AVA
The moment I emerge from my bedroom, a smile is place on my face at the person I encounter across my door.
Leigh lips stretch into a mischievous smile. He walked over and slyly hooked something above my ear, I didn't doubt, I knew it is was a flower.
His fingers sink into my hair, he beamed handsomely and trap my waist in one arm. "Morning, beautiful."
The feverish feeling from everything right now, rises heat to every part of my body, external and internal. I thoroughly succumb and leaned against him, my hands holding his thick arms.
As I mumble a "Thanks." he ducks his head, nuzzling our heads together and feathers his lips over mine.
That is the kind of breakfast I deserved everyday.
"How are you?" He asked when our lips slightly parted but our heads were still attached and his breath was thick and hot against my skin.
A gasp of nervous laugh slipped out of me while I work to slip away from his firm hug as my eyes kept searching through the halls to conserve our safety which clearly he had forgotten.
"I feel like I would need more sleep." With hot cheeks, I faltered and a weird smile that could tell I was uncomfortable, for he seem entertained perceiving my struggle in his arms while he retains a naughty smirked on his face and kisses my neck while I fail to meet his deep sensuous eyes that's sparkling with conceal intent."
When I couldn't avoid the arousing sensation gushing to my lower stomach at the warmth of his lips against my skin and unknowingly let out a moan, he pulled back and met my eyes. His were dancing with amusement. I was too embarrassed, I squeezed my lids and dip my forehead to his chest.
His body shook as he chuckled softly when I add pressure on shoving his steel-like body that wouldn't flinch a bit.
"What about we go down and have breakfast and then we can find a away to abandon this building and do something fun?" He concernedly suggested and my world exclusively perk up at the offer.
"Sounds good." I grinned and he exhale a laugh.
His hand skidded around my nape below my hair that I had early styled in two layers and jammed with a hair clip Aunty Catherine got for me on Easter. He kissed me again, only this time it was more soft and deeper. I didn't want us to stop.
When he releases me, he smiled charmingly and beckoned dramatically at the staircase, "I will be right behind you."
While I was halfway down the stair, I discern the noise from the ground floor, which is combine with everyone's voice except for Leigh and I and immediately, I am grateful to God we had been alone up there.
I will need some excuse to leave the house. I dug out my phone and quickly send a plead to the girl's group: I will need your help, my mom or Christian would probably call either of your parents to confirm our plans. I need you to lie for me. Leigh and I are sneaking out after breakfast.
What must be three seconds letter, there's a response from Tori but before I can read what's he's sent, Evie's text came in too.
Tori: So you two have work it out?
Evie: He's not mad at you?
Me: I will tell you about it later. Now just lie for me and join my live on Instagram in a moment.
While I log into Instagram, more banners of notifications persist on my screen from the group chat.
Evie: What?
Tori: What live?
Tori: God, this girl is a piece of work.
I smiled and start the live with an increasing audience each second.
If the girl staring back at me on the screen is how I look then yes, my followers are right, I really am hot.
"Rise and shine, beautiful people. While you tell me how your week is going. I will be joining my family for breakfast."
In the kitchen, Marina sighted me first and her eyes almost bugs out from their sockets
"Goodness, Ava. You are on fire." She whispered with admiration, I almost laugh at her choice of word but instead, I respond politely, "Thank you."
Christian and his daughter are on the table having their breakfast. Suddenly I can feel like eyes on me, now that Marina had notice my presence, but I resist my focus on my followers and started to read recent comments about my hair.
"Oh yeah, I completely forget the primary reason of this live thing." My eyes glances to the backyard where mom is on a phone call, her back facing us. I heave a sigh and settled down around the table while Marina began setting my breakfast.
"I am delighted that you my mates have noticed so I would cut to the chase because I have a greedy stomach rumbling at the sweet aroma of Marina's morning special. As every one of you can see, I decided there is no point in disguising behind something that's not mine. I've come to understand that there is nothing to be more prouder than something of your own. No one can take that away from you or tell you otherwise. You see, I didnt realize I've been withholding myself until last night when I look into the mirror. That girl I saw was a stranger, someone I created and let lead me without getting acquainted with." I exhaled a thoughtful smile and recall my evening two days back. "The thing is, I had an argument with someone really important in my life, and in some awkward case they provoked me. At the time I was mad at them but from my perspective now, I can only be grateful they are here to push me further into the world. Now I know I love my brown hair more than any shade I can think of and it's goes with my head better." I giggled nervously, watching positive comments arising from my followers.
They didn't hate me, they were proud of me and admiring my manifestation and even my appearance.
"And it reminds me of who I am, where I come from, the people I truly love and what I missed and need to repair."
I had always thought I was loved for how my hair looked, what I drive, and what I wear, I didn't know I could be loved by just speaking plainly from the heart.
With just that I end the live and sit the phone on the table.
"Look at you, pretty." Mom emotionally uttered and smooches my face. "You look just like me."
"Younger perhaps." I laugh and she heartily agreed before settling in her seat and warmly squeezing my hand over the table.
"As they all say, everything has an end, Ava's narcissistic statement surprisedly have a punctuating sign too." Lilith smirk derisively when my eyes met hers.
I ignore her mockery and went back to responding to the group chat. The girls were spamming my phone with absurd messages, most of which they already know the answers but still felt the need to ask again.
"You look grossly happy what's it about?"
I mentally screamed and stab my nails into my hair before politely dragging my eyes up to my stepsister across the table.
"I decided to be the older one since one of us has to have common senses, and it clearly you lost yours half way adolescence age." I smile equally deceitful.
She scoffs and sips some coffee, "Is it? Or did you decided blonde is not your color and is best for those born with it?"
"Lilith?" Christian scolded from the head chair and continue to eat his breakfast.
"Come on, I'm just being supportive in my own way." She whine pretentiously at her dad before turning to me, with cross arms over free surface in front of her. "Don't forget were launching our clothing line at the summer fest."
My brow arched, "Haven't you given up on it?"
"Unlike you, I love you. I'd do anything for you and I am not going to stop trying until you feel the same way about me too." She grinned blatantly. This time her words got to me, I became anxious in my seat, waiting for mom or Christian to put two and two together but the moment is drawn away with Leigh's affluent morning voice.
"Good morning." He greeted the table and pull a seat for himself next to me.
"Leigh?" Mom muttered half astounded and half gratified.
He flashes his desirable dimpled smile at her and angel his flawless hair from his forehead.
"Marina can you prepare Leigh a plate of his favourite, please." Mom implored and Marina, promised, "Right away, Ma'am."
"Thanks, Susan." He grabs my hand under the table and carries our hands to his thigh. There was sparks of fireworks under my skin while I work on regulating my emotions in the public eye. "I want to say I'm sorry about everything that had happened on the internet and my reactions lately. I will do better."
Instantly I look over at him. Deep inside he is unguarded and broken but he's disguising heroic. He hadn't told about th school board decision, and in his eyes, he was pleading me not to.
I nodded and focus my blank stare at my food.
"And I've never doubted you." I heard Christian proudly say.
"Gotta pass this breakfast, I have true friends to catch. I don't think the circle of apologies and forgiveness is my thing. So I will see you later super-angel big brother and..." Lilith pauses her snarky announcement to think of the worst word to toss at me. She have no idea I didn't care anymore. "Two color sister. I actually can't think of a better word. But that suits you adequately." She giggled and step away from the table.
"You are going out? I thought she's grounded." Leigh fired at her.
I lift my head and sigh at the contempt her held for her.
"And I thought you're in jail?" She bumptiously retaliated and flip her right side hair to her back. "But I guess it's America, we're all free to do what we desire, including attacking our ex besties in the face at a public centre." She have sickening smug when she snootily spoke.
Leigh, exhale a small laugh and release my hand under the table, so I squeeze his thigh, silently begging him not to get drawn away by her game.
"You know what? I hit Arlen because somehow he and Lilith have some hidden business going on, I don't know what he planted in her head or how he did it, but she manipulated Ava past midnight to drive her to a liquor store where she stole a bottle and took it to Arlen's weed party." He was telling mom and Christian but I am as pale as Lilith. She was contemplative, her confused eyes boring at me. "Ava brought her back intoxicated while you're all asleep. Yes, I let my anger get in the way of my reputation and my family's but I would never let someone I used to know harm my sisters."
"The fuck?" It was mostly at me because she was nodding and chewing her cheeks.
"Lilith!"
I jerked at the pulsating authoritative tone. The noise from my teacup slipping out of my hand drew every attention to me until my stepsister continue to throw a tantrum, "Stop Lilith-ing me."
"You okay?" Leigh concernedly asked. He had collected napkins already from mom and is helping me clean the table and my thighs.
Thankfully the tea wasn't too hot, I would live.
"Are you okay?" Christian inquired too and I nodded at the two men. "Go to your room, now." Christian gravelly ordered his daughter then, while beckoning at the exit with his finger.
"I thought you said...." She feebly began but he interjected, "That deal expired after learning about the multiple troubles you've carried for a long while."
I couldn't look up. I felt like a snitch. I didn't want to see the ache in her eyes from earlier.
There was quiet in the room, before she brittly yell and walk out of the kitchen.
"Fuck you, Leigh."
Mom followed her out of the silent room, while awkwardly stood from my seat.
"I will get more tea."
Marina asked if she could help but I shook my head and said no.
As I grab a teapot and sit my phone on the worktop, a massage pop up on my screen.
LEIGH: Nice choice of shirt. I can't stop thinking about your belly button since the other night. You're hauntingly beautiful, Ava Lancelot.
A hysterical euphoria lighten up over me, while I smile at the message on my screen and let Marina to prepare my tea, I heard Christian telling his son, "I guess somehow I should be thanking you for being here for them. See that's why I wanted you to visit, we need you once in a while here."
When I glance at the table, he has his hand over his tensed son's hand and I immediately know I have to do something.