A Ghost of A Smile

Chapter 5: Ava Strikes Again

.BEFORE EVEN READING, GO AND SEE THEJESSAGIRL'S BOOK. SHE IS AN AMAZING AUTHOR.

"What do you think, Lori?" I asked. She was lazing around on my bed, fawning over her newest boyfriend, Daniel, via text.

"Sorry, what?" She asked in a love-driven daze. I turned my eyes from my full length mirror to her. I held up two outfits. One was a white, eyelet lace skirt and black tank top. The other was a pair of skinny jeans and a sheer navy blue top over a maroon tank top.

"Which one for Saturday?" I asked. She eyed them both thoughtfully.

"Blue top one, it's a lot more your style." She answered, then returned to her phone.

"What's up with Daniel?" I asked. I said his name in a high-pitched, teenage girl voice.

"He just got done with lacrosse practice." Zoe said with a slight squeal to her tone.

"Are you going with him to the dance Saturday?" I asked.

"You mean the postponed-by-a-month Welcome back to school dance? He'd better be. Hey, will you come over to help me pick out what I'm wearing?" I nodded, posing with the navy blue blouse held up to my chest.

"Sure," I said softly. A knock on the door made both of us snap our heads up. Zoe trailed behind me as we went to answer it. I opened the door and Jason walked in.

"Hey guys, you will never guess who just blackmailed me into going to the dance with her." He said roughly, rubbing his forehead.

"Ava?" Lori gasped. I gagged.

"What's she blackmailing you with?"I asked. He sat at the kitchen counter, covering his eyes with his hands.

"Nothing you need to care about. All you need to know is that I'm her boyfriend until Fall Formal in November if she doesn't win the stupid crown at this dance.!" He groaned. I set a glass of water in front of him.

"Why does she need you for that?" Lori asked while absently looking at her phone screen. I snatched it out of her hand, giving her an evil eye.

"Somewhere in her hollow head she thinks I'll help her win. If she doesn't win, I have to stay with her until she does." He bit his tongue.

"Just tell her no, let her do her damage. It can't be that bad. Whatever happens, you'll still have us." I said, patting his arm. He looked up at me.

"You never know, Trin." I took my hand away.

"Can we do anything to help?" Lori asked. He shook his head.

"No way, just, suffer through it with me." He muttered. I ruffled his hair affectionately.

"Alight, if you change your mind..."

"I won't." I interrupted me roughly.

"Well then, Grumpy, why don't you return to the mines with Dopey?" Lori joked. He punched her playfully.

"Give me a break, I'm 'dating' Ava." he grumbled, and put his head on the counter. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I checked the screen. Travis. I smiled.

HEY, CAN YOU MEET ME AT THE CAFE? I bit my lip, and looked down at Jason.

NOT TODAY. GOTTA FRIEND TO CONSOLE.