Down Under

05 unbearable

A week went by, and Ava still refused to look directly at Wes. Sure, sometimes they'd have lunch with their friends, or they'd decide to just hang out but they had yet to say two words to each other. Ava hardly saw him around campus, either she was really good at avoiding him or he was just as good at staying out of her way. But, even when they shared the same space, breathed the same air, they scarcely acknowledged one another. Not a single hello, not a bye when they left, and definitely not even a nod in each other's direction.

"Ok, I know I'm not the only one who's feeling the tension in this room" Dani demanded when they were all seated at a diner after class on a Friday at a diner that supposedly served the best milkshakes not far from campus.

"Dani..." Jason sighed, his hands coming to cover his face in frustration. The atmosphere in the diner got awkward, Ava could see Eli shift in his seat, his eyes bouncing from her to Wes. Dani kept her eyes fixed on Wes, refusing to back down.

"No, I'm serious. How long are you going to keep this up?" She paused, and turned her brown, bright eyes towards Ava "and you. Why are you being so persistent, if he's being a stubborn jackass, at least you could...i don't know try to force him to talk"

"I'm not going to force him to talk to me Dani" Ava mumbled, her eyes fixed on her strawberry, mango milkshake.

"Right, like that could happen" Wes grumbled "I'm not understanding what the problem is, it's been better this way and I don't have to like everyone you're friends with" he finished.

"I...I never said you had to, but like, what gives Wes? Why are you being more difficult than usual?" Dani asked, her eyebrows furrowed and a slight pout present on her face.

"Am I not allowed to just choose who I want to talk to?"

"Dani, can we just drop it, this is getting a little..." Ava trailed off, her cheeks on fire but it was embarrassing, and she didn't like it one bit.

"A little pathetic. You always have other people come to your defence, princess?" Wes snarled, and Ava just wanted the ground to swallow her whole. She liked it much better when he didn't acknowledge her, didn't look at her because then at least he didn't make her feel so pathetic.

With cheeks that were blazing red, and skin that felt a little too hot to touch, she whispered "Can we just, please, please go back ignoring one another"

"Your wish is my command, yer Highness"

"I've got a better idea, let's change the topic. So, what're we planning for Dani's birthday?" Eli spoke up, he leaned forward, eyes eager for answers.

Dani sunk back in her chair, her hands coming to fold across her chest "Nothing. I don't want to do anything" she mumbled.

Jason leaned forward to throw an arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him "Oh come on, don't be like that"

"I'm serious, I'm not in the mood"

"Come on Dan, it's your birthday. We gotta do something" it was Wes who spoke up, his elbows on the greasy table and the black crew neck stretched nicely over his broad shoulders.

"Since when do you care what I want Wesley? " Dani huffed, and nuzzled deeper into Jason's chest.

"You know I care, is that even a serious question?" Ava glanced towards Wes, his lips were furiously digging into his bottom lip and his eyes were slightly narrowed. He looked hurt, a little offended maybe. It was hard to tell, she just knew she'd never seen him like that.

"Right, and if I did have a birthday party, you would just continue to chew Ava out"

"Oh come on, You're not having a birthday party because you're scared I'll be mean to her?"