20 Haley got dejected.

<General perspective>

Haley and Claire got into the car, with Claire in the driver's seat.

Claire looked at Haley and asked, "So, where is Ava's house?" Haley took out her phone and opened DiGiMap to check her last night's location.

Haley replied while reading the address, "¿?¿?¿? Street, Beverly Hills."

Claire started the car, but soon realized something and looked at Haley, "Did you say Beverly Hills?"

Haley nodded and said, "Yes, is anything wrong?"

Claire replied, "No, nothing's wrong."

[Commentary]

-Claire-

Claire said, "Beverly Hills is known for being very fancy in Los Angeles. Lots of rich people live there. I was a bit surprised to find out Ava lives there too, but then I saw her expensive car, which looked like it cost a lot of money." Claire also said, "But what I really need to do today is say sorry to Ava for what happened last night."

[Commentary End]

Claire drove to the location on Haley's DiGiMap. Haley then asked Claire to stop the car.

Haley got out of the car and said to Claire, "I will be back in 5 minutes, Mom." Claire nodded, knowing it's better if Haley talks and invites Ava for dinner.

Haley approached the door and rang the bell. After a while, Melissa opened the door and saw Haley. Melissa hugged Haley and said, "You know, Haley, your acting is really good."

Haley was taken aback and acted as if she didn't know anything. "What do you mean, Auntie?" she asked.

Melissa patted Haley's shoulder and replied, "You don't have to act; Ava told me everything."

Haley asked meekly, "You're not angry about it?"

Melissa replied, "Of course not. But anyway, why are you here?"

Haley said, "I want to meet Ava."

Melissa replied with a sigh, "Well, you can't."

Haley had a bad feeling, "Why? Is she still angry?"

Melissa replied, "No, she isn't home, that's why."

Haley sighed in relief, "So when will she be back?"

Melissa said, while thinking, "She decided to travel the country, and she told me that she will be back in 1 or 2 months, so I can't say for sure."

Haley felt dejected and asked, "Can I get her number?"

Melissa nodded and replied, "you can, but I don't think she will pick up the phone."

Haley felt even more dejected.

Melissa saw Haley's expression and said, "You don't have to worry. You can meet her at the final exam or during summer vacation if you want to join us."

Haley's mood brightened, and she replied, "Of course, I would love to join." Melissa smiled and asked, pointing at the entrance gate, "That's great, but do you know who that is?"

Haley turned and saw Claire peeping through the gate. Her face turned red as she replied with embarrassment, "Well, that is my mom."

Melissa looked at Haley and said, "Why don't you invite your mom inside the house?"

Haley replied, "I will, but please don't tell her about this fake girlfriend thing."

Melissa chuckled and said, "Okay, but it's really funny how your mom is trying to hear our conversation."

Haley looked in Claire's direction and started waving her hand to inform her that she could come inside.

Claire saw Haley waving her hand towards her. Claire thought, 'Do they know I was trying to hear their conversation?' Claire then walked towards Haley. As she got near Haley, Haley said, "Auntie, this is my mom, and Mom, this is Ava's mom."

Claire extended her hand in greeting, introducing herself, "Hello, I'm Claire Dunphy, Haley's mother." Melissa shook her hand warmly and replied, "Pleasure to meet you, I'm Melissa Lewis, Ava's mother."

Melissa ushered Claire into the house, with Haley trailing behind. As they settled in, Melissa inquired, "Tea or coffee?" Claire declined with a shake of her head. However, Haley interjected, "I'll have a coffee."

Claire shot Haley a glare. With a smile, Melissa headed to the kitchen. Claire then turned to Haley and whispered, "You can't just exploit someone's kindness like that."

Haley asked, "What's wrong with accepting kindness?"

Claire explained, "We're here to apologize and invite Ava for dinner, not just to have coffee."

Haley pointed out, "But Ava isn't here. She won't be for at least 1 or 2 months."

Claire inquired, "Then why are we here?"

Haley explained, "Well, Ava's mom said she wants to talk to you."

Claire had a troubling thought and asked Haley, "Does she know about last night's incident?"

Haley replied between bites of an apple from the fruit basket, "I don't think so."

Claire sighed, still wanting to confirm, "And how do you know that?"

Haley reassured, "You wouldn't be sitting here if she knew."

As Claire was about to speak, she noticed Melissa holding three coffee cups. With grace, Melissa handed a cup of coffee to both Haley and Claire before retaining one for herself. Locking gazes with Claire, Melissa politely inquired, "Mrs. Dunphy, I would like to request if you could allow Haley to spend her summer vacation with us. Additionally, your family is more than welcome to join us as well."

Claire had arrived with the intention of inviting Ava, but the tables turned when she found herself on the receiving end of a summer vacation invitation. Caught off guard, she paused, her mind swirling with thoughts on how to respond graciously. Melissa, noticing Claire's momentary dilemma, offered reassuring words: "Take all the time you need to ponder it. Just remember to get in touch before summer vacation kicks off," she said, slipping her business card into Claire's hand. With their coffee cups drained, Claire and Haley bid farewell to the vibrant streets of Beverly Hills, Claire's mind buzzing with the unexpected turn of events.

After arriving home, Alex awaited them. Haley dashed to her room, and Claire settled on the sofa with Alex beside her. Breaking the silence, Alex asked, "So what happened, Mom?"

Claire sighed before replying, "Not much, just that Ava went on a trip and won't be back for at least 1 or 2 months. Ava's mother invited us to spend the summer vacation with them."

Confusion crossed Alex's face. "Then why are you so silent?"

Claire explained, "I'm pondering this turn of events. First, meeting Ava's mother instead of Ava. Second, the sudden invitation to spend the summer vacation with them, even though we barely know them. Third, I'm reluctant to reject their invitation due to feeling guilty for what I said last night."

To be Continued.

[Author's note: Regina George has been selected as a harem member after most of you suggested her.]