Salty Licorice

Chapter 50

Avery's POV

I'm so excited about my letter from the college as well as how my gift went over with Liz. She loved the ring and couldn't stop looking at it in class, I'm just happy she likes it. I'm sitting in my last class with Marisa who keeps snickering at the card Emily gave her. I lean over and snatch it from her hand under the desk and look at it. All it has on the inside of the paper is a picture of the football team all holding up the middle finger with Emily bubbly handwriting on the bottom saying 'Merry Christmas School Shooter from the football and cheer squad'. This is what they give each other for Christmas? I can't help but snicker a little too, but mostly confusion. I wonder what was on the inside of the card from Marisa. Then Saturday, the photo she took with me popped into my head and I turned to give Marisa a hard stare.

"You used me in your little prank on Emily?" I whispered to her.

"Maybe, it was funny. Didn't you see the look on her face? Priceless," Marisa snickers.

"I can't with you," I chuckle with a shake of my head. I hand the picture back and slump back in my seat daydreaming about my tamales that are waiting for me.

Once class is over Marisa and I walk out into the crowds of students all filtering through the halls in mostly one direction towards the buses or parking lot. We went to where we parked next to each other.

"Why are piggy banks so wise?" I ask Marisa who just rolls her eyes as a response. "Because their filled with common cents." I snicker that soon escalated into a laugh leaving Marisa to chuckle softly next to me at my childish behavior. My mood is so high right now, I don't even think a lecture from my father about homosexual sinning can bring down my mood. I tell more dad jokes to Marisa who minimally participates, well more like ignoring me with a few laughs as we stand there waiting for Emily. Since i'm her ride home because her new car is getting picked up from the dealers this weekend.

Red hair catches my eyes and I turn to her with a wide smile ready with a cheesy pick up line to ask her. But when she gets closer I notice a cold look in her eyes and I start to get worried about who might have upset her and I feel a tinge of protectiveness over her. I notice Leo walking behind her trying to stop her march in our direction. Marisa notices the cold look in her eyes and takes a step back with a curious look in her eyes.

"Liz, let's just go. It might not be what it seems," Leos voice meets my ears now that their at a closer distance

Liz doesn't slow down but instead speeds up till she's right in front of me, I give her a concerned look and open my mouth to ask her what's wrong but my head snaps to the side as a stinging feeling starts to take root on my cheek. I hear a second smack and know it was Marisa from the groan in her voice that follows.

"Fuck you both," She hisses before she storms away.

I put a hand over my cheek and look at Marisa who is mimicking me. I wiggle my jaw feeling it sore from the hard smack.

"What was that for?" I ask Marisa who just looks at me with her brows furrowed clearly just as confused as me.

"Avery," Emily's voice catches my attention as I turn to her. She brings her hands up to touch my face but Marisa grabs her wrist.

"What did you tell her?" Marisa demands in a cold voice.

"Nothing she didn't deserve to know," Emily spat back, ripping her wrist from Marisa's grip roughly.

"What lie did you spin this time?" Marisa steps forward, getting to her full height and looking down at Emily.

"I didn't need to lie, it was only the truth." Emily smirks evilly at Marisa. "I told her about the bet and that's all."