It had been one week since Lisa threatened Avory and I can safely say that everything has gone to shit. I tried to talk to Ave when we got home that night, I tried to assure her that even if Lisa went to CPS, there was nothing they could do since our story was so set in stone, but she wasn't buying it. Words cannot express how badly I feel for her. To have come into a home, her last chance, and lose something so important to the one person she's forbidden to touch.. I just can't imagine.


She was taking everything to heart. When we sat down to eat dinner, every single night this week, she couldn't even look at me without getting a pained expression on her delicate features. My mom was starting to pick up that something was going on, but dad left it to her for the simple fact that he didn't understand the mind of a teenage girl. Avory assured her it was just problems with Jack, but having my mom believe that my foster sister is dating my best friend, that's rough. Especially when I know I'm the only person she's ever seen in a romantic light.


Things started going to shit at school, too. Ave didn't want to risk getting the officials involved, so she'd managed to make Jack agree to stay away from me and Cass. If I didn't know any better, even I could honestly believe they were a couple. And as if that wasn't bad enough, Rian started to feel uncomfortable around me and Cass because of the front we were putting on, so he pretty much ditched us to go off with Ave and Jack.


Now, it was Friday. We had band practice tonight, but I honestly didn't know if anyone would even bother to show up. This single incident had made us all so distant, so frustrated that we were actually starting to fit our new roles.


"Yo, Alex," Jack slapped me on the shoulder, tugging Avory along by the hand. "You ordering pizza tonight?"


"So you're actually coming to band practice?"


"We're not having band practice," another voice made me jump, but a smile came to my lips when I realized it was Rian. "We're having a movie night. Cass sent us all a text and told us she didn't like how distant we were becoming."


"You really are amazing," I shot a smile to the girl hooked to my arm, even though I could feel Rian's glare. "I promise, when we get to my house, she's all yours."


"Like you ever had a choice."


We all snickered as Cass broke away from me to walk with Rian. They weren't making any contact and they honestly seemed awkward enough to be ex's, not a secret couple. I didn't have to ask to know that she'd be getting a ride from him today.


Jack, however, let go of Ave's hand so he could run full-force towards my car. Of course he was getting a ride with me. I was grateful for the fact that they were both being seen with me, however, I kind of wanted the ride alone with Ave, just to reconnect. I can honestly say, I missed her.


"So... What brought this on? You won't even talk to me when we're at home, yet suddenly we're all hanging out again?"


"It's not just for us. It's for Zack, too. He deserves to know how all of this is turning out."
"Well, no matter how any of this turns out, I still love you, Ave."


She frowned, but that didn't stop her from falling into my chest the moment I extended my arms. My fingers intwined in her hair and I took in her scent like I'd never smell it again. This was what we both needed, a reminder that this was all for something, that we weren't killing ourselves just for the fun of it.


As I exhaled, a small smile forming on my lips, I let my eyes trail the parking lot around us. My orbs landed on a glare, one that sent chills down my spine. I quickly dropped my grip on Avory and started shoving her towards my car. We didn't need anymore problems, but Ave definitely didn't need to know that Lisa was whipping out her cell phone with a threatening smirk on her lips.

Notes

This is short and I'm sorry, but a big thanks to all those who commented! I love you guys!
AllTimeSloth
Maggie_2009
Barrakitty_Sel
Elzzo
Jack Barakat
Cassiddaayy_