James' wide smile welcomed Jethro when he got to Ava's house. The stout man had flung the door open in excitement and took him in one big embrace. It was the complete opposite of what had happened the last time he came here. Jethro wished Gavin was here to witness the man's jowls dancing with a smile, he knew Gavin would have given the funniest facial expression ever.

As his mind wandered to Gavin, he thought of how sourly the boy would have missed him in school. Gavin would be having his lunch alone and trying to avoid the jeers about his best friend getting suspended because he fought for a girl.

"Sorry I called you that odd time. I got your number late from Lira." James' thick voice distracted him from the thought of Gavin. Even though James had wanted to sound friendly, his voice came out naturally rough.

"Not an issue. That's when I normally take calls." Jethro dismissed with a smile.

James beamed his pleasure and then his face gradually turned sour as he motioned to the table, "That's her food, she hasn't still eaten." He said in a sad tone.

"Where's she? At the back?" Jethro asked, thinking she would be where he had seen her the previous day.

"No, she locked herself in her room." James said despairingly and gestured as he led Jethro to a small, brown door, "Ava." He called but no response came, "Ava, open the door." He prompted but still no answer. He sighed and looked at Jethro in a manner that says, ' can you see?'

He knocked for the third time and then remembered to add what he should have put initially, "Open the door, Ava. Your friend is here." He announced and immediately, a rustling sound came up and James chuckled in delight.

The door creaked not long after and revealed the angelic face of Ava wearing a little smile as her eyes doubled on Jethro's in beautiful silence.

"Shall I bring your food along?" James quickly inserted, smartly utilizing that lovely moment.

Ava did not give a response. Her smile just turned to a shy one and it was Jethro who provided the answer instead.

"Yes Pa, you can." He said and Ava did not dispute that like before.

"Alright. Alright." James sang with a grin and rushed out of sight.

"You sent for me," Jethro stated or questioned as Ava pushed the door slowly wide for him to come in.

She still did not say a word as the coy smile continued to radiate from her face. And certainly, that was enough answer for Jethro. He was glad Ava was finally smiling. She was coming back to her pretty self and nothing can satisfy him more than that.

"Looks nice." Jethro raised his brows and bobbed his head as his eyes scanned her neatly arranged room. His room could not get close to it. Boys' rooms have a typical way of looking rough or more politely, worse than girls'. Rose would always taunt him with that.

"Thanks." Ava glowed, finally saying a word, "And sorry for the other time." Her voice sounded with a raised rueful edge.

Jethro's lips curved into a smile, he wanted to say something the first time but then withdrew. His head bobbed again and he squinted funnily at her, "Sorry for what?"

Ava locked eyes with him and she knew he was joking with that question, "You know it. I overreacted." She spoke in a way Jethro had known Ava Rays to do, sweet and soft.

"And I lied too, remember. A big lie." Jethro chuckled and as he talked about his lie, he remembered Stan had told him Ava lied to him. He had felt bad about it but now he could not. He had been the first person to lie to Ava, telling her he was Finn's cousin. And if Ava could forgive him and still ask to see him again, then he could forgive her too.

"But why did..." Ava could not complete her statement as James barged excitedly into the room, a tray in his hand while the little dog trailed behind him, drawn by the aroma.

"Sorry it took a little late, I had to heat this." He repeated his grin as he set the tray on a bedside shelf, "Brought you some waffles too." He said to Jethro.

"Oh, thanks Pa." Jethro beamed his appreciation and the old man nodded excessively before exiting the room.

An awkward silence set in afterward. Jethro certainly did not know what to say while Ava sat on the bed, caressing her dog.

"What's his name?" Jethro asked, squeezing out a way to end the silence.

Ava looked up, startled and having missed what he said.

"I said what's his name?" He repeated, pointing at the little dog snuggling between her legs.

"Oh, Buddy. That's his name." She said with a little exclamation.

"Buddy? Why Buddy?" Jethro chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"Because he's my very sweet friend." Ava gave a bitter smile, her palm running horizontally over the dog's back, "All these while I've been down, he's stayed with me, coming to me and.." She paused, her smile getting into her words that she could not speak further.

"Should I get jealous now?" Jethro hummed playfully as he watched Buddy purred enjoyably under the stroke of her palms.

"No," Ava almost laughed, "You came too, even though I don't seem to know you too well. Still, you lied just to see me and speak to me. I wonder why." She said and her last statement was directed as a question as she stared into Jethro's eyes for an explanation.

"You should take your food now before it goes cold again." Jethro subtly dismissed, not knowing what answer to give. He took up the tray from the shelf and passed it to her.

Ava noticed his clumsy reaction and just smiled as she took the tray from him, "The waffles?" She said in quite a shock and Jethro beamed as he took the plate of waffles from the tray, "I don't like waffles." She stated her reason.

"Oh." Jethro simply laughed and nodded.

"So, why did you come that day?" Ava asked midway through her food.

"Because I care." Jethro gave a short, but the best answer he could.

"Why?" She stared at him.

"Because a friend should," Jethro said, laughing.

Ava's eyes narrowed at him, asking the unmistakable question, ' a friend?' She definitely could not remember a time when both of them were friends.

"And you shouldn't lie to a friend, should you?" Jethro added a bit harshly when her eyes lingered on him.

"Lie?" She gave a bemused expression and watched Jethro munch slowly on a waffle before saying a word back.

"I met with Stan." He notified and Ava instantly shivered at the sound of the name. Her eyes bulged and she gazed at Jethro like he had grown two heads.

"Stan?" She mouthed in her shock, "Stan is alive?" Her voice trembled, causing Buddy to wiggle uncomfortably.

Jethro's lashes fused as he heard the question. What did Ava mean by that? "You think he's dead?" He asked back.

"He isn't?" She frustratingly threw back another question.

Jethro took in a deep lungful of air and then unexpectedly came up with a smile, "See, chillax." He said, noticing her nervous state, "Stan is alive and I met with him."

"Really?" Ava was still in her amazement, "What did he tell you?"

"That you lied to me," Jethro responded coldly, even with a smile.

Ava's eyes broadened at him for more clarification.

"He said you guys were both aware of what happened that night. He said you were never drunk or drugged." Jethro narrated, maintaining a steady look with her, "And I don't want to believe that's true. Is it?" He smirked.

Ava's eyes faltered at his inquiry and it was then he knew Stan had told the truth.

"You lied." Jethro's accusation sent shivers through her body, "But why did you do that?"

"I'm sorry," Ava's voice quavered as the lines of tears trickled down her cheeks, "I didn't have a better explanation to tell Finn. How could I explain to him that I was aware of all that happened? How would he believe me if I tell him I was forced? He knew about Stan before and would never believe that." She wept and Buddy whined along with her.

Jethro's face paled with sympathy as he watched her. He had sounded stupidly harsh to her. Criticism bellowed inside of him and he sat quietly beside her, looking remorseful.

"I'm sorry for sounding that way." He repented and fondled her shoulder to soothe her.

"No, I should be the one apologizing." She sobbed and Jethro took her face into his palms.

"It's okay." He wiped the tears off and then whispered into her ears, "Those guys who attacked you that night, do you know them?"

Ava took a hesitation, like trying to remember some vague faces, and later shook her head, "No, I don't."

"You're sure?" Jethro asked softly.

"Yes," She affirmed before her eyes suddenly bulged like she had seen some ghost, "But..." She trailed off.

"But?" Jethro prompted while Buddy's ears also perked up as if he belonged in the conversation.

Ava blinked her lashes and looked intently into Jethro's keen eyes, "I heard them mention a name." She said.