#Chapter 43: Spark

Audrey & Third Person Audrey’s POV The walk back to campus was mostly silent, save for the occasional sniffle or cleared throat. Other than that, the only sounds between Gavin and I were that of our footsteps echoing on the pavement. It wasn’t until the brick facade of the campus dorms came into view that Gavin finally broke the awkward tension between us. He stopped in his tracks, his hands stuffed into his pockets, and turned to look at me. “Audrey, could we… talk?” That word made me blanch visibly: talk. I knew this was coming. I supposed a part of me had known the moment those pictures went viral, but even more so when I wouldn’t admit to Edwin that Gavin and I were on a date. Goddess, I had acted like such an idiot. I could still hear the way my voice had quavered when Edwin had asked if we were on a date, the way that I had floundered like an idiot. Gavin had to answer for me, all because I was too much of a coward to tell Edwin the truth. “U