I am not expecting to see April in the kitchen but when I spot her leaning against the island a voice inside my head tells me that I have to talk to her. That's usually how a lot of things go concerning my secrets and April. Whenever she has a problem she always seems to actively seek me out…which is totally fine, I might add. I like hearing her talk. I even enjoy hearing her babbling. It's endearing.
When I have a problem, on the other hand, I usually just choose to ignore it. That is until I run in to April at which point I suddenly cannot stand the idea of holding in my thoughts any longer.
She smiles brightly as she spots me standing in the doorway of the kitchen. "Good morning," she greets. "Coffee?"
I glance over my shoulder before stepping fully into the kitchen, meeting her at the island. "Actually," I begin, "I was wondering if I could take it to go?"
She eyes me suspiciously and asks, "Aren't you waiting for Lexie?" I cough and rub at the back of my neck uncomfortably. Lowering my voice, I admit, "I really need to talk to you. Please."
April's mouth falls open in surprise but with a click of her teeth, she snaps her jaw shut and nods incessantly.
She spins around on the sole of her shoe and opens the cupboard above her. She quickly finds what she is looking for and takes out my own to-go mug and lid. She places them on the counter before rounding the counter and telling me, "Just…meet me in the car. W-whenever you're ready," she insists. I shot her a closed lip smile before she makes her way out of the kitchen, coffee cup in hand.
"Morning," I hear April chirp to Karev as they pass each other in the foyer. Alex simply grunts in reply but manages to raise his hand in a wave.
"Long night?" I smirk as I finish pouring the still hot coffee in to the metal to-go cup.
Alex runs his hand over his face as he slumps against the counter. "More like a long month," he admits. "These African kids are a lot of freakin' work, dude."
I nod as I reach past him to get in to the fridge and grab the coffee cream. Smiling smugly, Alex continues, "But it'll all be worth it once I get chief resident."
"Sure, Karev," I mutter, refraining from rolling my eyes as I put the finishing touches on my coffee. In all honesty, I just want this conversation to be over. Knowing that I was about to single handedly kill any chance I have of becoming chief resident makes my stomach twist in pain. Continuing to talk about it, with Karev of all people, was only making it worse. The only person I wanted to talk to about this was already outside in the car, waiting for me to do just that.
I quickly spin the lid on the top of my cup until it is tightly secured. "Hey, can you let Lexie know that I'm catchin' a ride with Kepner this morning?"
"You trying to get a leg up on the competition, Avery?"
"Um…something like that."
I scoop my satchel bag off the floor and sling it over my shoulder. "Thanks, man." I call out as I exit the kitchen and proceed to the door.
When I step outside I can see April tapping her hands on the leather steering wheel and dancing from side to side with whatever is on the radio. I smile at the ground, shaking my head as I make my way over to the SUV. April had always been a morning person. She said it was the farm girl in her.
"You ready to go?" she asks cheerfully, turning down the music as I slide into the passenger's seat. She takes the click of my seat belt as a reply and begins to pull out of the driveway. I had always liked driving with April. She exuded this confidence in the driver's seat that she couldn't seem to do in everyday life.
I am quiet for a long time, allowing the sounds of the radio to wash over me. April sits beside me silently but I can see her from the corner of my eye. The way that she rakes her teeth over her bottom lip every few seconds tells me that she is dying to ask what is wrong but is fighting herself to hold back, allowing me to reveal things at my own speed.
When we pull up to a red light, April reaches forward and fiddles with the radio, her hair cascading over her face like a red velvet curtain. Deciding that my best friend has been patient enough, I tentatively reveal, "I'm dropping out of Webber's trial."
I am glad for the curtain of hair between us that makes it impossible for April to see the way I snap my eyes closed and clench my fists at my sides. I breathe in deeply and release a labored sigh before chancing another peek at April. She has pushed her hair from her face and is staring at me wide eyed.
The sound of horn blaring makes us both jump and we realize that the light has turned green. April quickly steps on the gas which sends us both flying back in our seats. "But…why?!" she shrieks, the ability to form words seeming to have finally returned. "You've been working so hard on it!"
She was right, I have been.
"My whole life I've been accused of using my looks or my last name to get ahead." April reels back slightly and squints her eyes in confusion, clearly unsure where I am going with this, but remains quiet anyway. "And sometimes…it's true." I admit, resulting in a small smile from my best friend as she clicks on her turn signal.
"But this trial…I have worked for this. I have lived and breathed this trial these past few months." I turn my head away from her to watch out of the passenger side window as I say, "But so has Webber."
April watches me closely before turning her attention back to the road and asking, "And?"
"And… he deserves all the recognition that this trial is worthy of and as long as my name isn't on it, he will."
April blinks rapidly, "Yeah, but how would your name ruin…" Her voice trails off as realization crosses over her features. "You think it could win a Harper Avery." It's not a question but rather a statement.
"I really do." I tell her honestly as we pull into the Seattle Grace employee lot. She nods but remains quiet as she allows my words to fully sink in. She pulls in to a comfortable parking space and turns off the ignition. Her hands fall from the steering wheel into her lap as she shifts in her seat and angels herself towards me before asking, "Are you sure about this, Jackson?"
I open my mouth to reply but she quickly jumps in to cut me off and continues, "I'm sure Dr. Webber would understand. And I'm sure if the trial is as good as you say it is then the Harper Avery committee would still…"
"I've thought about it enough, April." I unintentionally snap. I breathe deeply through my nose and reach forward, placing my hand over hers. Gently, I confirm, "I'm sure."
"Then okay."
Despite myself, I smile back and squeeze her hand affectionately. This is exactly why I had wanted…no, needed to talk to her. I just knew that April would understand and would stand by my side in this no matter what happened. And, going in to a day like today, it was always nice to know that I could count on having her in my corner when it is all over. Having her there for me was all I ever really needed.
A/N: I hate this chapter. Like, seriously loathe. I had such problems with it and it took me so much longer to write this one than almost all the other chapters. Plus it's not even that good. So, I am really sorry for this not too great update but I hope you guys didn't hate it so much that you won't at least leave me a review ;) Because, seriously, they make my day. You guys were so great last chapter so thank you for that! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. Anyway, thanks for reading! Next up, the season finale!
P.S. So, as I've stated I am continuing with this into season 8 (and possibly season 9) but do you think I should make the new seasons sequels or keep them all here under the title "You Don't Have To Be Alone". Let me know your thoughts!