010, YOU WANT A WHAT NOW?

  THE STILL, BLUE WATER of Mykonos, Greece brought so much appreciation in the eyes of the seven teenagers that were visiting for a week. Anabelle and Avery floated on their backs in the clear water whilst the five boys splashed around at the shore and threw damp sandballs at each other.

"I think I want to get a tattoo," Avery suddenly spoke up, now standing in the water. Anabelle sputtered as she spun around to face her friend.

"You what?"

Avery rolled her eyes. "You heard what I said, Belle."

"Mhm..." Anabelle trailed off for a second. "Well, I support it! Are you doing it with Zar?"

The Valentine girl thought for a second and nodded. "I haven't exactly asked her yet but if she doesn't want to get one, she can at least sign me off to get one."

"If you're really sure about it, then go for it, Vee. Just remember it's practically stuck into your skin for the rest of your life."

"Thanks, mom."

Anabelle chuckled softly at the joking tone of her friend, she splashed Avery with water which lead to a splashing battle between the two girls with lots of laughter.

"Hey, Ave! Get over here!" Jess called out to the two girls who seemed to be giggling and gossiping together.

Anabelle gasped with a grin. "Ave?" She smirked at the freckled girl.

"Shut up, B," Avery rolled her eyes, however, her pink cheeks said otherwise.

"Isn't that Chris's nickname for you?"

"...no? His is Aves with an S. Plus, he hasn't called me that since dad said we were going to Greece so..."

Anabelle frowned watching Avery's expression change nearing the end of her sentence. The older girl sighed shortly before pulling Avery by the arm with a giggle and dragging her towards the five boys that were now drying off on the sand.

"You girls down to play some volleyball?" Dylan questioned as Nick handed the two of them dry towels.

Both girls glanced at each other with knowing looks. "Fuck yes!"

The seven split up into a team of three and a team of four. Chris, Anabelle, Matt and Avery in one, and Nick, Dylan and Jess in the other.

"This is unfair! You have two ex-volleyball players!" Nick complained childishly, glaring at Avery and Anabelle who were professionally stretching.

The 'game' only lasted a solid twenty minutes before Nick and Dylan sat cross-legged on the sand, refusing to play because 'Avery and Anabelle were unbeatable'.

"Fine, let's just head back to the hotel, change and then go on a walk and find something to eat," Matt shrugged, throwing his t-shirt over his head and packing up what they bought down.

The rest of the group agreed and helped pack up. It took over an hour for everyone to get ready since there were only two bathrooms and seven of them. Long showers and then pushing and shoving to get ready in the mirror.

It was four-thirty pm by the time all seven were ready to leave. Avery quickly tied the laces of her Chuck Taylors and stood up, dusting her sundress.

"Let's go, squad!" Dylan cheered, exiting the room first and leading the way to the elevators. Avery stayed behind holding the door for everyone but regretted it very much when she realized who the last person to exit was.

"Hey," Christopher pursed his lips and nodded at Avery as she locked the hotel room door.

Avery blew air through her lips before looking directly at the boy. "Hi."

"How are you?"

"Cut it with the small talk, Chris. What do you need?" Avery snapped with a soft voice, trying to avoid the entire group hearing and looking.

Chris gaped at her reaction, finding it a little amusing at the effect he seemed to currently have on her. "Woah. I thought we were good?" Chris chuckled softly.

"Huh... I thought the opposite but whatever," Avery shrugged, speeding up her walk.

"Come on, Avery, don't be like that," Chris caught up to her.

Avery waved her hands back and forward at Dylan who had held the elevator door open to tell him to just go down without them. "Don't be how, Chris?" She spun around to face him after the elevator doors closed in the distance.

"You know how."

"Do I? I don't think I do."

"Avery..." Chris trailed off, rubbing his chin in annoyance.

The tan girl scoffed with a smile, "'Avery' what?"

"You don't get to be like this. I apologized the other day!" Chris rambled.

"I don't get to be like this? What the fuck does that mean? So what you apologized. Did you hear me say 'aww it's okay!" no! I agreed with you saying it was a dick move, so don't try to act so innocent."

Chris sighed and impatiently pressed the elevator button hoping the doors would open soon. "Alright! Whatever." He scoffed, stepping into the elevator.

Avery silently followed behind him, quickly spamming the ground floor button. The elevator began to go down a few levels smoothly before a loud pop rattled the small chamber.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

Chris bit the inside of his cheek and glanced around the small, silver room impatiently. Avery's breathing began to fasten as she realized what was happening.

"No, no, no," she muttered to herself while smashing away at the 'door open' button. The lights began to flicker and Avery felt herself go extremely lightheaded.

"I think we're stuck."

Avery scoffed at his obvious comment. "Yeah, no fucking shit, Sherlock." She gripped tightly onto the side railing in an attempt to steady her oncoming panic.

"Are you okay?" Chris worriedly made his way over to her.

His hand brushed against Avery's arm. "Please do not."

Chris let out a sigh and moved away. He pulled out his phone and tried to dial his brother's number but there was no service inside the small cube. Avery's silenced hyperventilating snapped him out of his rage towards his phone.

"Aves..."

Avery clamped a hand over her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. He could not know she was crying right now. Chris walked over to her side and flicked on his phone's flashlight, finding Avery on the floor with her knees tucked into her chest.

"Hey... don't cry," Chris gasped softly as he caught the faint sound of a choked sob. The boy removed Avery's hand from her mouth and pulled her closer to him. "You're okay, Aves. I've got you."

As much as Avery wanted to push him away and prove she was fine, she just couldn't. She would go back to her grudge towards Chris after this all passed. That was the plan.

Chris held Avery in his arms for another twenty minutes. As soon as the door creaked, Avery shot up from her seat on the floor and stood impatiently for whoever was opening the door. Chris frowned at the feeling of warmth leaving him and stayed seated on the floor waiting patiently.

"Hey! We found you!" Anabelle's voice was all that Avery heard whilst the door was pried open by two men in large navy-blue jackets. Firefighters.

Avery was helped out through the gap first and then Chris not long after. The first thing the freckled girl did was launch herself into Matthew's arms.

"Vee..." Matt sighed sadly, stroking the shaking girl's hair. "You're okay now, Vee."

Avery cried more, soaking Matt's clothed shoulder while the boy repeatedly whispered 'you're okay' to her and waited until she was calm.

The rest of the group had already left to find a restaurant for dinner (Avery demanded for them not to wait for her) and Matt and Avery had said they would take a cab when the other five found a place.

"Hey, Jess," Matt cleared his throat as he answered his vibrating cell phone. "NOA? That's what it's called?" Matt repeated the words spoken to him through the phone so Avery could hear. "Alright, I'll let you know when we're in a cab. Cool, bye!"

Avery wiped away her tears and forced a smile the second Matt glanced at her. "I'm fine." she lied with a shrug. Matt nodded completely unconvinced and began to walk down the many flights of stairs they would have to walk down.

"I'm going to meet with Zar after dinner because we need to do something but I'll be back before midnight at least."

Matt nodded with a smile. "Of course, no rush, Vee!"

Avery smiled at how understanding Matthew was. They were literally the same person but in different fonts, if you will.

The drive to the restaurant was not too long, Matt and Avery thanked the driver and made their way into the eatery. The ambience was absolutely magnificent. Avery always admired the ambience of busy cafés or restaurants, when there was a nice tone of ambience you just knew the eatery was a good one.

"Hey, Ave. How're you feeling now?"

Avery smiled at Jess who pulled out a chair beside him for her. "Much better, thank you, Jess."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"You want a what now?" Zara Valentine gasped at what her sister had just said.

Avery rolled her eyes at the protective side of Zara. "A tattoo, Zara."

"You don't have to get one! Just sign me off, please!" Avery huffed with puppy eyes.

Zara paused for a minute. "Let's call mom and dad first."

Avery could live with that. It was a step closer to getting a tattoo.

"Hey mom, hi dad! Avery has a question for you!" Zara giggled, tossing the phone to her younger sister.

Avery flipped her sister off out of the camera frame before returning her attention to her parent's faces displayed on the screen. "Haha, hey guys!"

"What do you want to do this time, Avie?" Theodore sighed with a laugh.

"Could I get my first... tattoo?"

Elsie laughed loudly through the phone. "You're being serious?" The woman lifted her eyebrows, a smile still prominent on her face.

"Yup."

Theo muted his side of the call and began conversing with his wife. Avery watched anxiously with her fingers crossed on the back of the phone.

"Alright. We have decided: you may get a tattoo but it must be small and have meaning. That shit's on your body until you die, Avery," Elsie softly warned her daughter.

"I know, mom. I promise it won't be a big sleeve," Avery giggled.

Theodore and Elsie Valentine chuckled at her joke. "We trust you, Avie. Good luck darlin', talk tomorrow!"

Avery nodded at her dad through the phone. "Bye guys, thank you! Love you lots!!"

"We love you girls, bye!"

The line beeped and Avery began to jump out of excitement. She had taken Zara on a walk which also happened to come to an end opposite a five-star rated tattoo shop.

Coincidence? Hah!

The duo stepped inside the shop. Avery was not ready to take on some massive needles however, she had always wanted to get her first tattoo abroad and this was her best opportunity so far. Avery explained to the lady what she wanted and where she wanted it. The process took about half an hour and was a little bit painful but with Zara cracking stupid jokes every minute, it wasn't too bad.

"Thank you!" Avery and Zara called simultaneously as they exited the store.

Avery was typing away into her phone to post the photo she had just taken of the tattoo on her Instagram when Zara stopped her. "Didn't you and Chris have a pact sort of thing where you had to get your first tattoos together?"

Avery's steps halted violently. "Shit!" Her hand flew to her mouth. "You couldn't have reminded me before? It's okay. It's a small tattoo, he won't notice. I'll just hide the post from him!" Zara sighed at the young girl's rant and shrugged. It wasn't really her problem. Sometimes you have to let others learn their consequences by themselves.

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AVERYJVALENTINE

Liked by nessabarett, matthew.sturniolo and more...
tagged, macmiller
AVERYJVALENTINE, mac told me i reminded him
of a butterfly once. this is for you, malcolm james :)

NICOLASSTURNIOLO, AVERY JANE. I love u 😕💟
↳ AVERYJVALENTINE, i love you <33

JESSROMANO, proud of you avery 💐
liked by averyjvalentine

OLIVIARODRIGO, this is so fucking precious!

MATTHEW.STURNIOLO, mac did not lie 🦋🦋
↳ AVERYJVALENTINE, i adore you 🦋

SADIESINK, 🦋

LOUIS-CORE, oh my god. nobody talk to me.
↳ MAKHEARTSCHRIS, fuck u mal.
↳ CHRYSANTHEMVMS, mal hate club (jk)
↳ THELEGENDOFAELIN, not a joke 😇

92TILINFINITY, A beautiful tribute 🦋

USER2, this is so upsetting stop.

USER7, she really loved him :(

ARIANAGRANDE, 🦋🦋

REALSOPHIEGRACE, <33

MASONTHAMESOFFICIAL, 💌💌💌

ZARAVALENTINE, i love you <33

-FA1RYL1GHTS, i think matt should get a tat
of my name tbh
↳ STARHOLLOWED, nim. . .

SIDESTURNIOLO, tbh if mac miller told me i
reminded him of a butterfly i'd be FLYING.
↳ SIDESTURNIOLO, gorgeous tattoo btw avery!

THEODORE.VALENTINE, Beautiful meaning

MILESTELLER, Wow! 🦋😇

NESSABARETT, 🥺🦋

MADI.FILLIPOWICZ, he's so proud of u 🎀

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Avery bade her older sister farewell as she silently unlocked her hotel room door and drew out a large sigh, resting her head on the back of the closed door. It was two in the morning and she was beyond tired, normally she wouldn't be but the jetlag and timezones had really been messing with her.

"Oh, hey," Avery froze anxiously as she realized she was not the only one awake. The light in the kitchen was dim and she could only just make out the figure of fluffy hair.

Christopher.

"Hi. How long've you been up?" Avery asked him softly as she slid off her Converse and placed them on the floor at the end of her bed.

Chris shrugged and turned his phone off, placing it face down on the counter. "Couldn't sleep," he pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows. "You?"

"I went out with Zara after dinner. Did Matt not tell you?"

"He did. I was just double checking," Chris played it off cooly.

Avery furrowed her eyebrows and nodded, tying her hair up into a bun. She grabbed a fresh towel off of the counter and turned to go into the bathroom.

"Is that a tattoo?"

Shitting-fuck-shit.

"What?" Avery sucked in a breath, not daring to move to spin around.

Chris cleared his throat. "Is that a tattoo?" He repeated himself. "On your collarbone."

"Uh, mhm..." Avery winced as she mumbled the affirmative response.

The silence from the boy behind her made her want to scrub the tattoo off and get one with Chris just like they had always wanted to.

"Oh."

"Chris—" Avery sighed, finally turning to face the boy.

Chris smiled weakly, avoiding her eyes. "It's really pretty. It suits you."

Avery sighed shortly, tears threatening to well up in her eyes. She let him down.

"You can, uh, shower now. I was just asking if it was an actual tattoo."

Avery frowned deeply and nodded firmly to Chris before disappearing into the bathroom.

Chris sighed to himself after she shut the door. He missed his best friend more than anything and despised himself for what he did when he knew what the consequences would be. However, he was a little disappointed that their grudge against each other caused her to go against their word of getting their first tattoos together. He continued to scroll on his phone. He was on the brink of sleep but stayed up because he was just worried for the girl's safety at two in the morning in a foreign country.

By the time Avery walked out of the bathroom clean and refreshed, Chris was lying in bed (still on his phone), eyes drooping slowly with sleep. Avery took notice of his tiredness and chuckled softly, flicking the two braids that lay on her shoulders behind her back.

"You sure you're not tired, Chris?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah..." Chris tried to speak convincingly but was cut off by a large yawn.

He sighed in defeat after seeing Avery's raised eyebrows. Chris shut off his phone and plugged the charger into his phone, placing it on the table beside him. "Night, Aves."

The boy hadn't had enough time to process the fact he called her Aves because he had fallen asleep in a matter of seconds. Avery however, froze in awkwardness but let out a breath of relief after she heard his balanced breathing. 

( 💟 ) MAL SPEAKS,

hey 😊😊
how are we feeling?

this chapter was, like, crazy off
plot lowkey but gaf!!

watch this be the last update
of the year. . . i'm away (at the
beach #summer) for the rest
of this year and get back the 
31st then have a nye party to
get ready for so this is all i can
give you for 2022. 

i hope you all have a fabulous
last few days of this year, you
deserve it!!

stay safe and take care. i love u

xoxo, mal :)