Distance

Chapter 4

   Thursday was a regular day. It was Friday today, the day Ava was supposed to go to Sarahs' house. It was bright and sunny outside and there was nothing that could go wrong. Except maybe for the fact Avery was in Mrs.Malthorne's class for an extra thirty minutes after school, so she can complete an assignment.
   "Mrs.M , I really have to go. Can I at least tell my parents I'm staying in school for longer than usual." Ava said as she put her pencil down from her work in frustration, now she knew the reason for Mal- being in Mrs.Malthorne's name.
   "Fine Avery. I will let you message them. No calls! And you must stay the full time!" Mrs.M said with a salty expression on her face.
   "Thank you Mrs.M!" Avery said as she pulled out her phone to text her "Parents", but instead of her "parents" she texted Sarah to tell her she would be staying in school late.
Ava: Super Duper Sorry Sarah!
Sarah: For what? Also, when are you gonna get here. I gave you the address yesterday, did you lose it?
Ava: No, I still have it. But, Mrs.M wants me to stay in to finish a homework assignment until 4:15. :(
Sarah: No problem.
Ava: See ya at probably 4:25- 4:30. K?
Sarah: K. ttyl
   "Time's up for messaging! Get back to work." Mrs.M said as she turned around in her swivel chair so she was facing the white board, she wrote in big bold letters.
    Avery Johnson; after school; doing unfinished assignment until 4:15 pm
  

   Avery arrived at Sarahs' house at exactly 4:25. Sam had been her driver, as always. As Ava walked towards the front door she gave Sam a wave goodbye. She felt nervous Sarah said that her brother and sister would be there. As Samuel pulled away from the curb, Avery pulled out her phone.
Ava: I'm in front.
Sarah: KK. B there in a second.
   Avery waited, she heard footsteps going up a set of stairs and then the door opened. 
   "Hi! Sorry my brother doesn't want to come downstairs." Sarah said and then she tilted her head towards upstairs. "Because he's a scaredy cat!" Avery heard a slight mumble from upstairs. "Come on in Ava, the girl on the couch," Sarah pointed to a average height girl for 19, she had blonde hair and light freckles. The girl gave Ava a quick wave and then started swiping on her phone. "She's my sister, Cally."
   "Sup." The girl on the couch, Cally said with a quick smile. "Call me Cal."
   "Hey, I'm Avery." Ava said as she greeted Cal.
   "Oh I know. Sarah talks about you constantly to my brother." Cal said as she gazed at her phone.
   "Oh." Avery said.
   "Let's go upstairs! To my room because my brother's a jerk." Sarah said as she pulled Avery towards upstairs. Avery followed willingly. As they passed through the hall she heard music coming from a room which she suspected to be Sarahs' brothers' room. Sarah pulled Avery into a room that had goldenrod coloured walls and a carpeted floor. It was a nice room. Sarah plopped onto the bed. "So. My parents aren't going to be home until like 5:30. And they'll probably want you to stay for dinner. Then, you can meet my brother." Sarah said. She leaned to Ava's ear and whispered, "I think he likes you he makes me tell him things about you. He's weird."
   "Oh well um. It's fine." Avery said with a quick blush at the thought of another guy liking her, Nope I already have a boyfriend, She thought to herself. The girls started to work. They calculated prices for certain weights. They talked about their favorite candies. They joked around about customers and even told each other ways to get guys to stop flirting with them while they worked. They laughed and talked to each other about school events. Avery even found out that Sarah and her family had just moved to the state a week ago. Sarah told Ava that her parents wanted her to get a job right they moved and so that was how Sarah got the job at the candy store. Sarah also told her about her twin brothers success at football and achievements in sports. Right when they stopped talking and working Sarahs' parents arrived.
   "Kids come downstairs in twenty minutes to eat. Sarah your friend's here right? Tell her that we're having macaroni and steak tonight and ask if it's okay with her." Sarahs' mom said.
   Sarah quickly asked Avery. "She said it's fine Ma!" Sarah replied. As the parents cooked, Ava and Sarah continues their conversation. The twenty minutes flew by and Avery and Sarah headed downstairs.
   "Mom can we eat in my room?" Sarah asked her mother.
   "Yes you may. But you all are getting served at the same time so everyone's coming downstairs for a quick moment." Sarahs' mom said as she filled up the last plate with macaroni. "Cally can you call down your brother Ryan to come and eat."
   Ryan, Ryan. Ryan Carter. She couldn't mean him. Avery thought as she started to panic, it all started to piece together. Sister getting a new job, I have to tell you something. You'll find out soon enough. 
   "Okay Mom. Ryan get your butt downstairs." Cally said. Avery heard him come downstairs. Right when Ryan got to the final step Avery turned around.
   "Your name's Ava right? That sounds like the girl Ryans' dating." Sarahs' Mother said.
   "Mom. Be quiet please." Ryan said from behind Avery as he entered the kitchen.
   Avery turned around and to her disbelief it was the one, the only, Ryan Carter. She blushed a deep red color. "W-Well then. Nice to see you too." Avery said to Ryan.
   "Let me explain. We just moved into this state last week. Remember when I texted you and told you I had to tell you something." Ryan said to Avery and then turned to his mom. "I have to talk to her be right back." Ryan pulled Avery to a spot where no one could hear or see them talking.
   "Explain." Avery said, still in shock. She was happy to see him in person for the first time, but not like this.
   "Okay, so we moved here a week ago. I wasn't ready to see you in person so I didn't say anything about me moving here." Ryan said. " I knew my sister knew you once you told me there was a new girl at your job and the conflict, etc."
   "And Ryan, I'm not mad, I'm just surprised that you didn't tell me. I would have understood if you had just said you moved and weren't ready to meet in person." Avery said as she sighed.
   "I know, I know, I know." He leaned an arm against the wall next to her and smiled slightly. "But aren't you glad I'm here?" He said smugly.
   "What are you doing?" Avery said looking at his face.
   "Waiting for my kiss. Isn't it obvious?" Ryan said, hurt in his voice.
   "What kiss." Avery said as she slid under his arm and started walking towards the kitchen. "You coming to eat?' Avery said and when she looked back it him she could see a pained expression on his face, it felt like she had just got beaten up once she saw his face.
   "Um, y-yeah." Ryan said, his voice quivering as he spoke.
   Suddenly Avery walked towards him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I'm sorry Ryan for hurting you."
   "I knew you'd come back for me." Ryan said, his big ego rising back again to haunt her.
   "Egomaniac." Avery said as she gave a quick laugh. They headed towards the kitchen together.
   "Sarah went to her room already Avery, she said you can grab your food and meet her up there." Sarahs' mom said.
   "Thanks." Avery said as she grabbed a plate and headed upstairs, Ryan following behind her so he could go to his room.
   "I have a question for you Ryan. How come I've never seen you at school? And Sarah goes to the same school." Avery asked, she turned around to face Ryan.
   "Well...long story short, I kind of avoided you." Ryan said with a density to his voice. He headed to his room once the hit the upstairs floor.
   "Wow. Okay, well anyways I probably will start seeing you more at school. Since I know you're here and all." Avery said as she gave him a smile.
   "No problem." Ryan said as he entered his room. They parted ways as Avery entered Sarahs' room. 
   "So you're the girl he was dating! It all makes sense now!" Sarah said with a quick laugh.
   "Yeah. I didn't know he was your brother. Woops. Are you okay with that?" Avery asked.
   "Definitely. I'm glad he finally has a girlfriend. AND, it's someone who I think is totally awesome so yeah it's cool." Sarah said.
   They talked the rest of the night. At 7:00 pm, Sam came to pick up Avery and they went home after Sam had gotten introduced to every, even Ryan. Avery told Samuel that she had been dating Ryan for a while and he had approved. So it turned out to be a pretty good night all in all.