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Jessica waited outside the Andrews’ door, tapping her foot and noticing for the first time, the huge tree by the door. After a few minutes, Chris appeared. He was surprised, she could tell. His mother must’ve told him it was her.
“Uh…hey,” he
said slowly. He ran his hands through his hair.
“Hey,” Jessica
said. He looked down.
“Listen, I just
wanted to say I’m sorry, and I’ve been a big jerk, and you know what? It was
Avery who finally convince-,” He cut her off by leaning forward and kissing
her.
« « «
The Next Day
Avery waited by the door. She was hoping to catch Jessica before she left. She had heard Jessie and Zac talking on the phone a little earlier. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but when she picked up the phone, Jessica had already answered it, and she couldn’t resist. She had to listen. She sighed and swung her legs against the porch swing. Jessie sure was taking a long time to get ready. The door creaked open.
“Avery? What are
you doing out here?” Jessica looked curiously at her younger sister.
“Oh nothing,”
Avery said, making sure to sound forlorn and bored. “Just trying to think of something to do. I’m a little bored.”
Jessica grinned.
“You were
listening, weren’t you?” Avery looked down.
“I didn’t mean
to. I just picked up the phone, but you had already answered and I couldn’t
resist.” Jessica smiled, that smile of hers.
“Come on, let’s
go.” Avery smiled and hopped off the park bench. She followed Jessica down the
street, skipping happily. They reached the park a few minutes later. The park
had become the favorite meeting spot for the group. Jessica had invited Chris
to this gathering as well. When the two neared the bench where Zac and Chris
were waiting, Avery slowed her step a little bit. Jessica kept on though. She
reached the bench before Avery did and began talking. Avery walked up slowly
behind Jessica. She hid behind her, waiting. She didn’t listen to the
conversation.
“And little
Avery here,” Jessica said, clutching Avery’s hand and pulling her forward, “had
become QUITE the eavesdropper.” Avery couldn’t resist. She forgot all the fears
she had had about coming with Jessie. She smiled sweetly.
“Who, me?” she
asked, looking around. Zac laughed, and suddenly all the fears came rushing
back like a flood.
“I forgot how
sarcastic you are!” he cried. Avery smiled shyly. She was glad she came.
« « «
When Jessica and
Avery returned, about and hour and a half later, their faces were ruddy from
excitement and the late September cold. Isaac was stretched out on the couch,
reading a book; Taylor sat on the floor, watching TV. They both immediately
looked up at the sounds of laughter and chatter. They were trying to find out
more about why Jessica was acting so strange. After the two had discarded their
coats and gloves, Avery headed off toward her room, and Jess started through
the room headed for the kitchen.
“Where were you
guys?” Taylor asked. Jessica froze, but quickly recovered.
“We were with
Chris.”
“Why’d Avie go?”
Isaac asked. Jessica stood stone still for a minute.
“Listen, this is
none of your business, so why don’t you just go back to being lazy?” She turned
back to the kitchen. Isaac and Taylor smiled at each other. They knew there was
something up now.