Avoidance

"My weekend was boring. I devoted all my attention to reading the new books I bought last week. On Sunday, I dragged myself to the Summerlin library, where I found solace among the thousands of books. I spent most of my time there until my mum called me for dinner. Although I didn't make it on time, I considered myself lucky because I didn't have to sit across from Leigh. I've been avoiding him and anything related to him lately, except for his father and sister.

"I can't believe you spent your time reading in Las Vegas when there are clear advertisements on every wall in Vegas," Sawyer shook her head in disbelief.

"Well, everything advertised on every wall in Las Vegas is meant for a twenty-one-year-old," I rolled my eyes at her. We're on a Zoom call on my laptop.

"Don't American kids get fake IDs?" she asked, perplexed.

Laughing at her reaction and words, I replied, "Sawyer, I don't know."

"I thought your siblings were getting you one," she recalled our conversation from a few days ago.

"Yes, I don't even remember any more until now. A fake ID isn't my priority," I mumbled. "And just to correct your reference, they're never going to be my siblings. If Mum marries Christian, I assure you the law will make us step-siblings, not full siblings. I still wish I could go back home, continue my life, and have Twinings, which I can't find around here."

"I am sure it's findable in some grocery shop around there; you just need to go shopping." She playfully started. "Are you okay?" Sawyer worriedly asked, just as someone said, "What does that mean?"

Looking up, I saw Lilith standing by the door, her expression unknown. For a moment, I tried to divide my attention between Sawyer, who looked concerned, and Lilith, who appeared possibly hurt by my words. How did she even get in here without me noticing? Well, either way, she's clearly angry.

"I'll call you back," I told Sawyer, who was utterly lost by my shocked reaction. Before she could say anything, I closed the laptop and stood up.

"You've been acting strange and pushing everyone away this whole week. You don't like it here," Lilith stated, glaring at me with intense disappointment.

"I didn't say that," I quietly replied, shaking my head.

"But you did say it. We're never going to be your siblings, and you want to go back home. You don't consider us family, do you?" She looked hurt.

For once, Lilith appeared vulnerable, and it was because of me. Why would she care? She had only known me for weeks. "That's why you've been acting differently all this time. I'm the idiot trying to make you feel better when I'm the reason for your attitude," she shrugged. "But you're right, this isn't your home."

With those words, she left my room, leaving me standing there without explaining myself. I guess I've ruined my only stable American friendship.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I was worried and anxious, waiting for my mum to angrily barge into my room. But of course, Lilith didn't tell on me, at least not yet. It was past two in the morning when I left my room and went to the kitchen. It was hot downstairs since the air conditioning system was off for the night.

I made my way to the kitchen to prepare a warm tea using my mum's TG tea. Despite receiving hundreds of negative comments, I vented my frustrations about not having Twinings tea and my happiness. As I steeped my tea, Leigh walked into the kitchen wearing grey joggers and a white shirt.

I immediately became tense. Being in the same place as Leigh was something I had been avoiding the entire week, and I was sure he had been doing the same.

I focused my eyes on my tea as I stirred it. I could tell from his movements that he was making cereal, but I mustered all the willpower I had to not look over at him. We continued to mind our own business. I added milk and sugar to my tea, then walked away from the kitchen, away from him. Away from the two-faced liar and cruel person who fooled everyone into thinking he was a gentleman.

In the early morning, I got myself ready and decided to read for an hour since it was too early for school. Although my mum was in a hurry, even though it was only six in the morning, she had an emergency and left without saying goodbye. Not that I cared, because I was already used to it. I went downstairs to read while making extra tea for myself so I wouldn't feel as miserable as I did last week, grieving over not having a tea delivery or pre-made tea waiting for me in Lilith's car.

It was almost eight when I knocked on Lilith's door, but it was quiet. I waited for a minute, and there wasn't a hint of movement, so I turned the doorknob and walked in.

After calling out to her, I realized she wasn't in her bedroom, which led me to search around the house. I hurried downstairs, searching for her, but when my eyes caught sight of the parlour through the window, I immediately redirected my gaze. She wasn't there.

I followed the entrance door to confirm that Lilith had left without me, knowing that I couldn't walk to school. I would definitely be late. I felt like bursting into tears. Today was going to be a long day. How was I going to get to school? Both my mum and Christian had left for work. Even if Leigh were home, I would prefer walking back to London than asking him for a ride.

With no other option, I started walking. I walked for thirty minutes. Actually, I ran for thirty minutes. By the time I reached the school, the bell had already rung, and there wasn't a single student in the hallway. But of course, the attendance lady was there, expecting a pass, which I didn't have. Great, Lilith. So much for being family.

Not having any excuse, I was marked absent. The feeling of wanting to go back home debated in my head. Back in my old school, I had never been marked absent. I was always in class on time. I had never missed a day because I attended a boarding school. My dorm was just a five-minute walk from my classroom. And I didn't have a troublesome sister to betray me early in the morning.

I stepped into class to find a substitute teacher for Mrs Murphy. A slim man in a suit, clearly trying to impress the school administration in hopes of being recruited. With that in mind, I was sure he would be nice enough.

As I made my way to my seat, smiling at Evie, whose expression seemed to say, "Where have you been?" I heard the man say, "Hey, young lady. Come over here and explain the reason for your tardiness."

I swallowed, feeling my heart skip a beat.

With each step I took, I mentally cursed Lilith for this. "Well, I woke up very early, earlier than any student would. But then I decided to read and make my tea. Unfortunately, I found out I didn't have a ride, and I had to walk thirty minutes to school," I honestly explained.

"Something stinks, dead fish? Oh no, it's Ava. Hun, you're sweaty. How about taking a shower?" Lisa mocks and everyone in the class laughs.

"You've had your fun, Lisa. That's enough. Everyone, return to your seats," the teacher instructs after giving Lisa a warning.

The first two classes were tedious. Knowing I hadn't made it to the attendance list and that the class was back to being mean, I let anger consume me as I sat and feigned concentration on the lectures.

In the hallways, I was heading to my locker before lunch when I spotted Leigh approaching with his group of friends. But as soon as our eyes met, he changed his path and separated himself from the boys. I didn't want to believe he was avoiding me, but deep down, I knew he was. He's been avoiding me, just as I've been avoiding him.

***

"What about going for a manicure after school today?" Quinn suggests.

Embry and the rest of the girls are busy typing on their phones. Quinn, quite annoyed, slams the table with a maths textbook. "I'm talking here."

"Yeah yeah, we should," Embry says, still not taking her eyes off her phone screen. "I could use that. Leigh and I are seeing Titanic."

God knows I'm trying so hard to fight the urge to throw my food tray on her face. I hate her. I hate Leigh. I hate Lilith. God, I hate this school. I hate Las Vegas and America for making me feel something I've never had to go through before. "We have to skip practice today. Ava, you shouldn't ride with Leigh. Just wait for us at the parking lot," Quinn orders.

That's when Lilith turns to look at me with blank eyes. "My dad and her mum think she's too young for Vegas, so count Ava out," Lilith fabricates a massive lie to the girls.

Bitch. For her information, I don't even have the intention of hanging around her or her friends. I wanted to say it out loud and clear when Embry places her mobile phone beside her lunch tray and stares at Lilith in confusion. "And so she comes with us. I like the fun. Bitches break the rules," it seems Embry is reminding Lilith of their code.

"I have some reading to do. It's okay," I say in a small voice, feeling more than unwelcome.

"I want Ava to come. You're one of us now," Suri smiles at me sincerely.

"Yes, she is. She's practically my sister-in-law," although Embry's smile is nothing but filled with smugness and insincerity, causing me to instantly look away from her.

"Whatever," Lilith mutters and turns her attention back to her phone.

After a terrible PE experience that makes our coach question my swimming abilities, like last week I was the most impressive student and today I'm the weakest person in the room.

"Why don't you try cheerleading? It's more fun. If I had a body like yours with zero fat and fast flexibility, I wouldn't spend a second thinking twice," Evie says to me after our last period.

"I don't see myself cheering." The last thing I need is to join a group of more girls like Lilith and her friends, so that I would humiliate myself further. No thanks, I'm sticking with swimming.

"Seriously, Sofia is very nice to sophomores and freshmen. I'm sure she'll sign you up," Evie says.

Not interested in discussing cheerleading, I immediately change the subject. "So, my bedroom bookshelf is complete. I've got a crazy amount of books from the store," I inform as we make our way to the car park.

"Oh, you said you're spending the day with your junior friends today, right?" Evie asks.

I nod once, not so joyful about it. "Alright, then I'll come for your bookshelf tomorrow if that's okay with you?" she adds.

"I'll remember to make something cold for you instead of tea then," I joke, and she laughs.

I find the girls waiting for me at the car park by their cars. Without second thoughts, I ask Suri if I could ride with her, and being kind-hearted as she is, she doesn't object.

We arrive at paradise once again. And with a huff, I follow the girls to another luxurious, probably a five-star salon and spa. Of course, the girls go to paradise.

"Okay, we need a full service for the five of us," Embry tells the lady behind the desk.

After everything is processed, we all get separated for our personal services, and I am led from room to room, stage after stage, from dental care, which surprises me as to how a salon provides dentistry work, to facials and skincare, aromatherapy, special massages, and even eyelash extensions, which my timid heart almost refuses, thinking my lashes were enough for me. But then again, I'm tagging along with Hills High's toughest and hottest juniors, so I swallow my fear and embrace my new life, finally reaching the nail and hair services, which are more familiar.

After everything is wrapped up, I fall in love with my body all at once. Every angle of my skin smells perfect. This is something I've never experienced before in my life, and sincerely, I feel like a girl, just like I did the other weekend, only this time; I'm not attending a party. I am able to connect with my beauty alone.

When the girls show up, they all look just as I do, rebranded. This time, Embry paid the expenses, and together, we leave the building around twilight.

"Okay, I should go and get ready. Leigh will be picking me up," Embry brags, while mentally I plan scenarios to choke her throat until she learns some manners. No! Mentally, I plan scenarios to choke Leigh for being a deceiver, a liar, a two-faced asshole whom I regret knowing.

"I have homework to cover," Quinn announces.

"Oh yeah, the library is closing soon. Maybe I should just hang around Hills Park and study there," Lilith says.

"I'm going to Crossing. Let me come pick you up after I change and grab my books?" Quinn suggests.

"I'm okay with that," Lilith replies.

This time, the girls make me ride with Lilith while we all head in different directions towards our homes. In silence and awkwardness, we ride back to Eagle Hills, avoiding each other.

***

"Susan and Dad left for a neighborhood get-together. They left dinner in the oven, so help yourselves. I'm off to get ready. I have something important to do," he stupidly announces with great audacity.

"A date?" Lilith curiously queries her brother, a smirk all over her face.

I'm sure I don't fit in with them. Leigh and Lilith are blood siblings, while I am just a tag-along, just like I am around the girls. I'm either a fifth wheel that doesn't exist or a third wheel left behind. Either way, I feel alone, all by myself.

Feeling annoyed at the two happy Boyces, I begin to make my way, refusing to give Leigh the satisfaction he desires. I won't involve myself in proving that he affects me more than I let on. As Lilith keeps complimenting how adorable she finds him and Embry together and expressing her certainty about "Leibry" lasting, I climb the stairs. I'm sure he's blushing. I'm sure he's thrilled to have found his Cinderella. Whatever! I don't even care about Leigh or what he does with his life.

***

It's been almost an hour since I left my room with the intention of heating up my dinner. Lilith left twenty minutes ago when Quinn stopped by to pick her up.

In the hallway, I notice Leigh's bedroom door is partially open. I assume he has also left, but I don't recall hearing the sound of his car engine coming to life this evening. So I silently tiptoe into the room to confirm my suspicion.

The room smells just like him, so fresh, minty, and distinctive. I wanted to surrender to the warmth, but the harsh reality hits me—I hate him. And he's in the bathroom, taking a shower, getting ready to pick up Embry and watch a romantic movie with her.

That's not going to happen, Leigh Boyce. Sorry.

Quietly, I take hold of his mobile phone and laptop. I lock the double doors to the private balcony using the key attached to the door. I slip the keys into my pocket and do the same with his front door, leaving the key inserted in the lock from the outside.

Smiling, I head back to my bedroom and peacefully lie down on my comfortable bed, no longer feeling hungry. I wait for the commotion to begin.

And it does. Boy, it's just me and Leigh in the house. I don't give a damn. He's not going anywhere. Not under my watch.