“So what’s the occasion?” Emma asked as she pulled her BMW in my driveway.

“Nothing.” I answered nonchalantly. “I just wanted to hang out with my best friend.” I punched her arm jokingly.

“Uh-huh...” she sounded unconvinced which wasn’t the slightest bit surprising considering I wasn’t good at making my pathetic excuses sound believable.

As soon as Emma parked the car and switched the engine off, I threw myself out of the vehicle and jangled my key rings looking for my house key. I don’t know why I have so many key rings but only one key...

I finally unlocked the door and stepped inside, and turned the lights on as a shivering Emma stumbled after me.

“Could you have been any slower?” She complained. “It’s freezing out there.”

“Oh, stop complaining. You’re inside now. I’ll make some hot chocolate, if you want.” I offered politely and she nodded quickly in response.

She looks like a bobble head when she does that, I thought.

I walked straight into the kitchen and reached for two mugs for our hot chocolates on the top cupboard. I walked past the fridge, noticing something in the corner of my eye; I froze and walked backwards.

There was a note stuck on the fridge.

They should be here at 6:30. Just get a take-away for dinner.

I’ll be home around 11PM, don’t wait up for me.

Lots of love,

Mum.

Sigh.

I glanced at my watch; I only have half an hour until they get here. Great. I continued to make our hot chocolate and added marshmallows and cream to help cheer myself up.

This week-end is going to be hell.

I walked into the living room, carrying a hot chocolate in each hand. Emma was lounging on our sofa while watching Jeremy Kyle on TV.

She laughed, “Oh my Gosh! Avery, you have to see this. It’s hilarious!” She threw her head back and guffawed.

“Seems like it,” I chuckled, setting down the mugs on the coffee table.

“Oooh, marshmallows!” Emma exclaimed childishly and stretched her arm out from the sofa. “I...can’t...rea-“ She fell flat on her face on the floor.

“AHAHA!” I guffawed and accidentally choked on a marshmallow.

Emma glared at me for laughing. “Ha! Karma. That’s what you get for laughing at my misfortune.” She stuck her tongue out and I grinned widely at her which annoyed her even more.

“Emma, just get off your butt and drink your hot chocolate.”

“Will do, bossy pants.” She teased.

“Good, lazy dumb butt.” I retorted with a smile and Emma rolled her eyes.

“Butt head,” she muttered under her breath.

I was going to insult her back when I was interrupted by the sound of squealing tyres and bright headlights flashed through the curtains.

“AVERY!” Someone shouted from outside. Their voice was muffled by the walls, “Avery, buddy?!”

I had the sudden urge to hit my head against a wall. I sighed heavily, “It’s Dylan.”

“What’s he doing here?” Emma asked, “You haven’t been getting special time with him have you?” she wiggled her eyebrows at me and I punched her arm, not so playfully.

“Ew! Of course not. Our Mums are working late again, so he’s staying here.” I explained, I saw her grimace. “Don’t worry, Aaron is going to be here, too.” I added.

“How is that going to make things better?”

I rolled my eyes at her, “Don’t bother trying to deny that you’re glad he’s coming.”

“Whatever. So... this is why you invited me to stay here all week-end? So you wouldn’t have to be alone with them?”

“Pretty much.” I replied nonchalantly and hesitantly unlocked the front door to let Dylan in.

“Buddy!” He greeted loudly and extended his arms out.

I grimaced, “Stop calling me that.” I pointed to the cans of beer that he set down on the ground. “What are those?”

“Beer, obviously.”

“No no no. You’re not drinking beer in my house.”

“Come on, Aves! Stop being such a party pooper. I just thought we might as well make the most out of this week-end. Just loosen up. Stop being so uptight.”

Who the hell does he think he is?

“1. Don’t call me Aves. 2. I’m not uptight. And 3. No, you’re not drinking beer in my house!” I protested.

“Learn to have some fun!”

“Ugh. Fine!”

“Awesome!”

He wasn’t about to let this go and I figured that maybe he’s one of those people who goes crazy when they get drunk. That’ll give me an opportunity to get an embarrassing photo or something.

“Hey, Avery.” Aaron greeted me and I stepped sideways to let him in.

“Hi. Emma is in the living room.”

“Don’t worry, Aves. I’m going to show you how to have fun.” Dylan assured me, patting my left shoulder.

“Yeah, okay. Whatever. Where’s that guy Chris?” I asked.

“Oh, yeah, him.” He answered bitterly. “He’s just parking his car.” Then we heard a car door slam shut. “And looks like he’s done parking it. Hey dummy! Over here!” he called out.

“That was rude.” I pointed out but he only shrugged and pushed past me.

The driveway was dark and I couldn’t see Chris’ face clearly until he walked closer to my front door.

My jaw dropped and I gaped at him.

Sandy blond hair.

Bright blue eyes.

“J-Jason?” I muttered in shock.

He buried his hands in his pockets, shrugged slightly and smiled. “Hey.”

“B-b-but...My Mum said you were called Chris...And...” I stuttered.

“Yeah, I am. Chris is my first name. Only my Aunt and my parents call me that. I go by my middle name, Jason.” He explained.

“Oh.” I didn’t know what else to say. “So you’re Andrea’s nephew...That makes you Dylan’s cousin.”

“Yep.”

“I feel sorry you.” I said and he laughed.

*** *** *** *** ***

Emma and Aaron were sat where they usually sit. And I had to sit awkwardly in between Jason and Dylan. They just sat there drinking their beer and glared at each other which made me uncomfortable because I was in between them and was caught in the middle.

“So...You two are related.” I tried to make conversation.

“Yeah, unfortunately.” Jason replied.

“Lucky me!” Dylan said sarcastically.

It was obvious that I wasn’t going to be able to get them to have a conversation without one of them ending up on the ground. So instead, I tried to talk to them one at a time.

“So Jason, what do you think of Westwood High so far?” I asked.

“It’s pretty cool. People have been friendly and nice and everything with the exception of a few people who are just dick heads.” He answered. It was obvious that the last bit was aimed at Dylan.

“Yeah, well you’re no saint either.” Dylan interjected.

Emma and Aaron were oblivious to their surroundings like always so nothing new there but as for me. Well, this is going to be a long, long night.

“Hey, Aves, buddy.” Dylan started, emphasising the last word. Why does he keep calling me that?

“Why do you kee-“ I never finished my sentence because I was interrupted by Dylan.

“We’re going to a party tomorrow night. I’m going to show you what real fun is like.”

I heard Jason scoff as he rolled his eyes.

“But, I don’t –“ I started to protest.

“No buts. You’re going with me.”

“You can’t make her go with you.” Jason said sounding annoyed.

“She’s my buddy. We’re best buds. So if you don’t mind I’d like to hang out with my friend.”

“She’s my friend, too. Right Avery?” Jason agued.

“Uhh...” I have no idea what is going on but I couldn’t say anything when they were both looking at me like that. “Yeah,” I answered softly.

“See? So if you don’t mind, I want to hang out with my friend. And do something she actually wants to do.” Jason said behind gritted teeth.

“Do I not get a say in th-“ I was interrupted again.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to show my friend what she needs. Which is real fun.” Dylan replied harshly.

“Fine. We’ll both take her.” Jason answered.

I never got to say a word in their argument. After a while, I got tired of being ignored and decided I needed a drink of that beer after all. Jason and Dylan had planned out the entire day for tomorrow. They shouted at each other a few times but calmed down when I glared at them, signalling for them to stop fighting and shut up.

I don’t think Emma and Aaron had any clue what was going on because they were too immersed in their conversation and their laughter probably drowned out Jason and Dylan’s shouting. So I just sat cross-legged on the floor, drinking a can of beer trying to ignore the arguing in the background.

My brain suddenly felt tired from listening to them disagree with each other. They were still arguing when I fell asleep.

“You don’t know what she wants.” Was the last thing I heard but I wasn’t sure who said it because everything was already drifting away.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

{Unedited}

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