Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 136 Walk Away

* James*

Today, Jonah and Casey came to visit and stay with me while Nate attends a therapy appointment with Dr. Tremont. Julia and Paul are in one of her mandatory sessions, and I cannot be alone, though it does not seem like Jonah or Casey mind being here.

"Aww, I missed you, Maggie!" Casey says with excitement while getting my dog all riled up. "How are you doing, James?" 

"I'm ok. I actually don't mind it here." I admit. Jonah lifts my cup of coffee for me without me needing to ask. I'm grateful for the people who surround me who know how to care for me.

"Yeah. This apartment is nice." She ruffles up Maggie's fur, and the dog licks her cheek.

"It is. I mean the Avalon part, though. I don't mind being here at the Avalon. I go to most of the sessions, and Trevor sometimes brings me to the library and helps with my books so I can read. Julia brings me to the gym, and I try to pop in to visit with Nate's sister."

"You do? You see Cara?" Jonah raises his eyebrows.

"Yeah. Someone has to. Nate sure as hell doesn't." I scoff.

"It's hard for him." Jonah defends Nate, and I get it. Which is why I don't mind spending the time with Cara.  It's just something to break up the monotony for her. "But that's really kind of you, James."

Our casual conversation is interrupted when someone bangs on the Avalon door persistently, and Maggie barks.

"What the hell?" Jonah gets up and heads to the door.

"C'mon Maggie. Let's go outside." Casey whisks the barking dog away to the backyard before Jonah answers. 

Julia storms into her apartment, clearly distraught and hightails it to her bedroom without saying a word to any of us. 

Trailing behind Julia is Paul, Nate, Jeremy, and Trevor, all with defeated expressions on their faces.

"Guys..." Jonah looks at the four of them, demanding an explanation. They all shrug.

"I don't know what happened." Nate begins. His face is sad, tear stained with red watery eyes. Whatever he was talking about in his counseling session with Trevor was difficult and emotional.

"She hugged me, and then... just.... left. Without saying one thing." Nate heads to the bedroom door. It's locked. I tense up, afraid Julia may be having one of her manic episodes. Nate tries to get Julia to unlock the door with no luck, so I decide to take a whirl at it. 

"Babe, can you open the door?" I ask calmly, knowing Julia is already wound up and doesn't need everyone else to be as well.

But Julia doesn't bite the bait.

"Moretti, seriously. Open the door." Paul tries and fails as well.

"I don't know, maybe she needs to talk to someone she hasn't... been with." I glance over at Jonah and Trevor. Jonah sighs, reluctant to get involved but aware of his obligation to help Julia. He approaches the bedroom door.

"Julia, can you open the door and let me in? Everyone is worried about you. I just want to talk." He doesn't but is willing to for us all.

To our surprise, the door eventually cracks open. Jonah slips in and closes the door behind him. I scratch my jaw and feel myself becoming a bit anxious, and Trevor quickly picks up on it.

"It's ok." He says lowly while Paul and Nate are busy talking to each other. "This is the stuff you need to get used to. Just like what we've been studying in the library."