Keeping Up With Avery

Chapter Five: I Promise It Won't Happen Again

My dad was raised by his grandmother. His mom and dad were never married. They never could see eye to eye. He always told me his birth was admittedly just an accident, but he made sure he'd make the most of it. Eventually, both of his parents abandoned him and  was left with his mom's mother.

My mom is great. She isn't a housewife like most mothers but she takes pride in that. She typically jumps from job-to-job, mostly taking on small managerial positions. But she'd always quit after a few months because she says heavy traffic and waking up early drives her nuts. She's not perfect, but she does try. I know because I often see the frail exhaustion behind her transparent smiles.

Jesse and I grew up together ever since he was two. People always said we looked more like twins because of how much we resemble each other. Same hazel eyes, shaggy blond hair and olive skin. On the other hand, we were also both so different. He played a lot of sports and I was more into music and art. He didn't give a shit about much of anything and I was a control freak. Mom and Dad usually worked till after 12 even when we were little so he and I would be left with a babysitter and we'd always play silly pranks on her. We used to be really close but I guess things tend to change as you get older.

My family isn't perfect but I am thankful to have them. Dad always tells me to work hard and aim for excellence. Ever since I was a little kid, I had always been scared to disappoint him.

I stepped unto the dimmed porch in front of our house. The wooden door creaked open as I unlocked it with my duplicate. The lights were all out. I heard the muffled sound of the television from my brother's room upstairs. I made my way up the staircase and knocked on his bedroom door.

"Jesse? Are you awake?"

I heard movement from inside.

"Yeah, one second."

I put my hands on my waist and closed my tired eyes.

"Hurry up, I'm really tired."

The sound of footsteps grew increasingly louder till the door finally swung open.

"Well, you shouldn't have stayed out so late then.", he smiled from his doorway as he towered in front of me in his tiny checkered boxers with a ps3 controller in one hand.

"Look, I'm really tired and I really don't need a lecture from you right now. I just wanted to ask if Braden came over earlier."

"Don't you have a phone for that?"

"Jesus, Jesse. Would you just tell me?"

He eyed me suspiciously with a teasing grin on his mouth. I bursted.

"My phone battery's dead! Goddamnit, if you're not going to tell me anything, I'm going to my room!"

"Alright, alright. Ease up, hot head. I was in the house all day. He didn't show up, as far as I know."

I smirked. "God. Finally. You're such a dickhead."

"Mm-hmm. You're welcome." he said as he slammed the door shut and went back to playing video games.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I woke up with the biggest migraine and a stomach ache to match. I was too lazy to take a shower last night so I still smelled of beer and smoke. I glanced at my bedside table clock. 6:12am. Better get going. 

This right here, is one of the most difficult parts of my life. Getting up from bed. I sighed as I peeled myself off of my queen size bed with great hesitation. My feet finally touched the cold wooden flooring as I eased myself into standing up and made my way to my closet.

I eyed the pair of clean jeggings and t-shirt that I had laid messily on my bed. Miles would never wear this, I thought to myself and quickly replaced the t-shirt with a black cropped top. After two seconds of reconsideration, I finally got into my bathroom shower and turned the heat up. The hot water trickled down my spine like fingernails running down my back. I felt a sudden chill.

What had happened last night? Images of me and Reid in the public restroom of the beach house made me cringe. I felt ashamed. Annoyed. Confused. Ashamed of my middle-schoolish behavior. Who the fuck in their late teens still does seven minutes in heaven? I was annoyed at Braden for bailing on me (even when I should have replied to him in the first place) and at Reid for taking advantage of the situation. I took a deep breath and inhaled the steam that had trapped itself inside my shower.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What time did you get home last night?" my dad's voice broke the monotonous buzzing of the SUV's AC. The radio was muted completely. He says it distracts from driving and shouldn't be used unless the car is stopped. He had very strong opinions.

"Avery. I'm not going to ask again."

His furrowed his brows and wrinkles creased in his forehead. He looked exhausted.

"I'm sorry, Dad. Late. I came home late."

"Do you think I don't know that? I asked you what time, Aves."

"I--I don't know. I forgot to check, sorry."

He sighed that sigh of disappointment that was all too familiar to my ears.

"First day of school and you're already on the path to delinquency." he blurted out with a smug look on his face.

"Dad, that's not fair. I stayed out late with some friends. I didn't do anything wro--" I stopped and thought of Reid and Braden.

My dad turned to look at me as if he had just proven me wrong again. As if I had just handed the him the win in the argument.

"Dad, it's not like that. I didn't hurt anyone." I flinched. Another lie. "Look, I...I was just hanging out with a bunch of friends."

The car slowed down to a stop in front of campus.

"I promise it won't happen again."