Unsound (Horizons #1)

by Ashley Summers

Something didn’t sit well with me. I looked over at Jason but couldn’t get a read on his expression. This was clearly a coming-to-Jesus for all of us.

  When Michelle winded down, I raised my hand. I wanted some answers of my own.

  “Is that’s why you were scared I wouldn’t come back?” I asked, looking directly at Jason, “Cause you had the opportunity to leave?”

  “I wouldn’t exactly say it was an opportunity. More like, an information session,” he evaded.

  I looked at him and knew my expression spoke for itself.

  “I’m not ready to leave, Davies,” Jason said with a sigh, “this isn’t about you. I didn’t know that I had options before. I mean, I guess Michelle didn’t know either, but she’s taken it differently. She was ready to leave. She has someone out there in the real world. She’s ready to re-enter it. She’s been here longer than me.

  “Now that I know about this opportunity, maybe it’s something I’ll consider for the future. But I don’t know when that future is going to be.”

  “Ok,” I said quietly. He only said it once, but that was enough. His decision to not move on didn’t fall on me. Was I naïve enough to believe that was entirely true? No. But it was enough of a reassurance for now. And now I could help push him to the realization sooner. He shouldn’t expect to stay here until I graduated. He had to figure out his own life. And when he was ready to leave, he should. That decision couldn’t be based on me.

  “I think you’re more ready than you think, Jay,” I said quietly.

  Jeff barked a laugh, “told you, man.” Jason glared at him. I stored that exchange in the back of my brain to ask him about later.

  All too soon it was lunchtime and we ended our session with more tears and hugs and apologies but a feeling of finality. We weren’t going to be a group much longer and the threat of change lingered in the air between us all.

  EPILOGUE

  Julie

  We watched as Evan drove Michelle down the driveway and away from Horizons. In that moment we knew that a huge change was upon all of us. I was scared but I was also anxious and excited and possibly a touch of jealous towards Michelle.

  She was about to start this huge next step and I couldn't wait for that to be me.

  The night before we had a joint birthday for Michelle and Jason turning eighteen. I couldn’t help but think that Jason would be the next to go. As for me and Jon, I didn’t know what the future held for us, but we had to start thinking about it really soon. The idea was exciting and scary and I loved it.

  I felt Jon's arm wrap around my waist and pull me into his side. The anxiety and fright left me immediately. That simple gesture reminded me that no matter what, Jon would be by my side. I reached down and interlaced the fingers of my hand with his. It always amazed me how big and strong his hands were. Protective. I knew that I could always take care of myself, but I finally had people on my side to take some of that weight off of me.

  Yes, this was a new start for all of us.