Aveline didn't understand what Avon said.
"What do you mean you missed it?"
"I missed it, I got the date wrong. No, I was made to get the date wrong."
sensing the irritation in Avon's tone and the condition of his sleep deprived face Aveline understood that he was not in a proper condition right now.
"First come in. Tell me in detail."
Then Avon entered and sat down. He closed his eyes for a few seconds as he remembered how much and hardwork he had put in and additionally how hard Aveline worked for him. He slowly opened his eyes and recounted everything that had happened while looking her observing her reaction. After he finished telling everything he apologized to her, "I am sorry Ms.Aveline. You put in so much time for my sake and helped me so much while asking nothing in return and I ended up like this. I...I will be careful to confirm things on my own from next time and not be so careless."
Aveline felt a sting in her heart hearing such words come from Avon's mouth. He was always trying to make things fun whenever possible during the classes. His shy nature was also obvious but he tried to hide it and she could notice all of that. But right now it was obvious how nothing affected Avon and he was just sad, sad about not achieving his objective. What she found even hurtful is how Avon apologized to her saying he wasted her time.
Avon was currently lost in deep thought recollecting everything that had happened.
'If only I had seen the date once, just once, things would have been fine. Why did I not do that. Isn't it obvious to be very careful about such things. I am always like this. Unlreliable'
Aveline who was looking at Avon could that he was blaming himself for what happened. She could not bear to see this state of his and realized something.
'I have gotten attached to this kid....It makes sense but, haha, spending time together everyday having conversations and working together towards a goal. If it was anyone else, maybe I would not have gotten attached. Because he is genuine, I came to care for him. He obviously carries a burden too big for him. He hasn't told me what it is yet but I can see that much. Yet, he maintains his composure and tries to be normal. Working hard towards overcoming the difficulties.....
I have been alone for so long ...meeting him multiple times coincidentally made me just a little curious about him. But he is such a good kid. Unknowingly I have gotten attached to him, everyday waiting for him to come, waiting for him to find jokes in little things and wanting to listen to his opinions on various things. The meaningful conversations and the nonsensical conversations, he is so good at both that I love talking to him. I want to always support him. He has become the light in my dark, dull and monotonous life. I cannot bear to see him like this. This devastated look on his face makes me realize how much I care for him.'
"Listen carefully Avon, this just a mere setback. If you start believing that everything is lost then you will lose everything. I do not know what time constraint you have but it is only six more days to wait for you."
Avon who was looking into empty space while hearing all of this looked at Aveline. He then said,"Right, I will tell you the truth but please keep it between us."
Aveline was shocked to hear him say that. She then straightened her posture to show that he had all her attention. "Tell me."
"So I come from a planet....." And so Avon recounted everything before her. From the point when she heard that his planet awakened recently to him ending up on Steela, she was continuously hearing the unexpected.
"Avon....I cannot believe this. I .....understand your urgency. Firstly, thank you for confiding in me. You have my unconditional support. Just tell me when you need anything at all. Anything."
"Sure...you have helped me so much unconditionally even when I had not told you anything. So ofcourse I trust you a lot."
"How about you sit here calming your mind. I will get you something warm to drink."
"Thank you"
Then she went into her kitchen to make something. Meanwhile Avon's mind was becoming a mess. He hadn't had proper sleep in a few days. Slowly the drowsing was taking over. By the time Aveline came back to give him the drink he has fallen asleep. She just gave him a look with tender eyes. Then she turned the lights off and put a blanket over him and decided to go to her room and do some work.
Like that it was almost midnight when she decided to sleep. She changed into very casual clothes and fell asleep in the hall, on the sofa opposite to which Avon was asleep.
Avon woke up in the morning because of the new body clock his body has adapted to. As soon as he opened his eyes he realised that he had fallen asleep in Aveline's house. He thought that he has been asleep for just a few hours. He got up slowly.
Hearing slight rustling of the blanket, Aveline woke up aswell. She looked at Avon and said," Oh so you're up? Good morning Avon. Did you get good sleep?"
"Good.... morning?" He then looked out of the window and realised that he spent the entire night here. Guilt took over rhim first and he quickly apologized.
"I am so sorry Ms.Aveline. I didn't know when I fell asleep. I...didn-"
"Shh, no need to worry. You have been working so hard so your tiredness and fatigue are understandable. On top of it, the responsibility you have, just carrying such a burden is very tiresome and you are working to overcome it. Come sit here"
Saying so she took sat up. When her blanket came off, he noticed her attire. She was wearing a loose sleeveless shirt that exposed her cleavage quite a bit and shorts. Her long legs and smooth skin were clearly visible. The shirt was short in length and her waist was visible too.
This was totally unexpected for Avon, he immediately looked up. He blushed a little but it didn't affect him much as at this point, that mattered very little to him. He was still down because of what happened the previous day.
Following what she said, he sat beside her and then she looked him in the eyes and said, "Think of me as family, Okay?Like your big sister or something.." She held his face with both her hands while saying this. "Y..yeah"
Avon hesitated because their faces were too close now.
"And why is your temperature so high?"