All The Stars in the Universe

Chapter 8.

"Hi, Avery!" Andi called, coming up the front walk, on her way home from school.

"Hi, Andi!" The little girl waved, a soggy pink mitten flopping on her hand. She was playing in the snow near the edge of the yard, even though it was a frosty cold day.

"What are you doing out here all by yourself?" Andi asked her, concerned by how close to the street she was.

"Just playing," Avery told her. "There's not enough snow to build a fort." She no longer distrusted Andi, and often ran up to chat with her or her parents when she saw them outside.

"There's will be soon," Andi promised. "Just wait." She looked at the little girl's red, chapped cheeks. "You look cold. Do you want to come in with me and have some hot cocoa?"

Avery glanced at her apartment door. "I have to ask Amber. Hold on." She ran to the door. "Amber!" she shouted. "Can I go to Andi's?"

"I don't care!" Amber called back. Andi could see her inside, sprawled on an armchair, texting on her phone. She'd barely looked up.

"I can go!" Avery chirped, running back to Andi with a big smile on her face. She grabbed the older girl's hand, pulling her along.

"We have to be quiet," Andi explained softly, as she unlocked the door. "My mom isn't feeling well, and she's resting." Bex had texted Andi earlier saying that she'd come home from work early because she had a headache.

"I'll be super quiet," Avery whispered, following Andi inside.

Andi helped her out of her wet coat, hat, mittens, and laid them by the radiator to dry. "You look like a little snowgirl," she laughed, showing her to the table.

"Andi, is that you?" Bex called from her bedroom.

"Yeah!" she called back. "Stay put, Avery. I just want to let my mom know you're here."

She hurried to the bedroom, where Bex was propped up in bed. "Mom," she said softly. "Amber's little sister is here. Her mom is working, and I don't think Amber watches her very well. I promise we won't bother you. I hope it's okay I invited her in."

"It's okay," Bex smiled. "She can come over any time."

"I'm going to make us some cocoa," Andi told her. "Do you want some?"

"I'd love some," Bex smiled. "Thanks."

Andi went back to the kitchen, where her little guest was waiting. She heated some water and made the cocoa, then set a plate of Oreos between them. "Help yourself."

Avery tentatively chose a cookie and twisted it in half, licking the creme in the middle. Andi smiled to herself. She ate Oreos the exact same way. "How do you like your new apartment so far?" she asked.

"It's pretty okay," the little girl told her. "But I liked my old room better. It was pink, and it had big princess stickers on the walls." Her face became sad as she spoke.

"Did you know your new room used to be my room?" Andi asked her. "I used to live where you live."

Avery's blue eyes widened, her sadness forgotten. "Cool!" She took a sip of her cocoa. It left a chocolate mustache on her upper lip. "I still loved my old room more. But it's better here cause mommy and daddy don't fight all the time now," she confided. "They used to yell a lot. I didn't like it."

"That must have been hard," Andi said softly. She knew Amber's parents fought. But she never knew Amber wasn't the only one affected by it.

"I used to get scared and cry sometimes," Avery admitted. "Amber too."