hapter 19
Chapter 19
34
That night I sat at my desk with my homework spread out. Math problems, science worksheets, English assignments. But my eyes kept drifting to the computer screen.
ClipTalk was open in a small window. My username showed online.
I solved a few algebra problems. Checked the screen. Nothing.
Read a chapter for English class. Checked again. Still empty.
“Avery!” Mom’s voice echoed from downstairs. “Come help with the dishes!”
I minimized ClipTalk and went down to the kitchen. Mom was scraping plates into the trash. She pointed to the dishwasher without looking at me.
“Load these. Make sure the glasses go on top.”
I stacked dishes while she wiped down counters. The TV was on in the living room. Dad and Ava were laughing at some comedy show.
“When you’re done, go straight to your room,” Mom said. “It’s a school night.”
She left the kitchen without another word.
I finished loading dishes and went back upstairs. Opened ClipTalk immediately.
A soft ding came from the speakers.
My heart jumped. I clicked on the notification.
A message from someone called “SoccerBoy2010” popped up.
“Hey cutie, what’s up?”
I stared at the screen. Some random person trying to chat me up. I closed the message without responding and blocked the user.
It was not what I was hoping for.
I waited another hour. Finished my homework. Organized my desk. Checked ClipTalk every few minutes.
No messages from anyone I actually wanted to talk to.
At ten PM, I finally closed the program and went to bed.
The next morning dragged by. First period history. Second period math. I watched Arthur, Lily, and Daniel during passing times. They walked together, talking quietly.
I tried catching Arthur’s eye during English class. He looked right through me.
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Chapter 19
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At lunch, I sat with Ava and her friends like always. But my eyes kept drifting to the corner table where Arthur, Lily, and Daniel ate together.
“Earth to Avery,” Madison said, snapping her fingers. “Sarah asked you a question.”
“Sorry. What?”
“I asked if you liked my new bracelet.”
I glanced at Sarah’s wrist. “It’s nice.”
But I was watching Lily flip through a book while she ate. Arthur was explaining something with his hands. Daniel was sketching in a notebook.
They looked happy without me.
“You keep staring over there,” Ava said quietly. “At those kids.”
“I’m not staring.”
“You’ve looked over there like ten times.”
I forced myself to focus on my sandwich. “I was just spacing out.”
34
After lunch, I tried to walk past their table. Maybe catch Arthur’s eye. Let him know I was still thinking about them.
But Ava grabbed my arm. “Where are you going?”
“Just throwing away my trash.”
“The trash can is the other way.”
I let her steer me toward the correct garbage bin. Away from my old friends.
During study hall, I saw Daniel in the library. He was at a corner table with his art supplies spread out.
I started to get up from my seat. Maybe I could walk past him. Drop a note. Something.
“Avery?” The librarian, Mrs. Chen, looked at me over her glasses. “Do you need something?”
“Just looking for a book.”
“The fiction section is behind you.”
I turned around and pretended to browse the shelves. When I glanced back, Daniel was packing up his things. The moment had passed.
After school, Arthur was at his locker. I could see him from where I stood with Ava and her friends.
“Come on,” Madison said. “My mom’s here to pick us up.”
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Chapter 19
I looked back at Arthur one more time. He was walking away with his heavy backpack.
“Avery!” Ava called. “Are you coming or not?”
I followed them to Madison’s car. Another missed chance.
I trudged home alone. Ava had stayed after school for some student council thing.
尽
34
The house was quiet when I got there. Mom’s car wasn’t in the driveway. She was probably running errands.
I went to my room and threw my backpack on the floor. Sat at my desk and stared at the computer screen.
Maybe I should just give up. Accept that some friendships couldn’t be repaired.
“Avery!” Mom’s voice called from downstairs. “Come help me with groceries!”
I spent the next two hours helping with household tasks. Carrying grocery bags. Folding laundry. Vacuuming the living room. By the time I finished, Ava was home and dinner was ready.
“How was student council?” Dad asked as we ate.
“Great! Sarah’s having a birthday party this weekend. She invited our whole group.”
“That sounds fun,” Mom said.
“Avery’s invited too,” Ava added. “Right, Avie?”
I looked up from my spaghetti. “Sarah invited me?”
“Of course. We’re all going.”
“What kind of party?”
“Pool party at her house. It’ll be awesome.”
My stomach dropped. Pool party. I remembered Sarah’s party from my previous life. How Madison and her friends had “accidentally” pushed me into the deep end while I was still wearing my regular clothes. How everyone laughed while I struggled to get out. How humiliated I felt for the rest of the night.
“I don’t think I can make it,” I said.
“What? Why not?” Ava looked confused.
“I have… homework.”
“It’s on Saturday. You can do homework on Sunday.”
“I also don’t have a swimsuit that fits.”
“We can go shopping. Right, Mom?”
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Chapter 19
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Mom nodded. “We could make a trip to the mall tomorrow after school.”
I felt trapped. Just like with Madison’s party. If I didn’t go, Ava would ask questions. My parents would get suspicious about my attitude again.
“Okay,” I said reluctantly. “I guess I can go.”
“Great! You’ll love it. Sarah’s pool is huge.”
34
After dinner, I had more chores. Dishes. Wiping down tables. Taking out trash. Mom seemed determined to keep me busy with every little task she could think of.
“Make sure you vacuum under the couch cushions,” she said. “And dust the picture frames in the hallway.”
By the time I finished everything, it was almost ten PM. I was exhausted and my homework still wasn’t done.
I climbed the stairs slowly. My legs ached from running around all evening.
In my room, I opened my science textbook to start on the assignment that was due tomorrow. But first, I figured I should check my email for anything from teachers.
I opened my browser and was about to go to the school website when I noticed something.
ClipTalk was still open from last night. I’d forgotten to log out.
And there were notifications.
Five friend requests. All from usernames I didn’t recognize but somehow knew had to be my old lunch table friends.
BookwormL94. ArtistD_2010. FantasyFan_A. And two others I couldn’t immediately identify.
My heart started beating faster.
Below the friend requests was another notification. An invitation to join a group chat called “The Real Ones.”
I clicked on it with trembling fingers.
The invitation was from BookwormL94. The message was short:
“Still want to talk? We’re ready to listen. But this is your last chance.”
My eyes lit up as I stared at the screen.
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Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
