Rejection Denied

Aviry

“Aviry…” A silky, sweet voice whispered into my ear. “Please wake up.” Something soft and warm pressed against my lips, and my mind and body were enveloped by the scent of sweet chocolate. I slowly opened my eyes and to see a beautiful face hovering above mine.

“Hey…” I whispered hoarsely.

“Damn, Jamie was right about that kiss. I can’t believe that worked.” Cay smiled gently, “Thanks, Disney.” He caressed the right side of my face and lowered his head into my neck. “Don’t worry me like that, Aviry. I didn’t know what to do.”

“What happened? And Cay…can you…umm…” I coughed and tapped his shoulder. “Can you get me some water?”

“Of course.” Cay sat up and reached over to the nightstand. HE uncapped a water bottle and poured a small amount into my mouth. I drank it like a thirsty ass fish and laid back on my pillow.

I wiped my mouth, “Thanks, I was thirsty as hell.”

Cay chuckled and placed the bottle on the table. “Well, of course, you are. Even the great Aviry Mills needs a sip of water after a three-day hibernation.”

“What!” I sat up straight and bumped heads with Cay. “OW, Fuck!” I rubbed my head, “I’ve been asleep for three days? What the hell, Cay. Next time, have someone wave some food in front of my nose or something. I’m sure I’ll get up.”

“Noted, but there won’t be the next time.” Cay squeezed my waist gently. “What happened, Aviry? One second you’re fine, and the next, you’re on the floor screaming for Mia. I rushed you to the medical wing, but physically you were fine. So I brought you back to your room to rest and recover.”

“I just freak out sometimes. It’s a part of me that I can’t control, but I’m fine now.” I shrugged. “And I have to pee.” I pulled my legs from beneath the cover and stood from the bed.

I opened the bathroom door and pushed it close. “Aviry,” Cay sighed from the other side of the door. “If you need to talk, I’ll be here.”

“I’m fine.” I lied.

For the last three days, I’ve been screaming and searching for Mia. When Cay kissed me, a small glimmer of light caught my attention and pulled me back to reality. Even, now my mind is still flooded with my inner turmoil, and it’s really weighing me down.

“What have I missed.” I finished my business and flushed the toilet. If I’ve been out for three days, then today is Sunday, and the next event will begin tomorrow. I turned the sink on and waited for the water to warm up.

“Not much..” Cay huffed.

“Really?” I washed my hands and dried them on the fancy hanging towel. “Have they announced the next—”

“Aviry, take a break.” I opened the bathroom door and looked at Cay with one brow in the sky. “Let’s go out and forget about the competition for one day.” Cay was leaning against the door frame, and that’s when I really noticed his appearance.

Dishelved hair that stuck out in places. Dark circles under his, red sleepy eyes. Cay usually keeps his face smooth, but stubble is beginning to take root around his mouth. “Cay, have you slept any?” I asked as I ran my hand down his face.

He shook his head and leaned into my touch. “I was too worried. I’ve been by your side, day and night. Jamie came in to help clean you up, and she cared enough to bring my meals. But, don’t worry, I slept on the couch, and while you slept, I played some more Jim Carrey movies for us.”

We both laughed, “You didn’t have to stay, Cay.”

“Mmm, your right.” He smirked. “But wherever you are, Aviry, that’s where I want to be. I’ll be there for you for the rest of my years, even if you don’t want me to be there. Please spend the day with me, Aviry.”

Damn, his handsome face. I sighed, “Two conditions.” Cay smiled and crossed his arms. “Our day needs to be fun, and I mean my kind of fun. Also, no candles or flowers.”

Cay smacked his lips, “We will have fun. But I already had—you know what, never mind. I agree with your terms. No candles, no flowers.” Cay leaned close to my face and captured my lips with his. He pulled away and gazed into my eyes, “But there will be plenty of sweets.”

He took two steps back, leaving me dazed and craving more. “Get dressed, Aviry. And meet me in the back in one hour.”

Cay turned around and walked to the front of the room. He opened the door and looked back. “If you’re late, I’ll punish you by giving you a dozen roses.”

The sun was low, and the sky was full of pink and orange clouds. I was sitting and picking at the grass in the back of the house, waiting for Cay. I was a little early. After showering, I changed into some jean shorts and a tank top and braided my hair to the side, completing my simple look.

I laid back on the ground and closed my eyes. “Mia,” I called out into the darkness. But there was no reply. I’ve been trying to relieve the stress of my three heavy emotions, but I can’t clear them from my head.

“Aviry!” Cay shouted. I sat up on my elbows and looked toward the house. Cay was walking toward me, swinging a brown basket in his hand, and waving the other hand at me. “ I honestly thought you would bail on me. Are you ready?”

“Well, I’m here, aren’t I,” I shouted back. standing up. We met in the middle, and my stomach rumbled as I inhaled the smell of fresh bread. I pointed toward the basket. “We can eat the food. But I forgot to mention no picnics in my—”

“Uh uh, Nope.” Cay took my hand and pulled me toward the woods. “The rules of been set, my lady. We are going to sit our asses down, on this blanket, and stargaze.” Cay squeezed my hand as we walked side by side through the woods.

“But before we eat this delicious meal. Let’s have some fun, your way.” He pulled me close and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “And then after we eat, while we’re laying under the stars, we’ll have fun my way.”

I stopped walking and pulled away from him. “Cay we can’t have—”

“Shh, we won’t. I promise my kind of fun is not as exciting as that.” Cay reached out his hand, “Just trust me, Aviry. Whenever you’re ready to end our day, just tell me, And we’ll come back home.”

I took Cay’s hand, squeezed gently. “You’re so fucking lucky I trust you, Cay. But, don’t ruin it. I never give people this much of me.”

Cay squeezed back, “Thank you, Aviry. I’ll cherish every part of you.” He looked back at the forest. “Let’s hurry; our first stop is a few miles away. And I don’t want you to chicken out if we get there after all the light is gone.” He laughed and pulled me along with him.

“Fuck you, I don’t back down from a challenge.” I laughed and caught up to Cay.

He looked at me and wrapped his arm around me again. “Mhmm, keep that same attitude. When we get there, we’ll see how brave Aviry Mills is.” He pecked my cheek, and we continued on our way to date spot number one.

“HOLY SHIT, CAY!” The sound of rushing water drowned out my voice.

We were both standing at the top of a waterfall, overlooking the lake. It stretches out far into the distance, with no end in sight. Behind me is a wide rushing river, racing toward the edge of the cliff. On the left I can see the packhouse, on my right is more forest.

“Yeah! Now, are you ready for the fun part?” I turned around and looked at Cay, as he set the basket down on the ground and walked behind a tree. He unraveled a coiled rope from the base and tugged on it a few times.

“Wha…What is that for,” I asked with wide eyes. He walked toward me, pulling the rope behind him.

“For swinging. Duh.” Cay grinned and passed me the thick rope.

I raised a brow and tilted my head. “Swinging where?” Because I know damn well, he’s not talking about swinging across the roaring river of death.

I pointed to the river, “Across there? Hell, no, dude.”

Cay shook his head and turned me back to the waterfall. “No silly, we’re swinging over the edge of the water—”

“NOOOO!” I dropped the rope. “Hell no. That’s even worse. You want to swing over a damn cliff using this suspect as rope!? Cay damn, I trust you, but not with my life.”

“HAHA!” Cay laughed. “Finally, I found something your afraid of. Damn Aviry, both water, and heights.”

“No, dumbass. It’s the senseless death.” I crossed my arms. “Go ahead, Cay, you jump first, And then I’ll be glad to follow behind you.”

Cay shrugged and grabbed the rope. “No problem. Just remember to lay my eggs while you watch chicken. Man, I can’t wait to tell the others about this. I found a weakness—” I growled and snatched the rope from his hands.

I wrapped the rope around my right hand and charged for the edge of the cliff, and sprang into the air and shouting. “YOLO BITCHES!!”

WHOOSH!!

The air rushed against my face, and the spray of the water from fall misted my body as I clung to the rope. I ran my left hand through the water and smiled as the Adrenaline coursed through my body. This feeling was amaz—

“AVIRY WHAT FUCK!” Mia shouted.

My grip on the rope slipped, but Mia took control of my hands and held on for dear life. “Mia..” I sighed. “Mia, I missed you soo—”

“Bitch, you’re trying to kill us!!” She snapped.

We continued to swing back and forth. Our momentum was slowing down, and now we are hanging above the lake.

“No. No me and—”

“NO! You can’t swim, Aviry!” Mia growled. “And I’ve been wandering around in your dark ass mind for days, so I’m too tired to take full control. And honestly, we need to get some Christmas lights hung in here and cheer you the fuck up.

“I missed you, Mia.” I sniffed. “I couldn’t find you. I looked, and looked and—”

“Please don’t cry!” Mia said cautiously. “No more sadness. I was able to find you after your adrenaline rush made you happy. I just hate that it took this much stupidity to make you feel this way.”

“Aviry! I’m pulling you up,” Cay shouted.

“Tsk and our mate allowed this shit,” Mia scoffed.

The rope tugged us up to the top of the ledge, Cay reached his hand out, and Mia used the left one to grab his. He pulled us up, and I stood straight on my legs.

Cay smiled, “Well, that was—”

SLAP!

“MIA!” I gasped

“I’m going to sleep. No more BS Aviry.” Mia gave me control of my arms and shut me out.

“Well, ouch.” Cay said, rubbing his face. “You didn’t have to jump, you know.”

I stepped forward and kissed his cheek. “That was Mia. I loved the rush; you’ll see what I mean. Just try to keep the rope dry when—”

“Wait.” Cay said with wide eyes. “I wasn’t really going to jump. Hell, when you jumped, I fainted, and my wolf Arrow took control until I to came to a minute later. That shit looks scary as hell I’m not—”

SLAP!

“That was from me.” I laughed as Cay rubbed his jaw. I walked away from the cliff, and he followed behind. “On to the food!” I cheered, picking up the basket. Cay lifted me from behind and spun me around.

“I’m sorry, Mia.” Cay said, kissing my left cheek. “I’m sorry, Aviry.” He kissed my right cheek and set me down. “I know how to make it up to you, but let’s go enjoy our dinner.” We held hands as he lead the way to our next spot.

“This is one of my favorite escape places.” Cay said as we stepped over a train track. “It’s abandoned, so no one really comes around here. It’s not romantic but—”.

“It’s perfect,” I whispered as I walked ahead of Cay to view our new venue.

We are in an old small train yard. There are two train cars covered in graffiti and a metal shed piled with junk. The tracks are overgrown, with weeds and gravel covers the ground.

Crunching came from behind me, “Here, hold this.” Cay handed me the basket as he laid out a blanket.

“The sun has finally set. Now, just wait until you see the stars. They’re beautiful up here.” We both sat, and Cay pulled out a loaf of bread, a jar of jelly, and some peanut butter.

I smiled at the simplicity and passed him a butter knife from inside the basket.

“I hope this is ok.” He asked, cutting the bread. “My mom and I used to eat this at night, and she’d point out the constellations for me.”

He passed me two slices of bread, and I spread on some jelly. “My mom was amazing, so smart, and kind to everyone. One of the best things she taught me was to always see the good in people. Even if I had to look really hard.”

We swapped the jars, and I put the peanut butter on my last slice.

“But she warned me to steer clear of a black heart.” I paused and set the knife down.

“When I lost my mother, my heart broke. And when my dad brought Nixon home and told me what happened. I know my heart turned black.” Cay looked at me, and a tear rolled down his face.

“I tried to kill Nixon that night.” I kept my face straight and continued to listen. “I blamed him for everything. So I went into his room, stood above him, and strangled his neck. I wanted him to feel my mother’s pain. He needed to know that I was his going to be his grim reaper, no matter how much he begged for mercy.”

“Ha, but did he beg for forgiveness?” He took a bit of his sandwich and faced the forgotten tracks.

“No, he laid there, stared at me. He kept his hands and legs straight, despite his face turning blue and his eyes going bloodshot red. Nixon was ready to die, and that’s when I realized I had forgotten everything my mother taught me.”

“Sure, Nixon made a mistake, but his heart was still red. He still had some good in him. Be me? No, my heart was black, but there was a small red spot, hiding in the back corner. And that spot was my mother’s love.” Cay looked back at me.

“Aviry, I want to be you that for you. I know you have darkness in your heart. Let me be the hidden assassin that protects you from going too far into the dark.”

Cay wiped a tear from my face. “He pointed up at the sky. Do you see those stars?” I looked up and followed his finger. “Those four points make up the Scutum Constellation.”

“What is Scutum,” I asked, tracing it with my finger.

“It means shield in Latin.” Cay took my hand, placed it over his heart. The steady beating synched with my own. He slowly put his hand over my heart and relaxed his shoulders. “Let’s be the shield that blocks the darkness from each other’s hearts.”

“I’m here for you, Aviry,” he whispered into my ear. “And I’m never going to leave you.”

I gripped Cays shirt and lunged forward. I kissed his beautiful face and sobbed into his neck. He rubbed my back. And hummed lightly as he held me close.