The Girl Who Never Spoke

Chapter Eight

    Dancing with Rory wasn't entirely too bad. Sure I may have stepped on his feet more than once, and he kinda stared at me, but overall, it wasn't awful. And nothing is awkward so that helps. Now it's time for the real challenge; my first sleepover in years.

    As soon has the dance ended, we all piled into Mrs. Calloway's car and we all returned to Rowan and Rory's house. As soon as we step foot inside Rowan announces "ALRIGHT RORY! This is my sleepover, so for the time being, Renée is my friend, got it?"
Poor Rory, he just shook his head, looking terrified of his sister. Just then, Rowan turned to me (with a huge smile plastered across her face), grabbed my wrist, and practically dragged me up the stairs. We walked down a hall until she stopped us in front of a door with a sign reading "Rowan's fabulous Room" And then we walked inside. All I can say is that her room is as bubbly as she is. It's bright blue with pictures of her family and friends all around. There are little trinkets all over the place, obviously making this place her own.

"Okay!," Rowan chirped, " let's start doing sleepover stuff!" I looked at her for a minute before I spoke. "About that, you see," I was about to tell her that I couldn't do this and I wanted to go home, but between her face looking so confused, Matts words of me not hiding, and my subconscious knowing dad would want me to be doing normal teenage stuff, I was stopped in my tracks. I continued my sentence, "this is my first sleepover in a long time, and I don't recall much about the previous ones, so tell me if I'm doing anything wrong."

She practically exploded with cheer. "OF COURSE! By the end of this sleepover you'll be an average teenage girl!"

And let me tell you, she took this seriously. Very seriously. We started with swimming, then dinner, changed into pjs and watched a movie (popcorn included), and finally we sat down to paint our nails and talk. This is where I was nervous. I started the conversation. "Sooooo, what exactly are we gonna talk about."

She paused, obviously thinking through her answer and replied. "Look, I know I'm kinda forcing you to be my friend here, but you look lonely and sad, I want to be your friend. I want to help. But to help, you're gonna have to spill. You have to tell me what's going on in your life. And I swear I won't tell a soul, not even Rory."

I sighed, this girl could be so persuasive. "Alright, I'll start with the basics. My name is Renée Zoë Avery. My father died when I was ten, but he was one of the greatest influences on my life, and he still is. My mother is never around. She's always out drinking, and I gotta admit, I worry. My older brother, who I love to death, is away at military school. I practically raise myself. I love photography and Broadway Musicals, especially Hamilton. And when my dad died, I basically cut myself out of the world. And as much as I wish I didn't, I might need a friend to help me with whatever mess I'm in, to make me laugh, but someone who will, most of all, let me help them, so I feel needed. There that is who I am." I was near tears. And apparently so was Rowan.

"I am so sorry." She gasped. "I had no idea. But I promise to be that friend. I will be your best friend. I'll help you whenever you need it, I'll let you help me. We will hang out and have fun. But just to clarify, I'm not a pity friend. I'm a best friend. So enough depressing stuff. Let's have a dance party!!"

And that's exactly what we did. And we danced until exactly 4:48am. It was also the best night of my life. But as I've learned so many times in my little life, happiness doesn't last forever.

•••

The next morning was pretty great too, we woke up at noon and ate chocolate chip pancakes. And then we played volleyball. Later, when we were just relaxing, my phone rang. I picked up.

"Hello is this Renée Avery?"

"Yes, how may I help you?"

"This is West Wing City Hospital, we are calling about your mother, Lucy Avery."

"What about her?", I squeaked out.

"She has passed away, I'm so sorry."

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Hey! I'm really sorry for this being my first Author's note! But I really hope you guys like my book and I apologize for the cliff hanger! Also I'd like to thank the-forgotten-path  for reminding me to update and helping me with ideas! She's the best (so I suggest checking out her book bc it is AMAZING!) And one more thing; do you guys have any unanswered questions at this point. Anything about the characters I should add in? If so, feel free to let me know! Xoxo- Abby <3