think about you

chapter thirteen.

+ flashback to summer 2007 + 

Avery laid in bed with one of her pillows over her head. She could barely sleep, she had a massive hangover from partying too hard the night before. She could hear the bus stop from down the block. Within a couple minutes she heard the doorbell ring. Too hungover to get up, she let her parents answer it. It was probably one of their friends anyway.

She heard the door to her room open but didn't bother to check to see who it was. It was just probably her mother checking up on her.

"Wake up, birthday girl." She heard a familiar voice say. "You're finally 18, Avie."

Only one person called her Avie, and those who tried she denied them permission. She turned around and wasn't sure if she was hallucinating, then after realizing it was really her best friend she let out a loud shriek. She got out of bed and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his lanky body.

"What're you doing here?" she smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Why else would I come back?" he chuckled. "I couldn't miss your 18th birthday."

Avery let go and stood up on her own two feet. She looked at Gerald in confusion. She furrowed her brows at him, and placed on hand on her waist. With him being six foot four and her only five foot seven, he couldn't take her seriously.

"What the fuck G? You missed school to come back?!" she yelled. "Are you fucking crazy? How did you even get back?"

"I bought a plane ticket." He chuckled, looking down at her.

"You don't have the fucking money to be spending. Why the fuck would you come back?" Avery was still yelling.

Gerald couldn't help but laugh.

"You're so dumb sometimes G!" she groaned, grabbing her phone and throwing it at him.

Luckily he caught it or it would have ended up in pieces. But before he could set it down on her desk, she was throwing her slippers at him. After she ran out of shoes to throw at him, she began attacking him with her pillow.

"Stop!" he chuckled as he put his arms up. "Okay, Avery, chill. Stop."

Avery was fucking crazy sometimes, G had to admit. But she always kept it real. She was always outspoken, sometimes she had no filter. She'd say whatever was on her mind and that's what he adored about Avery. Whenever he got himself in some shit, she was there to set him straight, even if she did get on his fucking nerves.

"You're my best friend and I wanted to see you. I promised I'd take you to go buy your first pack of cigarettes and lottery ticket." He smiled at her.

"You're still an idiot." She huffed as she crawled back in bed.

Gerald laughed at his best friend as he crawled into bed as well. He pulled Avery close to him, wrapping his arm around her. She turned around and buried her head into his chest.

"Happy birthday, Avie." He pecked her forehead.

"I still hate you," she mumbled into his chest.

His chest rumbled as he laughed at Avery's comment. He knew that was her way of saying thank you, so he just held her tighter. The two laid there for another hour or so until Avery felt a little better. She got up and showered then got ready and did her makeup. Gerald lied there pretending to be asleep as he watched Avery slip in and out of her clothes. He always thought she had the perfect figure. Once she finally decided on an outfit, she planted her lips on Gerald's lip hoping to wake him up.

He cupped the side of her face, pulling her closer as he kissed her back. The two pulled away and smiled at each other.

"Damnit Avie, your ass would be wearing lipstick." He groaned, wiping his lips as he got up. "You ready?" he asked.

"Yup," she said popping the 'p' as she grabbed her camera.

She turned her camera and snapped a picture of Gerald standing there while on his phone.

"Really Ave?" he smiled. "Why you always gotta catch me off guard? We gotta go, we spent half the day in bed."

Avery snapped another picture of Gerald smiling before smiling herself and turning it off. The two headed out and began to go on an adventure. First, they went to their favorite liquor store where Avery purchased her first pack of cigarettes and lottery ticket, in which she won $30 from. Neither of the two smoked cigarettes, so they ended up giving it to some homeless guy who was outside. After adventuring Oakland, they went to go pick up some friends and decided to explore San Francisco and then Berkeley. Avery, the only one with a license and a car, drove while Gerald rode shotgun. He grabbed her camera and began to snap pictures of her on the freeway as well as their friends in the back.

After their long day full of adventure, they began to head back to Oakland. They stopped at Marty's and smoked a little before Avery had to go home. Her and Gerald both laid in her bed snuggled really close to each other.

"I can't believe you're leaving in the morning." She frowned. "I haven't seen you since you left and God knows when I'll see your scrawny ass again."

"I know, I'm sorry Ave. But I promise I'll be back soon for you." He pecked her forehead. "Plus you're going to be busy with your whole photography thing. Proud of you, Avie."

Avery wrapped her arm around Gerald burying her head in his chest.

"I still hate you for spending a shit ton of money to fly out here."

Gerald couldn't help but laugh. After spending a whole day with him, she still couldn't get over it.

"Well enjoy your last few hours." He smirked.

He lifted her head up, pulling her in for a kiss. Avery kissed him back before pulling away. She looked at him, pouting her lips. Gerald pulled her in again for another kiss.

"Everything will be alright, get some sleep tonight." He pulled away.

Avery rested her head on Gerald's chest while he had both arms wrapped around her. Eventually the two fell fast asleep and for once everything seemed right in the world.