Finding Avery

Chapter 13

Avery POV - one week later

"Avery. Aves. Wake up." I hear Alex call.

I open my eyes and see that we've made it to diamond bar.

I yawn and stare at my house.

"Come on." Alex says.

She helps me out and I see the front door open.

"Hi guys!" My mom calls and walks out.

She hugs me and sighs, "Hi baby."

"H-hii m-mom." I mumble.

"You doing okay?" She asks.

I shrug and let out a breath.

"I missed you." She whispers.

"I-I muh-missed y-you m-more, m-mom." I whisper back.

She pulls back and I limp inside.

My anxiety increases and I shake my head.

I feel a hand on my back, "You good?"

"Uh, y-yeah." I say.

She stares at me and I sigh.

"A-anxious." I say.

She nods, "It's okay. You want to be alone?"

I nod.

"Okay, we will unpack the car." She says and walks out with my mom.

I let out a breath and head to the backyard where I see the treehouse.

'Can I get up there?'

I look down at my leg and look back up,
Limping to the ladder.

I start to climb and try to push up on my right leg and slip.

"F-fuck! St-stupid f-fucking l-leg!" I yell.

I lean back against the tree and start to cry.

"F-fucking u-useless!" I mutter.

"Aves!" I hear Alex call and sigh.

I wipe my face and stand up.

"Hey, are you okay? Wait. Did you try to climb the ladder?"

I stare at her and then look down, nodding.

"Aves, you could've fallen." She sighs.

I nod, "I-I d-did."

I look up, "You fell? From which step?"

I point to the second step and she lets out a breath.

"Don't try to go up this again. You could get hurt."

I groan, "A-alone s-spot."

She sighs, "Want to go up to your room?"

I sigh and nod.

"Okay, come on."

She grabs my hand and pulls me up and I walk slowly inside and head up to my room.

I stare from the doorway and am hit with a rush of emotions.

"F-fuck." I whisper and limp to my bathroom.

I close the door and twist the lock then sit down and lean my back against the tub.

Flashback - September 2018

I stumble into school and finally make it to my locker.

I open it and lean my head against the door.