FAKE

18

my eyes widened and joey held his breath, slowly turning around.

he sighed in relief, "dammit chad," he said and ran a hand through his hair.  

"and... avery?" chad questioned. he looked over at audrey, "wow," he whispered and audrey gave him a confused look, "you are drop dead freaking gorgeous, why haven't i met you before," he said.

audrey looked at me and giggled, "he's cute, where'd you find this one?" she asked.  

"he's joeys friend," i said and crossed my arms over my chest.  

"oh, are you like joey? because this could never work," she said.  

"hey that's not nice," joey said. 

"deal with it, asshole," she said.

joey rolled his eyes then turned to me, "what were you about to say," he said and tried to grab my hand.  

"nothing, it doesn't matter anymore. i need to eat my lunch... audrey," i said. she looked at me, but then smiled back at chad, "audrey!" i said. she waved to chad and walked over to me.  

"isn't he cute?" she gushed.  

"i almost just told joey i fucking like him and you're gushing about chad!?" i said. she smiled and shrugged.  

"i think he's adorable. why haven't you introduced me to him?" she said.

i ran a hand through my hair and let out a very large sigh, "you're getting on my nerves."

"shut up, you love me" she said as we walked into the cafeteria.

- 

i heard my phone go off when i got home. i set my bag down and pulled it out of my back pocket. it was grayson. i picked it up and pressed my phone into my ear.  

"hello?" i asked. 

"hey, avery."

"hey gray, what's up?" i said.  

"nothing. you're home right?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"yeah what's wrong?" i asked.  

"mom isn't answering her phone, is she home?" i looked around the house. i didn't see her, that's weird. i wonder why she isn't home.  

"mom?" i shouted. no answer. hmm, weird. she's usually home by now.  

"sorry, i don't think she's home. anything i can do?" i said.  

"she was supposed to pick me up today. i have football practice and i wanted to remind her."  

"i can pick you up. what time does it end?" i asked. 

"three."  

"okay, i'll be there by three," i said. 

"thanks, see you in a bit," he said and hung up. i had to pick grayson up from football in twenty minutes. okay, i bet he'll be hungry, so i'll bring him a snack.

i decided to call my mom's phone as well, to see if she'd pick up. i dialled her number and walked over to the fridge. it was sent straight to voicemail without a single ring. maybe her phone died or something.

i licked my lips as i pulled out a water bottle and grabbed a sandwich that was marked 'graysons football snack'. i guess my mom does bring him food after practice. i pulled that out and stuck it in a plastic bag. i grabbed my car keys from the hook and walked out the door. i got into my car and backed out of the driveway. then i pulled in the direction towards the middle school. 

i waited in the back loop for gray to get in and scrolled through instagram. audrey posted something from when we were kids and i thought it was pretty cute. i liked it and commented a pink heart. the door opened and i looked over to see grayson get in. he threw his bag in the back and closed the door.  

"hey," he said.  

"hi," i said. i heard my phone go off, and i looked down at it. restricted... hm. i answered anyway, and pressed my phone to my ear.  

"hello?" i asked.

"avery hart?" someone asked. it was a lady, it sounded like she was an older lady. 

"yes?" i asked and glanced at grayson.

"this is derry university hospital," they probably wanted money or something.  

"okay... what can i do for you?" i asked.  

"it's actually the opposite," she said.  

"excuse me?" i asked. she didn't respond for a second.  

"your mother has been in a car accident," it took me a second to process the thought. but then i felt my eyes start to water, "you're wanted at the hospital, immediately."