I'm baaack. I am on fire! Luckily I'm in a stage of life where I can write to my heart's content. AKA, sleepover for the whole weekend! AKA, no parents! But this chapter is very special. And I feel I must do this PROPERLY. So, the chapter dedication:

To cometshadow, for going "OMGOMGOMGOMG" when I went "I'll post it ASAP", and saying "YOURE OKAY. BREATHE. IT WAS PERFECT." When I went "The perfectionist in me has just DIED".

To Fallow Bay Chapman, 'cause even though you're a fictional character from cometshadow's imagination, I didn't stop thinking about you while writing this.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I loved writing it!

Avery

"Now, class, who can tell me the year Pokemon went extinct?" Our teacher asked.

Karen, my best friend, waved a hand. "In the 2020's."

Mrs. Dodds scowled. "Specificity. A few hundred were still alive during the 2020's." Then she smiled sweetly. "What about you, Avery?"

My cheeks flushed. Favoritism. One of the 'perks' of being filthy rich. "Umm.. 2027?" I tried. That was wrong, of course.

But the smile never left her face. "Good, Avery! That was very close. The actual year was 2025. Now, for your homework we will have two chapters of Robert Hugh's The World's Pokemon Replacements."

Then the bell rang and we were free.

I left the class with Karen. "I hate how they treat you! Its terrible."

Karen just nodded. "I've got to go, Ava. Mom got her second job today, and I'm babysitting. I know its a long shot, but if you could come...?"

"I'll do my best," I promised. Father's answer would be 'No' in big bold letters, but I would try.

But with Karen gone, I was now prey for some other friends.


"... And of course, Daddy's hosting another party tonight."

"Ohmigod, really? I got this perfect pair of heels that match my new dress perfectly!"

Inwardly, I rolled my eyes, trying to drown out the voices of my two 'best friends'.

"What about you, Ava? You are coming, right?" Megan asked.

Before I could reply, Cassie cut her off.

"Of course she's coming! I mean, she's like the most popular girl in school! Like, why wouldn't she come?"

Plastering a smile on my face, I replied, "Obviously. I sent Alfred for some new skirts this morning. I can't wait to try them out!"

Ugh. Did I just say that?

"See? Told you!" Cassie said, shooting Megan a look.

"Whatever," Megan replied, turning to me. "Hey Ava, I think this necklace I've got totally brings out your eyes. Who else has got light orange with red rimming the pupil iris thingy?"

"That's a terrible idea," Cassie shot back. "This beige dress Daddy got me last week will totally match your silky blonde hair. And I've got these earrings which will match your orange tips perfectly!"

I can't take any more of this. Glancing around, I looked for an excuse to escape. The restroom. Perfect.

"Ow!" I shrieked. "I think some dust fell on my hair!"

Cassie and Megan opened their mouths in shock.

Before they could say anything, I said: "Emergency, girls! Gotta go!"

I walked as fast as my heel-wearing feet would take me. Unfortunately, that wasn't fast enough.

"Ava! I'll go with you, Mother showed me the best way to get rid of dust!"

"Ava waaaait, Daddy bought me a new can of hairspray!"

Help me.

Fortunately, someone did. Tousled hazel hair, piercing green eyes, and a dazzling smile. That's how Megan described him anyway. . Brown hair-green eyes-teeth would've worked for me. But as soon as he passed by, Cassie and Megan froze. And began giggling behind him, following the boy down the hall.

I should have noticed how he didn't notice me- every guy here did. Which was mostly a curse. But I should've noticed how I've never seen him before, when I knew every guy in school (another curse). But all I thought was:

Lucky me.


As I escaped outside, I found Alfred waited outside the limo. "Ms. Avery! You're later than usual."

Alfred. One of my few real friends. I grinned. "Sorry Alfred. Got a little- ah, off track."

"Understandable. But you better watch out- they've got your scent."

My smile faltered. "They're behind me, aren't they?"

He nodded.

Curse these heels.

"Ava! How was it? Did you get rid of the dust?" Cassie chirped.

"I heard it damages the roots!" Megan added.

I opened my mouth to reply, but I was saved. Again. This time by Evelyn Wright, the new kid. She had an air of determination around her, with steel-grey eyes and red hair. Smiling at the duo, she said, "It does?! I never knew that. Maybe you should warn Logan."

Megan glanced where Eve gestured. Then her mouth dropped open like a fish. "Omigod Cassie he's there! Under that shade thingy there's bound to be plenty dust! Let's go!"

And they scurried to where the green-eyed teen stood.

I grinned at Eve. "Thanks for that."

She winked. "No problem."

Then Alfred opened the door and I got into our limo.

"Sometimes I don't understand you, Ms. Avery," Alfred started. I tried countless times to get him to call me Ava, but he refused. "All they want is your friendship."

I started, "If its because of the money-"

"-then I don't want it!" He finished with me.

I laughed, then continued, "You should know by now that those weirdos don't like me. They like Ava, the air-headed rich kid, daughter of politician Greggory Stark and celebrity Melinda Stark."

Slowly, he nodded. "I understand, but don't go there. We'll be treading on dangerous ground."

As if I didn't know that. "You're right. Turn on the radio, please?"

"Good idea." He responded, and turned a knob.

-Everyone is freaking out over Elesa's latest venture, with her moving out of her comfort zone and heading towards the music industry-
-missing children in several places around the Central District, police are baffled and have recruited Detective Joseph Mars and Doctor Rachel Ni-
-Never gonna give you up, never gonna-

"Wait! Go back!"

Quizically, Alfred turned the knob back.

-..This report brought to you by James O'Hare.-

I sighed. "It's okay, Alfred. Bring it back, please."

"James O'Hare. I knew him during my journalism days," Alfred said thoughtfully. "I'll pull up some old favors, see what I can do."

I smiled. "That would be great, Alfred."

We soon arrived at the house. That's an understatement, considering it's nearly as big as a plane. There were marble columns! And a beautiful pond! And- ooh-la-la, a glorious fountain!

Note my sarcasm.

"I go right. You go left." I whispered to Alfred. He nodded. And he knew what was on my mind.

I must not see my father.

Entering one of the many side doors, I tip-toed into the kitchen. Silvia was there. She glanced at me, and I put my finger to my lips. She nodded.

I must not see my father.

Putting an ear to the door, I listened. TV was off. I opened the door a crack. So far, so good.

I just jinxed it, didn't I?

Whatever. I continued my stealthy approach toward my room. Just two flights of stairs, five corridors, and eight rooms. No biggie. I started up my first flight of stairs and ran straight into- you guessed it- Father.

"Avery." He said, without taking his eyes of the newspaper he was reading. He was an intimidating man; Thick bushy eyebrows set over glaring eyes, broad shoulders, and a grim line of lips for a mouth.

Injecting as much enthusiasm as humanly possible into my voice I said, "Hello Father. How was your meeting?"

He ignored me. Which was nothing new. Honestly, I should be used to it by now. "How was your test?"

"'A' plus, as always," But of course he needed more. I hated this lifestyle. Mother wanted to know everything I was doing; Father wanted to know everything I was thinking. "Megan taught me the best ways to remove dust from the hair," I added.

He nodded. "Good. I'm sure it will be helpful."

Now was the time. "Father, I was thinking-"

"Yes?"

"Father I was thinking, since I've had such good test scores-"

"Spit it out! We don't have all day, I've got a meeting-"

"Karen invited me to her house tonight!" I blurted.

His brows furrowed. "Karen? That filthy girl from the Suburbs? No! Absolutely not! I will not have my daughter traipsing unsupervised in unsanitary houses! Grow up, Avery! How would this reflect on your image? On my image?!"

At that moment something snapped inside me.

All my life, I've been told No, I've been told Of course not, I've been told Never. My life has been a flurry of Act like this and Stand like that; That isn't becoming and grow up.

No more of that. Never. Again.

I ran to my room, hot tears spilling down my cheeks. Both of my heels snapped but I didn't care. I stared at my reflection. And clenched my fists. What had they said?

What a pretty face she has. Oh, such mesmerizing eyes.

And that wasn't even it.

Wow, how pampered she lived! Who wouldn't want to have her life?

If only they knew.

I went to my telephone and hit Redial.

Alfred answered on the first ring.

"I'm going, Alfred. I'm finally doing it." I knew he would understand.

"Be safe, Ms. Avery."

"I will," I said. "And Alfred?"

"Yes, Ms. Avery?"

I choked back a sob. "Call me Ava."

Then I hung up.

I changed my clothes. Stripped off the lace-sleeved dress and removed the pearl earrings. And with each accessory gone my burden felt lighter. I changed into more practical clothes. Next, I tied up all the lush blankets and tied up a rope. Won't be needing this anymore. I threw my makeshift rope out the window and belayed down the wall.

Then I was free.

The freshly cut grass, the cool night breeze, the clouds, the last rays of sunset, everything seemed more vibrant and clear then they did a day ago.

That is, until the sirens turned on.

I ran, ran as fast as I could. But who can outrun a car?

The policemen jumped out and grabbed my arms.

Writhing and kicking, I tried to escape. Then a feeling surged in my gut, and blue light spilled over my hands in waves.

The cops were down in seconds. I smirked. Now I was more than just a rich girl.

Raising my arms I faced the next advance of guards.

Then wild blue hair swam into view.

And I fell asleep.

A/N: There we go! My second chapter! What did you guys think? Loved it? Hated it? Then review! Personally, I loved the scenes with Megan and Cassie. The full extent of a teenage rich girl's vocabulary: Totally, perfectly, like, omigod, and... Yeah, that's basically it. So in their words,

M: "You should totally review."

C: "Like, it would make emosewa totes happy."

K bye!