Seeing Blind (Rough Draft)

Chapter Seven

 It was the day of the beach party, the one that Avery was set to catch Shane and Gemma in the act. But there was just one problem; Avery didn't have a ride. More specifically, she didn't have a license.

To get to the party, she needed someone to drive her who had their license. Yet, she didn't have any friends here.

But she was determined to make it to that party.

There was one person she knew she could ask, but could she? Would that mean that she would owe him something afterward? She didn't want to owe him anything. But what else was she supposed to do? Who else had a car that she knew of that she could ask?

No one.

Avery walked to 'The Fitness Zone', intending to ask Ambrose for a ride before she backed out of the idea. If she thought too much about it, she would. She wanted to take down Gemma and Shane more than she hated Ambrose Clenten and everyone in this God-forsaken town.

Her father was at work, taking some hours at an ice cream shop so he could pay the bills. He would never know that Avery left for a few hours.

At the gym, she saw that Martice was working again and walked up to her. Others were working too, but at least Martice didn't give Avery the stink eye, which she gave back.

"Hello, Avery." Martice smiled. "What can I do for you today?"

"Is Ambrose working today?"

She shook her head. "No. Fridays, Sundays, and Thursdays he works at Ollie's Pizzeria."

The name sounded familiar, but Avery couldn't remember from where. "Oh, oh okay. Can you point me in the right direction?" When you really want something, kindness goes a long way.

And Avery wanted to get to that beach party before it was too late. Like if Gemma and Shane decided to go sneak off somewhere.

"Sure. When leaving take a right and walk for two miles, then at The Dixie take a left, walk for a mile and you'll get to a dead-end road, once there, turn left, and you'll see a big sign for Ollie's Pizzeria."

"Okay. Um...thanks."

"No problem." She beamed.

She left and followed Martice's directions to Ollie's Pizzeria.

She got there in about five minutes.

Walking in, Avery was assaulted with the smell of cooking pizza, fried food, and cheese. Lots and lots of cheese. Avery's stomach growled, her mother didn't keep fried...anything in the house and she forgot the last time she ordered a pizza (maybe twelve?).

She walked further into the crowded restaurant, the place getting eerily quiet as soon as she walked in. She walked to the island counter, where she saw a waitress taking people's orders.

She looked stressed, a pen behind her messy bun, as she scrambled from side to side to keep everyone pleased. Every seat was taken.

Avery went to the end of the bar, and waited until the girl was in earshot before saying, "excuse me?"

She turned toward me, her thin face scrunched in concentration. "Are you here about the Help Wanted sign outside?"

What Help Wanted sign outside? "Uh...no. I'm looking for Ambrose Clenten actually."

"He's busy. He's not leaving until we close at ten."

"But-"

"If you want to see him then grab an apron in the back and pick up a tray, notepad, and a pen. Otherwise, get out."