Read Online Avalon by Lana Davison - Free Book Online Page A

And don’t say ‘it’s me not you,’ not that old chestnut.”
    “Well, Henry. I don’t want to go out with anyone, that’s all.”
    “Did you meet someone else?”
    “No.” But I had met someone who had caught my eye.
    “Why didn’t you say something to me in the holidays, or even last night?”
    “Because.... well because it was the holidays and you weren’t around and I think if you are going to end a relationship then you should do it face to face. I would never do it over the phone, if I could help it.”
    “Sit,” he said stopping and sitting down on a bench. “Talk to me. We don’t have to go to the common room.”
    I sat down and continued, “And it wouldn’t have been fair to break up with you last night.”
    My explanation seemed to work. He nodded. “You don’t feel anything for me?”
    “Of course I do. You’re Henry, my Henry. But I must confess I see you more like a great friend than a boyfriend. Please can we just be really good friends?”
    “I don’t know if I can do that right now,” he said not looking at me. “It’s not you, it’s me,” he said to himself, by way of explanation.
    “Not that old chestnut,” I replied light-heartedly.
    He smirked at my joke but also looked genuinely upset. “I’m not going to go to the common room. I’m going back to my dorm.”
    I nodded. “I’m sorry, Henry.” I hugged him, but his body was rigid and he didn’t hug me back.
    I let him walk away and I felt awful that I had hurt him. It would be common knowledge within the hour. I too decided to go to my dorm and walked sullenly to my room. Emily would still be in the common room and I was grateful to have some time on my own to contemplate everything that had happened. I flopped onto my bed and curled up.
    I must have drifted of f because I woke to Emily sitting at the side of my bed, shaking me gently. “Hol, are you all right?”
    I rolled over and opened my eyes. “Pardon.”
    “I heard the news.”
    “I knew it wouldn’t take long.” I rubbed my eyes.
    “Why didn’t you say anything to me?”
    “Oh I don’t know Emily. I guess I wasn’t entirely sure of my feelings.”
    “But now you are? I thought things were good with Henry.”
    “Henry’s a great guy, I love him dearly, but not like I should. He is a great friend, but I don’t want to be his girlfriend, I don’t want to go out with him.”
    “Fair enough. Do I have to set you up with someone else?” she grinned.
    “No! Don’t you dare.”
    “I won’t. Now come on, you’ve been in here for hours. Let’s go and get some dinner.”
    I yawned and stretched out then slowly got up. I was not looking forward to seeing Henry again, but I guess I was going to have to face it sooner or later. When we reached the dining room, many of the tables were already filled. I didn’t want to look for Henry but I couldn’t help myself looking for Leo. A part of me wanted to blurt out, I’m free, I’m not with Henry anymore , but I’m sure he would know by now. I would have to tread carefully.
    I looked at the food on display but today I didn’t feel hungry, there was nothing there that I wanted to eat. I didn’t want to bring attention to myself by not eating, as it would cause the teachers on dinner duty to ask if I was feeling unwell, or didn’t I like the food. I collected a tray and put some fish and cold salad on a plate.
    I followed Emily to the table and as we arrived she looked over at me with her big wide sorry eyes, having realised she had taken me to the table that Henry was sitting on. I wouldn’t mind sitting there but Henry might, she moved her head to the side as if to say ‘sit over here,’ I walked past her and sat at the end of the table next to Emily, who had taken her place next to Hugh, a good distance away from Henry.
    “I’m sorry about that, I wasn’t thinking,” Emily said referring to Henry’s presence.
    “Don’t worry about it, it’s fine.” Henry sat next to Leo, not looking my