180 Degrees- Completed

Chapter Two

"Well that was an experience." Izzy smiled, pulling me into a hug outside. 

"What graduating high school?" I chuckled, holding her tighter than I ever had. Our families were talking around us, laughing and joking about everything the past 18 years had given us here and now we were both about to move out of state away from them all. They didn't exactly make it a hard decision. Not in the slightest glimmer of the word. I was counting down the days. 34 days, 16 hours, 27 minutes and 39 seconds. 

38. 

37. 

"High school in general." I laughed in her ear as we both pulled back slightly. "So did you ask them? About tonight?" I scrunched my face up at her. "Not happening?" A quick shake and her smile was gone. They were robbing me of experiences. They had done all along but these ones were hurting more than anything. It wasn't even anything major. Literally just a little party at a roller rink. They could come! It wasn't a drinking party. Those were happening this weekend all over the place. I didn't even dare to ask about those. "How long?" 

"34 days." 

"Are you going to be okay?" 

"Whilst you're off galivanting across Europe forgetting about me?" I scoffed. "Of course. I'll forget you the second we're in the car." She smirked at me as we moved away from the parents, walking over to the team to say our goodbyes like we had all discussed after the match earlier this week. We won. No surprise there thanks to me. She'd never admit it. That I made sure we won. But the team did. I never understood what Penny's issue with me was. She was even snappy at prom. Never like that with anyone else but me. I wasn't a threat. I didn't want to cause trouble. I'm just here existing same as you. It's your world, we're all just living in it. 

The chatter continued about school and plans over summer. They all had these big plans to travel, visit new places, see new things, meet new people. Mine was to finish reading my college books and get started on my papers in advance. Earn extra credit to make sure I got the best possible grades. To follow my parents to work as their intern for the summer. At least it was something. 

"What are you doing Vee?" The girls looked at me, grinning ear to ear with pride like they had been for the past week "What are your plans now?" 

"Interning this summer and then Duke." 

"That's a long way to travel." I nodded, pressing my lips together. 

"Yeah. No surprise visits from my parents." I smirked and the girls giggled. They knew as well as Izzy did that I was dying to leave home. "I mean I'm not counting down or anything but every second I'm here talking to you guys is another tick tock closer to me driving 800 miles away." 

"You're driving out there?" 

"Well. They're driving with me, buying me a car before they leave so we're going down earlier than we need so I can get acquainted and they can and I'm quoting here 'scope it out'." 

"Scope it out? Like they're sending you to a slum?" They giggled. 

"Anywhere that's not their house might as well be as safe as a slum." I rolled my eyes. 

"You're so dramatic Avery. I'm sure your parents aren't even that bad." We all stared at Penny who's arms were crossed. "I mean, if you were going to Stanford, like me and Ozzy and they were still being like this then I'd get it. But Duke isn't exactly in top place is it?" 

"Neither is Stanford." Izzy rolled her eyes, whispering beside me. I had to hold back a laugh as the group all started asking Penny about her plans there with him. Can we not. Not talk about the guy sneaking up behind her. His baby blue eyes shimmering in the light, eyes focused on the only person in the world who matters to him. Not me. Never me. 

I really am just background noise to him. An extra in the back that you don't even realise is always there, right behind you. 

She squealed as he picked her up. The sound going right through me and into my bones. God I wasn't going to miss that. 

"Hey girls." 

"Hi Edwards." We all repeated in unison, as we had pretty much rehearsed daily over the past 2 years that they have been together.

"What are we all talking about? Don't leave out any juicy gossip on my behalf." 

"We were just talking about how strict Avery's parents are." Izzy pulled the conversation back to me. I knew what she was doing and I knew why. Cheeky cow. 

"And then we moved onto Penny going to Stanford." I stared at her, raising my eyebrows. 

"Yeah but that's old news. We all knew she would get in. Where's everyone else going?" He smiled down at his precious perfect little blonde haired blue eyed girl, tucking one of her curls behind her ear before looking up at her best friend. 

The group recited their colleges over to him and he nodded. I don't know how I managed to avoid it but I did. I just kind of looked over, waiting for someone else to answer. I didn't want to. She might see it as me trying to change his mind and I'd rather not even risk it. This is the last time I'd ever see her unless we were playing against each other. I was waiting for that day. Maybe I can hit a ball straight at her stupid little face. 

"I should go. Thanks again for everything guys. Best of luck to you all." I smiled softly, catching Oscar's eyes as I did. Just for a second before I looked down at Penny, her glare burning into me. "Pen, I hope Stanford gives you everything you deserve." She looked confused. My words sounded sweet and endearing but I knew she could feel the hidden meaning behind them. She might want something, it doesn't mean she deserves it. She doesn't deserve half of what she's got. Not with the thing's I've seen photos of her doing behind his back. She doesn't deserve him and he deserves so much more.