Fighting For Ava

*I4*

James' wide smile welcomed Jethro when he got to Ava's house. The stout man had flung the door open in excitement and took him in one big embrace. It was the complete opposite of what had happened the last time he came here. Jethro wished Gavin was here to witness the man's jowls dancing with a smile, he knew Gavin would have given the funniest facial expression ever.

As his mind wandered to Gavin, he thought of how sourly the boy would have missed him in school. Gavin would be having his lunch alone and trying to avoid the jeers about his best friend getting suspended because he fought for a girl.

"Sorry I called you that odd time. I got your number late from Lira." James' thick voice distracted him from the thought of Gavin. Even though James had wanted to sound friendly, his voice came out naturally rough.

"Not an issue. That's when I normally take calls." Jethro dismissed with a smile.

James beamed his pleasure and then his face gradually turned sour as he motioned to the table, "That's her food, she hasn't still eaten." He said in a sad tone.

"Where's she? At the back?" Jethro asked, thinking she would be where he had seen her the previous day.

"No, she locked herself in her room." James said despairingly and gestured as he led Jethro to a small, brown door, "Ava." He called but no response came, "Ava, open the door." He prompted but still no answer. He sighed and looked at Jethro in a manner that says, ' can you see?'

He knocked for the third time and then remembered to add what he should have put initially, "Open the door, Ava. Your friend is here." He announced and immediately, a rustling sound came up and James chuckled in delight.

The door creaked not long after and revealed the angelic face of Ava wearing a little smile as her eyes doubled on Jethro's in beautiful silence.

"Shall I bring your food along?" James quickly inserted, smartly utilizing that lovely moment.

Ava did not give a response. Her smile just turned to a shy one and it was Jethro who provided the answer instead.

"Yes Pa, you can." He said and Ava did not dispute that like before.

"Alright. Alright." James sang with a grin and rushed out of sight.

"You sent for me," Jethro stated or questioned as Ava pushed the door slowly wide for him to come in.

She still did not say a word as the coy smile continued to radiate from her face. And certainly, that was enough answer for Jethro. He was glad Ava was finally smiling. She was coming back to her pretty self and nothing can satisfy him more than that.

"Looks nice." Jethro raised his brows and bobbed his head as his eyes scanned her neatly arranged room. His room could not get close to it. Boys' rooms have a typical way of looking rough or more politely, worse than girls'. Rose would always taunt him with that.

"Thanks." Ava glowed, finally saying a word, "And sorry for the other time." Her voice sounded with a raised rueful edge.

Jethro's lips curved into a smile, he wanted to say something the first time but then withdrew. His head bobbed again and he squinted funnily at her, "Sorry for what?"

Ava locked eyes with him and she knew he was joking with that question, "You know it. I overreacted." She spoke in a way Jethro had known Ava Rays to do, sweet and soft.

"And I lied too, remember. A big lie." Jethro chuckled and as he talked about his lie, he remembered Stan had told him Ava lied to him. He had felt bad about it but now he could not. He had been the first person to lie to Ava, telling her he was Finn's cousin. And if Ava could forgive him and still ask to see him again, then he could forgive her too.