Page Numbers

13- Avery

I am so dead. I think as my car pulls up at the gates, I reach out the door and press the buzzer, "Hey Caster, it's Avery, could you open the gate?"

"Of course madame." He responds and the gates spread apart. I rev the engine and speed toward the garage, parking precariously close to my dads new Lamborghini, then grab my bag racing up the stairs only to run right into- "Oh, there you are honey." My Mum.

"Hey Mum, What's happening?" I say awkwardly as she squeezes me so hard I think my ribs might break. She let's go giving me two air kisses on the cheeks before taking a step back and hooking her arm around mine, walking me up stairs.

"Oh sweetie, it's so good to see you it's been so long, I've got so much to tell you, and you've probably got heaps to tell me, but first, let's go see your father."

We arrive on the first floor and I chuck my bag onto the ground as Mum struts into the kitchen dragging me along, but I freeze when I see the look on my Dads face. "Avery," here it comes, "where have you been all day?"

"Sorry Dad I just... I was at school with this friend and I lost track of time-"

"You knew your mother was arriving today." He sighed, "You have to be more responsible Avery." "She is responsible, she just made a mistake. Don't be so hard on her," my Mum says coming over to me and placing her hand on my shoulder. Dad rolls his eyes and mutters "Of course YOU think that Emily."

"Now what's that supposed to mean." My Mum says taking a step forward. "You know exactly what that means," he replies taking a step forward as well. I stand there and watch them glaring at each other and frown. "Is everything okay?" I ask.

They look over to me and my Mum smiles, but I can tell it's fake, "Of course everything's just... peachy, right... honey?" She tries to smile at him but it looks more like a grimace. My Dad looks at me like he's contemplating something, but eventually he just sighs," It's time we tell her Emily." Mum sighs and stands beside Dad, "Look sweetie, things with your father and I, they haven't been going very well, we both need some space." I frown, "How much more space could you need you already live in different cities!" I look between them and see the look they're giving me, "No.... no! It can't be!" Mum sighs but before she can say anything I butt in, "You two are getting a divorce?! How could you! I thought you guys loved eachother, I thought you loved me! Did you even take a moment to think about me in this situation? Did you?!" "Avery-" My Mum starts, "No! I just... I need some space," I walk out of the kitchen. "Avery, where are you going!" Mum calls after me, "I'm going out, I'll be back later," I grab my bag from where I threw it on the ground, walk outside and slam the door, "or not."

---

Okay Avery, just keep walking. It's fine, your family is falling apart right in front of you, everything's okay, just focus on the positive... Okay okay, I get it, good job brain, thanks for making me feel better. I close my eyes, deep breaths, in 1, 2, 3 and out 1, 2, 3. In 1, 2, 3, and ou- SCREECH! Suddenly I hear tires screeching and my eyes fly open as I jump backwards falling on my butt. I look up and see the front of a car inches away from my face, well that was close, I hear a door open and suddenly there's someone next to me.

"Oh my god are you okay? I am so sorry, I just came around the corner and you were standing there." I look up and see a tall, handsome guy that looks sort of familiar, I frown when it hits me, book store dude! He's standing there with his hand out towards me while I sit there like a doof making a fool of myself.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine." I say jumping up and brushing my self off. The guy frowns at me, "You look sort of familiar, do I know you?"

"Um, yeah I think so, I mean, not really. We like, uh, just sort of, well, I was walking and you were walking and there was a bookstore and wow I am not making any sense, but, you know, we like uh-" "Woah, woah," he interrupts me, "It's okay, I think I remember you. You're the girl from the bookstore right?" My eyes light up, the cute guy remembers me! "Um yeah!"

"Well, mysterious-book-store-girl-who-I-just-almost-hit-with-my-car, I don't think I've formally introduced myself. I'm Neil, and what might your name be?" "I'm Avery."

"Ah, a pretty name for a pretty girl," I blush, "Now, where were you headed on an evening like this?" I frown, "I don't know actually." He smiles, "Just out for a stroll, I see. A pretty girl like you can't be wandering these streets alone, let me give you a ride wherever you need to go." I blush again, why am I blushing so much?? "Um that would be great actually," I think for a moment but then I remember Colin, the guy I totally ditched at lunch today, "Colin! I will go to Colin's place." "Colin," Neil says, "This you boyfriend?" I look at him and laugh, "Colin, boyfriend? No way." He smiles, "Okay then, let's take you to Col-" suddenly his neck jerks and he's clutching his head I reach out to him but then he goes back to normal. "Neil? Are you okay?" "Oh yeah, I'm fine, totally cool, 100% coolios, just chilling, ya know the usual." he reaches his hand out as if to lean on something, but there's nothing there and he falls over. "Woah, are you okay?" I reach a hand out to him and he takes it standing up, "Um yeah, thanks. Sorry I'm just uh, feeling a little under the weather." "Are you sure Neil?" He frowns, "Neil? Who in the world is Ne- oh right yep, yeah I'm fine sorry just sudden onset memory loss, it happens a lot with me, don't worry about it." I raise my eyebrows but shrug just going with it. "Well I'll just text Colin and if it's no too much trouble you can take me over to him?" "Sure yeah, sounds great meat go skate 8/8." I frown, "What?" "NOTHING! Let's go." I hop in his car and text Colin to find out where he is and we go on our way.