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Chapter Three ✯¸.•'*¨'*•✿✿•*'¨*'•.¸✯
The grave had been craved next to hers.
Sitting on the uneven wooden steps, Avery watched the Pogues bury the dead. John B had finally earned his grave. One that he won't ever see. She was only there for her friend, not for anyone else. It took Pope a lot to convince her to join their ceremony and Avery doesn't even remember how he did it. Since she broke up with JJ, the group had been distant, halved almost. Neither of them took sides, both just wanted to mourn and be there as best as they could. Avery appreciated Kie and Pope's attempts to be there for her, to cheer her up when she needed. Though, truthfully, nothing would ever be able to heal the big hole in her heart that JJ left her with.
"Hey, Avery," Pope's voice called out. The blonde was just about to walk away, leaving before anyone noticed. She pursed her lips into a tight smile and turned on her heels, watching her friend stride over to her. "Can you stay for a drink? Just one, then you are free to go. I promise"
It wasn't what she wanted to do. Plus, she had to finish her shift at work before closing. Her father had dismissed her, knowing she would regret not going and being there. Fighting the urge to run away there and then, she reluctantly nodded, "sure"
The two wondered back. JJ had disappeared inside, no doubt to get the beverages he stashes amongst John B's house. Kie took a seat on the stripy hammock, nodding over to Avery. Taking the invitation, she carefully climbed in with her. As the girls steadied the hammock, JJ returned with a small crate of beers. Avery wasn't the biggest fan of the brew but tolerated it, knowing it was the cheapest and most available option to them most of the time.
Thankfully, Kie took two from JJ's grip and handed one over to Avery, "thanks"
Silence laid between the group of friends. The only sound was of their bottles hissing as they opened the caps. Awkwardly, Pope broke the ice and spoke up first, "do you think the gold is still out there?"
"Yeah, wherever Ward hid it" Avery muttered, her lips skimming the rim of the glass bottle. She took a swig, scrunching up her nose at the sudden cold sensation running through her chest.
"At least that way it's still out there," Kie added, offering Avery a smile. She liked the thought that they still had a chance to win. "We need to do it for John B"
"It don't matter anymore, Kie" JJ mumbled bitterly. His blue eyes flickered up to the Carrera girl very briefly, afraid they'll stare for too long and find their way to Avery's eyes.
"I don't think this is it. It can't be" Pope frowned, glancing between his friends. They all looked back at him with different expressions.
•✿•✿•
"Hey, Dad. I'm back!" She called out as she walked in. Luckily the store had no customers at that moment, giving her time to recollect her thoughts and summon the strength to fake a smile again.
"Hey, out back!" Noah shouted back. :!3 was already pushing the beads away and stepping into the workshop out back. He looked up from the board he was working on, "how did it go?"
"As well as it could" She shrugged, distracting herself with anything other than the unwanted conversation.
Her father watched her fiddle with the tool box, sighing, "you can't avoid them forever, Aves. They are still your friends"
"Avoiding? Who said I'm avoiding them? I'm just not ready to move on and act like everything is okay gonna be okay" Avery argued, refusing to meet Noah's gaze. She continued playing around with the box, unnecessarily reorganising it.
"Avery, leave it alone," Her dad scoffed, a smirk tugging at his lips. He stopped what he was doing and grabbed an old rag to wipe his hands on. "It has been months, Aves. What is going on? I told you that you can't let this breakup affect your friendship. JJ was your friend before, he always has been. And I can bet you anything that he still is. You need to stop making it more complicated than it needs to be"
Avery hated that his words made her feel things she didn't want to. He was right, even if she refused to give him that. She huffed and finally leaving the tool box alone, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't know, dad. It feels so different, like I can't be near him without wanting to cry. I'm just not ready to move on or whatever, I can't help that"
"Well, at least, promise me something," He sighed. Avery nodded, not knowing what she just agreed to promise. "When you are ready, you will get your best friend back. Don't let anything ruin what you two have. Nothing is worth that"
Saved by the bell, she flashed her father a smile as he was about to say something else. "Sorry, got to go, can't keep the customer waiting"
After her shift, Avery waited for her father to lock up. She could have easily walked but she chose to steal a ride instead. The lights flickered off and Noah shut the door behind them, double checking that it was locked. Avery stared at the display that had been put inside, another vandalism had happened. This time Noah caught them, yet he hasn't said anything about it to her.
"So, those Kooks were back yesterday," He voiced, climbing into the truck. He read her mind. Avery followed in suit, hopping into the passenger's side. "I reported it to Shoupe"
"Like that's going to do anything. They are Kooks, of course they will get away with it. It's not even worth it" Avery rolled her eyes, buckling her belt.
"Well, he actually came by after I called and took footage from the cameras. He managed to identify two of them, and you are right, Kooks. And said that they are getting fined" Noah explained. It wasn't enough to stop them, it will most likely encourage them to come back for revenge but Noah couldn't not do anything. Especially when defending John B's name.
"Fines? That's like paying out their pocket money" The teen scoffed, a humourless smile on her lips.
"I'll scrub every board by hand as long as they speak badly on John B's name, Aves. That kid doesn't need more shit. Especially when he can't even defend himself" Noah's voice rose. It wasn't hostile. He was so sure of what he was saying and wanted Avery to know he was being honest.
"Fuck the patriarchy" Avery muttered, resting her chin on her hand.
"Language," Her dad warned, a smile playing on his lips. "Also patriarchy isn't the right term"
"Whatever" She shrugged, halfheartedly chuckling.
•✿•✿•✿•✿• Author's note! Oh, I love writing the tension and awkwardness. Noah has become one of the favourite characters. I planned on him being a lot more involved in the first story but never managed to fully succeed at that. But we really are going to stan him this time. He is such a genuine, supportive dad to Aves, and to JJ too, of course. We will see a lot more of him and the part he plays in the upcoming chapters. As well as seeing the progression, and drama, between Avery and JJ.
