Chapter Text
Avery slammed his fists on his desk. He looked at the Game Over screen. Maybe, if he was fast enough, he could get to d3rlord3.
When he clicked the respawn button, his computer blue screened.
“Dammit,” Avery whispered, holding back a sob.
He didn’t know why he played a freaking Minecraft game for 15 freaking HOURS to find someone he didn’t even know in real life.
He didn’t know why he got so attached to Derek.
Avery couldn’t hold back his tears. So he cried. And cried. And cried. God, he hadn’t cried like this in years.
He stumbled out of his chair and into his bed. “Why do you care so much?” He muttered to himself.
After what felt like hours, he checked his phone.
Amie Heathers
yo avery where r u??
you said you’d be at the New Year’s Eve party dude.
8:21 p.m.
Avery Mills
sorry amie, something came up.
10:55 p.m.
Amie Heathers
oh okay
11:58 p.m.
“Avery?” His sister, Ivette, called out. “You wanna watch the ball drop?” Even though Ivette and his mother were only staying for New Years, he didn’t want to spend time with them.
Avery opened his mouth to talk but nothing came out. He felt weak. Avery didn’t eat for 15 hours.
Maybe that book in the church was right, maybe he was nothing.
”Avery?” Ivette called out again, this time opening the door to his room. She frowned, “Aves, you there?” All Avery could do was hum. God, he felt weak.
Ivette walked over to his bed and sat down. “Avery, what’s wrong? You’re never like this,” She asked. Honestly, he didn’t even know why he was crying over someone he didn’t even know.
Actually, he knew why he was. It was because that stranger warned him. That stranger saved his life. “I’m… I’m a horrible person, Ivette,” He hoarsely said. “No you’re not. You’re a good person. I’ve seen how you always hold the door for people, how you always are kind, even when people really piss you off. Even when…” She trailed off, “Even when dad died, you were kind to us. You didn’t crash out on us like I did.” She finished.
And then the tears came running down his face. “Oh… Avery,” Ivette whispered. “You want me to go?”
He nodded.
Ivette left the room looking concerned.
He didn’t leave his room until the next morning.
—
Avery walked into the kitchen. He knew his eyes were red, as he had been crying most of the night. “Good morning, Avery,” Ivette warmly said. “Are you good?” She asked.
”…Yeah! I’m-I’m good!” He lied. He’s a liar. He’s a horrible person.
If Ivette didn’t believe him, she didn’t show it. “That’s good. Me and mom will probably start going at 12:30 p.m. Thanks for having us, Aves.” Ivette replied.
”Yeah, you’re welcome,” Avery said, not looking at her eye to eye.