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?"

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

over with tears. "Thank you all so much was so worried you would be disappointed in me for

scoffed. "How could we be disappointed in you for following your dreams? It's the bravest thing anyone

into some mold that doesn't work for you. "And successful Gavin added with a grin. "Which you will be. I'm sure

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Sep 18

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

a lump form in my throat as I realized how much I was going to miss seeing Avis every day at school, but

hang out all 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

suggested. "Make sure you're not underselling

help with marketing." Tina offered. "I can

a tear that had escaped down her cheek. "You guys are the best. I don't know what I'd do without you. I was so scared to tell you, but I should have known

her business, and reminiscing about our summer. Eventually, the sky turned from dim blue to soft pink, the first

Gavin's from across the hall. He shot me the subtlest of nods, and I felt

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

still at the airport, but already it was everything I had ever

third time in the past few minutes,

an email last night 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 a reason for that-would Edwin be at my hotel, perhaps? Waiting

he would say. "We're

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 handle

I realized, as I watched a sleek black town car pull up to the curb. The driver stepped out and

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

summer.

bags. "Welcome to Paris.

I replied, sliding into the back

so beautiful. The architecture, the cafes with their outdoor seating, the stylish

13:03 Wed, Sep 18

Chapter 124

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