Chapter 124

Audrey

We all sat up in unison, our eyes wide with shock,

"WHAT?!" 1 practically shouted, then cleared my throat and lowered my voice. "You're... You're not coming to Grayspring in

the fall?"

Avis looked around at our stunned about it for a while now."

"er expression a bit sheepish. "I know it seerns sudden, but I've been thinking

"Why wait so long to tell us?" Betty asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"I thought we were all going to graduate together," Tina practically whispered.

Avis took a deep breath, her small fingers fidgeting with a blade of grass. "I've just always struggled with school," she admitted quietly. "I've always had to drag myself through, barely scraping by with a C average. It just never clicked for me."

"You know you could always come to one of us for tutoring, Gavin said. "Why didn't you ever tell us you were having these issues?"

"I don't know." Avis shrugged. "Shame, I guess. Truthfully, I have had tutors all throughout college. They've never helped much.

She paused, glancing up at us sheepishly again. "I just don't think academia is for me, guys. I thought I had to get through school because it was expected of me, but I never enjoyed it. Not really." "So what are you going to do instead?" I asked.

A small smile played on Avis's lips. "I waited to tell you guys about this just in case it didn't work out, but now that the paperwork has gone through: I'm starting my own tailoring business. And someday, I want to expand into a boutique selling my own handmade clothes."

There was a moment of silence as we all processed this information. Avis pulled out her phone, swiping on the screen a few times until she had pulled up an email. The title read: "Confirmation of LLC: Avis Tailoring."

Finally, Tina was the first to say, "Avis, this is.. Amazing!"

Avis's smile grew wider, and she let out a sigh of relief. "You guys really think so? You're not disappointed in me?"

have a real gift." Tina nodded enthusiastically, her earlier shock replaced by genuine happiness for our friend. "You could totally make a career out of this, Avis. So long as it makes

was so worried you would be disappointed in me for not

for following your dreams? It's the bravest thing anyone can

want you to be happy, not miserable trying to fit into some mold that doesn't work for you. "And successful Gavin added with a grin. "Which you

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Sep 18 Chapter

though I won't

piled in, wrapping our arms around Avis in a group hug, felt a lump form in my throat as I realized how much I was going to miss seeing Avis every day at school, but I was also incredibly proud of her for

against someone's shoulder. "And we'll help you get your business started. You're not getting rid of us that

finances," Gavin suggested. "Make sure you're not underselling yourself. We'll

marketing." Tina offered. "I can even make you a website if

are the best. I don't know what I'd do without you. I was so scared

the rest of the night talking about Avis's plans, brainstorming ideas for her business, and reminiscing about our summer. Eventually, the sky turned from dim blue to soft pink, the first rays of sunlight peeking over

met Gavin's from across the hall. He

who supported her. We all had each other's backs. And for that,

looking around in awe. I was still at the airport, but already it was everything I had

time in the past few

an sending a car for me, despite my protests that I could just take a cab to my hotel. Part of me couldn't help but wonder if there was a reason for that-would Edwin be at my hotel, perhaps? Waiting for me, arms open, after

ended things with Fiona," I imagined he

would be the matter of our different statuses at Grayspring, of course. But in just a couple of weeks, I would officially be a senior. We'd only have to keep our relationship private for eight months after that. I could

realized, as I watched a sleek black town car pull up to

small and too far from home to manage

summer.

my bags. "Welcome to Paris.

sliding into

the window. Everything was so beautiful. The architecture, the cafes with their outdoor seating, the stylish people walking

13:03 Wed, Sep 18

Chapter 124

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