The Story of Ava

Chapter 6

That Monday was the first day for Ava at her new school. Luke had already vowed to show her around and help her get where she needed to go. The Kennard's had given Ava a trac phone so that they could contact each other if needed. She was practically texting Luke all day because she didn't know anyone and felt alone. He may have skipped class a few times to come meet up with her to make sure everything was going okay. He can get away with that because he's the star athlete and teacher's pet. He even invited her to sit with him at lunch with all the basketball players. Ava was being hella shy and barely ate while sitting there. She was nervous and just kind of clinged to Luke's side. She got to know a few of Luke's closest friends, that she had heard him talk about to his parents, but she still barely spoke to them. "You doing okay? You seem a little tired," Luke had noticed and leaned closer to his sister and asked quietly, not to interrupt the conversation.

Ava nodded, "I'm okay, but yeah, a little tired."

The boy just smiled back, "We'll be out of here soon."

Only a few short hours later, Ava was finishing up in her math class as she listened to the afternoon announcements. She felt her small trac phone buzz in her pocket and pulled it out to notice a text from Luke. 'Meet me right outside the gym after the bell. : )' She couldn't help, but smile at his little smiley face.

The second the bell rang, everyone got up and practically ran out of the classrooms and flooded the halls. Ava decided to wait a few minutes and slowly gather her things before leaving the room. The school was small so she was getting use to it fairly quickly. She worked her way through the crowd and out the front doors before spotting Luke's tall figure with his buds, other tall figures, and made her way over towards him. Before he could say a word, she spat out, "Do you have practice?"

"Not today. We have the day off, so I'm taking you home and mom's making us snacks and the boys are coming over. You okay with that?" Ava just nodded. She was ready to get home and get to work on her homework and just relax.

The second they got home, Ava was already out the car and running into the house and up to her room. "Is she okay? Have a bad day?" Jennifer had to immediately ask her son when he came in, leading the pack of boys.

"No, she's good," he smiled, shrugging.

Jennifer only half believed the boy so after making them snacks she went up to talk to her daughter. "Hey sweets, can I come in?" Ava was sitting by her desk, finishing up some homework when she nodded. "You have an okay first day?"

"Yeah, Luke made sure I was okay. Checked in on me. I'm just uncomfortable around lots of new people."

"I completely understand. Well, if you need me, I'll be downstairs in my office, okay?" Ava just nodded in response and immediately got back to work on her homework.

The time was about seven o'clock in the evening now. The siblings were outside shooting hoops and playing horse. Ava realized she's never been happier. She found herself smiling more, even when she missed. She also realized that her and Luke had grown closer, although it's only been a few days. "What do you say? Me, you, some of the guys, we go out bowling this weekend? Maybe the arcade or something?" Luke held the ball after Ava's miss off the backboard and wandered over to her.

"Sounds like fun," she nodded and smiled back at him, asking for the ball back. He refused to give it to her. He made her run for it. She chased him all around the outside of the house, before they heard Jennifer call them in for dinner. 'I could get use to this,' Ava thought, as she panted, heading to get some dinner. Luke held his hand behind his back, discreetly, to high five her on their way in the house.