Two Stars- An Auslly Fanfiction

Chapter 8

My brother has taken his title as my certified alarm clock by now. For the past three days, he’s come into my room and woke me up by poking me in the shoulder, so I can get ready for school. Ugh. I’d rather stay in bed forever.

And school…school has been pretty much the same. People aren’t making a point of teasing me, it’s not like kindergarten, but no one is afraid to remind me how abnormal I am. I’ve found the best way to avoid trouble, being who I am, is to avoid people. Which extends to home, too. I’m not talking to Sabrina, she’s figured out I don’t want to see her, and if she hasn’t figured out why yet…well, I’m making it a bit obvious. Everyone still naturally refers to me as “the wild tree girl.” I’m pretty sure few people actually know my name.

I’m kind of staying out of Austin’s path, too, and he gets that he shouldn’t cross mine. Which is good. I think.

As I get ready in the bathroom, I compare my morning routine to Sabrina’s. All I do is dress, and brush my teeth and hair. I’m done in mostly less than ten minutes. Sabrina, on the other hand, takes three billion times as long choosing the “perfect outfit”, styling her hair, doing her make-up. I wonder if I should be as dedicated to my appearance as she is. You don’t want to be like her, I remind myself. Everybody already hates you, anyways.

I’ve been walking to school on my own the past few days, but today, Dez and I leave at the exact same time, so go together. It’s kind of awkward, because all week, I’ve never had an actual conversation with him. And most of what I’ve heard him say sounds kind of crazy (probably why Eli loves him so much), ranging from earthworm hats to Siberian tigers. I don’t even…

Anyways, now he turns to me, and I’m wondering what insane topic he’ll cover today, but what he says seems fairly normal.

“You know, he feels bad. Austin, I mean. And he wants to talk to you, but he doesn’t want to upset you, he doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t know what to do.” Even if it’s fairly normal, it’s still making no sense. Why would Austin feel sorry? Either way, I know Dez is a direct pipeline to Austin, whatever I respond with, he’ll know.

“I’m…not stopping him from talking. He’s one of the few people who actually treat me decently around here.” Dez opens his mouth to say something more, but then changes his mind and closes it. We continue down the street for a few minutes in silence.

“Dez?”

“What?”

“Do you think of me as a ‘wild tree girl?’”

“I think of you as my cousin, from a completely different place. That’s not a bad thing.”

“Then why do you just let everyone-“ he cuts me off.

“I don’t have control over everyone, Ally. Austin is the only reason I’m not a Reject myself.” I nod.

“Oh. I see.” I don’t really see, though. Personally, I’d rather be rejected by everyone than be someone who mindlessly goes along with something evil. Dez seems nice, he’s just been mislead. But what about Sabrina? What about Austin?

At lunch, in the “Reject Central,” as Sonali calls it, Holly is showing me one of her drawings (I’d never seen one up close before, she’s really good) when someone comes up behind us and leans they’re hands on Sonali’s head. I can’t see their face, but instead of turning to look, I glance at Sonali, curious to see how she’ll react. But she’s smiling, I think she knows who it is.

“Hey, Avery.” Avery comes around in front of us. She’s a few inches taller than me, I can tell, with medium length brunette hair. She sits down, facing me.

“And you are…Ally” I nod.

“How did you know?”

“I’m a really god guesser. Also I have psychic powers. Also your cousins told me. I’m Avery, if you hadn’t already figured that out.”

“And where have you been all week, missy?” Sonali asks. A strange look crosses over Avery’s face for a second, but then disappears.

“Oh ya know, talking to people, making new friends…drama club, stuff like that. I’m a busy woman!”

“Mmhm…” Holly mutters, but Avery doesn’t hear.

“So! Which of you generous beings wants to donate to the Avery-Needs-Lunch Foundation?” Sonali rolls her eyes. “Hey!” Avery complains. “It’s not my fault. Leo forgot to go grocery shopping again!”

“Her older brother,” Holly whispers in explanation.

“Who’s reeeeeally hot,” Sonali adds. I smile, only because that’s probably the most un-Sonali like sentence ever. Avery makes a face.

“If you say so…but he’s a total…never mind. And sorry to crush your dreams, Sonny, but he just got a new girlfriend like last weekend.” Sonali inhales sharply.

“She. Is going. Down.” I laugh out loud.

“Good luck with that,” I tell her.

I wonder if Austin would fall into the “hot” category. He’s definitely…attractive…but I’m not sure what the standards are for a normal girl. I’m certainly not one of those.

“So, Ally, how is Miami treating you?” I’m sure Avery knows how miserably my life has changed, but I still answer positively. Avery is a positive person.

“It’s nice. Very different.”

“And you’re from…”

“South Carolina,” I answer.

“Lovely. I don’t go anywhere, so I’ve never been, but I’m assuming you like it.”I nod. “Cool. Welp, I’ve gotta run. People to see, things to do!” Avery exclaims jumping up, and dashing off.

“That’s Avery,” Sonali says, matter-of-factly.

“Yeah. I noticed. So, who exactly…” I trail off.

“Avery is everybody’s friend. Well, she used to be one of us. Then, last year, she got her big break when she auditioned for a movie, and got the part. Everyone wanted to know her, so she got to know everybody. I mean…she’s still friendly towards us, but now she’s friendly with everyone else, too. Even the people who would totally…”

“Basically,” Holly begins, and for not the first time, I’d forgotten she was there. “She has no time for the only friends she had a year ago. I nod in understanding.

“But-wait. You let her go so easily?” I question. Sonali’s eyes darken.

“Some things are best left alone.” I don’t understand anymore.

At home, after I finish my minimal amount of weekend homework, I go out onto the balcony for the first time. I most definitely would’ve come out sooner, but I couldn’t figure out how to unlock the big glass doors. Now that I’m out here, though, it’s really nice. The sun is shining, and it’s roomy, almost half the size of the bedroom.

I Wish I could just stay out here for the remainder of the visit to Miami. Peaceful, no one calling me wild, or a reject, or anything else reminding me how I’m a freak. The wind blows lightly, and nothing can disrupt me, I just know it. I’m so caught up in the beauty of the skyline, I don’t even notice him come up behind me.