Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
Iwouldn’t change my life for anything since my little sister Luna arrived. She had been the greatest gift, and she really was my miniature best friend. Except she was seven going on seventeen with a true teenage girl attitude.
I’d taken on a lot more responsibility with Luna since my Gram worked evening or overnight shifts at the hospital. Luna picked out her clothes for her first day of second grade last night and was up super early to get ready because she loved school.
“Gram, are you ready?” I asked through her closed door. She was coming with us on the first day to ensure I had permission to drop Luna off and pick her up, since I was still a minor.
“I’m coming!” I heard her yell back. I packed Luna's lunch and made sure she had her shoes on. “Let’s go,” Gram said, approaching us from her bedroom. “Are you excited for your first day of a new school year?”
“I am!” Luna exclaimed. “Aren’t you, brother?”
I chuckled lightly. “Sure, Lu.”
We all headed out to the car together. Throughout the entire car ride, Luna was non-stop talking about seeing her friends, meeting her new teacher, and all the new activities she’d be able to do because, apparently, second graders had all the fun.
We pulled into the parking lot, and Luna rushed to unbuckle herself.
We walked into the building; Gram went to talk to the principal, as I led Luna to her class to meet the other students and teachers. The class was a bit chaotic with the teacher talking to a few parents.
I noticed someone who looked my age. I had never seen her before. “You’re really pretty, are you my teacher?” Luna asked the mystery girl.
She smiled brightly at Luna. “I’m not the teacher, I’m Avery. I’m dropping off my little brother over there.” She pointed to a boy sitting at a table. “What’s your name?”
“Luna, like the moon!” she explained animatedly. “This is my big brother, Grant.”
Avery stuck her hand out to shake. I put my hand in hers. “Are you new to town? I’ve never seen you before.” The luxury of living in a small town was that everyone knew everyone else.
“I was new at the end of the school year this spring, so this is my first fall semester.” She smiled shyly.
She was cute. “Well, welcome back. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other around since I’ll be here to drop off Luna.”
Her smile widened. “I look forward to it.” She adjusted her attention back to Luna. “Thank you for the kind compliment. You look very pretty today, too.”
I gave Luna a quick hug and followed Avery outside. “Maybe I’ll see you around school,” I said quickly.
“That would be nice. See you around, Grant.” Avery walked toward her car, which was in the opposite direction from ours.
I headed to our car to wait for Gram. She soon approached and said, “We’re all set.
I’ll pick you both up today since I have the car, but you’ll be able to drop off and pick up without me moving forward.
Do you have everything you need for your first day of senior year? ” I grabbed my backpack from the car.
“Yeah, I’m all set. I should probably get going, or I’m going to be late for my first period.”
“Get going then,” Gram said, kissing my cheek. “I love you, honey boy.”
“I love you, too.” I kissed her on the cheek and jogged across the street to the high school. Gotta love small towns. We could technically walk to school, but it was still a little over two miles from our house.
I couldn't help but think about Avery throughout my morning classes. She was cute, kind, and clicked well with Luna, which could be a battle on its own. I trusted Luna’s judgement, though, so seeing them getting along so well made me want to get to know her.
Hopefully, she would be in one of my classes, or we’d have the same lunch period.
I hadn’t seen her in class, so when lunch time came around, I went to look for her.
And that’s when I saw her. She sat under a tree having lunch by herself.
I took a minute to take her in. She had glowing bronze skin under the radiant sun, long dark brown hair pulled up into a high ponytail, and when she looked up, I noticed her hazel eyes.
She really was pretty. I hadn’t dated much while helping Gram with Luna, and most of my social life revolved around the guys on the basketball team.
I decided to walk over to her. At the very least, it looked like she might need a friend.
“Hello again,” I said, slowly approaching.
She looked up, taking her earbuds out. “Hi, Grant.”
“What are you doing over here all by yourself? Don’t tell me you haven’t made any friends yet.”
She laughed. “No, that’s not it. This is the only hour of the day I can truly have to myself. I’m here early to help with kiddo drop off, and then after school, I help my mom with my brothers and sisters.” She took a bite of her sandwich.
“Wow, sounds like a lot. And I thought I had it hard taking care of Luna.”
“Your sister?” she asked, leaning her head to the side.
“Yeah, our parents aren’t around, so it’s Gram and me. I help her out a lot because she’s done so much for me throughout the years, and I want to make her life a little easier.”
Avery smiled. “That’s really kind of you. I help my mom so much with my younger siblings for a similar reason. She’s a single mom who raised us all by herself. There are five of us in total.”
“We’ve definitely had to grow up quick, huh?” I shifted from one foot to the other. I enjoyed how easy it was to talk to her. “I’ll let you have your hour to yourself. I just wanted to say hi.”
“You can sit with me if you want.” She smiled.
I really did want to. “Sure,” I said, taking a seat next to her under the tree. “What were you listening to before I came over?”
“Have you heard of the band A Day to Remember?”
Before I could answer, she grabbed her earbuds and handed me one. She played the song, which started with screaming, then into some kick-ass drums, and the lyrics were catchy. I liked it.
Once the song ended, I said, “I’ve never heard them before, but I enjoyed it. My Gram has raised me on old rock.”
“My older brother has introduced me to some punk and rock bands I have become obsessed with. I think my favorite so far is The Used. Have you heard of them?” She lit up when she talked about music.
I shook my head. “No, I haven't.” She scrolled on her iPod and found the song she wanted. The song was eerie, starting with string instruments and haunted house sounds. Avery banged her head along to the music, and I caught myself doing the same.
We ate lunch together, listening to music. I loved every song and band she showed me.
There were only about five minutes left before the bell rang. “Would you mind if we did this again?”
She smiled brightly. “I’d really like that. You seem like a good person in a world with not very many left.”
“I like to think so. I at least try, so I’m a good role model for my sister.”
“I know what you mean…” She was interrupted by the bell. “I’ll see you at drop off in the morning,” she said as she gathered her things to get to class.
“Wait, can I get your number?” I laughed to keep the mood light.
“That would be great,” she said, giving me her phone number. We both rushed off to class.
Avery and I immediately started texting.
We continued having lunch together under the tree, and I started to feel like I was in a warm embrace in her presence; I didn’t experience the feeling with anyone else.
I was almost certain she felt the same way.
There were small tells; she sat closer to me, rested her head on my shoulder while we listened to music, and she hugged me after lunch before she headed to class.
Even so, I felt nervous to ask or initiate anything more.
Luna's birthday was coming up, so I had the idea to invite her over for dinner, and if all goes well, I’d tell her how I feel.
Hopefully, she'd leave as my girlfriend instead of just my friend.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” I asked as I took off my backpack to use as a pillow to lie under the tree.
“My mom and her friend do movie nights with all the kids on Saturday, but I usually hide out in my room depending on what they’re watching. Why?” Her cheeks flushed.
“Would you like to come to Luna's birthday dinner? We do breakfast for dinner with all the fixings.”
“Really?” she asked shyly.
“Of course, we’d love it if you were there.” I gave her a sly smile.
“Count me in.” Her wide grin was contagious.
I spent the rest of the school day and that night thinking about how I’d ask her out. I didn’t want it to seem like it was the only reason I invited her over; Luna did love her. She always talked about pretty Avery when we were driving home from school. I’m sure Gram would adore her just as much.
“Why do you seem so nervous?” Gram asked from the kitchen as she made her morning coffee.
“You know my friend, Avery?” she nodded. “I think I want her to be more than my friend.”
“Wow, your first real girlfriend.” She brought her cup of coffee to the table. “No wonder you look like you’re about to perform open heart surgery.”
“Very funny,” I said. “She gets along with Luna, has increased family responsibilities, so she’d understand when I have to prioritize Lu, and she’s really the only other person I want to be around.
I love how we can sit and listen to music and talk about our dreams, and I’m never afraid of being honest with her. She gets me.”
“Then you should make it a big deal. Your grandfather always made everything a spectacle when it came to me because he said he never wanted me to question how he felt about me.” She took a sip of her coffee.
“I’d like to think I raised you well enough to know how to treat a young lady.
I have no doubt in my mind you’ll treat Avery with the utmost kindness and respect. ” She gave me a stern expression.
“Of course, Gram.” I stood up and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m going to take Luna birthday shopping.”