Nasty

Chapter 3

School

My dad had told me to avoid Ash and Tanner until my arm healed and I was doing pretty well with that. That is until English when Tanner came to pester me with his apologies.

"Look, Avery I'm really sorry. I didn't mean it really. I should have listened to you." He grabs my injured hand and I recoil instantly. His face changes.

"Did you put powder on your hand, wait, let me rephrase. Why is there powder on your hand ?What is wrong with your hand?" He questions, his eyes trying to find the truth.
I panic and scan the room. Looking for inspiration for the lie I want to tell him.

"Oh this......" I stall. "It's nothing, I just....slammed my hands on my table."

"That wouldn't leave such a strong bruise." He challenges.

"It's a hard table." I finalise.

He sighs knowing that even though I am lying to him that was my story and I was sticking to it.

"Fine, but let's get ya to the nurse's office immediately after this class." He says.

"And where did your suggestions get me last time.....come on, just leave it." I know that was a bit mean but I had to say something that would guilt trip him to shut up about my hand, it hurts like a bitch I know but going to the nurse won't help me.

"Hey guys," Ashley smiles, heading to our lunch table. Her eyes land on my hand,

"Damn, what the fuck happened to your hand,"

"Slammed it on a table." I shrug.
"That couldn't possibly leave such a bruise, right bro?" She questions.

"It was a hard table." Her brother replies flatly. I guess I really hurt his feelings. Ugh, why are boys so sensitive.....now I feel bad.

"What's up with him?" Ashley asks me.

"Dunno." I lie again, Tanner gives me dagger eyes as Mason strolls to the table.

"Hey guys-whoa what jacked up your hand?" He asks me.

"Long story." Ash replies.

"So guys, I have cash on me and wanted to spend it on something worthwhile. My friends, so who wants to go out for ice cream?" As soon as the words leave his lips we all choke on the air.

"What?"
Poor confused Mason, he had no idea about what happened yesterday.

"Oh, um, I'm not really in the mood for ice cream," I say.

"Same." Tanner agrees.

"Maybe pizza?" Ash suggests.

"Yea, sure....but I'm kinda grounded." I reply. "So I can't come."

"Grounded till when?" Tanner asks.

"Till college." I say.

"Oh, well that means you'll be free by Friday." Mason reasons.

"How So?" I question.

"Parents only say that a child is grounded till college when they are pissed but If you are on good behaviour they usual unground you by Friday." He replies with a triumphant smile. "Besides....we have a science project together and no parent stands in the way of education."

"What science project?" I ask.

"The science project Ashley, Tanner and I are gonna make up as an excuse for us hanging out together." He says as if it's a master plan. "It's fool proof."
Ashley and Tanner nod in agreement.

"Guys, I love this idea but my dad isn't fooled that easily." I try to make them change their mind.

"Then we will actually study, instead of pretending to." Mason finalises. "We're coming to yours' whether you like it or not."