~4
1515 Words
Avalon's POV:
After my shower, I head downstairs to find Avery and Mom setting the table.
"Take these plates to the table," Mom says, handing me two plates while she carries another.
I place the plates down and sit as Avery enters, distracted by her phone.
We resemble each other closely, but our different styles made it easy to tell us apart—until Mom insisted we wear matching outfits.
"What did you want to give me?" I ask Mom.
"Let’s eat first," she replies.
Avery puts her phone away and sits down. "Mom, how long are you staying?"
"For the rest of the month. I have flights in this country and a few to Hawaii," she smiles.
"Great! Can we go shopping on Friday after school?" Avery asks.
"Of course! What about you, Ava? Want to join us?" Mom inquires.
"Actu—"
"She'll have soccer practice until five," Avery interrupts.
"I see. I’ve missed you girls. How about a spa day on Saturday, just the three of us?" She suggest.
"That sounds good," Avery agrees.
"Ava?"
"Fine, but I’m not wearing makeup," I reply.
"At least you’re coming, so I’m not complaining."
After dinner, Avery heads to her room, and Mom takes me outside by the pool to sit.
"What did you want to give me?" I ask again.
She hands me a bag, and I pull out a dress.
"Mom," I sigh, "where did you get this?"
"We have dinner to attend before Valentine's Day, and you need to dress properly. Avery already got her dress."
"Where did you buy it?"
"Italy."
"You went to Italy?"
She nods. "I brought back souvenirs and clothes. How about I taking you all to Europe for your short holiday break? It could be a family trip."
"One week. Our break is just over two weeks," I remind her.
"Oh right, I forgot your high school schedule is different," she acknowledges.
"Dad should have moved us to America; at least they don’t have school in July and August," I sigh.
"You can go there after graduation for college," she suggests.
"Really?"
She nods. "I can arrange my vacation time around then if I want."
"What dinner are we attending?"
"Your father's annual firm dinner. It’s extended to include children this year," she replies.
"I see," I say with a sigh.
"How’s Donovan treating Avery?"
Donovan met our parents last September, and Dad bonded with him quickly, while Mom was more skeptical.
"Good, she’s happy," I say.
"That’s what’s important. Keep an eye on him," she nods.
"I see him every day, so that won’t be a problem," I laugh.
Even though we clash over fashion, I still miss my mother.
---
"Come join us for breakfast; your mother made it," Dad says when I come downstairs the next morning.
"I thought you were gone?" I frown.
"I'm off until Sunday, so we have time to catch up and have a family dinner tomorrow night," Mom smiles.
"I'll leave work a bit early too; we haven't had a proper family dinner since New Year," Dad adds.
Whose fault is that?
I sit down, placing my gym bag on the floor, which has my extra clothes for practice later.
"Morning, Dad, Mom, and Avalon," Avery greets us, dressed in skinny jeans, a Gucci top, and heels.
"Morning, darling. We’re having a family dinner tomorrow night," Mom informs her.
"Tomorrow? Can we reschedule? I have things to do," Avery replies.
I roll my eyes; everything revolves around her, as it always has.
"I already made a reservation, so we can’t reschedule, honey," Dad explains.
"Donovan and I—"
"Invite him to dinner; I haven’t seen him in a while," Mom interrupts.
Avery nods.
"Behave yourself at dinner," Mom whispers to me, knowing Donovan and I sometimes clash.
"I'll try," I say.
"You can ride with us to school if you want," Avery offers after breakfast.
"Fifteen minutes in a car with Mackenzie? No thanks. I texted Jesse to pick me up," I reply.
"I see. Are you sure nothing is going on between you two?" she frowns.
"We're just friends," I assure her, and after she leaves, I wait outside for Jesse, who lives nearby.
When he arrives, I get in. "Let’s tackle this second day of school," he says.
At school, Bryce is hanging out with Donovan and Felix by his car, with Avery attached to Donovan's side.
"Look who finally graced us with her presence," Bryce says as I walk past.
"You're still here, I see," I say, crossing my arms.
"I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart. You're stuck with me until senior year ends, so get used to it," he winks.
I scoff and walk away, hearing him laugh behind me.
"Ford, are you hanging out with us? Class doesn’t start for another ten minutes," he asks Jesse.
"Sure, Avalon, go ahead," Jesse replies.
"I plan to; there’s too much testosterone here anyway," I respond.
***
"Hey, Avalon," Bryce sits down next to me, and I glare at him.
"What do you want? Why are you in this class?" I frown.
"I like physics."
"Didn’t take you for the smart type," I retort.
"I'm not just a pretty face, you know," he grins.
"Whatever," I dismiss him, noticing a few girls glaring at me. I don’t want his attention.
As the teacher begins class after roll call, I pull out my book. This is our permanent seating arrangement for the year.
"Guess you're stuck with me until May," he winks.
"Actually, we don’t have a long summer break. Our system has four terms with holiday breaks in between, the last being the longest," I explain.
"What?"
"Didn’t you read the handbook or research the Austrian high school system?"
"No," he sighs.
"I want to go back to France," he mutters.
I’d gladly help him catch the first flight back.
"When does the school year-end?" he asks hesitantly.
"December. That’s our longest break—an entire month."
"So we’re stuck here until December?" He groans.
I sigh; this is going to be a long year.
***
During lunch, Bryce is quiet, still processing what I told him earlier.
"What’s up, Bryce? Why so quiet?" Mackenzie asks.
"Not much. I’m regretting coming here," he sighs.
"What did you do?" Mackenzie shoots a glare at me.
What’s her problem?
"I didn’t do anything, so don’t accuse me without proof," I glare back.
"Well, it’s obvious you’re behind it."
"It’s not Avalon’s fault; the school system is just shocking."
"Believe me, I was shocked too. No summer, and it’s cold from June to August," Luciano chuckles.
"This is messed up and reversed. Everything in the Southern Hemisphere is the opposite," Bryce states.
"Exactly. Imagine the time zone in America. We went in December, and our sleeping patterns confused our family," Avery adds.
"I should have done my research before coming here. Maybe I could have convinced my parents to let me stay in France," he sighs.
"You’ll get used to it, dude. I did," Luciano assures him.
"I hope so, but the holidays are so short. I won’t have enough time if I go back to France; the flight is already long, and two weeks fly by."
"Go in December for Christmas and New Year," Felix suggests.
"When it’s cold over there and hot here," he chuckles.
"Take your chance. I went to America in December, and it was snowing where my family lives," I tell him.
"We’ll see; it depends on what my parents decide. When does the first holiday start?"
"In April, usually the second week," Mackenzie answers. "Think of it as spring break, although we’ll be getting autumn break," she laughs.
"This is truly confusing," he chuckles.
"We usually go to my parents' lake house the weekend after school closes. You can join us if you like; there’s plenty of room," Donovan offers.
"How long do you stay?"
"A week. We come back the Friday before school starts."
"Are all of you going?"
"Heck yeah, it’s tradition. Then in September, we go on a road trip," Felix adds.
"So, are you in?"
"Yeah."
"We also play soccer; there’s a field nearby," Jesse explains.
"So we form a team and play against the locals or holiday visitors," Donovan adds.
"Last year, we faced our rivals who beat us in school. A fight almost broke out," I laugh.
"Who won?"
"We did, of course. They were sore losers, and their true colors showed. We think they paid the referee to win the game, but we took them down with teamwork and strategy outside of school," I smile.
"You were great; that’s why you earned the captain position," Jesse says.
Mackenzie rolls her eyes.
"It was even better when we posted their embarrassment online. The comments went wild, saying this was the rematch we deserved and won fair and square. I wonder if they’ll show up this time?" Felix frowns.
"If they do, we’ll invite them to our party as an apology," Avery states.
"Let’s hope no fights break out; I wouldn’t want cops on my parents' property," Donovan sighs.
- Writer
