Salty Licorice

Chapter 58

Marisa's POV

After Avery texted me she hasn't talked to me, though after not responding to her I wouldn't expect her too. I'm not petty but she just ignored me after Liz set us up, I cant even be upset with Liz about that either. Since I can't exactly be mad at either, I just feel like I'm in limbo. I understand what Liz was getting at, and to be honest it does hurt. Not in the way she probably was hoping for. I've come to realize a few things in all of this mess with Liz.

First, she wants to watch Avery hurt, but she just wants to play with my head. Two, she used me to get to Avery as well as to mess with my emotions. It's clear where her feelings lie, even if they're not clear for herself yet. I hate it, and don't want it to be true but the reality is that she has stronger feelings for Avery then me. In the end, she will pick Avery, and she should even if it hurts me in the end. But that's a conversation for another day, and a conversation that has to happen with just Liz and myself.

Avery has been quiet all morning and at least half of lunch hour. She just sits with a twizzler hanging from her mouth while she rests her chin against her fist that's sitting on the lunch table. Staring at my monster can, thinking.

"Does anyone else smell that?"

"Hmm?" Emily hums from next to me as she scrolls through her phone.

"Like something's burning," I deadpan while leaning down and moving my can over so I'm facing Avery head on.

Avery just flicks me off and sits up straighter. "Haha, real mature Marisa." Avery sarcastically smiles at me.

"And she speaks," I grin back. "You got a scratch on your cheek. That happened at the party?"

"Hmm," She nods and touches her cheek lightly before pulling her hand away glancing at Emily who is ignoring us now.

When Avery looks back at me, I flick my eyes in Emily's direction before meeting her eyes again and all Avery does is nod subtly at my silent question.

"Hmm, thought it looked familiar," I snark, noticing Emily stall while scrolling. "You meet the same cat Liz did? I think someone should look into getting it declawed."

"The same cat Lizzie did?" Avery tilts her head confused.

"Yeah, the one that scratched up her face and neck, remember?" I raise my brow hoping Avery understands.

"But I wasn't scratched by a cat," Avery's voice tapers off, before her eyes widen with understanding as she cuts her eyes at Emily then turns to look at Liz's table.

"Emily, how was the party for you?" I ask her, looking at her while Avery is distracted by her own brain.

"Fine," She keeps her voice soft.

The rest of lunch was uneventful, Avery was quiet and stuck in her head while Emily was actively ignoring my presence. She did however attempt to start a rapport with Avery who just wasn't listening to anything, Avery's thoughts were too loud for her to hear Emily's voice.

We head for Art, or more like I'm dragging a distracted Avery into the classroom. After the bell rings signaling the start of class, Avery looks around the room desperately as her eyes land on Liz who's sitting next to Danny like she has since the start of the semester. Avery gets to her feet abruptly pulling my full attention onto her and out of my book. She whispers something to Liz and grabs her hand pulling her along towards the clay room, my sanctuary. I get to my feet and follow them inside feeling confused and possibly territorial.

Avery lets go of Liz's hand and starts pacing while muttering under her breath. Liz looks at me as she takes a seat and watches Avery pace looking completely frantic if i'm being honest. She reminds me of Chuckie Finster from the Rugrats right now. I snicker at the image of a cartoon version of Avery in the Rugrats art form in Chuckies clothes. I'm snapped from my humorous imagination when Liz leans towards me with a cute expression on her face.