Pattern

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

//Prudence//

 "My nose hurts."

"It's broken, Prude."

"I know," I glared at Madi. "Believe me, I know."

"So," She muttered. "Now everyone thinks you're weird."

"And I wasn't before?" 

"Now, you're even weirder, then." 

"Oh, yay."

Myself and Madi were making our way home. Avery had disappeared, Dylan was staying behind to work on some project and Esther had relcuctantly agreed to help him. He'd asked Madi to as well, but she'd laughed, grabbed my arm and ran. She didn't tell me what people were saying, but I had an idea from their whispers and stares. It was slightly awkward, but I was fairly glad I had Madison. She was opinionated, sassy and brutally honest, but she was also really loyal. And I needed that now, because it wasn't a good day to be the friend of the mad girl who jumped into a fight to stop Avery Watts getting hurt.

It made me angry, though, that people were so quick to judge. Most of them didn't know either of us, but suddenly we were the bad guys. "So, everyone hates me now?"

"No," Madi treaded carefully. "They're just confused.. why would you, of all people, try to stop a fight? Between seniors? You're sort of quiet to them, y'know?"

"Well." I paused. "I guess they're going to have to explain that I'm friends with Avery Watts."

"You just said it, oh my god!"

"Madi, it's more an explanation, it's better than saying 'Oh, I want to be more badass this year', or 'I wanted to get hit by someone.'"

She sighed. "Babe, I've to go now, my house is here, but you're lying to yourself." She hugged me, patting my head and smiled. "Don't hurt yourself. Again."

She left, and I had to walk home alone, which was kind of daunting.

Dad was home, and he was waiting at the door. I stared at the ground and slunk in, feeling his glare follow  me into the kitchen. Then, I finally looked up, and he was staring at me worriedly - and a little angrily. 

"The school rang," He said quietly. "So I came home. They said you'd gotten involved in a fight, and you'd broken your nose."

"I'm okay. My nose is swelling, but it'll be fine, the nurse said it was a clean break."

She hadn't actually, but she did say it'd be grand. "There's no need to go to the hospital."

He sighed. "You want anything? There's paracetamol in the cupboard."

"I'm really fine, I think I might sleep for a while, though." I headed for the stairs, but dad spoke again. "Why did you get involved in a fight? What happened? This isn't like you."

"I really do not want to talk about it right now," I replied, and literally  ran up the stairs. I knew he deserved to know, but if I told my dad that a) I'd decided to defend Avery Watts and b) a boy in senior year had broken my nose, he'd blow it completely. 

So I left to go to bed, and I fell asleep, trying to escape the pain in my head.

--

I slept until six o'clock in the morning and my father told me I was suspended for the day, which worked out pretty well, because I didn't feel like going to school at all. Apparently, Howard had complained that I'd hit him in an unprovoked attack. He was suspended for two days, and me for one. It was ridiculously unfair, but Avery had somehow got off without any punishment. The school had done something right for once. 

Dad went to work, and I watched TV, ate food and felt sorry for myself whilst moping around the house. My nose hurt, and it was a bit boring staying at home, but I lived, though I kept getting weird headaches. I looked it up on the internet, and it seemed to be connected to me breaking my nose, which was pretty obvious. And then I decided to do some research on serial killers, which was clearly going to be fun. There were apparently a few motives for killing people, and as I read deeper, and into people's testimonies, I got even more worried, and scared. What if my instincts were right, and there was a serial killer hanging around Oakwood? Because the thought was pretty scary.

The doorbell rang, and I jumped. I was dressed in oversized fluffy pyjamas, but there was no one else around to go to the door, so I answered it. And, standing there, was Avery. I hadn't realised it was four o'clock yet.

"Hey," I said, slightly confused. "Not to be mean, but why are you here?" 

He looked down at the ground. Around one of his eyes and cheek was a purple-blue bruise, and the other side of his face was an array of cuts, slowly healing. I suddenly felt bad for pitying myself when he was walking around like that, completely not bothered. "I was wondering why you weren't at school, in case you'd like, died or something. Because then it would be kinda my fault."

"Well, I'm not dead," I replied, raising my arms with mock joy. "I was suspended, though."

"Oh," He sighed. "Sorry. How's your nose?"

"It's fine. Sore, but fine. And don't apologise. You didn't make me hit him." 

"He's such a dick."

I grinned. "Dude, you took the words right out of my mouth. He's suspended for tomorrow  as well though.. But I'm still mad he's in the school, like, he basically broke your face."

Avery cracked a smile. I blinked. He was pretty darn cute when he smiled. "Broke my face? Oh god, I'll never be beautiful," He said jokingly.

"You're hilarious," I murmured - but it was still strange. I don't think anyone would ever suspect Avery of being slightly funny, or having a nice smile, or actually caring about someone. Nobody gave him a chance, and I think that was exactly what he needed. 

"Anyway, Watts," I said with a cough, almost to tell the sappy thoughts to leave my brain. "I am fine. You seem fine. My father may hate me, but it could be worse." 

"Mine hates me, that's for sure." He sighed. "I came home, and he told me that I was messed up and there was no need to come home."

"Oh god, I'm so sorry." I was pretty shocked - the most my dad would do is tell me he was disappointed in me, and maybe ignore me for a day. He wouldn't even think of kicking me out. 

Avery shrugged. "I've nowhere else to go, he'll just have to deal with me." He did one of those fake smiles that didn't reach his eyes, and then turned down the pathway with a wave goodbye.

I paused, biting my lip, then called after him. "Avery."

He moved his head to look at me, and I met his gaze. "Come on in, I'm making dinner soon."