Amiss

Chapter 12 - Ava

It's late when my phone chimes with a notification. I roll over, eager to read Trey's message. I wonder if he's going to wish me goodnight. But I'm surprised to see Cindy's name pop up on my home screen. I haven't spoken to her in months; we were never super close in high school, even though we shared a few of the same classes. I need to apply the final touches on my essay, but my curiosity gets the better of me as I click on the message.

*Hey Ava, I know it's been a while. But still, if it were me, I would want to know. There's something you ought to see. I was at the beach today with Bobby, and we saw Kyal there... he was with Katy.*

I read the text, and my mind goes blank. What a random and strange message? But then the picture message follows seconds after. A scream escapes me as my phone clatters to the floor. What the fuck!?

It's my boyfriend and best friend practically dry-humping on a beach. I run to the bathroom, feeling like I'm going to be sick. I manage to hold back my hair before unloading my dinner into the toilet bowl. I pull my head back, sobbing once there's nothing left in me to bring up.

I'm sitting on the cold tiled floor, processing the shock when I cling to the idea that photos can be altered. Of course, I don't believe Cindy would do something like that, but it's more likely she photoshopped the image than two people I care about betraying me. Right? I decide I need to confirm this, even with the photo evidence. I need to be 100% certain.

Gathering myself up off the tiles, I begin hunting for my mobile. Somehow I'd flung it under the bed. I see another text from Cindy telling me she's sorry. Sorry for what I don't know, but I need to get to the bottom of this. I light Kyal and Katy's phones up like crazy, not giving a fuck how insane I'm coming across right now. But, of course, they don't answer because they're probably still grinding on each other. But before I decide to, I resort to text messages and leaving nasty voicemails; I call Kyal's home phone.

"Do you know what time it is?" I recognise Kyals' mother, Kathy's annoyed voice. The fact it's midnight had completely slipped my mind.

"Oh, hey Kathy. I'm sorry about the time. It's Ava," I try to sound calm, but my words come out in a rush.

"Ava dear. Are you OK? Dawn told me about the robbery. So it must be a bad neighbourhood?" she asks, sounding genuinely concerned. Kathy's a remarkably absent parent to Kyal, but she's always treated me nice enough.

"It's OK. I think I'm just unlucky... So, um, is Kyal there? I just really need to talk to him. It's very urgent."

"No, dear, he's been working late. He's even been at the office." I roll my eyes. Of course, because a store would let you sleep overnight in the office. It all sounds like utter bullshit to me.

"Oh, that's too bad. It's just really important."

"Do you want me to pass on a message when I see him next?" I bite back all the bile building in my throat at Kathy's kind suggestion. She doesn't need to be dragged into this. I'm beyond angry and devastated, but I respect Kathy too much to give her a piece of my mind.

"Yes, if you could tell him to call me as soon as possible. Sorry to have interrupted your night. Goodbye, Ms Marshall." I end the call with a sense of finality. I haven't confirmed it yet, but it isn't looking good.

Since my calls are being ignored, surely they will notice my messages. I send them both the photo, followed by a string of obscenities. Now they know that I know they're bottom feeders.

Tears trickle down my cheeks as I stare up at the ceiling, thinking of how in less than a month, my whole world has come undone. This was supposed to be an exciting time in my life—a fresh start.