Chapter 1 (Avery)

"WAKE UP AVERY! SCHOOL STARTS SOON!"

"Five more minutes!" I pulled the covers over my head.

"Just get up, will you?! Nana asked me to wake you up or else we'll be late!" Someone pulled my precious wool blankets down and I sighed. I finally opened my eyes and was flooded with coldness and light in my eyes. I rubbed my eyes and got up from my bed.

"Finally! I was going to dump a bucket of water on you if you didn't get out of bed!" I looked to my right and saw a tall male with brown-hazel eyes and dark strawberry-blond hair wearing a tan hoodie over navy jeans. It was my brother. Well, he's not actually my brother but I consider him as one. Jayden and I met when I was around 6 and he was 10. I got kicked out of another foster home and when I came back here, I saw him there and Nana introduced me to him. When we first met, we both disliked each other. Honestly, I was only 6 so it does make sense that it was because of attention. That time, I was in a home for 2 weeks before I got kicked out. Believe it or not, that was one of the longest periods I was in a foster home.

But then, we eventually got used to it because of the time we had to spend together every day. So we got close. Now, we're like brothers (keywords: like brothers, which includes fighting, as siblings do).

"Come to eat breakfast when you're done getting ready- and hurry up! I know how long it takes you to shower!" He said with a glare. "Ok, ok! I don't even take that long!" I protested.

"Yes, you do! I can even prove it with a recording of you taking an hour while singing Misery x CPR in the shower!" Jayden scoffed, as he walked out of my room before I could argue any further. I gaped. How did he know that?? Well as it's said, wrong until proven right!

I moved my hand around on the floor on the right side (get it?) of my bed to look for my phone until I felt something and grabbed it. I clicked the power button and looked at the time. 6:40. I should hurry up since we have to leave at 7 o'clock (P.S. We never actually end up leaving at 7). I walked over to the bathroom and opened the shower door. I turned on the water and took off my pajamas. I shivered. Damn, it's cold- I guess this is what I get for showering in the morning. I quickly showered (you don't need to know the details of that), and then changed into my school uniform, a white long-sleeved button-up shirt with a black tie over light blue jeans, with a few changes, of course. I brushed my teeth and then rinsed my mouth with mouthwash.

I walked towards the kitchen/dining room (I don't know what to call it because they're connected). My Nana was standing next to the stove, wearing a pastel yellow apron with lime-green tulips. Jayden was sitting down at the table, already eating. He looked up from his plate and said, "Jeez, I said quickly, not slowly."

"What? But I-"

"Look at the time," he rolled his eyes, pointing at the clock on the oven.

Oh, wow. Time went by fast. It was already 7. Welp, I guess we won't be leaving right now then. But I'm sure I showered quickly. Well, at least quicker than normal.

"Just sit down, Avery, and eat quickly," Nana sighed while setting down a plate in front of where he usually sat. The wafting aroma of warm honey rising to my nose from the pancakes with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla in the air made my mouth water. I plopped down on the seat and dug in with a fork. "Hey Avery, I'll wait for you outside in the car," he said, standing up while putting on his shoes and grabbing his keys.

I finished pretty quickly and downed a glass of orange juice after. I walked out of the room to the door. I grabbed my backpack and slipped on my white and black Adidas shoes (I have great taste, am I right?). "Bye, Nana, I'm leaving now!" I yelled. "I can hear you, you don't have to scream! Have a good day at school!" She yelled back. I keep on forgetting that she has perfectly good hearing. I can't help it, I've been to many senior retirement homes and almost every senior there has bad hearing. I've had to practically scream for them to hear me. She's currently in her 50's so she's not that old anyway but it's just my bad habits.

But just as I was about to open the door to go out, I heard an ear-splitting honk. "Jayden, what the actual hell?!" I practically bellowed as I ran out the door.

"You took too long," he complained. He's twenty. 20! And here he is, honking at me for "taking too long". Even though I'm younger than him, I certainly don't act like this.

"God, I was just about to go out the door! You could've just called me or walked back inside. You don't have to honk!" I retorted.

"Nah, honking makes you come faster. I don't have the time or energy to do any of the other things," Jayden shrugged. See what I said about immature?

I muttered, "Whatever," and hopped into the front passenger seat. He already turned on the engine to warm up the car so we left right away.

I would honestly rather drive myself to school but I can't, because I don't have a driver's license. You'd probably think "you're 16, you can get a license" but uh, I'm working on it. I took the driver's test and um, let's just say I did badly. …I may or may have not almost crashed into a house. But you can't blame me! I had to make a sharp turn at a corner but the house was right in front of it and the people in the back were distracting me!

Soon enough, we arrived at school at 7:53. It's a classic school, a huge light tan-ish building with a few glass doors and concrete stairs leading up to the entrance.

I opened the car door and stepped out. I grabbed my backpack and slipped it on. "Oh, and make sure you don't cause any more trouble. I don't want to meet with the principal again," he laughed, glancing at me through the window. "For the last time, that was a misunderstanding!" I said, exasperated. "Sure, as if I'll believe that. Anyways, have a good day at school."

I started walking towards the entrance and was just about to open the door. And then the bell rang right above me. Why just why? I have the worst luck. My poor eardrums. I knew I should've walked faster. It's 7:55 now, the first bell. I sighed. I started walking inside towards my locker to get my supplies for first period.

Why does my school have to start so early? It's 7:55 am! And even worse, I live far away so I have to get up even earlier. I groaned. Don't they know we need a certain amount of sleep to focus? Some people might argue, "just go to sleep early" but I do! I just can't fall asleep fast like some people.

"Heyy." Someone waved their hand in front of my face. "Earth to Avery!" It was my best friend, Dylan.

I snapped back to reality. "Oh, hey, Dylan."

"Did you not notice me standing here waiting for you? What took you so long?" he sighed.

"Don't blame me, you know it's early in the morning. Plus, I had to stay up late working on like- 5 assignments so I'm tired," I said with a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

"Alright, that's true, but you wouldn't have that many to work on if you didn't procrastinate," he rolled his eyes. I scoffed. I'm not a procrastinator. I just like to take my time on things.

"Anyways, I heard that the library across the street is giving out free In-N-Out meals today." He looked disappointed. Why would you be disappointed if you could get free food? I mentally shook my head.

"What?!" I exclaimed. "Why?!"

"I don't know, I heard it was a sponsorship. Probably an advertisement, to be honest."

"Dylan, we gotta check it out! In-N-Out's the best, and when have they ever given out free food?!"

"I know," he exhaled slowly. "But it ends at 1 pm and that's still during school hours."

"Oh." My shoulders slumped.

"If only they let us go during lunchtime. It's just across the street. I don't understand why they can't just let us go there. It's a one-time thing and it's not like we'll be in danger or anything. It's a library." he said with a sigh.

I felt disappointed until I thought of something. My face lit up. "Wait, I think I have an idea."

"Oh no, not this again. Remember last time you 'had an idea'? That did not go well," he said, shaking his head.

"I swear, it'll be quick! Just like you said, it's just across the street. Besides, I need someone to go with me. That librarian hates my guts! She'd never even allow me in!"

"Sorry, I can't be with you this time. I have a council meeting at lunch too.

Even if I could go, I can't risk it. I already got a warning."

"Oh dang it. Who's supposed to go with me then? How will I get my In-N-Out?"

"How about… don't risk it for an In-N-Out meal and just buy it after school?"

"Dude, this is free food! And good food too, unlike the lunch at school. And you know I'm broke," I said, slightly annoyed.

Suddenly, we were interrupted by the bell. Shoot, I guess we're late then. Detention it is. Dylan muttered, "Not again."

"Anyways, I don't recommend going but if you want to, then just ask your other friends," he suggested, as he started walking to his class.

I probably should start getting to class too. I dragged my feet towards my classroom. I mean, there's no point in walking fast if I'm already late right?

By the time I got to class, attendance was already taken. I knocked on the door. One of my classmates opened it and I walked in. My science teacher glanced at me. "Late again, Avery? You need to work on your attendance."

"Well so-" I started, prepared to launch an excuse.

"Just take a seat," she sighed.

I knew that was going to happen anyway, it's a daily routine now. She's always letting me slide for some reason. We started with video notes and then we had to listen to a long lecture about cell structure, even though we already learned this a week ago and should know this. I'm sure everyone remembers, even the students with bad memory. She's been trying to remind us of the same thing over and over for the past decade.

The bell rang and I headed toward my next class. After a few more periods, it was finally lunch time. And I… still haven't found anyone to go with me. I've asked all my friends already. And I mean all of them, even the ones I hardly talk to. But everyone is either busy, doesn't like In-N-Out, or just doesn't want to. I guess I'll have to go by myself then. I sighed.

I lifted my backpack onto my shoulder and walked to the restroom. Why? I need a disguise. Of course, I do. You know I can't just go in there like myself, that lady hates my guts. She would find some random excuse on why she can't give it to me or why I shouldn't be there.

I put on my disguise and looked at myself in the mirror. "Hm, not bad. Not as recognizable."

Meanwhile, someone else was planning on going as well. But not for food…