Dear Gang Leader (COMPLETE)

Dear Gang Leader - 37

She had missed school for 2 weeks - her mind stuck on the book. Where was it? If Carl found it then... well it wouldn't end very well - she'd drown in pure embarrassment. Letting out a frustrated yell, Ava kicked out, leaving a deep dent in the smooth oak drawer. The bell rang and Ava calmed her nerves before going to get it. Carl stood at the door with a smirk on his face.

"Hey" He said.

"Hi. Aren't you meant to be in school?"

"Aren't you - for the past 2 weeks?"

She sighed.

" I can't go - don't feel well."

"no one does. Why aren't you in school Ave - what's up?"

"Nothing. Just cant stand school." She countered walking into the living room. Carl followed her, slumping on the sofa beside her.

"So what's up?"

She mentally swore. Why did he care? Stop Asking! it's nothing you need to stick your nose in! she thought.

"Morgan's asked about you."

She raised an eyebrow.

"What did he say?"

"Asked why you were bunking. Said he kind of misses your little squabbled."

"Little?"

"He said it not me."

"What did you say?"

"Told him to shove off or he'll get a taste of a Rider's fist."

She sighed. Rider - not really. the only people who knew the royal riders were down were the dreads. 

"Ava I'm sorry okay, I had no choice they were going to -" He stopped staring at me with something she had never seen in his eyes. Regret. 

"Going to what?" she shot back, eyes narrowed.

"It's nothing. So what's been picking you apart?and when was the last time you ate?"

"Don't know, don't care. I'm not hungry."

"You're kidding. Right?"

"Yup."

His face relaxed at her words so she decided not to tell him that the last time she ate was yesterday at lunch.

"What?!"

"Did i say that aloud?"

"Hell yeah! Right, I'm making you food you're gonna eat"

Reluctantly she nodded and sat down as he bustled around the kitchen. Five minutes later his cell rang.

"Get that for me please? In my bag."

"Okay."

Ava rummaged through his bag, finding his cell. She was about to close it when something caught her eye. The glossy navy cover met her eye and the explosive graffiti 'Avery.N'. Her stomach clenched and she finally realised where she had found it. Inside Carl's bag. Carl's. Bag. Had he read it? Did he know? Of course he did idiot! It's in his bag! How else would he know the first letter of her second name or about Gordon - no one else would be 100% sure that she was being abused. Her hand shook as she pulled it out, and what was once the only thing she could rely on turned into a weapon to others, full on her weaknesses - and it had fallen into the hands of the first person on her not to let read list. How had she become so stupid to write down everything? How?

"Ava? who was it." Carl walked in. "Ava are you okay? What's wrong - Oh shit."

He gulped seeing what she had found.

"Yeah. Shit." Was all she said. Her gaze turned cold again, holding no emotion - her walls were back up around Carl, something he tried to hard to get into; and he'd done it, only to destroy it from the inside. 

"Avery I'm so sorry, I can explain I - "

She waited, cold gaze unwavering against his terrified one. He didn't want to lose her, he couldn't. He lost the entire gang, yet she still held, forgiving. She was willing to help get the gang back and now it was hopeless. She was broken and he had made it worse. Carl realised he had no excuse. He shouldn't have read it, or kept it or even touched it in the first place. 

"Get out." Avery ordered in a harsh tone

"Please don't - Please -"

"I didn't ask you. I told you."

Her cold hard exterior didn't budge, gaze lost but holding nothing - no anger or hate, just... lost. He collected his stuff, trying to swallow down the lump that had suddenly appeared in his throat. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he shut the door behind him and headed back to school mindlessly. 

Ava sat staring at the wall, empty. Lost. And once again - Alone.

Alone...