The promise.

Alone- Avery.

I got my grade back today, I failed again.
I had a C, my parents are going to murder me.
I tried so hard, but math never made sense to me, not like it did to Jace.
I walk down the crowded hallway, clutching my books to my chest.
The noise around me feels like a distant hum, almost like I'm underwater. I see them up ahead—Jessica, Nicole, and Lindsay—giggling and whispering secrets, just like they used to with me and Alicia. But now, it's different.

Now, I'm on the outside looking in. I take a deep breath and approach them, hoping today will be different. Maybe they'll include me in their conversation, or at least acknowledge my presence.
But as I get closer, Jessica glances at me with that familiar look and turns her back, shutting me out.
"Hey, guys," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "What are you talking about?" Jessica smirks and rolls her eyes.
"Nothing that concerns you, Avery."
My heart sinks, but I force a smile.
"Okay, well, I was just wondering if—" Before I can finish, Lindsay cuts me off. "Don't you get it? We don't want to hang out with you anymore."
The words hit me like a punch in the stomach. I stand there, feeling exposed and humiliated. I look down at my shoes, trying to blink away the tears that threaten to spill over.
"Yeah," Nicole adds, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Why don't you go find someone else to bother?"
I nod, not trusting myself to speak.
My throat feels tight, and my face burns with shame.
I turn and walk away, each step heavier than the last.
The laughter behind me feels like knives in my back.
I slip into the girls' bathroom and lock myself in a stall.
Finally, I let the tears fall. I feel so alone, so completely rejected. I think about all the times we used to hang out, the sleepovers, the shared secrets, the inside jokes.
What did I do wrong? How did everything fall apart so quickly?
Alicia and I were supposed to be part of their group and no they didn't want us anymore, especially me. Maybe it is my fault. Maybe I'm just not good enough.
The thoughts swirl in my mind, each one adding to the weight of my loneliness.
I wipe my eyes and take a shaky breath, trying to pull myself together.
I am not this outgoing, beautiful, chatty and popular girl. All the things I should be according to the family I come from, the house I live in. My mother.
And the person I most want to talk to about it, who would list each and everything wrong with each and every one of those girls would be Jace. Screw them, he'd say. Snooty bunch of hags. Who needs that? You are better off.
But he's not here anymore...
The bell rings, signaling the start of the next class. I take a few more moments to compose myself before stepping out of the stall.
I glance at my reflection in the mirror—puffy eyes, red cheeks. I splash some cold water on my face. As I walk to my next class, I can't shake the feeling that I'll always be alone, that I'll never fit in again. The hallways feel colder, the distance between me and everyone else feels wider. I take my seat in the back of the classroom, sinking into my chair, wishing I could disappear.

As soon as I got home and he saw my report card, his face turned red with fury. "You're just as useless as your brother was!" he shouted, grabbing my arm and dragging me outside.
"You think you can just hide away in that stupid treehouse all day?"
"No, Dad, please!" I begged, tears streaming down my face.
"I'm sorry! I'll do better next time!"
But he didn't listen.
He never listens.
He stormed towards the treehouse, and with a strength fueled by rage, he began tearing it apart.
He ripped off the door, smashed the windows, and kicked down the walls.
My safe place, my last connection to Jace, was being destroyed right in front of my eyes.
"Dad, stop!" I screamed, but he kept going, relentless and merciless.
By the time he was done, the treehouse was a pile of broken wood and shattered memories.
I collapsed on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. I felt like I had lost Jace all over again.
"Maybe now you'll focus on your schoolwork instead of wasting time up there," Dad spat before walking away, leaving me alone with the wreckage.
I crawled to the remnants of the treehouse, picking up a piece of wood that still had Jace's handwriting on it.
"For Avery, my little star," it read.
As I sat there, lost in my sorrow, I heard the back door slam.
Mom was standing on the porch, a cigarette dangling from her lips. She squinted at me through the smoke, her face twisted in disgust.
"What are you crying about now?" she snapped.
"It's just a stupid treehouse. You should be focusing on your grades, not wasting time up there."
I looked up at her, my eyes filled with anger and pain.
"It wasn't just a treehouse! It was all I had left of Jace!"
Mom rolled her eyes and took a drag from her cigarette.
"Well, maybe if you weren't such a disappointment, your father wouldn't have to destroy your little hideout."
Her words cut deep, and I felt a fresh wave of tears welling up.
"Why do you hate me so much?" I whispered, barely able to get the words out.
She exhaled a cloud of smoke and turned away.
"I don't have time for your whining, Avery. Grow up and stop being such a burden."
I watched her go back inside, leaving me alone with the wreckage of my treehouse and the pieces of my broken heart.
I stayed there, clinging to the memories of my brother and the hope that somehow, someway, I would find the strength to keep going.

I got a text on my phone, Alicia.
''Hey, Ave. I feel a little better now. Want to come over and watch a movie?''
I replied that I would be there in a minute. Hanging out at Alicia's house is always a nice escape.
Her parents are so warm and welcoming, the kind of people who make you feel like you belong.
The door swings open, and Alicia's mom greets me with a big smile.
"Avery! Come on in, sweetheart," she says, her voice full of genuine warmth. "Alicia's in the living room."
"Thank you, Mrs. Thompson," I replied, stepping inside.
The house smells like freshly baked cookies, and I can hear Alicia laughing from the other room.
Mr. Thompson walks by, his face lighting up when he sees me.
"Hey there, Avery! How's school going?" he asks, his interest clear in his eyes.
"It's going okay, thank you," I say, feeling a bit shy but grateful for his attention.
I walk into the living room where Alicia is sprawled out on the couch, flipping through a magazine.
She looks up and grins.
"Avery! Come sit with me. We were just about to start the movie."
I sit down beside her, and her parents join us for a moment, chatting about their day and asking Alicia about hers.
They listen intently, their faces brightening with every word she says.
The way they look at her, so full of love and interest, makes my heart ache a little. I can't help but wish my own parents were like this. At home, it feels like they barely notice me, caught up in their own worlds. When I try to talk to them, they often seem distracted, like I'm just another part of the background noise.
But here, in Alicia's house, everything feels different. Warmer. Brighter.
Mrs. Thompson brings us a plate of cookies, still warm from the oven.
"Here you go, girls. Enjoy!"
"Thanks, Mom," Alicia says, grabbing a cookie and taking a big bite.
I take one too. As we settle in to watch the movie, I try to push away the thoughts about my own family.
I focus on the laughter and the easy conversation flowing around me.
Here, in this moment, I feel a little less alone, a little more seen. But deep down,. I wish my parents' faces would light up when they see me.
I wish they would ask about my day with the same genuine interest, and listen to me like I mattered instead of oh, there's Avery .
I swallow hard and force a smile, not wanting to ruin this rare feeling of belonging. Alicia nudges me playfully. "Earth to Avery. You okay?" I nod, returning her smile.
"Yeah, I'm good." The movie starts, and for a while, I manage to lose myself in the story, letting the warmth of Alicia's family fill the empty spaces inside me.