Torn

Chapter One

I woke up earlier than I'm used to, but I wanted to spend every minute that I had left with my sister as I could. I rolled out of bed, got dressed, put my hair in a bun, and brushed my teeth. I made my way to Avery's room to wake her up, but she wasn't there. Which was odd, she's never awake this early either. There was a note on her bed, "Ava, I went to the mall with Neeko. Meet me there as soon as you read this. Xo, Avery." The mall? I hate the mall, I was hoping we could go on our daily walk and then grab something to eat. I don't wanna go to the mall and third-wheel my last day in New York with her and Neeko.

As I was outside waiting for an uber, I called Avery.

"Why are we meeting at the mall? I wanted to go on our walk."

"Ava, it's your last day in New York and you wanna walk? For hours? That's super lame. I promise, you'll have fun at the mall!"

"Okay, I trust you. I'll be there soon, I'm waiting for the uber."

"Okay, see you when you get here." She made a kissing noise and hung up.

When I arrived to Manhattan mall, I saw Avery standing outside the doors with her boyfriend, Neeko. Sometimes I get mad at Avery for dating him, because I liked him way before she did and she knows that. She took it upon herself one day to ask him out, not because she liked him, but because she was mad at me, and it worked. Now they've been together for two years. Two long miserable years watching them fall in love while I was left lonely and single. I never got how Avery got all the boys to gawk over her, when I couldn't get one. I mean, we're freaking identical twins! It could be that she dresses a little on the more revealing side, while I dress in lounge clothes all the time.

After Avery and Neeko greeted me, we walked inside. There was way too many people here, I felt myself starting to have an anxiety attack. I don't do too well with people or crowded places in general. We made our way to the middle of the mall where people were just standing around, which was pretty odd to me. Then, all of a sudden, they all screamed "SURPRISE!"

"Avery, what is this all about?" I asked her, raising an eyebrow.

"This is all for you, sis. I decided to throw you a little going away party. You deserve it." She hugged me real tight.

I started to tear up, I wasn't expecting anything like this at all. How did she get all these people to agree to come to this thing? Also, how did she keep this a secret? She's terrible at keeping secrets.

"Thank you so, so much. This is the greatest thing ever. You're the best sister ever." I smiled at her.

"I'm your only sister, babe."

We continued to mingle with some of the people before I decided to go shopping for a couple of things for California. Then I enjoyed the last hour that I could with my sister. When we got to the airport, I swear there was a magnetic force keeping us together. Why couldn't she come with us? Did our parents not care that they were splitting up lifelong best friends?! I walked into the airport with my dad and we went through security and all that good stuff.

"Dad, I don't see why you're making Avery stay here in boring New York, while I'm living my life having fun without her in California. Do you not care about our feelings?"

"Ava, you'll see that this is going to be good for you, I promise. You need to step out of Avery's shadow and be you! Maybe she can come visit next year after you find yourself."

Find myself? Is he crazy? I know exactly who I am. I'm not living in Avery's shadow. Maybe I don't want to be a cheerleader or have multiple boys gawking over me, or have the hottest boyfriend ever. I tried to ignore my dad the best I could for the remainder of our flight. 

I fell asleep and when I woke up we were in California. It was almost 9 PM when we landed. I was so relieved to get off that plane, but dreaded being so far from my sister. I immediately pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed her number. After about 4 or 5 rings it went to voicemail. I left her a message, "Hey, Avery, I made it safely in California. I miss you already. Call soon."

As I was waiting by the airport restrooms for my father to gather our things and get us something to eat, a tall, handsome, boy, probably around 17 or 18, came and stood by me.

 "Hey," he said with a smile, "you know it's dangerous for a beautiful girl like you to be standing here by yourself."

I looked over at him, he had short dark brown hair and his eyes were a beautiful blue color.

"I'm just waiting for my dad, he's right over there getting some food," I pointed over at him. "I'm still in his sight." I said with a little laugh. 

 "So I don't need to stand here and protect you anymore?" He said, frowning a little.

"Protect me?" I laughed. "You don't even know me!"

He got a little smirk on his face, turned around, and walked away. I was so confused. Suddenly, I see him turn back around and walk towards me. "Hey, I'm Kyle." He said shaking my hand, smiling.

"I'm Ava, nice to meet you." I giggled.

"Nice name," he winked. 

"So, are you just visiting, or are you moving here?"

"Moving here. Against my will pretty much." I said starting to get sad thinking about Avery. 

He looked shocked, "So are you saying your father kidnapped you and dragged you here against your will?!"

I snorted, "No... well, kind of, he and my mom are in the middle of divorcing, he got me, she got my twin sister."

"Oooh, you have a twin? Is she as beautiful as you?" He winked, and then got serious again, "So why did they split you guys up?"

I kind of smiled, "We're identical, so I guess she is. But, my mom and I don't really get along all that well, so she decided that it would be best if I went with my dad."

"I see, I see. Where are you coming from?"

"New York." I replied 

 "Why are you leaving? Couldn't you guys find a house there so you'd still be close to your sister?" He asked.

"You'd think that would be the logical thing to do," I laughed. "But no, my dad's mistress lives here." I stopped and thought about why this boy was so intrigued with my life, "wait, I have a question for you... why are you hanging around in an airport? Do you do this for fun? Come up and talk to girls standing by themselves?" 

He laughed, gosh his laugh was cute. "Nah, I'm here picking someone up for my mother..." he paused, "now that I think about it, I think I'm supposed to be picking you and your father up."

Before I could reply, my dad came walking up to us.

"Hey," he looked at Kyle, "I didn't know you knew Ava."

"I don't really, I just met her about 5 minutes ago." he laughed.

"DAD, WHAT THE HELL?! You didn't tell me miss thing has a son!?" Now I can't think he's cute, he's practically my step brother!