Elena
Ava arrives after a few minutes. She bursts out of the car and run towards me. I smile, standing firm, opening my arms to embrace her as well.
“Poor Elena.” she exhaled, dropping her neck on my shoulder. My hands rub her back as I hug her tighter.
“Thank you for coming, Ava.” we let each other go.
She smiles. Her brown eyes soften as strands of her blonde hair fall on her face. Then she narrows her eyes at me. “Elena have you been crying?” she touches my cheek, wiping off the remaining tears.
“I forgot dad’s birthday.” I say in my soft voice.
“I’m sure he understands, Elena. I’m sure he understands how you are trying to cope without having him anymore.” she says. She slightly pulls my cheek, my lips part, giving way for another smile.
“Is there something wrong? Apart from the Quads? I mean you look pale.” she says as she walks back to her car. she reaches inside through the window and takes out two ice cream cups.
“Here. I bought two to calm you down while you speak out your heart to me. I know you love vanilla flavor.” she hands me a cup first. Soft laughter bubbles out of my lips, and the wind blows my hair to my face again.
“Let’s talk in the car then.” I say. I know the Quads are going to deal with me, but that hasn’t given me much bother since I found out I didn’t do what they all claim I did. But all my pain has been because of the bitch I have as a mom. She’s a pain in the ass and a whore. A bitch. An ingrate. Fucking with her husband’s best friend. I don’t try to talk about my mom to Ava yet. I’m still thinking if I should share it with her, she’s my best friend after all.
“How did you know what the Quads did to me?” I ask her. I really don’t know what else happened that night since Ryan locked me up in the bathroom.
“I heard from the students . They said Ryan was drunk and he said all that things he did to you while laughing.” she says, and I feel a knot in my stomach. I want to curse, but I seal up my lips, trying not to react to that.
I nod, letting the breeze take my hair up. “That’s how I found out he did something to you. By that time, it was very late. I tried to find you, but you were nowhere to be seen. How did you leave my side without telling me?” she frowns, tucking her blonde hair behind her ears.
I remember she was with someone and I had to leave them so they could talk. “I’m sorry. I only wanted to get a drink from the kitchen. I didn’t know it would take that long.” I say, but I don’t tell her the full details, that doesn’t mean I’m telling a lie either.
“That’s fine. Now tell me, is there anything bothering you apart from the Quads? Because I know since that day at the ladies bathroom you don’t feel much scared of them like you used to.” she tries to read my eyes but I guess they are unfathomable like it has always been, except to my mates.
Those guys can read all my expressions like a book. I hate it more that they can read me, or know what I feel.
“Ava, you know I never put out the video they are talking about. I don’t have to be scared for what I didn’t even do. But I know they are still going to ruin me,” I say, looking at her worried eyes. “And yes, something else is bothering me apart from the Quads.” silence falls between us. We stare at each other blankly.
“I’m your best friend. You know you can speak to me if anything is bothering you. Is there anything that bothers you?” she demands.
“What else if not for that fucking bitch, Avera?” I hiss, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. Ava knows my mom well. She is well aware how she treats me and how obvious it has become since my dad left, but she doesn’t know she is a shameless whore. Ava doesn’t know this part of her yet.
“What did she do to you this time?” she rolls her eyes, bringing her hand to rest on her forehead to show that anything about Avera pisses her like it does to me.
“To me? To dad!” I point out, pouting. “The bitch is sleeping with his fucking best friend!” I lash out, leaving my ice cream to melt.
Ava was about to take a bite from my ice cream but she was blown away by what I just said. “What?!” she yells.
“Now do you get why I look frailer by the day? It’s killing me, Ava.” My eyes stare dead at her.
“Jeez, this is the dirtiest thing I have ever heard, Elena.” her mouth hangs open.
“I know. It’s the most shocking I have ever seen too. I saw them with my own eyes, Ava. It hurts. It’s fucking killing me.” my voice cracks.
“I’m so sorry. All this is happening to you, Elena.” she starts crying with me. She throws her arms around my neck, and plant kisses on my face.
“You will be fine, Elena. I promise.” she kisses my forehead.
I smile, wiping the tears on my cheek. Honestly, I feel a lot better telling it to Ava. I thought I would choke because of it, because of the tightness it was causing me. But now that I told it to someone I trust with my life, I can finally breathe a little.
We both let the silence fills the air. Instead of talking, we keep busy with our ice cream. It was enough time to calm us.
“So, there is a match today?” I ask when we finish our ice cream.
“Yes.” she answers.
“Let’s get going then. Oh wait, I don’t have my sport wear with me. Do you have spare I can wear?” I ask, ignoring her arched brow.
“Yes, I have a spare. But Elena, the Quads will be there.” she says, looking at my face, but I don’t look at her. I’m searching for the spare at the backseat.
When I find it, I straighten in the passengers’ seat again. “I know my mates will be there, Ava.” This is where they are more active, more like their hangout spot on weekends when they are not throwing parties. And football is their life.
“Elena…” her face falls. The idea of me coming to the match doesn’t sound good to her.
“Ava, I got this. I need to get close to them if I need to get to the bottom of this case. It’s important for me to find out who is trying to frame me.” I say, holding the football uniform to my lap.
“Are you sure about this? They are gonna hurt you.” she says, scared.
“Drive, Ava. We are gonna be late.” I tell her, not answering her. She sighs, turning on the car and drives us to the spot where we usually play on Saturdays. It’s a private place only the students know. No one else knows. The school doesn’t know about it either.
I wasn’t interested in sports before. I would rather go fishing with my father than palying. But then he died.
Now, I’m into sports. No more fishing, only sport.