AVA

Immediately everyone left to get ready for the kick-off for the day; I had scrambled around the bed and pulled the nightstand drawer to see what Leigh had written in the small card I had tossed earlier away from mom.

The moment I picked it up between my fingers and unfolded a card containing stained ink, resembling Leigh's writing as I could fully remember, all air was knocked out of me.

"You are the spirit that inhabits in me and keeps me going, Ava. I now know I want more. I yearn to know how more feels like with you. A good writer said, 'Love ceases to be a pleasure when it ceases to be a secret.' It fears me before, but now I am confident nothing will deviate the passion and decisive emotions I've already carved in my heart for you. I want you to know even now, with limits between us, nothing else can replace us. I will wait from this summer to when the scarlet and golden leaves began raining down the avenues and carpeting the ground. And If that is not enough, I will pass through winter, taking in warm coffee to stay awake and remain cozy within one of your favorite blankets. And when it is spring, I will do some planting and propagate some vegetables, to remind myself everything takes time to blossom, that someday I will be able to pluck fresh and healthy days with you, how the seeds turn to fresh fruits after the calm wait."

Blushing in a stranded room in a shirt that wasn't mine but fitted me perfectly well, hanging off my shoulder, I hug the note and the rose flower, drifting into my favourite acquired scent, that was Leigh.

How foolish a loved person seems when alone in a room they can be free.

***

I managed to find something that made me look sexy and cute at the same time; I've never worn it ever since I brought it home with me last year from some store in Las Vegas boulevard.

It's a white fitted strapless, off the shoulder crop top that is clingy to my small breasts and stops an inch and a half away from my abdomen; I merge it with a red high waist mini denim skirt that shows most of my thighs. I don't think mom and Christian will like it, but they agree to grant me a free pass today, so I will benefit from most before the day ends.

Another reason I must confess is, the girls hanging with me today weren't just the kind that goes with a simple description; I am talking about one with bloody green eyes, full brunette hair and the other with rapture-blue eyes, hair so golden, the summer sun envies.
Even their teeth were a punctuation sign for me and their slim and tall figures that I will shame myself ever to think I can compete with. The least I could do was display my tan legs and shoulders and make a princess braid out of my long fake blond hair, as Sawyer had taught me in some of our zoom calls.
I finish up with a touch of makeup, hanging across my body a small tiny purse and slip my feet into black ankle boots, the heels very decent, I can walk the whole day freely.

After attacking myself with at least three designer fragrances, I grab my phone and fly down the staircase.

"Yay, she's here." Julian triumphed and reached forward, offering his hand to help me down. "Happy birthday, you look so hot. Don't tell your brother I say that," He whispered when he hugged me at the bottom of the grand staircase, and I giggled.

As I predicted, Princeton Claire is looking just stunning in a mid-waist ripped skinny jeans; her spaghetti strap crop top was too impressive to compete with. Yet again, I could only feel ugly standing close to her.
She wore a tainted sunglass and model heels that, for a second, I thought of punishing her through the day with a long walk for slapping me in the face with her blessings. Her hair was made in a messy yet perfect high bun with loose strands, completing the style.

Breathe, she's not your enemy.

"Claire."

"You look good for seventeen." Her lips move to a smile as Lilith descend the staircase, also not looking anything less than I thought.

She wore long and loose pants, white sneakers, a white strapless crop top and a denim jacket hanging around her elbows to show off her bare shoulders and a cute little star necklace. Her long brunette hair plunge down past her chest, and she also does have a sunglass and a hanging bag across her body.

"You don't want to wear those shoes around Vagas. It's hot, and the walking isn't any nicer." Lilith started the moment she appeared. "Didn't Leigh tell you about summer here?"

"Oh." Princeton Claire looked around us with a flushed expression etched across her face, and I gave her the most polite nod I could gather, mentally thanking Lilith for being straightforward in moments like this.

"Where is Leigh? Where is everyone?" Lilith twirls around the majestic hall before she comes next to me while Princeton Claire excused herself to find better shoes.

"He's in the kitchen, and your parents are outside waiting for us," Julian answered her as I brought out my phone and headed into my social accounts, finding thousands of mentions and comments, mainly because it was my birthday.

I'm the next minute, Princeton's Claire rejoined us with more simple shoes, which didn't subtract any glow from her; if anything, she looks even adorable.

Leave it to Leigh, who befriends perfect girls.

"LEIGH," Lilith screams when everyone is present in the hall except for him.

Startled, I jump, and she laughs, pulling me into a friendly hug to steady me on my fumble feet.

"LEIGH." This time the two of us unison and giggle at the same time, along with Princeton Claire.

"Can you please stop shouting?" Said my favourite voice in the world. It came so richly and deep like every time he talked. My body automatically spun and found him in skinny black jeans, shiny black boots and a light fabric white t-shirt that his hot nipples poked through.

I bite my lip, reddening in my stand as though the colour of my skirt, while I continue to observe him. His muscular arms were veiny, and his creamy skin so smooth.

"Hey, this?" He waved in my face for the second time today.

It was then I realised he was standing before me, holding a flask of my tea, I suppose.

His lips were lively red and playing a small smile. His flawless tousled hair stood back when he ran his fingers through.

"Thanks." I collected the tea and pulled my lip between my teeth.

"You all have sunglasses? How is that?" He smirks at the two girls.

His pretty friend shrugs, and his sister impatiently urges, "Let's go. I am eager to suck on dad's credit card."

I smile at Lilith, who's tugging my wrist towards the front door.

We found my mom and Christian leaning against a black Mercedes-Benz V-Class, with a driver settled in their position.

"You guys will always be late for everything." Christian shook his head at us.

"It was Lilith." Princeton Claire points and Lilith defends herself, insisting it was all Leigh who had to make tea for me in such harsh weather.

I roll my eyes when she begins listing the pros and cons of hot beverages in summer and gets myself into the vehicle, in-between her and her persistent brother, who instinctively deny Julian the space beside me, which was according to mom's sitting arrangements.
That move killed a lot of hopes in the vehicle, clearly, for they all continue to believe there is something between him and Princeton Claire, which gladly-sadly there isn't.

When everyone was settled, and mom and her husband were sitting opposite Leigh's university friends, and the three of us were settled on the longest seater, with a table in our front, I took off my bag and smiled broadly.

"So where are we off to, Ava?" Christian asked, attracting every eye darted at me.

I tap on the screen of my phone to check the time. In the process, I noticed messages from Evie, but I shelved them for later.

Seeing as it's just ten in the morning, I shrugged and leaned my head on Lilith's shoulder.

"North for ATV tour."

"What? I thought we had a plan." Lilith grunted next to me.

"Who's birthday is it?" Christian asked her.

"Hers clearly. Mine never happens in a bus." She said the last part under her breath before she added. "But we didn't book a tour; there is no way they will take us in."

"We will see about that. Buckle up, everyone." Said Christian, and his moody daughter frowns.

"Get off of my shoulder." She nudges me, and I smile instead, leaning over to my preferred choice anyways.
Leigh's shoulder was much broader and comforting, not to mention his consuming scent that I enjoyed the most in this universe.

I tapped on the note application on my phone and typed something only he could see.

"If only they knew, I wouldn't be leaning onto you."

He collected the phone from my hands, and his long fingers began to type-
"Someday, no one opinion would matter, and I will take you with me anywhere I go."

I wish for that more than anything.

Smiling, I grabbed the device and typed a response.
"That day will be the happiest I've ever lived."

I felt him sigh softly. His shoulder lifted and fell with my head just there, letting me know he was here and hopeful.

His hand wrapped around me, and I automatically stiffened, but when I looked around the space of the vehicle, no one was paying attention to the perfect boy who wanted his stepsister, or maybe no cares because they didn't see our sinful act coming.

They were all hooked on other things. Mom and Christian were carried away by the telly screen showing the NFL game, Julian and Claire the same, while Lilith was listening to the Airpods drilled in her ears and her eyes darted to her mobile screen.

Breathing, I shut my phone and closed my eyes.