Everything is Due ; Nothing is submitted

Chapter 21

Aveline was about to kill her stepmom. She was once again bitching about her life choices at Davenport.

"I just think you should reconsider your major" Madeleine said as she at her dinner. Aveline was sitting across from him stewing in anger. "I mean Theatre with a minor in costume-making isn't going to get you far"

"Madeleine, we don't know that" Phillipe interrupted trying to de-escalate everything.

"Yeah, we don't and I want to be happy with my life choices" Aveline started crossing her arms over one another. Aveline also had connections and was talented in the costume design area.

"I know but you want something to fall back on when it doesn't work out"

"WHEN" Aveline stood up in anger. "It will work and out and I need you to quit bitching at me about my life" Aveline stormed off. Phillipe tried to say something but was at a loss for words. He just didn't understand why they couldn't get along.

"Young lady" Madeleine started but Aveline was already gone. Madeleine could never understand why Aveline didn't want to be like her.

Aveline stormed upstairs to her room. Tears started forming. All she wanted was to spend Christmas at her mom's but her mom was too busy to see Aveline. Aveline went into her room and shut the door and slid down. She grabbed her and dialed her mom. It kept ringing and no answer so Aveline decided to leave a message.

"Hey, mom I wanna um just say hi" Aveline tried to keep her voice even. "I really miss you I haven't seen you since July and I haven't spoken to you since August. I know we've both been so busy. Anyway, um just call me back. Love you" Aveline hung up and then just sat there.

She missed her roommates terribly right now. She knew if they saw her crying, they would handle Madeleine for her. Aveline wanted to call them but they were too far away and probably busy with their own things. Aveline then got up and wiped her face. She then lay down on her bed and scrolled on social media. She saw Evie's post about being in Paris and immediately felt jealous. She wished she was there instead of getting bitched at by her stepmom. Aveline then turned her phone and looked up at the ceiling. She then kept hearing something hit her window. "What the?" she mumbled. She got out io bed and opened her curtain and looked into the dark New Orleans night. She then saw a familiar face, Gerald. Aveline then giggled and opened her window. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to say hi and I miss you!" he called out from down below.

"I miss you too!" she was glad he was here now. He was not her roommate but he could still help her cheer her up.

"Well come down here I have your Christmas gift!"

"Alright Alright give me a second." Aveline contempt climbing down it would beat going out through the house and seeing Madeleine. "Screw it I'm climbing down!". Gerald looked at her in shock but smiled. Aveline then climbed down graciously.

"Okay I'm impressed," Gerald said in awe. What couldn't she do?

"Thanks, I snuck out a lot as a teen" Aveline remembered when Madeleine would impose a curfew for no reason to spite her, she would sneak only just to walk around. This is also where she learned her parkour abilities.

"Okay well here is your gift" Gerald handed her a small wrapped box. Aveline took it and opened it and saw a small bracelet with a hidden blade.

"Oh my god this is amazing" she put it on immediately. "I have your gift too but it's back in my room and I don't want to go back to get it. My step my mom is being the worse right now"

"Hey, not a problem we can go explore the city some I can call an uber" Gerald pulled out his phone.

"Wait no let's walk around"