Upside Down

Eleven

"I don't understand what your problem is! We are just talking!" I scream at Logan in the middle of the driveway. We haven't even made it into the house yet. Poor Peter took off into the house as soon as he could get away from us. I don't think I've ever seen someone move as fast as he did.

"You could talk to literally anyone in that school other than them Avery! I told you not to talk to them!" He shouts back.

I scoff. "Since when do you get to tell me who I can and can't speak to? You're not my boyfriend or my father and frankly if you were either, there is no way in hell I would ever let you speak to me like you are now."

"They're using you Avery!" He changes his argument.

"How?" I sigh. "We literally met five minutes before you went all crazy psychopath on me!" I slap my hands against my thighs.

"Leigh and I dated my senior year. She was a sophomore. We didn't end so well and now suddenly she's recruiting you for the team? You think that's a coincidence? It just smells like a plot to get back at me for breaking up with her." Logan calms his tone but his story earns an eye roll from me. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

"So you don't think I'm pretty enough or talented enough to be a cheerleader? You think this is all just come elaborate plot for her to get back at you for breaking her heart TWO YEARS AGO?" I repeat his outrageous idea back to him, hoping that when he hears it out loud, he will understand how crazy he sounds to me right now. "You are so self-centered, Logan. You think everything is about you, don't you?"

"It's not that I don't think you could do it, I just think it's a bit suspicious that they approached you on the first day and did it without speaking to you before hand."

"That's how people make friends Logan. You should try it sometime. Maybe you could get yourself a girlfriend that way too. And let me just give you a tip, grabbing girls you are interested in, or anyone for that matter the way you grabbed me in the halls today, totally not a good way to get them to like you.

"Avery," he quiets his tone even more. "Avery, I-" he searches for words.

"You made me feel like a disobedient child." I fight back tears in my eyes and try to not let my anger turn into sadness.

"I was just trying to protect you."

"I don't need someone to protect me Logan! I am perfectly capable of doing that myself. And I can make my own decisions! I don't need someone else doing that for me."

"Please Avery. You can do anything you want. Just please, please, don't be a cheerleader. Those girls are nothing but trouble."

"Maybe I'm looking for trouble." I turn around and shrug before storming inside the house. I've had enough of this.

"Avery wait!" He calls after me as I let the door slam behind me.

"Hey honey! How was school?" My dad peels himself off of Hillary's lips and addresses me when I pass him in the kitchen. I'm just going to ignore that I even saw that. I might throw up if I'm not able to block it out of my memory completely.

"Great!" I yell sarcastically as I run up the stairs, glaring Logan as he follows me. "I've decided I'm going to be a cheerleader and there's nothing anyone can do to stop me!" I make it known to the whole world what my intentions are.

Never, ever, will I let someone else tell me how to live my life.

"That's great sweetie! I'm so proud of you!" My dad yells back. I mock him as I slam my door shut and lock it. Logan follows me up the door and smacks his hand on the outside of my bedroom door, trying to convince me to let him in.

Not a chance. Sorry not sorry.

"Avery please. Let me explain." I can hear the regret in his voice. "I'm not good with explaining things. Let me try again, please. I know I messed up."

I dial the newest number in my phone and listen to it ring.

"Hi Leigh," I smile as she answers.

"Avery no!" Logan yells through the door.

"It's Avery." I sigh. "I'm in."

Authors note: thoughts? Who do you side with in this argument between Avery and Logan?