I'll look after you

08

-A S H E R-

After a fun night at Spencer's house, I decided to call it a night. I said my goodbyes to everyone and decided to walk since I got here with Roman. The night was quiet, just me and the sounds of my footsteps on the sidewalk.

On the walk home, I replayed the night in my mind. Especially the hug that I had with Spencer, in the kitchen. I could still feel the warmth of her arms around me, like some part of her was still there. It had only lasted for five seconds.

Yes, I counted.

But those five seconds felt more real than anything else last night. I shook my head at myself, counting seconds how desperate did that make me?.

But I didn't care.

When I finally arrived home, I opened the door quietly and slipped inside. Kicking off my shoes and jacket. The sounds of the TV drifted from the living room. I could hear my mom laughing about something my dad said.

"Hi, guys." I called out, as I walked in the living room where my parents and Ava sat.

My parents looked up and smiled, but Ava just glanced at me with that familiar glare. Her expression immediately hardening. I wasn't expecting much from her, since we moved here she barely talked to me.

"Did you have a good time, honey?" My mom asked me, as I sat next to her. "Yeah, I did."

Ava rolled her eyes and went on her phone. "What did you guys do today?" I asked everyone.

My mom gave me a warm smile, grateful that I was trying to start a conversation. "Your mom and I worked all day on the garden." My dad replied.

"That's nice, what about you baby sis?" I asked Ava, naming her by the nickname I use since we were young.

Ava just glared at me. "Homework." She answered flatly. I smiled at her "well if you need help, let me know."

She looked up from her phone, her face sharp. "I actually need your help getting out of this town. Since everything is your fault, why don't you fix that first?"

I sighed and tried to keep my composure, knowing what's going to happen. "I know moving here has been hard for you. So has it been for me, I didn't mean any for this to happen."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Is being the captain of your soccer team and having fun with your friends really that hard?" The sarcasm dripped from her voice, each word laced with bitterness.

"I'm sorry, if you think this is my fault. But seriously just grow up, Ava. You're fifteen act like it."

"But it is your fault." She shot back, her voice rising. "If you weren't such a crybaby about Xavier's death, we wouldn't have to move."

"Ava, that's enough." My dad's voice boomed from across the room, but the damage was already done.

A knot started to form in my stomach, the familiar ache of loss twisting tighter as her words cut deep.

"Why do you always take his side?" Ava frowned, her voice dripping with bitterness.

"Ava, I said enough." My dad warned her, his tone firm but laced with concern. He tried to calm her down, by putting his hands on her shoulder.