Shout

Chapter Twenty Two - Channelling the Inner Avery

Avery and I were currently getting dressed to go out. It had been such a stressful last couple weeks with everything that had happened with Aaron and my mother that I just wanted one carefree evening. Avery texted Nathan and he said he'd meet us at the bar. It was a new bar but Aaron hated trying new places so I still checked it off as an Olivia friendly establishment.

I was contemplating texted Alexander. It had been a couple days of not much contact and I didn't want to bother him. I had never initiated a hang out with him and I was nervous about rejection. Not that there was anything to reject. We were just friends.

"Just text him," Avery encouraged.

I loved her blunt nature. I wished I could take the bull by the horns like she did. She liked Nathan and so she asked him out. She felt that she loved him and just told him. She didn't wait for anyone to take a step, she just lead with her heart.

"I'm sure he's busy," I murmured as I put some eyeshadow on attempting a subtle smoky eye. I leaned back and compared both eyes before going in with some eyeliner to make a cat eye.

"You won't know unless you ask him. He's asked you plenty of times. It's not like he doesn't enjoy your company, clearly." Avery was wearing a strapless black dress that hugged her curves and some strappy heels that accentuated her long, toned legs.

I walked over to the floor length mirror to take in my outfit. The long sleeved, pale coloured, velvet dress rested mid thighs and had a slightly plunging neckline. I glanced down at my nude pumps. It was more risqué than I would usually wear but I agreed to let Avery be my guidepost and this is what she chose - modest in her opinion.

I pulled my phone out and unlocked it before typing a message.

Olivia: hey, are you busy tonight?

I sat down on the edge of the bed as I placed my phone next to me. I wondered what he was up to. I'm sure he wouldn't answer right away. I'm sure he had plans tonight. My brain flooded with a million reasons he wouldn't show up tonight. My phone buzzed next to me.

Alexander: kind of have plans to see this girl who's ghosting me

Olivia: oh, I'm sorry!

My stomach knotted up as Alexander talked about his relationship status. I wondered who the girl he was doting after was. Did he talk to her about me? What would he say? That I was the odd, quiet girl who let people walk all over her and reminded him of his sister?

Alexander: I'm taking it pretty hard here. I'm trying to give her space, but then again, she's a relish on a hot dog type of girl so maybe I should reconsider

Olivia: I am not ghosting you

Alexander: ;)

Olivia: well, if you're not busy, Avery and I are going to McCormick's bar

Alexander: I know, Nathan already told me and I'm getting ready to head out

Olivia: don't text and ride

Alexander: you gotta live a little

I threw my phone on the bed next to me, grinning like an idiot.

"I take it he's coming?" Avery asked, her eyes glinting with humour.

I cleared my throat and got up, smoothing my dress down, "Yeah." Avery laughed.

We headed out the door and began to drive to the bar in Avery's car, but not before Tommy tried to convince us that he could pass as a twenty one year old.