Despite the back turned to her as Avery approached she was easily able to recognise James and she sighed internally. She’d seen him walking away from her after a slung insult too many times to now know what he looked like from behind. Which was a sad fact. Internally she was debating the best course of action. Most of her wanted to ignore him, so she raised her head, holding it high and staring straight ahead as she walked right past him, however as she re-entered the rain her footsteps slowed until they eventually came to a stop and she sighed internally again.

Turning very slightly the girl cast a look over her shoulder to look at him. He looked miserable. She knew this should cause her some sort of happiness, schedenfreude if her German class was to be believed, which essentially translated to ‘taking pleasure in the suffering of others’. But all she felt was sympathy. Hell it would take a lot for James to avoid hurling an insult at her. Sighing once more, externally this time she turned and walked back towards him and stood before the boy, holding her umbrella out to him as she stared at the ground.

“Take it.” She insisted. The rain had been forecast to last all day, so he’d either be stuck here all day or he’d get soaked going home and whilst she understood some people enjoyed that kind of thing personally she hated the rain getting on her. “Go on, I’ve got a raincoat on anyway.” Avery continued, not really knowing if he’d take the offering or not. They’d never really been in a situation like this before and she wondered how proud he was. Worst case she could always just leave the umbrella and walk away, hoping he’d have the decency to take it and not leave it there for someone to steal.