Toby's an airhead, bless his heart, but you were acting plenty suspicious on your own."

"I..." He blinked, quickly looking down in embarrassment. I gripped my bike and continued to walk, smiling bitterly to myself. "You're right. I'm sorry about earlier today. I got a little nervous."

"It's alright. By the way, I'm picking someone up from kindergarten. Fair warning."

"Oh... That the niece you mentioned?"

"No. Well, she's Toby's cousin actually. I'm babysitting. Long story."

"Sure, I don't mind kids."

"You don't?" I glanced at him to find him grinning.

"Yeah. I have a little brother. I changed his diapers, I bathed him, I played with him... I might as well have breastfed him. I love that little fella. Miss him too."

"Huh..." I looked at him thoughtfully. "Sounds like you should be taking my job."

"Why? You don't like it?"

"Do I look like I child lover to you?"

"No offense, but you don't seem capable of love, period," he said with a chuckle. Okay I know that's a joke but ouch. Was it that obvious?

"No actually you're right about that. I'm convinced I was born with a stone for a heart." I deadpanned, smirking a little.

"Should I be concerned for Toby's cousin?"

"Nah... I love money too much to mess this job up," I said matter-of-factly, "if only I wasn't so poor."

He laughed, the sound falling a little too melodious on my ears.

"Ah Jules, you're a real piece of work."

I glanced sideways, catching a glimpse of his dimples as he grinned at me, blonde hair shining from the dim glow of the sun.

"We're here," I said gruffly. "I'm gonna go get the dem- I mean child."

He placed his hands on my bike handles, deliberately brushing his fingers against my own. "I'll guard your bike then."

Reluctantly, I withdrew my hands and nodded, before making my way inside.

"If it isn't the handsome boy from yesterday! How do you do, sweet pea?" The same glasses middle aged lady greeted me, looking up from the row of children she was tending to with a glowing smile.

"I'm wonderful, Mrs..."

"It's Miss, actually," she smiled, tucking some stray hair behind her ear, "Just call me Heather. I'll fetch Anya right away!"

The annoying talking box quickly came into view, looking a lot grumpier than usual. I took her hand when Heather brought her to me.

"Thanks Miss Heather!" I said quickly as I made my way out of there before she could engage me any idle small talk, dragging Anya behind me. We made our way to a waiting Avery, who was sitting on my bike beside the gate.

"Well, hello there," he greeted, looking down at Anya with a kind smile on his face. She stared up at him blankly.

"Who're you?"

"I'm Jules' friend, my name is Avery. What's your name?"

"Anya," she grumbled, tightening her grip on my hand and scooting a little closer to me. I rolled my eyes.

"Nice to meet you Anya! I love your hat, by the way, very fashionable."

Her eyes seemed to brighten up at the compliment, "Really?"

"Really. And your hair's so pretty too. I always wanted mine to look like that," he pouted childishly, running a hand through his own, flawless beach blonde locks. I stifled a snicker as I watched the exchange.

"Y-You like my hair?" She blinked up at him with her big grey eyes, holding a lock of her hair, looking genuinely touched. Aww... How nauseating.

"I love it. Now come on, guess who's walking you guys home today!"

I led the way, holding my bike as the two walked a step behind me.

"Now I don't want to pry, but you looked a little sad for a moment there. Did something happen?" He asked her, his voice taking on a gentler note.

"It's... Nothing." She muttered, and I could just hear the frown deepening on her face.

"It's okay, Anya. You can talk to me. I promise we'll keep it a secret. Right, Jules?"

"Right," I mumbled, really not caring. I was more intrigued by the fact that Avery did, or if he didn't, he definitely really sounded like he did. I forget, not everyone is a cynical child-hating bastard like myself.

"Well... It's just that... I... None of the kids like me. We were playing teams, but none of them picked me. So the teacher had to put me in one of the teams. And then... And then they teased me and ignored me and, and I barely got to play at all..."

I inhaled sharply, grip tightening on the bike handles.

"What? No! Hold on, Jules, we're going back. We have some little brats to beat up."

I turned around, blinking at him, wondering if he was as serious as he sounded.

"Or we could go home and eat and take a nap, how's that?"

Anya's pout only deepened, tears seemingly pricking at her eyes. I sighed, stifling another roll of my eyes.

"Hey, hey, don't be like that... Kids can be so mean sometimes," Avery said gently, kneeling down to her level and wiping a stray tear with his thumb.

"You should fight them." I goaded.

Avery looked up at me pointedly, "Jokes aside, you shouldn't actually fight them, but you should defend yourself. They can laugh and tease you all you want, but you should always remember... You don't need any of them. You only need to be confident in yourself and love yourself. And when you do, everyone will see it naturally and stop messing with you."

Wow... Easy for your to say, popular jock guy.

"But... How do I like myself if no one else likes me?"

I gritted my teeth, trying my best to block out the familiarity in her words.

"That's not true. I only met you like five minutes ago and I really like you already. And Jules likes you too, right?"

"Like is a strong word..."

Avery narrowed his eyes at me.

"I mean, yes of course, whatever," I grumbled.

"I'm sure your uncle Toby loves you very much as well."

Her eyes seemed to brighten up at the mention of his name, "Yes, he does!"

"There you go. Forget those little rascals, they just don't know how awesome you are. They're the ones missing out, if you ask me!"

"Are you an angel?" She looked up at Avery dreamily and he only chuckled good-naturedly.

"I mean, I guess you can call me that."

I grimaced, trying my best to disregard the mind-numbing conversation going on behind me and focusing on the road home, pointedly ignoring the knot forming in my throat.

"Here we are."

"Can we please let Angel have dinner with us? Pleeeeeease?"

I sighed, "Sorry, squirt. Your dad specifically said, no guests in his house unless he's home.'

"But... But..."

"Tell you what, if you behave today, I'll let Angel walk us home everyday for the rest of the week." I said with a smirk. She bounced up and down excitedly, grinning from ear to ear.

"Yayyy... Thank you Julie!" She briefly hugged my legs before heading over to Avery and doing the same. "I'll see you tomorrow then!"

Avery blinked down at her in surprise before laughing softly and lightly tapping her head.

"Of course. Run along then."

"Go on and call the lift, kid. I'll drop my bike off first."

She nodded and sprinted inside the building, giving me a moment alone with Avery.

"Well... That was a thing that happened. Sorry you had to deal with that all the way here," I said, rubbing the back of my neck uncomfortably.

"Not at all. She's lovely."

"You don't actually have to walk me home everyday, I was just lying to her."

He gave me a half smile, "I don't mind. As long as you don't."

"I mean... You are really good with kids."

"There's other things I'm good at too," he smirked, looking around to make sure no one was around before stepping closer. "Listen... My mom's not gonna be around next weekend. Maybe you could... Come over?"

I blinked at him in surprise, reeling over the unsaid implication behind his invitation as he gazed at me expectantly.

"I-"

"Julieeee! The lift's here! Hurry up, I'm starving!"

"Right behind you, squirt," I yelled back, exhaling slowly, "I gotta go. I'll uh... see you around."

He pursed his lips, nodding slowly. "See you. Go on, don't keep her waiting. And text me."

I nodded and briskly made my way inside, trying my best to ignore the warmth spreading to my cheeks at my inappropriate thoughts.... And a very distinct fluttering feeling in my chest.