A Dead Girl

Chapter 20 Emancipation?

Avery's POV

So I've been doing a lot of research on what it takes to get emancipated and it seems like I have everything.

I have a good job as an animator, I have an apartment, and I'm healthy and seeing a therapist for my past trauma. It says that I don't have to go through the whole court process if I either get married or go into the military. Maybe?

My thought process is quickly interrupted by my boyfriend Jamie.

"Hey babe what do you want for dinner?"

"I'm feeling like sushi, you?"

"I could go for sushi, hey what are you looking at?"
He jumps in top of me at stares at my computer screen which currently is filled with how I could get married and be immediately emancipated.

"Hey get off!" I said pushing him off of me, he started giggling.

"You wanna get married?"

"Sigh, I wanna get emancipated so that I can get Scarlett and Amy out of those group homes"

"I understand. So you think we should get married?"

"I want us to get married when we're good and ready and I wanna do it because I love you, not because I wanna get emancipated without having to go to court"

"We do love each other right?"

"Yeah of course"

"Then it would still be because we love each other"

"Babe we don't even have the money for a wedding"

"I'm just saying, I wouldn't mind some extra company around the house"

"You know how crazy my sisters are, right?"

"Just as crazy as you" He leaned down and kissed me.

"Rude" I said while kissing him back.

He laughed and went to go get some sushi. Tomorrow is visiting day at Scarlett and Amy's group home. Luckily there at different times so I can see them both this week. I really hope their doing okay, I mean we've all never been this separate.
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The next day

So me and Jamie started driving to Scarlett's group home this morning, Jamie was riding along because one, those two argue about random topics like an old married couple and Scarlett loves arguing with people, and two I'm dropping him off at his friends house.

We got to the house and there were various other cars pulled up. We found a place to park and headed to the door.

"Do I look ok?"

"Babe you look fine, plus it's only Scarlett"

"I know I just don't wanna seem childish or anything just in case the social worker here's about this"

"Babe it's fine"

Then the door swung open and the director/counselor asked us our names then welcomed us in.

"Scarletts been doing pretty well so far, oh and here she is! So you guys, no talk about food or weight, no talk about suicide or self harm or anything around that ballpark, and lastly no talk about anything sexual"

We both nodded and she walked to another family. We both turned our attention to Scarlett who was awfully quiet.

"Hey Scar, how are you"

She looked at me but it was like she wasn't even there.

We sat down.

"Scarlett? Are you ok?"

Then she spoke in the most low monotone voice.

"I deserve this, whatever your trying to do, stop"

I looked her and then at Jamie who was just as confused and concerned.

"Scarlett it's not your fault"

"That's funny because last time I checked it's always been my fault. When mom used to beat us, who initiated that? Me. Who made Amy fucking cut herself? Me. Who got us kicked out of a wonderful foster home and sent to group homes? Me. It's always been my fault. So stop trying to help me. Help Amy, someone who actually deserves it. After all I'm just a self harming alcoholic"

"Scar-

"And for the love of god would you stop calling me that!"

She yelled at me for calling her by her nickname. She used to love it, dad gave it to her. Like Scar from the lion king, that was their favorite movie.

Just then the counselor walked over to us and asked if there was a problem. I said no but Scarlett said yes so our visit was cut short. Before she went upstairs she said-

"Tell Amy I'm sorry, and tell her I won't be hurting her or you anymore"

"Scarlett-

And then I was back in the car. Jamie canceled his plans because he didn't want me to be alone even though I told him I'd be fine.

We drove to see Amy, hopefully this will go better.

We got inside and saw Amy who looked pissed off, she must still be mad about what happened.

"Hey Amy"

"Hey"

"Um, how are you?"

"I feel like shit"

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No. How've you been?"

"I started seeing a therapist"

"Oh...ok"

Jamie spoke up.

"So, how is this place?"

"It's like a prison"

"Well it's good to see you, though I wish you were doing better"

"I have no idea how I'm still single"

I chuckled. "You'll find someone someday"

She smiled. That made me feel the tiniest bit of hope.

We talked for a half an hour or so and then we ate dinner there, talked some more and then left.

On the way back home Jamie told me I should go through with trying to get emancipated. He said seeing Scarlett and Amy like that broke his heart, we did all basically grow up together. Me and him have been together since freshman year. He's always been my rock and I love him.

When we got home he kept insisting that we figure it out.

"Jamie, I can't afford a lawyer right now, we can't afford to get married, and I'm not going into the military"

"Well we can't wait 3 months and hope their still...sane"

"Sigh, I know Im trying to think of a way this could work"

He both stood there for a minute.

"What if we got eloped at town hall, and had an actual wedding later on?" Jamie said.

"That....that could work. When should we do it?"

"Let's file it right now"

"You know even if I'm emancipated, there's no guarantee we'll get them"

"It's worth a shot"

Then me and him went through the whole process of getting eloped and we were set to get married next Tuesday.

"This is actually soo exciting" I said

"Hell yeah it is"

Then he picked me up and started carrying me to our bedroom.

I laughed and asked "what are you doing?"

He kissed me and things escalated from there, we both had a pretty good night.
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Hope you guys enjoyed this one in Avery's pov, I hope to do a lot more with her as a character! Until next time, bai😌