By Alyssa4Jesus

Wednesday, September 16 – Avalon Jacobs

“You guys are welcome to come back tomorrow!” DK shouted at me. Yup, I actually went yesterday to another person’s house to hang out. Surprised? If I’m being honest, it wasn’t that bad. It was actually kind of..fun. I was thinking about it for a second as I laid in bed the previous day. “Maybe I should start reaching out to other people and stop acting like a depressed jerk,” I said to myself. I took up my phone and went on instagram.  I saw Zane and Thaddeus’s instagrams and I almost went to say hi to Zane. I thought about it for a second and told myself maybe it was best to stay away from those two. Then, I saw Hannah’ ig. I saw her artwork and I was impressed. I decided to reach out to her. 

-Leave_Me_@lone-: Hi Hannah its me Ava from school

I waited a bit and I honestly thought I wouldn’t get a response. I then saw a message appear on my phone.

hannah.of.greengables: oh hi ava

I was surprised. I went out and complimented her about her artwork and she said thanks. I told her I was also an artist and showed her my pieces. After a while I said to her that her pieces happen to be sending a message and the message I saw there literally shocked me. 

hannah.of.greengables: my parents are getting a divorce

it’s been rlly hard😔

 Poor Hannah. I guess we all have our own struggles. Then she asked me if I was ok. After a while, I told her the truth. 

-Leave_Me_@lone-: Ok. I won’t tell U everything

but Im kinda suicidal

She continued to ask questions but I just said bye. I placed my phone on my bed and I ran to the bathroom because I had a full tank. I came back to see someone sitting on my bed, their face blank, as if they had seen a ghost. 

“Adam? What are you doing in my room?” I asked. He looked up at me, I could see his eyes full of water. Never in my life had I seen my brother cry. When mom died he locked himself up in his own room for days. If he hurt himself I would see him fighting back the tears but they never flowed onto  his cheeks. 

“I shouldn’t have snooped around but I saw your message. The phone kept buzzing and I picked it up and accidentally pressed the notification. Why, Ava?” he said, in the calmest way possible. I completely broke down.

“Adam, I’m tired of my life. Mom’s dead, my kidnapper’s out there after me, I’m sure. I try to be open with my classmates but I’m just scared that if I put myself out there I’ll be rejected like the last time. He tricked me. FIrst we were best friends and because I thought he understood me better than everyone I passed my own limits. I feel so stupid, so betrayed. I miss Stacy. I really do. I..I-  “.

“Ssh, it will be alright. I’m here, calm down. I’ll always be here. I love you and I’ll never leave you, I promise Ava,” Adam said, stroking my hair.

“Thank you for being here Adam,” I said to my brother, clinging to him. He doesn’t say anything but kisses my forehead. I wouldn’t trade him for any friend at all. 

• • •

Now today, I was sitting in my room, still a bit gloomy and I saw Zana peeking outside my door and I half smiled at her. She came over and hugged me. 

“Cheer up, Avalona. Let’s go out. You like milkshakes right? I actually crave one now,” she said and I smiled at myself.

“Aren’t we supposed to meet up with Matthew, Carson and Nicky at the cafe?” I heard Adam ask as he peeked into my room. There was an awkward silence and seconds later everyone ran outside and Zana was dragging me with them. We met up with them at the cafe and ordered milkshakes. I saw Thaddeus and his girlfriend walk in, but wait, is that Claire? Claire from my old school? Thaddeus is dating her? That’s crazy! But, wait, they match each other actually. Both are jerk faces so I guess there ain’t much of a big deal in that. They both took a seat and I saw a waiter come over, so perhaps they were ordering something. Thaddeus looked up, saw me and gave me a death glare. I raised my eyebrow, smirked and rolled my eyes. When I turned around again, he looked astonished. Normally, that glare would work on anyone at school. They’d quickly look away from him, or move out of the way if he needed to pass but that wasn’t going to work on me. He better get his act straight. I’m depressed but I’m not stupid and will not be manipulated. 

“Ava, who’s your bestie? Me or Nicky?” Zana said.

“It’s me you dummy. We are Bessie Wessies for life!” Nicky screamed. 

“Where is this coming from?” I ask, with a smile.

“No it’s me!” Zana screamed. 

“No me!!” Nicky said, sticking her tongue out. It was so amusing that for the first time in my life, I fell off a chair, laughing. Then a short figure appears in front of me.

“Could you please keep it down? I’m trying to enjoy a moment with my guy over there,” then she whispered in my ear, “You know how I used to with yours?” I shake my head and snicker. 

“You’re such an idiot. Claire, right now, I really don’t care. Unlike you, I’ve moved on from him. I see you’re now with the baddie from my school huh? Thaddeus Goodwin. Wanna-be bad boy and his side chick.  You both match though, two jerkfaces. Enjoy,” I smirk and she stomped away, fuming with anger. Everyone was astonished. Thaddeus heard me and his face showed anger and confusion at the same time. I snickered at him and he raises an eyebrow at me. I couldn’t care less.

“You’ve moved on huh?” Zana asked. 

“Yeah, it was about time. Plus, I’m not having Claire beat me down again like she did last time nor will I let Thaddeus treat me like he treats the other kids at school. I’m pretty laid back but I can put up a fight,” I said, smirking.

“Applause, Applause,” Matthew says, raising his hands like the comedian he is.

“Isn’t he Doctor Goodwin’s son?” Carson asks. I nod my head. 

“I get why he’s probably like this. I hear his sister’s in a coma,” Nicky whispers. 

“ I heard she’s got some sort of cancer,” Matthew says. 

“I wonder what the problem really is. There are so many stories you can’t really-”

“She’s dead,” I said blankly as I sipped on my drink. They all go quiet. “I feel bad for him seeing I know how it is to have lost someone close.” At this point I look at Adam who’s playing around nervously with his spoon and I put my hand on his shoulder. “But! It’s no excuse to be unkind to others.”

“What about the other kids in your class?” Carson asks. 

“D.K’s alright I guess. She’s a risk taker though,” I laugh at the thought of how she’s got Davi nervous at P.E classes. ”I’ve been to her house a few times and hung out with her and Mae. Hannah seems cool, Maelyn’s pretty quiet, well sometimes. Aiyesha and Omari are a classic brother sister duo. Zane’s like Thaddeus, to an extent, and Timmy’s pretty funny I guess. My teacher is great but I’m too scared to open up.”

“Chin up, Ava. Everything’s going to be-” Matthew says, but accidentally spills Carson’s drink.

“Matthew Pablo Cunnings!” Carson shoutes, jumping from his seat, trying to avoid the mess. He picks up a baguette and runs after Matthew with it, Adam running after them and Zana, Nicky and I die of laughter.