Between Paths

Chapter 1

I wake up with the sun shining in my face and a cool breeze through the crack of the window. When I look out I noticed it snowed again in the last week. As I look it covered some cars and bushes. I blow hot air on the glass and draw snowflakes on it. I smile and roll over to my bedside table and check my phone. I got nothing over the night. You would think that since it is close to thanksgiving and your birthday is in a month you'd get some type of text or call. But then I finally look at the time and I freak out making myself fall out of my bed. I get up and run to my best friends' room banging on her door.

"Nora! Get up we're gonna be late!" I run to my room and get what I can from my wardrobe. I pull out a pair of leggings and a maroon sweater dress and head to the bathroom so I can do my eye shadow so it shows I put a little effort into my morning.

"Avery I just put the coffee on okay, don't stress about that part. I'm heading down to get breakfast for us. I'll be back in five minutes." I peek outside my door smiling with my toothbrush in my mouth continuously brushing and giving her a thumbs up. She's dressed in almost the exact same thing as me, but her make-up looks like she spent hours on it. Her eyeshadow making her green eyes pop out and show off her naturally curled eyelashes. And her white sweater dress makes her caramel skin shine through.

As she leaves I listen to music to ease off the paranoia but still rush to get ready. By the time I am done Nora comes through the door with two cups of coffee and two egg, cheese, sausage croissant sandwiches. I slip on my black flats before I walk out of my room and close the door. When I walk up to the island of our place she hands me my food and coffee.

"Vanilla cappuccino with cinnamon, just the way you like it." I smile and take a small sip still burning my tongue. "You never learn, you know that." She laughs and takes a bite of her food.

"Oh shut up, you're worse than I am." Exact to my words she fans out her mouth from her hot food. I burst out laughing and she flips me off.

"You jinxed me you butt nugget. Besides, I do what I want." Always one thing with Nora Bradford. She is always sassy no matter what. Even when she is sick. She balls a napkin and throws it at me already knowing what I am thinking.

"So any word from Jackson? I'm surprised he hasn't called you yet." It never fails when I saw his name. Her eyes light up and she smiles like a school girl. It's ironic and funny how they met too.

"He actually called when I went to get the food." But her face falls and her smile fades. "I don't think he'll be back from the work trip." I look at her very shocked and go to hug her.

"I'm sorry, if you want I can bring him here myself." She looks up at me afraid of what I am gonna say.

"And how would you do that?" I can already see the worried look coming to surface on her face.

"I don't know. Maybe tie a rope around his joystick and tie it to the back of my car and drag him all the way here." I laugh as she gasps and closes her mouth with her hands then laughs.

"God you're ridiculous Avery." She goes to get her purse and I grab the keys to the car and my phone.

"Hey, you're my best friend. I'm gonna be even more crazier than I already am." I laugh and she giggles and walks out the door. I lock it and head to the elevator where Nora is waiting for me.

As we head down I look at the mirror behind us making sure I look okay. Nora just laughs and shakes her head making her wavy curls come onto her shoulders. When we hit the lobby we both say hi to Tim at the desk and he waves, busy on a call. We practically run to the car because of how cold it is and blast the heater and warm the seats up. The drive to Zen's publishing office was decent for the weather and we arrive just on time.