I closed my bedroom door, my smile blooming into a full–blown grin. I tossed my backpack onto the bed and pulled out my phone. The screen was still lit up with notifications from “The E–Girls Coven.
Madison: OMG I can’t believe her.
Chloe: So all that stuff about Avery hating us was a lie?
Sarah: Total lie. Ava played us all.
Madison: She told me Avery called me a sheep who just follows trends.
Chloe: She told me Avery said my laugh was annoying!
I didn’t jump in right away. I let them stew in their anger. After about five minutes, I typed a message, making sure my words were soft and careful.
Me: Hey guys… please, let’s not be too mad at her. I’m just really happy to be talking to you all again.
Sarah: You’re too nice, Avery. After what she did?
Me: It’s just… complicated. She’s my sister. I have to live with her. I love her.
I could almost feel their sympathy radiating through the screen and I hadn’t even had to ask.
Me: Anyway, what’s the homework for Bio? I’m so behind
The conversation smoothly shifted as they explained the former lesson to me.
***
“She’s a liar!” Ava shrieked. I cracked my door slightly open to listen.
“She stood there with this fake, pathetic look on her face and twisted everything!”
“Ava, language!” Mom scolded, but her voice was tired. “What did you expect? After you told your friends those things? You said it yourself that you told them she didn’t want to speak to them.”
“I was… I was trying to protect them! From her drama!”
“It sounds like you were creating the drama, young lady.”
I silently pumped my fist. Mom was actually questioning her? This was new. This was progress.
I waited for the sound of Mom footsteps leaving the living room before walking out of my room. I walked downstairs and into the kitchen, Ava was slamming the cabinet doors, putting away the plates.
“Rough day?” I asked sweetly.
Chapter 32
She spun around and glared at me angrily, her eyes red and puffy. “You. You really think you’re smart, don’t you?”
I picked an apple from the fruit bowl and took a loud, crunchy bite, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just acting concerned about you. It’s a new policy of mine.”
“You’re a snake,” she hissed, stepping closer. “A creepy, two–faced snake.”
I leaned in, my voice dropping to a whisper. “No, sissy. I’m just a faster learner than you thought.” I took another bite of the apple. “And by the way, the necklace? I know for a fact that grandma bought it for me. I found the receipt. It’s in my drawer if you want to see it.”
Her face turned red. It was a bluff, but a good one. It was worth seeing her expressions.
“Get away from me,” she whispered, her voice trembling with rage.
“Gladly,” I said sweetly, walking out of the kitchen. “Don’t forget my plate for dinner. You’re on dish duty, right?”
***
The next day at school was… different. Sarah and Madison waved me over to their table before I even had to ask. Ava hissed, glaring at me.
“Hey, Avery!” Sarah said, a little too brightly. “Sit with us.”
“Oh, are you sure?” I asked, hovering by the table. “I don’t want to intrude…”
“You’re not intruding,” Madison said, shooting a glare at Ava. “It’s a free table.”
I sat down, right across from Ava. I gave her a small smile. “Hi, Ava.”
She ignored me, stabbing her yogurt with a spoon.
The conversation at the table was awkward, revolving entirely around things that had happened while I was away from school. I just listened, nodding along, looking interested even though I was bored.
“Oh, that reminds me,” I said, turning to Sarah. “For Mr. Henry’s history project… are we allowed to pick our own partners? Or is he assigning them?”
“He’s letting us choose,” Sarah said. “We should be partners! You, me, and Madison.”
My heart did a little victory dance. Perfect.
Ava’s head snapped up. “What? We always do projects together, Sarah.”
Sarah had the decency to look uncomfortable. “Well, yeah, but… Avery’s kinda smarter. And it’s a three- person project. It just makes sense.”
Ava’s eyes welled up with real tears this time. “So you’re just ditching me?”
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Chapter 32
I chuckled inwardly.
“Oh, no, don’t worry, Ava!” I said, my voice full of fake concern. “You can be in our group! We can make it a four–person thing. I’m sure Mr. Henry won’t mind. I don’t want you to be alone.” I looked at Sarah and Madison. “Right, guys? We can’t just leave her out.”
I had them trapped. If they said no, they looked like bullies. If they said yes, they were stuck with the person they were currently mad at. Their faces were priceless.
“Um… yeah. I guess,” Sarah said reluctantly.
Ava looked from my innocent, pleading face to their unhappy ones. She knew exactly what I had done.
“Forget it,” she snarled, grabbing her tray. “I don’t need your pity.” She dumped her half–eaten lunch on me and stormed off.
The table went silent as I tried to clean up.
“Wow,” Madison finally said. “She’s really lost it.”
I just sighed, looking sadly in the direction Ava had gone. “I just wanted to include her. I hate seeing her upset.”
Sarah patted my hand. “You tried, Avery. You’re a better person than I am. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
***
“Thank you Chris, Catherine the Great is a perfect example of a historical figure known for strategy and influence.”
It’s history class and Mr Henry is teaching us about historical figures.
My hand shot up. “Mr. Henry, what about figures who used more… subtle strategies? Like, psychological manipulation instead of open warfare?”
He adjusted his glasses. “An interesting angle, Avery. Can you give an example?”
“Well,” I said, glancing briefly at Ava, who was slouched in her seat. “Maybe someone who uses
misinformation and plays on people’s emotions to turn them against each other? To gain social power?”
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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.
