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?"

chimed in, sitting up straighter. "Remember that jacket you altered for me before spring break? It fits better than anything I've ever bought in a store. You 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

with tears. "Thank you all so much was so worried you would be disappointed in me for not

you for following your dreams? It's the bravest

trying to fit into some mold that doesn't work for you. "And successful Gavin added with a grin. "Which you will

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Wed, Sep 18

pushed a lock of 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 nearly knocked

form in my throat as I realized how much I was

all the time. I promised, my voice mu**ed against someone's shoulder. "And we'll help you get your

the finances," Gavin suggested. "Make sure you're

offered. "I can even make you a website if you need

know what I'd do without you. I was so

Eventually, the sky turned from dim blue to soft pink, the first rays of sunlight peeking over the **n. Only then did

Gavin's from across the hall.

supported her. We all

was still at the airport, but already it was everything I had ever dreamed of. Even

in the past few

just take a cab to my hotel. Part of me couldn't help

I imagined he would say. "We're safe now.

a couple of weeks, I would officially be a senior. We'd only have to keep our relationship private for eight months after

as I watched a sleek black town car

nodded, suddenly feeling too small and too far from home to manage using the bit of French

summer.

my bags. "Welcome to Paris. I hope

thank you," I replied, sliding into the back seat of the

I couldn't stop staring out the window. Everything was so beautiful. The architecture, the cafes

13:03 Wed, Sep 18

Chapter 124

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