Seasons Summer: A Sequel To 'Lean On Me' [COMPLETED]

Chapter 1: Summer Bummer

May

 "Avery! Rise and shine, kid! Time for school," Zach wakes his son up.

"School. Last day of sophomore year. Great," Avery yawns.

"Avery, please. You might get late," Zach begs his son.

"Okay. Okay, dad. Where's mom, anyways?" Avery asks.

"Your mom's at work. She left early," Zach replied.

"Oh I see," Avery makes his breakfast.

Zach and Avery then head to Avery's school, where Avery is met by the school's principal.

"Avery Yaleman," The Principal said.

"Yes, ma'am?" Avery replied nervously.

"I need to talk to you," The principal stated.

"Um. Yeah. Sure," Avery walked with the Principal to her office.

"Look, Avery. It's the last day of school. And we want you to do better in class ," The Principal noted.

"What are you talking about? I'm doing better. I got straight B's this year," Avery's voice cracked.

"I know that you've been going to this school since kindergarten. We just want you to get A's just like your father did when he was your age," The Principal smiled.

"Okay. Where is this coming from?" Avery asked.

"Your dad. Of course. He's the one who told us to push you to be better man," The Principal remarked.

"That's...awesome," A disappointed Avery sighed.

"Just want you to know that we want the best for you," The Principal exclaimed.

"My gosh. What am I gonna do?" Avery muttered as he walked out of the principal's office.

   Annoyed by what his father did to him, Avery walked through the halls of the school, trying to think of a way to talk his father out of this.

"Come on. You're smart. You can think of a way to get out of this thing," Avery muttered.

   Sinking in his thoughts, Avery accidentally bumped into Jack McGrady, a jock, his classmate, and his longtime bully.

"Hey, faggot. Watch where you're going," Jack chuckled.

"Sorry," Avery preceded to avoid Jack.

"I'm not done with you yet. Come here," Jack pulled Avery's backpack.

"Please, Jack. I still need to do something," Avery begs Jack.

"Blah, blah, blah. Who cares?" Jack pulls Avery's underpants from his back and hangs him to his locker.

"Heh. Love seeing you like this, faggot. Sure gonna miss this," Jack mocked Avery.

"Ahhh!" Avery's locker door broke apart.

"You ok?" A girl asked, leading a helping hand.

"Yeah. I'm fine," Avery pulls his pants up.

"I'm Cassandra Carter, by the way. I'm really sorry about Jack," Cassandra introduces herself.

"No. It's ok. Got used to it already. Avery. Avery Yaleman," Avery shakes her hand.

"Yaleman? As in Zach Yaleman the writer?" An overjoyed Cassandra asked.

"Yeah. He's my dad," Avery replied.

"Oh my God! I love his books so much. I have read every single one of them!" Cassandra exclaimed.

"He's the best," Avery sardonically said.

"Of course he is! Sorry but...can I get an autograph from your dad?" Cassandra giggled.

"Um...yeah. Sure. Why not?" Avery smiled.

"Here. Take it," Cassandra hands one of Zach's books to Avery.

"Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. So in return, can I get you something to eat?" Cassandra offers to treat Avery.

"Oh no. I'm good. I do book signing for free," Avery turns down her offer.

"Please. It's all I can do for you," Cassandra insists.

"Fine. Your choice," Avery reliefs his stress.

After school, Avery and Cassandra decided to hang out and talk about their lives.

"So, Avery. What is it like to have a dad that is famous?" Cassandra asked while eating ice cream.

"It's okay. Nothing special though," Avery noted.

"Nothing special? I mean wherever you and your father go, people, who read his books are gonna freak out," Cassandra replied.

"I don't really go out especially if he's coming with me," Avery tediously remarked.

"Is something going on between you two?" Cassandra wondered.

"Yeah. There is. He's very condescending. And I hate it," Avery noted.

"He always wants me to be like him. To be a "Straight A's" student," Avery added.

"Really gets to my guts," Avery sighed.

"He just wants what's best for you," Cassandra said.

"Heh. Really? He doesn't even let me play games on a weekend, which is a total bummer for teens like us," Avery remarked.

"Yeah. That really sucks," Cassandra agreed.

"But maybe you should talk to him. Tell him how you feel," Cassandra advises Avery.

"Maybe you're right. Wish he listens. He's a bit bossy," Avery smiles.

"And that's how I feel to have a famous dad," Avery adds.

"How about you? How's life going for you?" Avery asks Cassandra.

"Everything's going great. My mom and dad are going to Hawaii for a business event for a month, which means I got the whole house for myself," Cassandra gleefully said.

"That's awesome. Wish that happened to me," Avery replied.

"Yeah. But still have a baby brother to take care of," Cassandra adds.

"Bummer," Avery chuckles.

"Well...not really," Cassandra smirks.

"Surprising," Avery jokes.

"My brother is the one, who bothers me when he's hungry. We can't bother my mom because of her work. Same goes to my dad," Cassandra explained.

"That's sad. I'm really sorry you're going through this," Avery tries to comfort Cassandra.

"Nah. It's fine. I'm used to it already. That's why you should be thankful your father still cares for you more than his job," Cassandra remarked.

"You're right. Sometimes having a job sucks because it preoccupies our parents' time to be with us," Avery stated.

"Heh. Pretty wise, Avery. Just like your dad. Now go talk to him before it's too late," Cassandra encourages Avery.

   Before Avery walks away, Cassandra gives him a piece of paper, containing her phone number and told Avery to call her Cassie from now on.