Repair Me (16 page)

             
I walked to my seat where I gathered my belongings. With a long sigh I walked to the administration building. I approached a desk where a lady was flipping through papers. “Yes, my name is Avery Addison and I'm hear to speak with Ms. Lee.”

             
“Sure, One moment while I find her.” The young lady replied.

             
I sat in the waiting area as I twiddled my thumbs and I looked at all of the signs and posters of upcoming events at the community college. “Miss Addison?” An Asian woman approached me immediately. “Please follow me.” I stood up with a loud sigh and followed the woman. I didn't want to return to school today but I was actually wanting to return to my class now. I wanted to get this little conversation over so I could return to my studying. I hated to miss any of my classes. When I missed anything, it only made things more difficult.

             
She led us to a small cubicle where she offered a chair to sit. She sat behind a desk and turned her computer monitor to face between the both of us. “Avery, I'm sorry to say this but all of your funds have been removed and your classes are being dropped immediately.”

             
“What?” I exclaimed with a loud voice. I was completely awake now. My jaw dropped as I was in disbelief. My classes were paid in full in advance. At least that was what I had always assumed and Anthony had told me. I never imagined I may have to be dropped.  I reached for my phone and dialed Davien's number, hoping to reach him at work, I needed some advice to what to do. Obviously I couldn't call Anthony, but maybe Davien could give me some answers. As I dialed the numbers, my heart dropped as I realized my phone was out of service. “Are you serious?”

             
Watching me in pain, the lady bit her lip with worry lines across her forehead. “Ma'am I'm sorry.” She held a packet of papers in my direction. “You can fill these out and try to apply for financial aid, but that's all we can do for you at the moment. The classes will start again in the fall semester.”

             
I stood from my chair and took the packet from her hand. “Thank you.” I dropped my head and began crying as I walked to my car.

             
I tried to remember my way to Martin's garage. When I pulled up, I took long deep breaths before walking inside of the building. Davien was already in the waiting area on a phone call. He spot me immediately and smiled continuously. He had no idea what was on my mind at the moment. He nodded for me to take a seat. He point his finger at my direction notifying me that he would be off the phone within minutes.

             
My eyes burned with tears while I lowered myself to a chair. I dropped my elbows between my knees and held my head between my fingers. Rubbing my temples for comfort, I sat with loud sighs as I waited for Davien to end his call. My legs with shaking from anger.

             
I felt his hand at my back as he begged for answers, “What, Avery, what is wrong?” He whispered.             

             
I held the packet of papers in the air and looked at his facial expressions. “I've been dropped. All of my damn funds have been removed.”

             
“What?” His voice was deep and loud.

             
I held my phone to him for him to see the screen. “My phone is gone too.”

             
“We can replace these things. Not at the very moment, but baby, we will, I promise.” He held my chin until I looked at him.

             
“I need my schooling. I have to go, Davien.” I stood from my chair and left the building with a fast pace. “I'm sorry.” My feet walking faster than my head could think.

             
“Avery!” He followed me to my car and I hit the locks. “Avery, please.”

             
I put my car in reverse. My head was spinning with thoughts. I needed my schooling, I needed the funds to get me through school. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I gave up on my future. I was better than that. I drove the streets, debating on which direction to go, but I knew school was the most important thing in my life and I wasn't giving up.

☼

             
I arrived at Anthony's house and sat in the driveway before making any attempt to  

walk to the door. The house was full of power, full of Anthony, full of everything except love. I was just stepping from my car when I heard the loud sounds from Davien's bike.

              “Avery!” He yelled out.  Davien was still houses away from me, as he screamed down the street. I shook my head in protest and walked to the door. Anthony was already at the outside of the door, presumptively knowing I would be returning. I ignored Davien's voice and made my way closer to Anthony.

             
Anthony looked anything but shocked to see me. He stood with his hands on his hips, smiling at Davien as he pulled his bike to the driveway. “Ah the little rock star and his girlfriend, aren't you guys just the cutest.” He dropped one hand to my shoulder as to claim me.

             
“Stop it Anthony.” I spat my words at him.

             
“Avery, get away from him.” Davien pushed the kickstand in place and jumped from his bike. “Go, Avery, go to your car.” He directed his finger to my Malibu.

             
I looked at Davien, then Anthony and back to Davien. Watching the facial expressions between the two men in my life. “I can't, Davien.”

             
“Like the girl said, she can't.” Anthony laughed in his face.

             
“That's not an option, Avery. Go!” He pointed to my car. “It's not worth it.”

             
“Davien, she needs her schooling, now don't you sound selfish. Can you support her with your music career?” Anthony teased Davien as if he were a child.

             
“I will make things work, Avery. Whatever it takes!” He shook his head to the other man's direction. “Anthony, I have one question for you.”

             
Anthony stood with his hands on hips. “Hit me.. what's your question kid?”

             
“Me or Justin? Which one?” Anthony's whole demeanor changed with one word. “He did it on Friday, and he'll do it again. He fucked you up more than once and I promise he would
love
to do that again. But I swear you will not take Avery!” Davien pulled his phone from the inside of his jacket pocket.

             
Anthony stood still as Davien looked through his phone directory. “Whatever man... it's not that fucking serious.” And Anthony pushed me with full force away from him. I flew to my knees on the concrete, the hard surface scraping at my skin. “You can have the little slut, she's not worth it.”

             
Before attempting to do anything, Davien stood over me and helped me to my feet He brushed the rough dirt from my legs and pointed towards his bike. “Go sit!” Anthony walked to the front door, but before he could close the door, there was a huge thud causing me to jump.

             
The middle aged lady, directly across the street, walked to the driveway where I stood next to Davien's bike. “Are you okay, honey?” She wrapped her arm around my shoulder as I cried. “Let him go, it's not worth it.” I had only seen the woman a hand full of times, but many of which she saw Anthony either physically or verbally abusing me. “It's not going to change.”

             
I nodded at her speech. I knew he wouldn't change and over and over through out the last month, I was reminded continuously. “I know.” She held me as I waited for Davien to appear. “I need to check on Davien.” She shook her head.

             
After 10 minutes, I was still waiting for Davien's return and my heart was racing with anxiety, but the neighbor held me from my attempt to check on Davien.  I spot the red Mustang driving down the street and the tires squealed as they reached Anthony's long driveway. I stood straight to see Justin step from the car.

             
He ran to my side, pulling my body from the woman's.  Justin tipped my head to face him. “Are you all right Baby girl?” I nodded without strength. The cut was still obvious above his cheek. He slowly stepped from me and walked to the door. Before entering, he looked at me one last time and motioned a kiss at my direction. His steps grew faster with adrenaline as he reached the door.

             
“Do you want me to call the police honey?” The caring neighbor waited for my answer, but I could only shake my head. I knew the only person in the house that wasn't safe, was Anthony.

             
Davien walked from the front door, his knuckles covered in blood. “Are you leaving your car or taking it?” His voice was loud and angry. Davien waited for my answers as he took turns looking between myself and the car. “You choose.” He was panting for breath.

             
“Taking it.” He pointed to the car as he held his hands on his knees, bent over as he begged for strength. I walked to the car and the neighbor backed away as she returned to her yard. “I'm sorry, Davien.”

             
“No I'm sorry, Avery. I'm sorry that he has put you through so much bullshit. Now go. I'll meet you at the apartment.” I watched for Justin's arrival, but Davien insisted for me to leave.

☼

             
When I made it to the apartment, I was too nervous to even step from my car. I stayed in my car for over an hour with the doors locked as I waited for the guys to return to my side.  Speeding through the streets I heard the roar from Davien's bike and the sight of Justin's candy apple red Mustang. Justin parked next to Davien and the two started pulling boxes from the Mustang's trunk and back seat. “What is that?” I watched as the boxes were dropped to the ground.

             
“Your stuff, you're not going back. If it means I had to pack your shit up for you, guess that's what I did.” He took the last box from the trunk and dropped it with a loud thud. Brushing dirt from his hands to his pants he stared into my eyes. “I can't do this anymore. I can't let you.” He held his hand out to give me a small box and I took it from him. “Here I put you on my phone plan. You have your own phone. If you want your own plan we can do that. But I want no excuse to why you need to return to Anthony. No reason!” His voice was strong, not out of anger but from desperation. He was willing to do whatever it took to keep me safe. It wasn't controlling like Anthony, just caring.

             
“Everything's gonna be okay, Baby girl. It's gonna take time. But you're worth it.” Justin pat my back with confidence.  “I gotta go guys.” We both waved.

             
Davien and I carried each box into the townhouse where we stood alone. With my hands catching my face, I dropped my head in shame. “I'm sorry, Davien...please.”

             
He reached for my hands, pulling them from my face, he ran his fingers along my jaw line. “Baby do you know how bad it hurts to watch you hurt? I understand, but sometimes it takes awhile before things get better. I'm gonna be there for you the entire time”.

             
I whispered. “Thank you.”

             
When he pulled me in his arms, he did like he always does when he wants to express his feelings, but he can't come up with the words, he began singing. And just like always, he sang loud enough where only I could here. It was was our special moment, that we shared alone. It was beginning to comfort me with his lyrics, more than anything I had ever experienced. The songs felt like they were 'mine' when he sang. Like he picked the lyrics just for me.

             
He looked me deep in my eyes before lowering his lips just above my ear.  I felt like Demi Lovato wrote the lyrics just for me when Davien whispered the lyrics in my ear, except it was different, he spoke the words so clear I could hear every syllable to each word.  He sang 'Give Your Heart A Break' by Demi Lovato. He turned a very feminine song into his own masculine story. The words of not turning back and giving your heart a break.  Before pulling apart, he brushed his lips against mine. “Avery Addison, I know you are scared, I am too, more than anything I've ever felt. I'm scared of love. I've never felt this before.”

             
“Davien, it's hard for me. I've never had a man that cared about me emotionally. To know that I have you, kills me at the same time. I want to love you, I want to feel the passion, but when I see you at CJ's, it kills me. I can't stand the thought of seeing you with other women.” He pulled away from me until we were steps apart.

             
“I've been with many other women, but it's not this.”  He pointed at his self then slowly brought his finger to my body, then back again “It wasn't this. We are love, Avery, it's different. We've both been hurt, but I'll repair you. I will mend your broken heart to the best I can.”

             
“Why don't you love? Why haven't you been
in love
?”