Avery's P.O.V.

Sunday

It's been two days. Two days since that encounter with Harry. Two days since I've gone out on the porch during the night. Harry keeps haunting my thoughts. Today Annabelle wants to go to his house. Her and Anne are good friends now. Of course, she's forcing me to go with her. Ugh! I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Anne and Gemma. It's Harry that I'm not at all fond of. Usually, my first impression of people determines how I feel towards them forever. And my impression of Harry... isn't that good. He seems rude, controlling, dangerous and like a player. So, I don't plan on hanging out with him or talking to him all that much... unless I'm forced.

*A Few Hours Later*

I'm getting ready now to go over to Anne and Gemma's... oh yeah, and Harry's house. I took a shower already, now I'm deciding on what to wear. I pick out a flowing white top with a lace back and coral pink colored skinny jeans. I blow dry my hair and straighten it, pin my bangs back and move on to my makeup. I apply a light coat of eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara and use a little bit of foundation then attempt to cover my terrible dark circles... unsuccessfully.

"Avery, let's go!" Annabelle shouts from outside my bedroom door.

"Coming!" I reply before quickly applying chap stick, grabbing my purse and phone then walking out the door.

We're walking there and I notice Annabelle is quieter than usual on days we see people she likes to hang around.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing. Why?" I see right through that lie.

"C'mon Anna. I know when something's up. Now what is it?" I persist.

She sighs, loudly.

"I'll tell you later tonight. We're almost there." She replies, losing the battle.

We get to their house and knock on the door and Anne opens it in seconds, engulfing Annabelle in a hug, gigantic smile on her face. We walk into her house, after that long hug, and see the interior decorating has been completed.

"Wow! It looks so great in here!" Annabelle compliments.

"Thanks, it already feels like home" Anne tells us with a sparkle in her eye. "Avery, Gemma's upstairs if you'd like to talk with her."

"Thanks, Anne." I say, fake smiling. I'm very tired right now. I walk into Gemma's room and find her applying makeup. She turns to me and smiles, which I return.

"Hey, Avery. I'm getting ready to go to the movies. Would you like to come with?" She asks hopefully.

"Sure, what movie?"

"I don't know yet. Harry's picking it."

"Oh." I say hoping she doesn't pick up on my disappointment of her brother coming. She finishes her makeup and we walk downstairs to find Harry in a black shirt, black skinny jeans, and a blue beanie.

"You know, you could wear some color, Haz." Gemma teases her brother.

"Umm, the beanie." He says to which Gemma just giggles in reply.

"Hey Mum, we're going to the movies now, Annabelle, Avery's joining us." Gemma tells Anne and my sister.

"Okay, have fun." Anne says.


We drive to the theater in Gemma's new car. We get up to the teller. Gemma buys her ticket and Harry buys two tickets and hands one to me. Really, trying to buy my friendship. I just take the ticket and go to concessions after rolling my eyes. I order mini donuts and a Root Beer. As I'm pulling out my wallet, Harry hands me my snack and drink.

"Did you pay for my food too?!" I ask him, infuriated.

"Yeah, do you have a problem with that?" He asks innocently. I roll my eyes and rip my concessions from his hands, stalking off, to the theater room that the movie we're seeing is in, with Gemma. We sit down in the middle and Harry comes in a few minutes later with a huge thing of popcorn. He comes and sits next to me. I don't even acknowledge he's there and focus on the movie. Throughout the movie, Harry keeps trying to grab my hand. I slap it away to which he places his hand on my knee. I swat it away but he just keeps moving it further up my leg. I keep swatting.

"C'mon, kitten, have a little fun." He whispers, seductively, in my ear.

"No Harry! Stop it, now!" I reply harshly. Wow, this boy does not stop! I lean over to Gemma, "I'm going to run to the bathroom quick."

"K, hurry back." She says, completely engrossed in the film. I walk out and to the bathroom where I take a few deep breaths. When I get back in the theater, I don't sit by Harry, I move to the other side of Gemma.

After the movie ended we all walk out together after waiting forever for Harry to use the bathroom. Once we get back to their house, Anne and Annabelle are laughing so hard, they don't even realize we're back until we start talking to them.

"We're back!" Gemma says, rather loudly.

"Oh hey, how was the movie?" Anne asks.

"Good it was so funny." Gemma replies.

"Well, that's good. Avery, it's getting kind of late. Do you want to go home now?" Annabelle asks which I reply with by furiously nodding my head 'yes'. We all say our goodbyes with hugs... except for Harry. I simply say 'goodbye' and walk out the door. Annabelle and I return home and sit on the couch, together, watching Rules of Engagement episodes.

"Will you talk to me now?" I slowly ask her, referring to our conversation earlier.

"Fine," She sighs, "I'm thinking about quitting my job and looking or a different one."

"You can't do that, Annabelle! Do you know how bad the economy is right now? You wouldn't be able to find a job no matter how hard you searched. Plus, we have enough money to sustain ourselves. We don't need any more" I reply, trying to get her to change her mind.

"Whatever, I said I was just thinking about it." She sighs. "It's late. I'm going to bed." She walks to her room quietly. I can tell she's mad but she'll be over it by the morning. I know her well enough to know that.

That night, once again, I stayed up all night. Then all day next, I pigged out until I had to work and after work I watched movies all night. The night after that, I decided to go for a late night swim like I have done in the past... swimming with no light other than the moon, relieving stress, and singing my heart out.

Notes