* * *

"You did what?!" Isaac yelled out.

"It's better this way, Isaac." I said as I tried to remain calm.

"How? You lied to the cops, Avery." He said with a sigh.

"No, I didn't. I just told them what I knew, leaving you completely out of the picture."

"That's lying."

"No it's not!" I said through gritted teeth.

"I don't know about this." Isaac said, worry in his voice.

This conversation made me want to shake him. He was never a goody two-shoes, he was exactly like Noah except for the anger outbursts. Now, all of a sudden he had a conscience? Clearly he's forgotten what he does in his spare time or what him and Noah used to do. He bets at illegal street racing's for God's sake! Sometimes I really wanted to slap the shit out of Isaac but I had to remain calm. The last thing I wanted was to fight with him because of Noah.

"They won't believe him anyway, Isaac. He's too unstable." I said, shaking my head as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I dunno, Avery. What if they do believe him."

"I refuse to let you do time for that fucking prick! So, stick to the damn story!" I yelled out as I stood up from the couch to go upstairs.

Isaac stared at me in shock as he began to smirk slowly at my outburst, "Yes, ma'am."

I smiled at him as I calmly responded, "Thank you. Now I gotta go."

"Where?" Isaac asked in panic.

"Meeting up with your girlfriend. We are going to Shakes Shack. I'll be home in two hours. Oh and I got Lisa booked for tomorrow night." I grabbed my bag to head towards the door but stopped and looked back at Isaac.

"For what?" Isaac asked as he raised an eyebrow at me.

I smiled warmly, "I've got a date with Jaxon."

"About fucking time." Isaac whispered not so quietly.

"What was that?" I asked cockily.

"Nothing."

I smiled at him as I opened the door but stopped to look at him, "Isaac, stick to the story please. I can't lose you." I begged, desperation in my voice.

"Ok, we'll collaborate later. Go enjoy your time with Nikki." He spoke back calmly.

* * *

Despite seeing Nikki at school everyday, it was different when you hung out outside of school. We were two different people, we both weren't as reserved as we are at school. Every now and then the group would get together but sometimes we both just needed to hang out together, alone. We have been here for a good thirty minutes venting about everything, my heart aches for her as she sits here telling me about the medical issues her dad is facing.

"When did you find out?" I asked

"A few days ago." Nikki said as she sniffed.

I bit on my inner cheek as I debated on what to say. I've never been in this situation before, so I can only imagine what she is going through.

"It's stage four." She whispered as she began to sob.

Without saying anything I immediately got up from my seat to sit next to her in the booth and hug her. She let out her cries as she squeezed tighter, I could feel that she just needed the hug. She just needed someone to cry on and I was going to be there for her. We sat like this for a good ten minutes, after the first few minutes of the hug she then rested her head on my shoulder and we sat in blissful silence.

She let out a sigh as she moved her head to smile at me, "Sorry, I'm a hot mess."

"Don't you dare apologise, Nik." I said, shaking my head. I patted her hand before getting up to go sit across from her.

I stared at her as she had this look on her face. It was a look you had where you were dying to say something but hesitation held you back, I knew instantly it was about Isaac. We rarely spoke about their relationship, due to obvious reasons. I internally sighed because I knew I had to ask.

"How's things with you and Isaac?" I asked with slight hesitation.

Without skipping a beat Nikki let out a overzealous sigh, "I don't know. One day we are good and then the next we aren't. I know our relationship is new but he doesn't tell me anything about himself."

'Uh-oh.'

I was way out of my comfort zone here, I knew Isaac better than he knew himself and I've heard this speech before except it always came from him. He used to always give me "tips" about relationships; if he wasn't into them, if he was extremely unsure about them or lost interest, he refused to let them in or tell them about himself.

'This is why you don't get involved, Avery.'

"I don't know what to tell you. All I know is that I'm sure everything will pan out soon enough. Did you want me to talk to him?" I asked.

Nikki smiled sincerely at me before shaking my head, "Nah, it's okay. Thanks Avery."

"Oh, I never got the chance to ask you. How did lunch go with your dad?" She asked.

I let out a sigh as I shrugged my shoulders, "Good, I guess. We are on the right track but just really confused."

"How so?" She asked.

So, I filled her in on everything that was discussed between him and I.

"So he just came up with a story to cover his other story?" She asked in confusion.

I let out a chuckle as I shrugged my shoulders, "I guess? I'm trying to be civil and move on, mainly for my sister and Drew. But I also sometimes want to punch my dad in the face. Just so he knows how it feels."

Nikki leaned over the table to hold my hand, "What are you going to do?"

I smiled bitterly as I thought about my situation, "Just take it day by day I guess. I'm just tired of holding onto grudges. They have been weighing me down for so long. I'm just over it."

"I agree. You just never know when something might happen and before you know it, they're gone."

The smile dropped from my face as realisation began to sink through, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound insensitive."

"Oh god. Don't be sorry! It's totally cool." Nikki stated before chuckling lightly.

"Dare I ask how things are going with Noah?" She asked.

"I'm working with the police to capture him." I bluntly said

Nikki squeezed my hand as she whispered, "I'm seriously so proud of you."

"Thanks Nik."

"So, I have a date with Jaxon tomorrow night." I added.

"It's about time!" Nikki chanted as she leaned back in her chair.

"I swear. Sometimes I think you and Isaac are the same person." I mumbled underneath my breath, causing Nikki to chuckle.

"What made you change your mind?" She asked

I shrugged as I thought back to earlier today, "I've finally realised how different the two are and I want to be with Jaxon. I'm not scared like I used to be."

Nikki looked at me as her smile slowly started to appear on her face.

"What?" I asked hesitantly.

"You know what this means right?" She responded in glee. I raised my eyebrow in question when she didn't respond.

"Maaaaake Overrrrr" Nikki squealed, making me roll my eyes before groaning.

* * *

"Why can't I sleep over at dad's house tonight?" Alena whined at me.

I had just finished my shower and just as I opened the door there she stood, arms crossed over her chest as she stared at me. I tried to reign in my anger as she complained for the fifth time today.

"We can't just expect them to drop everything every time you need to be looked after." I responded before walking past her to get to my room.

"So, I'll stay on my own. I don't need a babysitter." She said as she followed me to my room. I let out a chuckle but didn't respond to her.

"What's so funny?" She asked

"You are not staying on your own." I stated as I opened my draws to get a bra and underwear out.

When I looked over at her to hint that I was going to get ready I could see she had no intention of leaving. Letting out a sigh, I walked over to my door to close it as she made her way to my bed to sit on it. She began to ramble on about how she was "a big girl who didn't need someone looking after me. I can handle myself" speech, I began to tune her out as I dried myself up before putting my bra and underwear on. I had no intention of getting into this debate with her because no one was going to win from it. Instead I put my tracksuit on while I waited for Nikki to get here, Nikki, who insisted that she help me pick an outfit out. I was beginning to think that the people around me didn't think I was capable on picking out my own clothes.

"Is Jaxon the one taking you out?" She asked as flicked through the pages of my book.

I raised an eyebrow in question, "Yeah. Who else would it have been?" I said as I chuckled.

She smiled sheepishly at me as she shrugged her shoulders, "You can have any guy you want. One day I want to be as beautiful as you, Avery."

I was in the middle of brushing my hair as she said those words, my hand stopped mid-brush as the words sunk in. I looked up at her while she had her head down flicking through my book. I stopped brushing my hair and got up to sit next to her.

She looked up and smiled at me. I reached over to move her hair away from her face, "You already are beautiful. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise." I stated.

She smiled at me as she chuckled lightly, "I know, I know otherwise they'll have you to deal with." She said as she mocked my words.

"Damn straight." I said as I chuckled. I moved quickly to plant a kiss on her cheek and laughed as she pretended to complain. My head moved towards my bedroom door as I heard the doorbell go off. I knew it was Nikki and debated if I should go downstairs or leave them alone and she'll come up when she's ready. I decided it was best to stay with my sister who somehow managed to take over my brush and was now brushing my hair out for me.

"My little apprentice." Nikki said as she opened the door.

"Hey Nikki." We both said simultaneously.

"As adorable as that is, sometimes it's creepy." She said before chuckling lightly.

"Okay, so let's begin with your hair." She stated.

"Wait. What are you doing with my hair?" I asked in panic.

"Trust. Avery, trust me." She mocked me before opening her bag to reveal a hair straightener.

'Oh dear lord.'

It took about twenty minutes to straighten my hair mainly because of the length of it. Every now and then she had Alena helping her, who was more than excited to help out. Now with the hair done, she moved onto my makeup. Thankfully, keeping it light with a soft smokey eye alongside a soft pink gloss.

There was a knock on the door followed by Isaac's voice, "I'm coming in so make sure you're decent."

We waited as Isaac peeped his head in, "I've been given instructions to tell you to make sure you wear swimwear underneath your clothes, unless you want to wear your underwear then I can't force you."

"I do know where he's taking you so I recommend you don't go too dressy. Maybe something cute yet casual." He added

"Why?" I asked.

"Can't disclose that, sorry. Peace out." He said before quickly closing the door.

Alena ran into my closet before coming out with my two piece swimwear, I took one look at it and remembered the hideous scar on the side of my stomach before shaking my head at her.

"Embrace your battle scars, babe." Nikki whispered before walking over to my closet. A moment later coming out with a black one piece that cut down into a V around the cleave section, it cut down to the lower back but covered the important areas.

"Now, this is sexy." Nikki said before throwing the piece at me. Rolling my eyes I changed into the swimwear before wearing a soft pink floral playsuit over it, alongside my ballerina flats. The playsuit was smart because it was long sleeve. However, I also prepared myself by running to the bathroom to quickly change my bandages to water-proof ones. Just had to be extra careful. When I got back into my room, Nikki sat me down to finish the final touches before handing me my side bag.

Sat, June 11, 06:45 PM
Jaxon: On my way

I showed the message to Nikki in panic so that she could hurry, as I responded back to him.

"You're all done!" Nikki squealed in excitement as Alena clapped for her. My heart skipped a beat as I heard the doorbell echo throughout the house.

"Thank you! I love you like a sister, Nikki" I whispered to Nikki as I hugged her in appreciation.

Nikki smiled before giving me a reassuring squeeze, "Me too." She whispered back.

I was about to leave before she grabbed my hand, "Wait. You need to make him wait."

"Okay?" I agreed in confusion. We both just stood there staring at each other for what felt like an eternity but only two minutes.

"I don't understand what is happening?" Alena's confuses voice broke me as I started to laugh.

I gave them both a quick hug before I opened my door to leave, Nikki's voice stopping me "Enjoy your night. Seriously, don't think about anything. Let your hair down and do this for you."

I smiled at her as she winked at me. I blew her a kiss before heading downstairs. My smile widened when I saw Jaxon leaning across the doorway to the dining room. His eyes flickered over to me before smiling at me.

"You look beautiful. You ready to have some old school fun?" He said as he moved away from the doorway to kiss me on my cheek.

I chuckled light before nodding, "I'm so ready."

This was our first real date and I was so ready for this. I was ready to forget my worries and have fun.

* * *

A/N: Helloooo my little bears! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Don't forget to give your girl a little like for it xx

Next Chapter: Avery finally goes on a date with Jaxon. Here's hoping that nothing goes wrong.