* * *

After last night's bomb shell I was at a loss for words, I didn't know what to say or how to respond to Drew's honesty session. Truth be told, I clamped up and avoided answering. I knew I had a lot to think about, I was unsure and scared to meet my dad and that's exactly what I told Drew. I knew this was something I needed to talk to Alena about, but I had no plans to discuss this right now.

Drew was understanding when I said I wasn't sure, he knew just how hard this was for us. We have spent the last eight years without our dad and now he wanted to see us? Frankly, there were more pressing matters I had to deal with and Noah's whereabouts was high on that list. He may be in hiding but that didn't stop him from messaging me every day, it's gotten to a point where I have just come to terms with these messages and instantly ignore them, which I could tell wasn't sitting well with Noah. Call me stubborn but I refused to show him how much he affected me by changing my number, I had no intention of blocking him because he would find out, and I knew angering him more would not be a wise choice. It was better for me to make him believe I was reading his messages.

There was also the unfinished business I had with Jaxon. He went from being loving and staying with me at the hospital to being completely distant and closed off. It's been a week and a bit since I've spoken to or seen him, I wanted to know if he was struggling just as much as I was or if he had already moved on. Deep down I was hoping that he was somewhat struggling with the idea of being without me as I was with him. I wanted him back, I wanted to show him that I was ready for a relationship, an open and honest relationship with him. It didn't help that he was blatantly ignoring my messages and calls. He literally cut me out of his life completely, which is why I was also angry with him and I hated him a little bit as well.

There was something missing to the puzzle and I was determined to get answers from him.

* * *

"I'll pick you up in thirty"

I nodded absentmindedly before realising Nikki couldn't actually see me, rolling my eyes at my own stupidity, I responded "Sounds good, just message me when you get here."

Alena was home bound at Penelope's house for a sleep over, not even two days into our holidays and my little sister had more of a social life than I did. I was content with spending the night by myself but Nikki had other plans. I had a feeling that Isaac had something to do with this because just as he left not even ten minutes later Nikki called, demanding I go out with the group for burgers despite declining the invitation a few days ago. Of course I ended up accepting, I had genuinely missed the group and hadn't seen them since my honesty session I had with them a few weeks back.

Tue, Mar 29, 5:45 PM
Nikki: I'm outsiiiiiide. Get your ass moving.

Rolling my eyes, I couldn't help but grin at Nikki's message. Nikki turned out to be one of my best friends, I felt completely comfortable and at ease with Nikki and was lucky that I followed my gut feeling by opening up to her. Grabbing my bag, I jogged towards Nikki before getting in the car.

"Hey Nik"

"Hey girl hey!"

"Where we going?" I asked, feeling intrigued.

Nikki shifted through a few cars that were moving too slow for her liking before responding, "New burger joint opened up last week, called Royal Fries. Hopefully it's good otherwise I'll be pissed."

I nodded before focusing out the passenger window, watching the trees fly past me. I started to notice a trend in my behaviour, I would laugh one minute and then feel completely miserable the next. I was falling into this funk that I didn't know how to get out of.

"We're here." Nikki's voice snapped me back to reality. Looking over my shoulder, I smiled at Nikki before getting out of the car to follow her into the restaurant. Nikki looked at me with concern but thankfully didn't press the matter as she quietly walked beside me. I could practically hear her mind ticking desperate to bombard me with questions, I knew how Nikki worked and today was no exception. Purposely, I kept my head held high and pretended as if I had no idea what was going on.

As soon as we both walked in, the rest of the group all erupted into loud obnoxious cheers, I tried to maintain a straight face but I didn't even last three seconds before I let out a laugh and ran towards my friends for a group hug, ignoring the sting on the side of my stomach. I couldn't keep up with all the conversations as everyone started talking over each other as they all took their place back in the booth. I felt content for the first time in two weeks, I was... not happy but sure close to it.

After a couple of minutes, everyone finally settled down and were all talking amongst themselves.  Michelle; who was sitting to my left, calmly placed her hand on my forearm, "How are you going? We heard you weren't too well and was in hospital?"

I tried to register Michelle's question but kept looking at Michelle's hand that was currently resting harmlessly on my scars that were hiding underneath my sweater, no one at this table knew about, all except Nikki. I slightly shook my head trying to regain my thoughts before quickly responding, "Im good. Getting stronger each day. Doctor said I was going to make a speedy recovery. What made you braid your hair?"

Technically what I told her was true but I almost rolled my eyes at myself for the stupid lame attempt at changing the subject, but thankfully Michelle wasn't one to comment, instead responding to my question, "I got tired of the fro you know? At least now I can't injure people." I let out a chuckle as the image of Michelle's hair poking at people came to mind.

After the food had arrived, everyone was conversing animatedly. I felt a sense of nostalgia as I looked around at my friends and couldn't believe how lucky I was to have them as friends. The shocking part was that I almost didn't even give them a chance when I first met them but decided to follow my gut feeling and thankfully, I was right. The payout was something that money couldn't buy.

I felt like I finally had a family.

"How come you're not eating Avery?" Mason had mumbled while shoving more food in his mouth.

My stomach turned just thinking about food, I hadn't really gained much of an appetite since leaving the hospital, only on the rare occasion. I found myself surviving on coffee more than anything, however occasionally forcing a meal down when certain people started to unnecessarily become concerned about me.

"Not hungry. Besides, it just means I can steal from you" I said as I cheekily grabbed a few fries before eating them, in hopes that me not eating wouldn't raise any alarm bells.

"You're lucky I love ya enough to allow THAT to happen!" Mason replied, pretending to be upset about his food getting stolen. I chuckled as I slowly ate the fries.

My smile however, well and truly dropped to the floor when Jaxon walked into the restaurant, I hadn't seen or spoken to him since that day he broke up with me. I almost forgot just how good looking he truly was, my eyes involuntarily moved to his lips as I thought about our kiss. But that thought was well and truly squashed and what hurt me the most was the sight of Brittany walking in next to him. I couldn't believe that after everything, he goes back to her. Come to think about it, I never did tell him about Brittany's involvement with Noah finding me. I never got a chance to explain it and now it was too late.

When I forced my eyes to focus on the rest of the group, I could see them all staring me, pitying me because my ex (whatever he was) was now in the restaurant with another girl. I didn't want to deal with this, I wasn't emotionally ready to see him. I watched as he ordered food for the both of them before grabbing his receipt from the cashier.

I let out a shaky sigh before whispering to the group, "Guys, I'm gonna get out of here before he spots me."

They all nodded, Nikki whispering back, "Want me to drop you off?"

I shook my head as I quietly got out of the booth when Michelle kindly moved out of the way, "I need to clear my head. I'll see you guys later." I knew it was the perfect opportunity to escape because they were both walking towards their own seats on the other end of the restaurant. I ignored my rapid heartbeat as I quickly picked up the pace but as I reached the door, Jaxon turned around to grab straws before stopping abruptly. We were both frozen in our positions as we drank the sight of each other in, almost forgetting that we were in a public place.

The look of worry and panic flashed across Jaxon's face the longer I stared at him. However, I was just getting angrier the longer I stood there, my eyes kept alternating between a stressing Jaxon and an arrogant Brittany who was now smirking at me. I knew I couldn't handle standing there any longer, so I threw open the door before storming out and started to power walk home.

"Avery! Wait! It's not what-"

"Let me guess. It's not what it looks like?! Really Jaxon! Can you get a little more inventive!" I yelled back at a now stunned Jaxon.

"I swear it's not."

"GO TO HELL!"

I went to walk off but he quickly ran easily catching up to me to stand in front of me, hoping to get a few more seconds with me. He placed both hands up in an attempt to get me to stop walking.

"Listen to me!" He begged

"Like you listened to me?! The same way you gave me a chance?" I shouted through gritted teeth, trying to remind myself that I was in a public place. However, I was three seconds from completely breaking down and I didn't want to cry in front of him.

"Please" he whispered in desperation.

"Now you know what I've been feeling." My voice broke as I forced the words out in a whispered plea, a lone tear escaping from my eye. Wiping it away, I looked at Jaxon once more before turning around and walking away, leaving him standing there alone.

I felt like such a fool all this time, here I thought he was miserable and just as sad as I was. Boy was I wrong, what I witnessed a few minutes ago only confirmed just how calm he was about this whole situation. He was so quick to move on.

"So much for getting answers." I mumbled to myself.

My phone started to ring shortly after, making me jump in fright as it echoed through the street. Almost snickering at myself, I shook my head in shame as I answered the phone.

"Hello" I tried not to sound deflated on the phone but failed miserably.

"Hi Avi"

"Hey Aly-Cat. You okay?" I tried not to panic as I waited for my sister to respond. I instantly calmed down, smiling as I heard my little sister chuckle through the phone.

"Yeah Avi, I just wanted to say goodnight."

"Goodnight Aly-Cat. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Promise?"

"Promise. What are we, remember?" I found myself smiling into the phone as I waited on Alena to respond.

Alena giggled through the phone before whispering "We are a packaged deal."

"That's my girl. I love you"

"I love you too Avi."

I found my nerves instantly calming down after that phone call. Alena had a way of relaxing me like no other. I went from crying and making myself feel worse about Jaxon, to being completely calm. I had to refocus my energy and that phone call came at a perfect time.

Once again, Alena saved me from myself without even trying.

* * *

A/N: Another chapter for you guys! Aren't I the best?! Lol. Hope you guys liked it! Don't forget to press that little star if you did xx

Next Chapter: Someone called, they demanded a reunion. I answered. Wanna know who the reunion is with?

Gonna have to wait for the next chapter.