BLACKWOOD

Colors

Ava ignored the stares by neighbors. Hazel's face of disappointment overflowed her head. She needed a drink. This was going to haunt her for some time. 

"This is the reasons why you don't come back here" she thought. 

Ava just needed to keep walking and she would reach the station to take her away from this place. Whelvery was a town with a distinct border. There were no wall but a river cutting the town in half. All anyone had to do was walk a couple of steps across the river and the differences were obvious. High raising homes stood over weaker ones. White and gold windows were replaced with boarded ones and the bright lights from country clubs were instead golden glowing street lamps. 

Ava hadn't missed the loud parties or drag races Downtown but the clean cut neighborhoods Up town were too quiet. The bus stop stood a couple feet away with the bus coming up the street. Ava collapsed in the seat of the hot smelling bus not caring if her head touched the stained windows. Closing her eyes to the rhythm of the bus falling into potholes in the broken road. 

When the bus began driving smoothly Ava opened her eyes to meet the picture perfect neighborhoods of Uptown. Thanking the bus driver she walked the 25 minute walk to her house. Her mom had no idea where she went once a year, Her mom loathed Downtown so Ava never told her the reason for leaving the house. 

Ava's house was a numbing cage, filled with everything Ava could ever want. Big pillows, soft beds and blankets, tall staircases with jeweled chandeliers. Wide arches leading into huge rooms that no one used. Ava loved looking at the house, but living in it was agonizing. 

Marching up the staircase Ava's mom greeted her. "Where were you so early in the morning?" Based on her mom's voice Ava didn't need to turn around to know why her mom was up so early. Her mom liked to think she was slick about going downstairs for a certain drink to boost her energy for the day. "Isn't it a little early for a martini?" responded Ava, before running to her room.

The thrill of rich life got old quickly, much to Ava's dismay. The amazement of a house that had lights that worked all day and water that wasn't burning hot or freezing cold. Making her almost forget Hazel and Emily. She didn't waste time moving on. But while she was moving forward on the social scale, she fell back on her relationships. Her simmering feelings bubbled underneath her skin every time she missed out on something with Emily and Hazel. And when she broke her anger bled out causing the rift. 

She stole old rum and whisky that her mother didn't want and dank all the feelings away. She wouldn't face the problems back there so she threw on tight shirts and worked out like crazy until she looked perfect to be presented to the higher ups. And like she expected she fit in. 

Evanger High school is an elite school only money could buy.
Money was nice that way. 

Ava could see her group at the entrance of the school. Thin pretty girls with boring lives and a ton of weed on weekends. "AVA!" Anaya yelled behind her. Anaya waved frantically, her high heels threatening to trip her. "Is that a new shirt?" Ava asked as they both walked together.
"Oh this old thing? Nah it was just sitting in the back of my closet so I might as well wear it"
"It looks cute." 
"Really I just think the stripes don't go with this year's trends, you know?" 
"Whatever, if you don't like you can burn it or something" 

"WHERE the hell have YOU BEEN?" Rebecca yelled, pushing Josie out of the way and marched full force to Ava. "I missed my bitch this morning." Rebecca's slim arms wrapping around Ava's shoulders. Rebecca pulled Ava close "You look hot hon, the shirt really brings out your tits, just like I said it would." Rebecca let go to glance at Anaya. Her blue eyes digging on the shirt. "Why the hell are you wearing that? It makes you look fat Anaya" Josie appeared again at Rebecca's side. Her voice barely a whisper "I think the shirt looks good on her." First period rang, students beginning the day. Rebecca didn't spare anyone else a look, only taking out her JUUL and taking a hit before letting the steam leave her glossed lips. "Josie, hun I'm saying this for the better, but the reason no one cares about what you say is because you talk so fucking quietly."