Chapter 41
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Well that’s messed up,” Madison frowned. “You’re both their kids. Shouldn’t that mean they should be proud of both of you? It’s just… weird.”
“You have no idea,” I muttered. “You should have seen how they are when I get a higher grade than Ava, and that’s a whole different thing from this. Now imagine if they knew I had a real job, with a paycheck and everything.”
Her eyes widened. “They still don’t know about the newspaper?”
“Shhh!” I hissed, glancing nervously at our table. Sarah and Chloe were already there, laughing to something. “No. And they can’t. Ever.”
We slid into our seats. Sarah was telling Chloe about a competition she was signing her dog into. Madison stayed quiet, picking at her sandwich and occasionally shooting me thoughtful glances throughout the entire lunch period.
Later, during a free period, she cornered me by the lockers. “I get it, you know,” she said, her voice softer now. “The parent thing. It sucks. My mom is always comparing me to my cousin who’s a gymnast. It’s the worst.”
I leaned against the wall, a small smile on my lips. “Yeah. It is.”
“So… this writing job,” she began, a spark of curiosity in her eye. “Is it cool? Do you, like, get to interview famous people? Like Nicki…”
I couldn’t help but smile. “No famous people. Yet, at least till I’m brave enough to step out of the closet. It’s also a local but last week I wrote a piece on the new recycling initiative at the city park.”
Her nose scrunched up. “Okay, that sounds kinda boring.”
“It’s not all glamour,” I laughed. “But it’s mine. And the editor, Davina, takes me seriously. She doesn’t care that I’m twelve and still a kid. I mean, she somehow understands me. Even after my parents went to their office to warn them off, she still… She and Mrs Rachel are my fairy godmother.”
“Wow,” Madison breathed, genuinely impressed. “That’s actually really cool, Avery. I guess I’ll join your firm if they are interested in playing dress up. Do you think they need anyone to like, model cute outfits?”
I grinned. “You’ll make a perfect cute kid model”
“Cute model? Yes. A kid? Absolutely not” she huffed, pretending to be annoyed.
“Yeah whatever” I laughed. “But you can’t tell anyone. Not Sarah or Chloe. I trust them but you know how a secret can slip out. If it gets to Ava, it’s a straight shot to my parents in a heartbeat.”
“I promise,” she said, making a cross sign over her heart. “Your secret is safe with me.” She paused. “But you have to promise me something too.”
“What?”
“Promise you’ll try to hang out with us once in a while not inet during lunch hranl
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Chapter 41
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I smiled and pulled out my right pinky finger. “I promise,” I said, and I meant it. “I’m not going anywhere. It’s a pinky promise.”
She nodded, crossing hers and with mine. “Okay. Good. You also must not turn into a total nerd. If you do, I have the right to mock you endlessly.”
“Deal.”
*****
After school, I had a little research in the library about my next article on Daily Grind. I was just leaving the library when my phone buzzed. It was a text from my mom.
Mom: Where are you? You were supposed to be home 30 minutes ago.*
My eyes widened in shock. Damn it, I had lost track of time. I typed back, my fingers moving clumsily. I was
nervous.
Me: Sorry! I was at the library. On my way now.
The three dots appeared immediately, indicating that she’s typing.
Mom: This is the third time this week, Avery. This is becoming a problem. We’ll talk when you get home.
When I walked through the front door, my parents were sitting in the living room. Ava was perched on the arm of the sofa, a look of smug concern on her face.
“Finally,” dad said, not looking up from the newspaper. I could tell he was pretending to read it.
“Sit down, Avery,” my mom said calmly, resting her hand on her hips.
I gulped down and sat in the armchair opposite them, my heart beating loudly.
“These ‘study groups‘ and you always being in the ‘library“,” my mom began, making air quotes around the words with her fingers. “They’re taking over your life. Your grades are fine already. More than fine. So what is this really about?”
“It’s about learning, Mom. And it looks good for-”
“We know what it looks good for,” she interrupted. “I’m a literate, remember? But this is excessive. You’re neglecting your family. Your sister Ava, says she barely sees you anymore.”
I glanced at Ava, who shrugged and gave me a little smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I just miss my sister, that’s all,” she said sweetly.
“I’m right here,” I rolled my eyes. “You don’t have to be so dramatic about it, you know you can talk to me anytime.”
“It’s not the same,” Ava sighed. “You’re always so… busy. And stressed. It’s like you’re a million miles away.”
My dad finally lowered his newspaper. “Your mother and I are concerned. This sudden drive… It’s not healthy.
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Chapter 41
All work and no play make Jack a full boy. You’re twelve, Avery. You’re a kid, you should be having fun.”
“I am having fun,” I insisted. “I’ll be thirteen in a few months dad, a teenager. Not going to be a kid forever. Moreover, I enjoy this. I like the Debate Club. This is fun for me.”
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“Fun?” My mom’s composure cracked. “Staying late at school to argue about nonsense politics is fun? Staying in the library for most of your time is fun? Avery! It’s obsessive!”
“So what should I be doing?” I groaned, my own frustration bubbling over. “What’s your approved version of ‘fun,‘ Mom? Should I be more like Ava? Spending hours on my hair and talking about boys? Would that make me look more normal to you? More lovable for you?”
The second the word “lovable” left my lips, the room went dead silent. Ava’s smug look vanished, replaced by genuine shock. Dad looked stunned while mom’s face flushed into a deep, angry red.
“How dare you,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “How dare you speak to me that way. This is exactly what I’m talking about! This attitude! These stupid clubs, this… this bitterness… it’s changing you for the worse.”
“No,” I said, standing on my feet even though my knees felt weak. “It’s not changing me. It’s letting me be me. I… Why is that so threatening to you?”
“THAT’S ENOUGH!” my dad roared, slamming his hand on the coffee table. “You will not speak to your mother that way. You are grounded. For two weeks. No clubs. No library. You come straight home from school. Any minute later and your phone will be seized. Is that understood?”
田
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.
