May 2008
“So you really passed?” Cordelia asked excitedly from the other end of the phone and even without seeing her face Avery could almost picture her cheesy smile that she had.
“I really passed,” Avery nodded her head confirming her previous words when she had first called Cordelia.
Letting her best friend know that she had gotten the results of her tests today and she had passed her GED stuff. She was officially graduated and out of school and she could travel this summer. Something that she was nervous on and also excited for before because Paisley had texted her yesterday to let her know she worked out a way that she could come.
Just for the month of June though and when they came back to Tulsa in July she’d have to stay but Avery could handle it and hopefully Zac would be happy now.
Though somehow she’d have to find a way to procure Zac’s silence on Avery having a travel buddy because there was no way in hell Avery was telling her mom. Knowing Diana would question it until she got the truth from Avery and then she’d find a way to cancel the road trip.
Of that Avery was positive. Just like she was positive that she and Paisley would think of a way not to run into each other at the airport the day they left Tulsa. A feat that could maybe be okay.
The airport in Tulsa was big enough and they could text each other in advance just to be on the safe side.
“We need to celebrate then,” Cordelia spoke bringing Avery out of her thoughts. “Jane and I were going to go to an open mic night at the coffeehouse downtown but maybe we can change plans and party instead. Does that sound good to you Avie?”
Avery only sighed softly at Cordelia’s question, “I wish we could but mom wants the whole family to go out to some nice restaurant and eat. My brother’s are back from tour now and she’s already called all their wives this morning and got the okay.”
“Of course she has,” Cordelia laughed. “Your mom always springing last minute things on everyone.”
“Yep,” Avery nodded her head as she laughed some as well. “Maybe we can celebrate tomorrow though since mom wants this to be mostly family.”
“Tomorrow sounds good to me,” Cordelia told her and Avery hoped she was telling the truth.
That somehow thanks to her mom she hadn’t hurt Cordelia’s feelings without meaning too or anything.
“Good,” Avery replied back as she checked the time on the clock in her room. “I should go though. Need to start getting ready for the dinner tonight.”
“Yeah, yeah have fun tonight with the fam,” Cordelia spoke and after that they both bidded each other goodbye before hanging up.
Avery laying her cell phone down on the bed so that she could find something nice to wear and then go shower and get ready.
Already feeling slightly nervous about going out to eat with all her family because it was the first time in a long time that they’d all be there and a few of them knew bits and pieces about her lies.
Isaac, Taylor, and Zoe knowing the most and what if somehow everything just spilled out. An irrational fear Avery knew but one she had none the less.
Before she could finish the task of finding her clothes though, Avery heard a small knock on the door and as she turned her head she saw her mom coming inside with a smile on her face. A smile that did nothing to settle Avery’s nerves.
More like it made her nerves even worse than what they already were.
“I hope you don’t mind me coming in,” Diana spoke as she walked to where Avery was. “I just wanted to let you know that after talking it over with your dad we have decided that you can invite Jeremy along to the dinner tonight. Since he is your boyfriend and all,” she smiled like she was proud of that information. “Just like you can invite one of your friends to come too. I’m sure it will be Paisley but for tonight I will be the better person and accept her there.”
Avery fell silent at her mom’s words. Not sure at first how to even respond to them because honestly she hadn’t expected to be allowed to have anyone other than family present.
She knew sometimes how strict her mom could be on events being just family. So Avery couldn’t help but wonder if maybe her father had fought to get that changed. At least just this time for Avery’s sake which if that were the case then she’d thank her lucky stars for that.
“And what if I don’t want to invite Jeremy and just want to invite a friend?” Avery mused wondering how that would turn out.
Because deep down she really didn’t want to invite Jeremy. Nor was she sure if Jeremy would even want to come.
Her mom paused at that her smile only faltering for a second, “Then that will be okay honey,” she nodded her head and even though she said it would be okay Avery knew deep down it wouldn’t be.
Her mom wanted her to invite Jeremy especially since she was so convinced that Avery was also going to invite Paisley along.
A part of Avery finally wondering if her mom wanted Jeremy there to prove some point. That Avery was straight and Paisley couldn’t corrupt her but then again the joke was on her mom since Paisley knew Jeremy was gay. Was even friends with Jeremy and his boyfriend.
“I’ll decide then what to do as I’m getting ready,” Avery spoke as she gave her mom a fake smile.
Her words being enough that it seemed to settle her mom again. Enough that her mom turned to leave and after she had Avery sighed in relief.
Before turning back and trying to decide on an outfit to wear though she was now also trying to decide what to do with who to invite.
Wondering if she truly wanted to invite Jeremy to keep peace because deep down she knew she’d invite Paisley. It’d be a nice break from all the studying her girlfriend was doing even if the idea of letting Paisley finally meet the rest of her family all at once terrified her.
Especially when it came to the prospect of her seeing Isaac and Taylor. Both who had seen the blurry pictures of them kissing even if they had been too blurry to truly identify Paisley and Avery had been barely identifiable except for a dress that she hadn’t worn since that day.
A dress she skipped over tonight as she continued to search her closet for clothes.
Sitting at a table in the restaurant Avery nervously chewed on her lip as she looked from Paisley to Jeremy. The two people she was seated beside at the table and she knew this experience was not what any of them wanted but yet here they all were.
Taking part in a fake rouse just to keep Avery’s family blind to the real deal behind the scenes. A rouse that had Avery and Jeremy pretending to be a couple still and one that was actually easier to fake now then when they had actually tried dating.
Both her and Jeremy seemingly falling into the acting nicely. They had even shared a few cheek kisses too just for show.
But after the last one Avery noticed how off Paisley was. How she was no longer playing the role of a new friend who was meeting her friends boyfriend for the first time.
Instead she had fallen silent mostly. Only really talking to Kate who was seated across from her or even Zac who it seemed like his wife had taken an interest in Paisley.
Avery was sure she had even heard them talking politics at first which amused her because Paisley was a full blown liberal and Zac bless his heart was a die hard conservative and it was clear on some issues they’d probably never see eye to eye.
Which was one reason Avery kept her political beliefs to herself. Knowing that most of them right now didn’t really line up with her family’s. Because more than likely she too was a bit more liberal because in the end she’d probably vote for anyone over a Republican.
“Are you okay?” Avery questioned as she leaned into Paisley some, so that Paisley could hear her over the loud voices at the table that all belonged to someone in Avery’s family.
Paisley turned to look at Avery, a smile on her face though it was a fake one. Avery knew that much because her eyes didn’t have the same shine they normally did. The shine that could make Avery weak in the knees and create butterflies in her stomach.
“I’m fine Avery,” she spoke and her words even came out strained. “Why wouldn’t I be? Your family besides your mom is mostly lovely and you look great with Jeremy,” she said as her eyes moved from Avery to the boy beside her. “So I’m fine,” she nodded before going silent.
Avery knowing now that the issue was with Jeremy and probably her and now Avery was even regretting inviting Jeremy just to keep peace with her mom and make her happy.
Hated that somehow something had happened to make her girlfriend upset but of course Avery knew better than to question farther so she just fell silent.
Watching everyone around her. Kate who was once again in a conversation with Paisley though Kate herself was doing more of the talking.
Zac who was seated beside his wife, picking away at the salad he had ordered. Almost treating his salad like it was an enemy instead of something he needed to eat to live.
Which made Avery wonder if he was sick or just not hungry. But of course she didn’t question him either and still remained silent.
Just letting everyone else in her family do the talking as she stewed over her own bad feelings. Hoping that Paisley would eventually tell her what was wrong so they could fix things.
But for now she’d give her time to do whatever she needed to mentally as well. Either come to terms with what was bothering her or let it eat her up and Avery really hoped she came to terms with it.
Again so that they could talk and work through it.
“Is everything okay with your friend?” Isaac asked Avery an hour later as most of the family was now outside saying goodbye as they all piled into the cars they came in.
Zac and Kate having left first, Kate saying something about being tired which no one could blame her for because she was in the last weeks of her pregnancy…or last days really now.
“What?” Avery asked as she crinkled her forehead some at Isaac’s question, surprised her older brother had even really paid attention to Paisley.
They had been at opposite ends of the table and Isaac had seemed more into his conversation with their dad than anything happening on the other end of the table.
“Just she left in a hurry and let’s be honest we all know our family can be crazy,” Isaac laughed as he gave Avery a knowing look. “I really hope we haven’t scared away one of your friends,” he shrugged as if that was explanation enough for his question.
Avery shook her head giving Isaac a tiny smile, “She’s fine,” she told him hoping that her words were true. “I mean she endured a dinner at our house with mom and dad already once so if she can do that I’m positive she’ll survive and come around after tonight.”
“I hope so,” Isaac told her sounding sincere. “She seemed nice enough from what I saw of her, though I swear I’ve seen her somewhere else before.”
Swallowing hard at Isaac’s words, Avery thought back to the pictures that Isaac had printed off and gave to Taylor to talk to Avery about.
“That’s crazy Ike,” Avery laughed and god did she hope it was a convincing one. “You probably have never seen her anywhere before.”
Isaac just gave Avery a look at that, like he wanted to argue with her on the subject but before he could say anything Nikki had hollered for him and Isaac sighed softly before turning to head to their car.
Get his wife and his sons home before it got too late and after he left Avery let out a tiny breath.
Feeling relieved that the conversation was over before Isaac could realize that he had indeed seen part of Paisley before in pictures with Avery.
Turning on her heel Avery soon headed to her parents SUV because she had opted to ride with them instead of taking her own car tonight.
But again as she walked to the car her mind went to Paisley and again she just wanted to get past whatever had happened at the dinner that had made her uncomfortable.
Made her shut down for the last part of the dinner.