Project Collin

Chapter 8

Avalon's POV

My phone rings from the coffee table. I pause the movie before swiping it off the table and answering.

"Avalon," a sobbing voice says.

"Mindy?"

"Come get me," she cries.

"Mindy, where are you?" I ask.

"Dustin...please, just come get me," she says. "I'm at his house."

"She's at Dustin's," I tell Collin. He's already on his feet pulling on his shoes before I can say anything else.

He grabs his keys, and we rush through the house. "Mom, we'll be back soon. It's an emergency. I'll explain later." We're in Collin's car before she can even think about responding. "I hope she's okay."

"It's Dustin. There's no telling what he's done," Collin says.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. It's pouring down rain, and that's only making it worse. I see Mindy's drenched self sitting on the sidewalk. I can't distinguish between her tears and the rain on her cheeks. I roll the window down as Collin stops in front of her.

She jumps up. "Thank you for coming so quickly," she sniffs.

"Get in. There's a towel in the back," Collin says gently.

"Thanks," she murmurs. She pulls the door open and gets in with the towel wrapped around her.

When we get back to my place, I tell Collin goodnight so I can talk to Mindy alone. "I'll call you later."

I head inside with Mindy and get her a change of clothes. Then, she pours her heart out to me. She explains that Dustin talked her into going to his house for a movie. Let's just say Dustin had no plans on actually watching the movie.

"You want me to tell Collin? He'll handle it," I ask softly.

"No," she quickly shakes her head.

"Are you sure?" I smile a little. "I know Collin's looking for one more reason to punch the guy senseless."

She tries to laugh, but chokes and coughs.

The next day at school, I'm talking to Mindy when I feel arms snake around my waist. I smell Collin. I giggle and fold my hands around his muscled forearms.

"Hey, pretty girl." He rests his chin on my shoulder. "Looking cute as usual." He kisses my cheek. He's perky today. Perky Collin is my favorite. He's so cute when he's hyper.

"Hi, CollieBear," I say using my nickname for him from years ago.

Mindy's face twists in confusion.

"It's been forever since you've called me that," he laughs.

"I like it. I think I'll bring it back," I say.

"Not in public."

"Why?"

"Because it's embarrassing!"

The warning bell rings and I pull away from Collin. I say a quick goodbye to Mindy before hugging Collin. A quick peck on the lips and a share of I love you's before we separate.

Lunch is my favorite time of day. Food is my best friend. Well besides Collin, who finds me in the line. He surprises me with a kiss.

"Enough," a teacher says.

Collin pulls away laughing. I smile at him. "Lunch is on me, like always," he says.

"You don't have to pay for my lunch," I say.