My heart clenched. Two weeks. I’m to avoid going to the library for two weeks.
“But Dad, knowledge is power. I can’t just stop-”
“You can, and you will,” he interrupted, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Your family comes first. Your attitude needs adjusting. This, is non–negotiable.”
(32)
Tears from being frustrated burned at the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I looked at my mom, then at Ava, who now looked almost… guilty. But she didn’t say a word.
Without another word, I gave a stiff nod, turned and walked upstairs.
“I’ll be picking you both up from school from today, Avery,” my mom announced, not looking at me as soon as I settled into my seat for breakfast the next morning. “Three–fifteen. Sharp.”
I just nodded and put some scrambled eggs on my plate.
“So, Mom, for my solo at the recital, Mrs. Klein said I should wear my hair in a high bun. What do you think?” Ava asked, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.
“I think that will look lovely, sweetheart,” Mom said sweetly, reaching over to smooth Ava’s hair.
“Mum, stop! You’ll mess it up.” Ava giggled, swatting her hands away.
I kept my eyes locked on my plate. “Three–fifteen. Sharp.’
*****
“So? What happened?” Madison whispered immediately, leaning in the moment I slumped into my seat at lunch. “You look terribly… pale”
“I’m grounded,” I said flatly. “Two weeks. No clubs. No library and my mom is picking me up at three–fifteen. Every. Single. day. My life is pale” I cried, dropping my head on the table.
Sarah’s eyes widened. “Whoa. That’s ridiculous. For what? For being in the library?”
“For having an ‘attitude,” I replied. “For trying to be smart I guess”
“That’s so unfair,” Chloe chimed in, frowning.
“Tell me about it,” I muttered.
“Hmmm!” Madison looked at me, “Okay I have a plan. I will open a new group and any thing you need info on, AE could get it for you and relay it to you in there”
“Uhh?” I gasped, lifting my head up “then you’ll name it ‘Avery Is Grounded‘ support group?”
18:56 Thu, Jan 1
Chapter 42
“Exactly,” she said, grinning. “Now, pass the ketchup. We need to strategize.”
“Omg! what would I do without you guys?” I cried, feeling excited for the first time today.
32
“I should step this out but I love you too much. Don’t misuse this, you know I’m allergic to being surrounded by too much book” Sarah mumbled, making us laugh.
“And I love you all too guys”
After lunch, I went straight to find Ms. Rachel before the next lesson period.
“Grounded?” she repeated, her brows furrowed. “Avery, for what?”
“At least it’s better than them finding out I’m still involved with the newspaper” I said quietly.
She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I see. Well, we’ll have to manage. I’ll email Davina and let her know you’re dealing with a family emergency and your submissions might be sporadic. As for the clubs…” she gave me a pained look. “You might just need to quit them. I’m so sorry Avery, but you’ve been missing a lot of meetings before now.”
“I–I understand ma’am” I managed to whisper and stood up.
“Take care of yourself.” She said softly. “I’ll see what I can do to help too”
I slowly walked to the front entrance, and there she was, mum, leaning against the driver’s side door, arms crossed.
“Your sister is busy” she said when she noticed me looking around.
The first minutes of the ride were filled with silence. I stared out the window, watching my school disappear behind us.
“How was your day?” she asked
“Fine.”
Another long silence.
“Ava is very excited about her recital,” she tried again.
“That’s nice.”
She sighed and didn’t speak again until we pulled into the driveway.
A few days later, I was in my room when a soft knock came at the door.
“Yeah?”
The door creaked open. It was Ava. She stood there, shifting her weight from foot to foot.
18:56 Thu, Jan 1
Chapter 42
…
“Hey,” she said, her voice unusually small.
“Hey,” I replied, not putting my book down.
:.
Z
A32
“I… um… I’m going to the mall with some group of friends including Sarah and Chloe on Saturday. To look for
a dress for the recital.” She paused. “Do you… want to come?”
I stared at her. Was this a trap?
“I’m grounded, Ava. Or did you suddenly get amnesia?” I snickered.
She flinched. “I know. But I could ask Mom. I could tell her it would be good for us. You know…sister bonding.”
I blinked, this is suspicious.
“Why?” I asked bluntly.
Her shoulders slumped. “I don’t know. The house is just…” she sighed “And you look… sad.”
“Gee, I wonder why,” I replied, sarcasm dripping from my tone.
She looked down at her feet. “I didn’t think they’d ground you. I really didn’t. I just said I missed you.”
“And what did you think would happen, Ava?” I asked, my voice low. “That they’d give me a hug and tell me to spend more time with you? Right!”
She stood silent for another moment before turning and softly closing the door after her. I heard her footsteps retreating down the hall.
My phone buzzed with a message. It was from Mrs. Rachna.
Mrs Rachel: Hi Avery. Just checking in. The team is preparing for the city semi–finals. I saved your research folder for you.
My heart ached. The semi–finals.
Me: Thank you for saving it. I’ll try to talk to my parents to let me participate.
A minute later, another message came through. From Davina.
Davina Shire: Rachel told me you’re on a forced hiatus. The youth section is running a new series I thought you’d be perfect for, but it can wait. Your spot is here when you return.
I clutched my phone to my chest, warmth flooding my heart.
“The semi–finals are this Saturday,” I announced during dinner. “For debate. My team is competing. I know I’m grounded, but I worked really hard on this. I was supposed to be the lead.”
My dad chewed on his food slowly. “We’ve discussed this, Avery. The answer is no.”
18:56 Thu, Jan 1
Chapter 42
“But Dad, it’s a city–wide competition.”
:
4332
“Ava’s final dress rehearsal is on Saturday,” my mom said, as if that settled it. “We all need to be there to support her.”
I put my fork down. “So, that’s it? Her dress rehearsal for a dance recital is more important than my debate competition?”
“It’s not a competition of importance, Avery,” my mom snapped. “It’s about commitment. Ava has been committed to this recital. You were committed to following the rules of this house, and you broke them.”
“I committed to being a person, Mom! And this is part of it!” I cried
“Enough!” my dad barked. “The topic is closed. You will go to Ava’s rehearsal. You will be supportive. You must. That is your priority.”
Thanks for journeying this far with Avery and me! I’d love to hear your thoughts so do leave a comment and like
五
AD
Comment
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.
