Chapter 38
Chapter 38
They just nodded, a confused mixture of pride that I passed but with an irritation that I had passed their beloved daughter.
As I walked out of the kitchen, I heard Ava’s voice, tight with fury. “She probably cheated. There’s no way…”
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I smiled and walked to the living room. I carefully taped my report card to the refrigerator after pulling off Ava’s old one’s–a row of A’s mixed with a couple of B’s. Yeah, call me petty, I want them to look at it every time they reach for something in the refrigerator.
The moment I was in my room, my phone started blowing up with lots of notifications from the E–Girls
Coven.
Sarah: OMG AVERY! RANK 1?!?!?!?!?!
Madison: THIS IS THE WORK OF A LEGEND! YOU ABSOLUTE LEGEND!
Chloe: I saw the posted rankings! You beat Jason Miller by like, three whole points! His brain must be melting!
Me: a blush emoji‘ I just got lucky, I guess.
Sarah: LUCK? THIS ISN’T LUCK! THIS IS YOU BEING A SUPERGENIUS AND WE ARE NOT WORTHY!
Madison: Ava’s face must have been PRICELESS. I wish I could have been a fly on that wall.
Me: It was… kinda satisfying.
I put down my phone, a smile glowing on my face as I laid down on my bales.
The glow lasted exactly until dinner.
The meal was a quiet one as Ava just pushed her food around her plate, staying silent and sullen while Mom and Dad kept exchanging glances.
Finally, as Mom served the fruit salad for dessert, Dad cleared his throat.
“Avery, your mother and I have been talking.”
I put my fork down, cleaned my lips with the napkin and looked at him. “Yes?”
“Your grades are… exceptional,” he began, trying to choose his words carefully, continuan. “And it’s clear you’ve been making a real effort to follow the rules these past few weeks.”
“Thank you,” I said, my voice neutral.
“However,” Mom jumped in, “an underlying issue remains. The secrecy. The conflict with your sister.”
‘Here we go‘
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Chapter 38
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“We still feel,” Dad continued, “that a change of environment, a chance to… be away from the pressures here, would be the healthiest thing for you.”
I almost chuckled. Of course, I knew where this was going.
“Your grandmother.” Mom said, “We’ve arranged for you to spend the summer with her. You’ll leave this weekend.”
There it was. Temporarily Exiled. Officially confirmed just because I passed my sister. It’s all good.
“I see,” I whispered softly. “For the whole summer?”
“Yes,” Dad confirmed. “It will be good for you. Fresh air. Simple living.”
Simple living you say?
I looked at Ava. She was trying to hide a triumphant smile behind her glass of water, but her eyes gave her away. She thought she’d gotten rid of me.
“Okay,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. I looked down at my hands. “If you think it’s best.”
“We do,” Mom said, her voice softening slightly. “It’s for your own good, Avery.”
“I know,” I lied. I stood up, my chair scraping softly against the floor. “May I be excused? I’d like to start packing.”
They nodded, looking almost relieved.
As I walked out of the dining room, I heard Ava’s syrupy voice. “I’m going to miss her so much. But you’re right, it’s probably what she needs.”
I didn’t turn around. I climbed the stairs, my mind already racing, planning how I’ll be adapting at Grandma’s house.
I opened my suitcase on my bed, I folded my plainest, most boring t–shirts and jeans. I packed my oldest sneakers.
A soft knock came at my door. “Avery?” It was Mom’s voice.
I quickly shoved a normal book on top of my suitcase and opened the door. “Yes?”
She stood there, looking uncomfortable. “I… we really are proud of your grades, honey.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“It’s just… this summer… it’s for the best. You understand that, right? You and Ava… your arguments and all is just so… and your dad wants the best for you.”
I looked at her and smiled.
“I understand,” I said flatly. “You’re sending me away because I’m the problem.”
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Chapter 38
She flinched. “That’s not what I said.”
“It’s what you meant.” I retorted calmly. “It’s okay. I’m used to it.”
Her face crumpled a little. “Avery, that’s not true.”
But we both knew it was. She sighed. “We’re leaving first thing Saturday morning. Be ready by seven.”
“I will be.”
“And you have no business with the newspaper” She left, and I closed the door, leaning against it.
The next morning Ava was practically glowing. I just ate my spaghetti in silence.
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“It’s a shame you’ll be away for some while Avic, summer is always so much fun” Ava said, her voice dripping with fake sympathy.
I looked up and gave her a smile. “That’s okay. I’m sure Grandma and I will find our own fun. Maybe we’ll take up… knitting or whatever.”
She scowled and went back to her food.
Later, as I was double–checking my suitcase, Ava appeared in my doorway.
“All packed for your little vacation?” she asked, leaning against the doorframe.
“Yep,” I said, not looking up.
“You know, you don’t have to be so weird about it. It’s just summer.”
I finally zipped the bag and stood up, facing her. “I know. I’m looking forward to it, actually.”
She snorted. “Right. To sitting in a dusty old house with a woman who has no Wi–Fi or any idea how the internet works”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine, it’ll be peaceful,” I said. “No drama. No one is lying to my face. It sounds like heaven.”
Her face tightened. “You did that to yourself.”
I turned my back on her and finished organizing my backpack. I could hear her huff and stomp away.
***
The morning of departure arrived. I was up before my alarm rang, dressed and ready. I came downstairs to find Mom scrambling eggs and Dad sipping his morning coffee. Ava was not surprisingly awake–still in her pajamas, looking smug.
“All set?” Dad asked,
“Yeah,” I replied, moving to have a seat at the dining.
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Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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.
