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?"

before spring break? It fits better than anything I've ever bought in a store. You have a real gift." Tina nodded

over with tears. "Thank you all so much was so worried you would be

you for following

some mold that doesn't work for you. "And successful Gavin added with a grin. "Which

1/3

Sep

mousy blonde hair out of her eyes. "So... we can still be friends? Even though I won't be at ayspring?" "Of course we can, you idiot," Betty said, pulling Avis into a tight hug. The force of it

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

the time. I promised, my voice mu**ed against someone's shoulder. "And we'll help you get your business started. You're not getting rid of

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

"I can even make

know what I'd do without you. I was so scared to tell you,

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 the **n. Only then did we finally drag ourselves to

we made our way back into the house, my eyes met Gavin's from across the hall. He shot me the subtlest of

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

around in awe. I was still at the airport, but already it was everything I had ever dreamed of. Even the air here smelled exactly

my watch for the third time in the past

insisting 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

finally ended things with Fiona," I imagined he

statuses at Grayspring, of course. But in just a couple of weeks, I would officially be a

as I watched a sleek black town car pull up

too far from home to manage using the bit of French I

summer.

my bags. "Welcome to Paris. I

into the back seat

the window. Everything was so beautiful. The architecture, the cafes with their outdoor seating, the stylish people walking down the sidewalks-it was just like every postcard and movie

13:03 Wed, Sep 18

Chapter 124

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