The Story of Ava

Chapter 4

"Sandy, why couldn't you just tell me I was moving into the Kennards?!" Ava was a little upset about the situation.

"If I told you, you'd never approve. I was going to tell you, just didn't know the right time to do it! Plus, Jennifer doesn't know it's you! I thought it'd be a special surprise to you both! She seemed to really like you," Sandy tried to defend herself.

Ava huffed. "Fine. I guess. But if anything happens-"

"If anything happens, I'll do what I can to take you back," Sandy cut her off before giving her a look, trying to calm the young girl down. Ava just huffed before crossing her arms and heading back to her room. She felt defeated.

A few days had gone by, Ava started to feel better about the situation. Jennifer even reached out to her asking what a girl her age would like in her room and stuff. Little did Jennifer know that Ava was her girl, but Ava knew so she gave her ideas for herself, mainly saying, "Well, I, personally like..."

It was the day! Ava had two suitcases packed; both full of clothes. She really didn't need or have much else. "How are you feeling?" Sandy asks as she drives her to their house in Franklin.

"Nervous, but kind of excited, actually," Ava actually smiled back. Smiling was such a foreign concept to the girl. Like a true smile is anyway.

"That's so good to hear!"

Ava had yet to meet the siblings, but she's really hoping Luke isn't too cocky, being an athlete and all. She always wanted a brother. I mean sure, she's had brothers before, but she always wanted a brother to be like an actual brother, to love and protect and be there when she needed him. Honestly, the girl had always wanted a sister too, but didn't know how to connect with girls. She never made friends with girls, but when she did, they didn't last very long.

Ava had slumped down in the car, in silence, her mind racing. Sandy looking over at her a few times, to check up on her. As they pulled into the neighborhood, Ava sat up straight and looked harder as they pulled into the house at the end of the cul-de-sac. Sandy pulled into the small driveway in front of the garage of the house. There was a basketball hoop on the road next to the small driveway. Ava looked up at the two-story house and took a deep breath before releasing it. 'Here goes nothing.'

Jennifer came out of the front door all excited before she paused and recognized the car. "Sandy, what you are you doing here? My little girl is coming today!"

"Oh, yeah I know. And she has arrived," Sandy smiled back at her standing on the driver's side with the door still open and looking over top of the car. Jennifer looked back at her with confusion, one eyebrow up, almost like she's asking what the hell she's talking about.

Ava stepped out of the vehicle, with a small, shy smile. "Um, hi."

"Wait, what? No way!"

"Yes way!" Sandy had this huge smile on her face.

Jennifer's confused face slowly pulled up into this gigantic smile before she walked over and hugged Ava. As Ava was hugging Jennifer, she had noticed Mark and the young boy, her new brother, wandered outside to greet them. Mark also had this confusion washed over his face. "So you're really my foster daughter?" Jennifer was still confused, but just making sure.

Ava had a real smile. Again, they're rare. "Yeah, I haven't known for long. But as soon as I did, when you asked for advice on what to do with the room, that's why I kept saying things that I like," she had a big smile.

"Oh, this makes me so excited! Well, come on, let's get your stuff inside and show you around!" Jennifer started towards the car as Sandy handed her one of the two suitcases. Mark ran over quickly to grab the other. Jennifer led them inside and introduced her to Luke. "Ava, this is Luke, our star son we've told you about, Luke, this is your foster sister, Ava. Be nice."

"Nice to meet you," the boy smiled and held out his hand that Ava hesitantly shook.

"Luke, darling, why don't you show Ava around the house, as we take her things to her room."

"Yes ma'am," he smiled his 'star' smile before leading her around to every room downstairs. Ava stopped a few times in the living room to look at the pictures and smiled, listening to some of Luke's memories he would rattle on about. He then took her upstairs and mainly pointed at closed doors going, "That's mom and dad's room, that's Lauren's room, this one is my room, and here's yours." The only one they walked into, everyone was in and talking. Ava took one long look around and let a small smile embrace her face, noticing all the details, even the little ones, that Jennifer took note of and remembered that she had mentioned. The white lights behind the canopy on the bed, the bed sheets being galaxy print, as were the curtains, a desk for homework, a dresser and plenty of small storage units with small decorations of things she liked and of course, plenty of wall space for anything she would like to hang up.

"I hope you like it." The room had gotten quiet when the pair walked in. Ava really didn't have many words, so she just nodded. "Lauren went to a friend's house. So you'll get to meet her later. Sandy, would you like to stay for dinner?" Jennifer smiled in her direction and when the thought was brought up, Ava looked at Sandy with this 'please don't leave me yet' expression.

"I don't see why I can't," she responded, watching the younger girl's reaction and smiled at her. Soon enough, the adults had left the room and Luke ended up laying on her bed as she unpacked her clothes, putting them away in drawers or on hangers, settling in. Luke just laid on her bed playing on his phone. 'Texting his team,' Ava had assumed. Neither said a word, but enjoyed each other's company.