Ava- Ever Green Series Book Two

Ava was walking up to the school to start a new school year. This will be her junior year. She was hoping this year would be different than last year. There was something different in the last four months. At the end of last year, Ava was starting to feel a little bit different around her peers at school like they were expecting her to be like her party animal brother, Thomas. The teachers thought she was going through something, but they were not wrong either. Truthfully, both Serena and Ava were missing their friend, Henry Newman, who went missing four months ago to the day. All that was placed around the school was his missing poster.

Serena was waiting by the school entrance when Ava walked up. She was busy texting on her phone but looked up “How are you doing?” Asking that question was hard to answer when we both know the answer. I was going, to be honest with her.

“My summer was mostly just hanging out with you of course. My parents had to take me to therapy because I was taking Henry’s disappearance hard. I became a shell of myself. I miss him so much” Ava told Serena, “How was your summer? Well, the rest of it anyway?”

“To be honest, my parents made me spend the rest of my summer with my grandparents to try to pull my mind off Henry. My parents thought it would snap me out of it. Told me to go get some help, as you did. I told my parents there was no way Henry had run away. Of course, they did not believe me. They think his home life was the cause of his disappearance. We both know he did not always have the best relationship with either of his parents. I still think something happened to him.” Serena was saying while walking to our lockers.

Serena was looking around to make sure no one was overhearing our conversation. Ava was kind of shocked at how many people were making up their theories on what happened to Henry. It was honestly just nauseating to hear about it all day at school. The day pretty much flew by really quickly just by numbing it out.

Serena and Ava decided to get to go Turbo Grill for chocolate milkshakes. When we got there, she excused him from going to the restroom. Ava saw one of the waitresses in tears and this seems to be the case with working for John. Ava reflected on working there over the summer but changed her mind. She did want to save to get a new car. When she got back to the table, Serena had already ordered both of them and she was already digging into her drink.

Looking behind her head, Serena was staring at this blonde guy and was staring around the room. Ava turned to see who she was staring at, “Who is that?” asked her.

“Someone I meant last weekend. His name is Lucius or something like that. He hangs out with your brother, Thomas sometimes. They got to school together or something.” Serena whispered.

“Okay.... but what does it he has to do with my brother. To be honest, my brother and I have not spoken since he went back to university." I pointed out Serena.

Turning away to finish my milkshake. Ava saw a blonde and brunette come in and sat not far from us. That must be two other classmates of her brothers Cassandra and Margo. She gets it this town was also a college town of sorts. University students hang out at Turbo Grill too. It must be happy hour.

Serena was staring behind him at me when my older brother decided to make an appearance. Luckily, he did not notice Serena and Ava there. He walked over to Lucius and started talking to him. Ava tapped on Serena’s shoulder to make sure we got out of there unnoticed.

Ava made her way home. When she got in the house, her mother was still working or to be in a meeting with co-workers about the family business. Ava decided not to bother her and go to her room instead. Laying back thinking about Henry and the school day, ended up falling asleep. Ava was jarred awake by someone knocking on the door.

“Come in,” Ava says.

“Dinners ready kiddo,” Kaleb replies.

“I will be down in a sec,” telling her dad.

Leaving Ava alone to mentally prepare herself before dinner.

Her mother made chicken breast, peas, and pasta for dinner. Her father has already set the table and bought the food. When everything was served, her father started to make conversation about what happened at the family company. Her mother describes her day. She told them about her first day.

Dinner was finished and it was her mother who cleaned up the kitchen. Ava was quiet for a sec and then said, “I saw Thomas at Turbo Grill after school.”

“Did he say anything to you?” Maria asked.

“No. He did not notice I was there. I was with Serena too. Anyway, I just walked out without him noticing. I will say he keeps some interesting friends.” Ava blabbers putting away the dishes.

Her mother just listens and mentions, “How was school? I know not having Henry there with you and Serena must be hard on both of you”

“School was hard today. Not seeing Henry’s smiling face in class. Everyone was talking about Henry like he was dead or something. Everyone has their theories on what might have happened to him. It was getting too much just like the summer all over again." Realizing she was crying and saying all of that.

Her mother does not say anything but just hugs her. Ava dried her tears and then went to her room. She worked on homework until she fell asleep again.