The New Kid

Chapter 11

I get home after the celebratory ice cream at about 10:30pm. Mom is sitting in her favorite chair in the living room reading away. She loves to read. Currently she holds a mystery novel in her hand. "Hi mom," I go up to her and give her a squeeze. She squeezes back and I make a pained face. She scoots her glasses an inch down her nose. She studies me, "Did I hurt you? What's the matter?" I pull my shirt off my shoulder to reveal a purplish-bluish-greenish bruise. "Oh my! What is that from?" I explain the whole thing to her as best I can. "Honey, that's awful!" She leads me to the kitchen to get a new pack of ice and presses it firmly against my shoulder, causing me to grimace, "Ouch, mom. Easy on the arm." She looks at me apologetically, "Yes, sorry. Tea?" She asks gently. "Sure," I say. 

Dad always goes to bed semi-early and Reagan just kind of falls asleep whenever so mom and I enjoy our tea and chat-time in the evenings every so often, at least we did at the old place. I remember the lived-in kitchen, our little nook by the back-door and the stove, the smell of whatever bread mom was baking for the next day, the sounds of the wind whipping around outside as we spoke an hour or two into the night. It was our little tradition for catching up alone. It's been awhile, she's been so busy organizing the move with dad, and helping Reagan get situated at school. I missed this. 

"How's my baby?" My mom asks. I'm trying really hard to be honest for once. "You know mom, I'm actually okay." I think a while before I continue, "I'm not saying the move has been easy, but my classes are fine and I met some friends. I'm surprised they chose to let me be part of the group." She studies me again and I see her well-kept eyebrows furrow, "Ava, why are you surprised? You're a wonderful young lady." She strokes my caramel-brown hair, "You're intelligent, creative, beautiful, and a little on the crazy side," she adds jokingly. "Maybe they think you're cute even." I roll my eyes at her cheesiness, "Mom, you have to say that. I'm your daughter." Albeit, it felt good to her hear say that about me. 

"Mom, can I invite those friends over tomorrow? Maybe like 6pm-9pm?" My mom lightly bounces her head back and forth as if she has a major decision to make and she's on Jeopardy. "Hmm, I guess that would be okay. We could order pizzas? Extra cheese and pepperoni?" I smile to myself, thinking of the boys at lunchtime. "Yeah...I think they would like that a lot."

She puts her reading glasses down on the table, finishes the final sips of her Jasmine tea and says, "Sleep tight honey, I think we both could use some rest." We both head to bed and I put on my comfiest polar-bear pajamas. I'm excited to tell the boys about coming over. Especially Christian. 

I roll over to my nightstand to turn off my glitter lamp and notice I have a text.

Christian: Hey. It's Christian. Sorry again about your shoulder. That really stinks.

Me: Hey, thanks. Don't worry about me. I think I'll survive.

Christian: Well, you better. Otherwise we'll have to call off the hang-out tomorrow.

Me: Haha. Wow, so much concern for the person. Thaaanks.

Christian: Oh, don't mention it.

Me: ....thanks for being my friend, Christian.

Christian: You're easy to be friends with, Avalon. Thanks for being my friend too. 

Me: Good night. :)

His last good night texts lights up my room in the darkness, just like my heart illuminates inside my chest.