Chapter 30
It was day thirteen.
Just one more day until my suspension ends.
I stood in my room folding the clothes I had washed carlier. My hands moved automatically.
Fold. Stack. Fold. Stack.
The clean laundry in my hands was just another task in a two–week long roll of chores.
“Avery!” Mom’s voice called from downstairs. “Did you start the laundry yet?”
I opened my door slightly.
“I’ll do it after I finish this!” I shouted back, not waiting for a reply before shutting the door back.
I could hear her mumbling something else but who cares. I do my chores at my own pace.
I grabbed the basket of clean clothes and headed toward the stairs.
Ava was standing there at the top, right in my path.
She smiled coldly at me. The smile reserved for when our parents aren’t looking.
“What?” I asked, my voice flat.
“Just thinking,” Ava replied sweetly, twirling a strand of hair. “You’ll…”
“Keep it. I don’t want to hear it.” I cut her off, trying to get past her.
“You’ll be back at school tomorrow?” She continued, blocking me.
“So?”
“So school has gotten quite interesting without you. Sarah has been hosting these lunch hangouts. Madison started a new group chat. Everyone’s been having so much fun.”
I stare at her, looking bored. Does she thinks I care about those airhead she calls her friends?
“It would be nice if you don’t come back,” She whispered casually. Like she was suggesting I skip dessert.
“Move,” I spat.
She took a step toward the stairs. Positioning herself at the very edge of the top step.
“I’m serious, Avie. Nobody wants you there anyway.”
“Keep your foolish opinions to yourself,” I replied.
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Chapter 30
“Ok” she smirked.
I stared at her in disbelief as her expression changed.
She dapped drops of her spit into the corner of her eyes, her lips trembling.
(3)
“I’m sorry, Avery!” She screamed, “I didn’t mean to say that! I’ll talk to our friends! I’ll make them love you again!”
Footsteps echoed downstairs. Mom’s back.
“What’s happening up there?” Mom echoed from downstairs.
“Don’t push me, please!” Avie cried out, putting more spit into her eyes.
“You’re disgusting,” I whispered, dropping down the basket of clothes. “But it’ll be a shame if I don’t help you get what you want so badly.”
I reached out and placed my hand on her shoulder.
Her eyes widened with shock. “What are you doing?”
“Charity my darling” I pushed her slightly. Not hard. Just enough to get the reaction I wanted.
A gasp ripped out her throat, fear flashing across her face as she wavered backwards.
But I didn’t let her fall. My hand griping tightly on her shoulder.
I pulled Ava back toward me just in time as Mom’s footsteps got closer.
I held onto her arm and fell to my knees.
“Ava, please!” I sobbed loudly. “I’m sorry! It’s my own fault our friends don’t like me anymore!”
Ava looked at me with shock and complete confusion.
I smirked within, more tears trailing down my cheeks.
“Please talk to them! Ask them to sit with me in class tomorrow! Please. Please, Ava!”
“What is going on?” Mom asked, appearing at the bottom of the stairs.
“Ava almost fell!” I rushed to explain, keeping my grip locked on Ava’s arm. “I grabbed her just in time!”
Mom rushed up the stairs, pulling Ava from my grasp, checking for any invisible wounds.
“Why were you screaming, Ava?”
Ava just stared, her mouth opening and closing. She was still processing what had happened.
“She was telling me that our friends don’t like me anymore.” I answered softly, looking down like I was
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Chapter 30
ashamed. “That they won’t want to sit with me when I go back to school.”
Mom’s expression hardened as she turned to me. “Well, that’s your own fault, isn’t it?”
The words stung but I kept my face neutral, I wouldn’t expect anything else from mom.
“Yes,” I said. “It’s my fault.”
633
“If you hadn’t pulled that stunt with the writing and the lying, your friends would still like you. You did this to yourself.”
“I know. I accept that.”
Mom searched my face for a moment and sighed.
“Clean those damn tears, thank goodness your sister is fine. You both need to stop this nonsense up here. Ava, sweetheart, there’s some cookies for you in the kitchen.”
She turned and walked back down the stairs.
I smirked as soon as we were left alone. “Do you still want to fall?”
Her face paled.
“Didn’t think so,” I said sweetly.
I stepped forward, brushing my shoulder into hers intentionally as I walked past.
I smiled returning to the dining table after placing the folded laundry. Dad was absent, gone on some business trip.
He hadn’t bothered to say goodbye and I hadn’t bothered to care.
As dinner ended, mom ordered me to wash the plates and do the last laundry.
“And don’t forget to prepare for school tomorrow. We don’t want you to leave a more negative impression than you already have.” she said, rolling her eyes slightly.
I gave a curt nod before packing the plates.
“You’re acting twisted,” Ava whispered behind me as I stood at the sink.
“Yeah, I learned from the best, sissy.”
“I’m going to tell her the truth”
I turned, blinking with feigned innocence.
“That you wanted to fall and I was being the good sister you always wanted me to be by helping you?” I smirked. “Go ahead. Isn’t that what sisters are for?”
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Chapter 30
“God, you’re creepy!” She spat, stomping off to her room.
I smiled in satisfaction.
If I was always to be the villain, it was time I started playing the part they so want me to.
AD
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.
