Salty Licorice

Chapter 22

Liz's POV

Since the Homecoming dance was now wrapped up It's finally spooky season and I'm here for it. It's now Wednesday after homecoming and Avery has been acting weird since Monday at gym. To be fair I know the hickeys I left on her were still there and I'm sure everyone in the locker room got a good view of them. But she isn't the only one acting weird, I caught Emily and Marisa arguing one morning when I came in but then they stopped when they saw me. It's kind of annoying because I feel like the three of them are tip toeing around me. Marisa is obviously keeping something from me, while Avery is acting scarce, and Emily? Well Emily isn't acting all that different except for the fact that she has been monopolizing Avery's time since she's sorta been avoiding me.

I came in early to edit some photos Mrs. Carson took from Homecoming. As always the clay room smells of weed and Marisa is sitting at the wheel again, at least some things don't change.

"Liz," Marisa says when I walk through the doorway. "I need to explain some things to you."

"Yes you do," I snide back, seeming to be more irritated than I thought I was about the situation.

"I know we've all been acting weird for the past few days, as for Avery I'm not sure she's just acting reserved and self conscious. But why me and Emily were arguing the other day was because of rumors I've heard regarding a fabricated situation between Avery and Emily, and I was trying to keep it from Avery and you."

"What rumor?"

"It's just some fake story, nothing important."

"What's the story Marisa," I demand, probably sounding more angry with my accent.

"The rumor is about the E you gave Avery, basically the E doesn't stand for Elizabeth but Emily. The rumor basically is that Emily gave Avery the E in hickeys while they where having sex," Marisa gets out almost seeming scared of my reaction.

I'm not mad, confused if anything. Why were they trying to keep this from me, Avery I understand no one likes fake rumors about themselves. But I guess I kind of understand, because they took away the power I had with my temporary brand to Avery's chest and changed it with a different meaning.

"Okay, so what did you tell them the truth, that it's not from Emily but me?" I asked.

"No I didn't mention your name but I confronted Emily and told her to kill the rumor before it spreads back to you or Avery. But if she explained that it was you and not her then I don't know," She explains looking up at me.

"Okay," I shrug and set up my computer to edit.

---

I probably seem like a jerk but I just wasn't in the mood to deal with any of them so I just ignored all three of them for the next week. Marisa tries to talk to me in the morning but I just keep my answers short. I don't know why but I'm just a little upset that they could just push me out even if it's something that's about me instead of just talking to me. Then again I'm doing that exact thing back to them.

I'm sitting with Leo and Danny at lunch trying to think of my list of excuses why I can't sit with them during art. I'm starting to run out of ideas and I know they have noticed.

"Why are you giving the big three the coldshoulder again?" Danny asks, killing my brainstorming.

"Because they upset me," I admit with a lazy shrug.

"No offense but don't you think it's about time to just kiss and make up?" Leo adds into the conversation.

"Nein," I drag the word out.

"Girls are so weird," Danny groans before taking a big bite out of his sandwich.

"Stop talking," I hear Avery's voice catching my attention towards their table just in time to see Avery stand up abruptly, then walks over to our table and drops herself into the empty seat in front of me next to Danny. "Don't talk, just listen, I don't know what I did. But I'm sorry, please stop ignoring me," Avery begs with this adorable little pout and puppy dog eyes.