Remember Me

"Memory is a curse..."

Guys I'm freaking out right now… 30 + REVIEWS!? You guys are the bomb diggity (lol been watching bring it on during my free time).

This is super inspiring me :)

If you guys have any questions about the story or clarifications when you're done reading just review/PM me and I'll be happy to answer. And, if you guys have any more suggestions or ideas just tell me and I'll do my best to squeeze it in the story.

There are 2 references that I used in this chapter – one is from Mean Girls lol and the other one if from one of my favorite movies called Serendipity it's really old so I don't expect you to know it but if you do YAY! And this chapter was inspired by the song "Nothing Like You" by Dan+Shay

I know its been like a month (possibly more) since I updated and I am extremely sorry but I was grounded by my parents for reasons that will remain unknown. But now I am back and ready to write!

Okay I'm going to end this now – I'm still kind of on a high right now from reading all your wonderful, wonderful reviews

I made this chapter especially long to make up for my absence ;) in fact that might have added to the fact that I updated so late….

Here's chapter 4! ENJOY!

CHAPTER 4: Sweet Serendipities

"I hate you."

Avalon rolled her eyes at her friend despite the fact that Charlotte couldn't see her since they were talking over the phone. She began to regret her decision to tell Charlotte what Banner had said after class since the only thing she caught was the part about the new kid.

"You know I called so we could exchange insults about Banner not so you could rave over Edward." She muttered as she stirred her spoon in the empty bowl of ice cream laid in front of her. It was around 12 am and she'd just finished loading the dishes into the washer when she decided to call Charlotte.

It was their thing. Every night - or morning if that be the case - before either of them went to bed, they would call each other and talk. It was a routine they'd fallen into when they became friends in middle school and Avalon – though she'd never admit it – found comfort in their conversations.

"Edmund," Charlotte corrected and Avalon heard her sigh over the phone, "I just can't believe you're assigned to be his tour guide. It's the perfect excuse to super-glue yourself his side." She said giddily.

"I'm not using it as an excuse so that you can flirt with him Char," She pointed out knowing that if she didn't Charlotte would devise some ingenious plan in which she and probably Seth would be dragged into.

"Darn." Charlotte muttered and Avalon laughed.

"Hey do you have his schedule?" Charlotte asked out of the blue excitedly.

"Whose schedule?"

"EDMUND'S!" Charlotte cried and Avalon put the phone away from her ear at the shrill cry, "Seriously get with the program, Av."

"Seriously, keep doing that and I'm going to end up deaf," Avalon said mimicking Charlotte's tone, "Yes I have it and no I am not giving it to you." Avalon said before the girl could get another word in and vaguely heard her best friend muttering something along the lines of 'good for nothing best friends'.

"I think you should get together." Charlotte stated.

"Really now?" Avalon asked with a small smile, "too bad because he's not really my type."

"Oh like you would know what your type is!" Charlotte exclaimed, "I'm starting to get the feeling you fear men."

"I do not fear men. I just tend to avoid them because they're vile and undependable and they make life unnecessarily complicated." She said defensively.

"Oh sweetie, denial is the first sign." Charlotte soothed but Avalon could tell that the other girl was grinning like a madman and mocking her.

"You suck." Avalon pouted as she leaned back against the chair.

"You love me." Charlotte said with a laugh before her voice turned grave, "you shouldn't let your past affect you Avie. I know your dad –"

"I really don't want to talk about it, Char." She said cutting the girl on the other end midsentence and Charlotte just sighed in defeat.

Avalon check the wall clock which showed that both girls clearly needed to get going to bed soon or they'd be walking zombies in the morning. Besides, she could already hear Charlotte stiffing a yawn over the phone.

"You sound exhausted," Avalon stated as another yawn emitted from the girl, "you should get to bed."

"So should you," the girl on the other end pointed out to her best friend, "What time did you get off work?"

"Earlier than usual." Avalon answered casually.

"Mhmm." Charlotte replied disbelievingly, "You work yourself too hard Avie." She said worriedly.

"I'm fine." Avalon answered bluntly.

"We both know that's not true." Charlotte whispered.

"It's getting late. Night, Char." Avalon said cutting the conversation short.

The girl on the other end sighed and Avalon could feel the pity and worry emanating her friend, "Night, Av."

Click.

The brunette laid the phone on the table as she stared idly into the darkness. Running a hand through her hair she stood from the dinner table and placed her bowl in the kitchen sink. A frown etched on her face from her previous conversation.

A young girl, no older than 9 or 10, stood by the doorframe watching an all too familiar scene unfold before her eyes.

Wild angry gestures were exchanged between a man and a woman – to the girl they were mom and dad. Her wide sapphire blue eyes watched her parents – they watched her mother crying and looking like a small frail child as her father screamed at her. Neither noticed their eldest daughter.

Then again they hardly ever noticed her or her siblings. They were too caught up in their own problems to pay attention to anyone else.

The most of words they exchanged were inaudible to the girl's ears – she had long learned to not take it to heart or mind. Mom and dad always fought. In fact, Avalon was finding it hard to remember a time when they weren't fighting.

Her father bellowed something and took heavy, furious breaths when he finished. Her mother stopped sobbing but tears still streamed down what one might have once called beautiful face and her eyes grew cold and bitter as she screamed back at her husband.

Avalon's eyes widened as her father brought his hand down on her mother's face and it took everything in her not to gasp out loud.

Dad never hit mom.

She saw her mother's fallen frame shake as she remained on the kitchen floor.

"I don't need you or this family."

With these words her father stormed out of the kitchen, past their mother, past her, away from their house and out of their lives.

She cautiously walked over to her mother. "Mom?" she said quietly, breaking the deafening silence.

"Not now, Avalon. Just go."

So she did the only thing a nine year old could do. The only thing she knew how to do… she ran.

She ran.

She ran as far away from her house as possible.

But that night she returned. Everything was the same but at the same time it wasn't. She wouldn't have come back, you know. She had half a mind to just keep on running, she knew no one would look for her – not her mom who was probably still in a mess and definitely not her dad. But she came back anyway because of those two innocent figures sleeping peacefully on the second floor totally ignorant to the tempests that surrounded them.

Adam and Emma who were both too innocent and too gentle knew nothing of the turmoil that constantly surrounded their family… Avalon made sure of that.

She came back for them.

Because when they were born she swore to herself that they'd have it better than she did.

Avalon blinked her eyes and shook the image away. It was in the past – it didn't matter anymore and she wouldn't have it affect her.

But it was too late.

You see the minute she walked back into that house she'd built walls to shield herself from anything and anyone that could ever hurt her. She built them high and she built them strong. And to this day only two people have seen those walls crack.

She quickly shut her eyes to avoid her mind from straying to unwelcoming thoughts. Damn Charlotte. It'd been awhile since she was reminded of her past but she knew that Charlotte was only worrying about her. She always worried too much about everything.

Walking quietly so as not to wake anyone, she proceeded into Adam's room and walked over to the bed where he lay. She smiled down at him as she lightly kissed the top of his head and covered him with the blanket that he had unceremoniously kicked off his bed in his sleep before proceeding to Emma's room.

Entering Emma's room was like walking into a new world – a world of pink and purple and green and rainbows and glitter all in one. Dolls and tiaras were scattered on the floor as well as crayons and a bunch of coloring books, which Avalon picked up as she made her way towards the little bundle curled on the bed.

"Good night princess." She whispered as she kissed her forehead much like she did with Adam and tucked her teddy bear into her tiny arms, which clutched the bear almost immediately when she did so.

Avalon quietly stepped out of the room and closed the door before stalking over to her own bedroom.

She shut the door behind her and ran a hand through her hair as she plopped herself into the chair and stared at the nothingness that surrounded her. Sighing, she snapped back into reality and rummaged through her school bag in search of something and when her hands came out empty. Her eyes widened as she frantically shifted through the things inside a second time.

"This cannot be happening." She thought as she quickly emptied the contents of her bag on her bed.

"Where is it?" she muttered as she looked around her room when her eyes landed on the pair of jeans she had worn earlier that day and she breathed a sigh of relief as she walked over and shoved her hand inside the pocket only to not find what she was looking for.

She searched the other pocket and found it empty.

"Shit."

It wasn't that she had lost it that was the problem. It was the fact that she had lost it and someone would find it. Now that was what scared her.


Edmund stared at the folded piece of paper table in his hand while sitting at the breakfast table and debated whether or not he should open it and read it.

It taunted him to no end.

He really shouldn't open it. He knew that.

Then why was so it damn hard to put it away?

Edmund groaned and shoved the piece of paper in his jean pocket as the better side of him won. "Stupid righteous instincts." He cursed inwardly.

He stabbed his food and shoved it into his mouth telling himself that when he saw her today at school he would give it back. Hopefully it would be a start of… well whatever between them. It was strange. It was like he felt some sort of connection with…

Oh great, now he was thinking like some obsessed teenager.

He sighed, at least he'd have a decent excuse to talk to her.


Avalon slumped on the lockers with her eyes closed as she hugged her books to her chest. She'd barely gotten any sleep last night because she was up all night worrying about that stupid piece of paper that she so carelessly lost. How could she have been so stupid?

She'd even prayed for crying out loud! Not like she believed in a God but she decided it was worth a shot and she was in dire need of a miracle.

"Waiting for someone in particular?"

She opened her eyes and saw Charlotte standing in front of her.

"Yes in fact I was waiting for you." She pointed out as she kicked herself off the lockers and began walking beside her best friend.

"You sure you weren't waiting for a certain brown haired male to tour?" Charlotte said wiggling her eyebrows to which Avalon just shook her head and laughed.

"What brown haired male?" a deep voice asked behind them as the two girls looked back to see the final member of their trio.

"Hey, Seth." Both girls said in unison and Seth nodded his head in response.

"What guy?" he pressed on glancing between the two girls.

"Nobody, just Edmund Pevensie." Charlotte said as she nudged Avalon.

"The new kid?" Seth clarified and both girls nodded their heads in agreement. "Yeah," he mused after a moment of thought, " he seems pretty cool."

Charlotte stopped in her tracks causing Seth and a couple of other people walking behind them to collide into each other earning nasty glares directed at her. She paid them no heed as she spun around to face Seth.

"Rewind," she commanded, gesturing wildly with her hands, "you've spoke to him? Why didn't you tell me!?" she said accusingly as a dark aura surrounded her.

"I didn't think it mattered," Seth said raising his hand defensively, "He was just in my first period and we got talking."

"Never. Ever. Withhold. Info. From. Me!" Charlotte said hitting the poor boy with each word.

"Jeez woman, calm down!" Seth said as he desperately tried evading her punches.

Avalon shook her head at her friends' childish antics.

"AVA! HELP ME!" Seth cried as Charlotte chased him, screaming something about castrating him for not telling her that he'd spoken to Edward…. Edmund. Dammit! She'd have to keep that in mind.

As she became victim to her thoughts she didn't realize her friends approach her – Seth was rubbing his shoulder and muttering something along the lines of 'violent woman and that he should start bringing sedatives to school'.

"It doesn't matter anyway." Seth said not resting his case as he shoved his hands into his pockets sulking that Charlotte had gotten a couple of hits on him.

"Yes it does! Because Avalon here is going to get herself a man… at least after I'm through with her!" Charlotte said pumping her fits in the air and doing a victory dance.

"WHAT!?" Seth said as he gave Avalon a look that she couldn't quite place. It was somewhere between anger, shock and… was that hurt?

"She's crazy." Avalon mouthed to which Seth's previous face had disappeared and his understanding and boyish grin took its place.

"I'll talk to you guys later! Bye" Charlotte called as she skipped down the hallway. "Bye." The two echoed as they watched the blonde haired girl blur past several bystanders before the resumed their walk to their respective classrooms.

"So what was that about?" Seth asked when they were finally alone.

"Char's convinced herself that I have a fear of men." Avalon mumbled as Seth barked out a laugh.

"It's not funny!" She yelled hitting him in the exact same spot Charlotte had just moments ago, "You know she'd never going to stop trying now that she had it in her head to eradicate this 'problem'." Avalon said air-quoting the last word.

Seth rubbed his sore arm, "I really should stop hanging out with you girls– sooner or later it's going to take a toll on my health."

A comfortable silence fell as they walked to their classrooms.

"You don't like him do you?" Seth asked out of the blue as he eyed her curiously.

"No," she scoffed, "why do you ask?" she said suspiciously.

"Nothing," he said shrugging, "just curious."

Avalon stopped walking when she reached the classroom for her last period. "Well," she said stopping in front of the door, "this is me. Hey, are you okay?" she asked after a moment.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Seth said giving her an odd look.

"Oh okay. It's just that you've been acting weird lately and I thought something might be wrong. Forget about it," she said waving it off, "my mistake." She said shooting him a smile as she disappeared into the classroom leaving Seth standing there staring after her.

"If only you knew." He muttered, staring longingly at where she had just been standing before walking away.


The classroom was in chaos when she entered and she groaned when she heard someone squeal "EDMUND!"

"Great. He's here. Best not tell Charlotte, who knows what that girl might do if she finds out he's in another one of my classes." She said making a mental note to herself as she plopped down into her chair, plugged her earphones on, brought out a book and began reading.

Edmund was desperately attempting to keep people (mainly girls) from smothering themselves onto him and had half a mind to walk out of the classroom and be done with it all when he noticed a familiar head of chestnut brown hair in the front of the room and decided against it.

"Hey Eddie."

"Hello, McKenna." He said with a forced smile. As much as he wanted to dismiss the girl, he knew it was against his promises as the Just king (yes although he was no longer in Narnia he still upheld his title) – though the old Edmund would have gladly walked away without another thought... sometimes he wished those days had not passed.

"Have you thought about my offer?" she said smiling sweetly at him – though to Ed it felt more like a hunter staring at its prey.

"About that…" he said trailing off as his eyes flickered over to Avalon who sat oblivious to the world around her when a brilliant idea popped into his head.

"Unfortunately McKenna, Mr. Banner has already assigned me a tour guide." He said feigning a look of disappointment.

"Oh," she said raising an eyebrow, "and who might that be?" she asked and Edmund noted the evil glint that flickered in her eyes. But something told him that the tour guide he had in mind would not be so easily pushed around by the likes of McKenna Kingsley.

Ed's eye's strayed towards Avalon and McKenna followed his gaze before gasping. "The charity case?!" she breathed out in utter horror and absolute disbelief.

"Charity case?" Ed echoed looking at her. Now he was curious at what she had to say seeing is it involved the girl that remained an annoying enigma in his life.

"Oh Eddie, I am so sorry. I'll have father fix this immediately." She said laying her perfectly manicured hand on his arm, which he shook off as he said, "I am actually perfectly content with the arrangement so there would be no need to bother your father."

McKenna opened her mouth to retort but was cut off as the professor entered the room and ordered everyone to return to their respective seats, which the platinum blonde did but not before she shot Edmund a wink. The latter paid no heed to the attempts of the girl for his attention was rather focused on the brunette a few seats in front of him who quickly slipped her music thingy into her bag and listened intently to the teacher.

"Suppose, I'll have to find her after school." He thought as he turned his attention to what the teacher was harping to them about – something about not having sex and getting chlamydia and dying. Then the teacher who he later named was Coach Carr began handing out packets of rubbers. "What do rubbers have to do with anything?" he thought as a basket was passed around the class. This place just kept getting weirder and weirder.

When the bell had finally rung, Avalon was the first to storm out and Edmund hurried after her and noticed that she'd thrown the rubber thing that was handed out earlier in class into the trash bin. He quickly did the same as he darted after her and evaded his fan club.

Once he'd managed squeezed out of the door he began looking for her in the crowd but to no avail. He cursed under his breath in Narnian language and a few people glanced his way but didn't say anything.

He exhaled and shoved his hands into his pocket as he went to go meet up with Eustace.


A buzzing in her pocket made Avalon stop in her hurry and reach into her jean pocket to grab her phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey kid!" boomed Ernie, her boss', familiar voice over the speaker.

"Hey Ern, what's up?" she said as she hiked her messenger bag up higher on her shoulder as it started to slide off.

"You're off duty today, kid."

"What!?" Avalon screamed into her phone, "Ernie, I need that shift – I've got bills to pay and- " she babbled.

"Avalon Jean Carter, relax I'm giving you the day off. By the looks of last night you need it kid." Ernie said chuckling over the phone, "And don't worry you'll still get your pay for today, Tony's agreed to cover for you."

"But I-"

"Shut up, kid. Just say thank you." The man scolded over the phone.

Avalon sighed in defeat, "Thank you, Ernie." She said her voice laced with gratitude.

Ernie grunted over the phone and Avalon had to stop herself from laughing at his uneasiness at her gratitude, "Don't mention it kid. Just get some rest okay?" he said before hanging up.

She stared at her phone before shoving it into her pocket as a weight was lifted off her. Had she really been that exhausted these days that Tony, someone she barely talked to, offered to take her shift? "Oh well," she thought, "at least I have some time to myself"

She knew that Seth had lacrosse training and Charlotte had cheer practice because heaven knows she needs an outlet for her hyper activeness and bubbliness. So she decided on a café just down the street, which she went to whenever she could because it didn't have, a lot of people and she could have so peace and quiet. Plus their food and drinks were delicious.

Avalon exited the school and walked a little ways till she reached the familiar café with the small but distinct sign "Serendipity".


Edmund exited the school grounds for Eustace sent him off to get a frappe – a drink

that Edmund had gotten rather fond of during his stay. Eustace was part of the school newspaper and was having a meeting, which Edmund would have had to sit in and listen to but was quickly sent away by the editor-in-chief because he was distracting the female members. Hence now he was out getting coffee.

Not that he minded, it was getting quite awkward inside the room and he always preferred spending his time outdoors if not in his library in Narnia. Taking his time, since he was in no rush to return to the conference room and be ogled at like a piece of meat put in front of a starved man, he observed his surroundings and sighed at the lack of greenery.

Stopping at the café Eustace told him about he stared at the sign: "Serendipity". "Hn," he mused, "odd name for a café." As he pushed open the door.

The sweet smell of cinnamon and chocolate filled his nose the minute he stepped in. He casually made his way towards the counter to order when he noticed that the cashier was busy tapping on her IPhone – Eustace had taught him that – or the "little black box" as he liked to call it.

"Excuse me miss." He said in a smooth and silky voice.

The girl, maybe 2 or 3 years older than him, looked up and her eyes widened as she eyed Edmund up and down.

"Hello." She said putting down her phone and propping herself over the counter so Edmund could get a good look at her ample cleavage – not that he looked.

Edmund politely nodded his head in response. "What can I do for you?" she asked though Edmund had a feeling she meant something more by those words. He quickly gave his order and paid as he waited for the drinks.

"Edmund!" the girl's voice called when his order was done and he made his way towards her shooting her a look of thanks as he accepted the drinks. She winked at him before turning around to the next customer.

He picked up his drink and turned it around to see that neat feminine scrawl and read the words "Heidi" who he assumed was the girl's name and a number. He rolled his eyes; and he thought women in Narnia were bad – at least they were slightly subtler and less aggressive about their affections towards men.

Just as he lowered his drink and began to make his way out of the café, his eyes flickered to a corner booth and saw none other but the girl who constantly seeped into his thoughts.

"Serendipity huh?" he thought ironically as he stared at the girl.

She hadn't noticed him yet and to be honest he wouldn't be surprised if she didn't notice him at all for would be quite hard to do seeing as she was listening to that music of hers again, with her face practically shoved into the book she was so engrossed in and she was twirling a strand of hair in one finger.

Edmund took a minute to stare at her.

After a while, he noticed the stack of books beside her and couldn't prevent the chuckle that escaped his lips. As if she had heard him, Avalon raised her head and glanced around before she laid her hazy eyes on Edmund.

An infinity seemed to pass between them as their eyes bore into each other.

But it was quickly shattered when she frowned and resumed to reading her book like nothing had happened. It was annoying and he knew she knew he was staring. He could see it in the rigidity of her posture and the tenseness of her shoulders.

"Just do it, Ed." He berated as he hesitated.

"She's just a girl."

It was absolutely ridiculous! He was frozen to the ground and it was all her fault. He'd fought and won battles and lead armies countless of times and here he was getting cold feet when confronted with a girl! Dear Aslan what has the world come to?

So, without thinking he marched over to where she sat.

"Hello." He said as his mind fully comprehended what he had just done. But it was too late to go back now. It was quite ironic actually. He'd always reveled in the fact that he always thought things thorough. Peter was the one who went parading in any situation without a plan. And yet here he was.

Avalon gripped her book a little tighter as his shadow loomed over her hunched frame.

"You know most people would say 'hi' back out of courtesy." He said.

"Well it's a good thing I'm not like most people." Avalon said as she abruptly stood up and began gathering her stuff.

"Wait." Ed said as he reached over and placed his larger hand on top her of hers evidently preventing her from shoving the rest her things inside her bag.

Avalon's eyes widened marginally as she stared at their intertwined hands and Ed couldn't help but notice how piercingly blue they were. She quickly pulled away as if her skin burned at his touch. Ed winced at the thought.

He watched her pack up all her stuff and didn't have the slightest clue what to do next so he opted to stand there.

"What do you want?" She said sighing in annoyance as she slung her bag over her shoulder.

"Are you always this pleasant to talk to?" Edmund smirked as he leaned against the chair booth.

"Are you always this annoying?" she snapped.

"I am well aware that I'm not everyone's cup of tea." He said unfazed by her remark as he leaned on the booth.

Avalon rolled her eyes at his comment.

"Well, I suppose now would be as good as any to give it back to her." Edmund thought as he bulked up the courage for his next move.

"I have something of yours." He blurted out in hopes to stall her from leaving and he slowly reached into his pocket to retrieve the folded piece of paper he'd found the other day.

Avalon's eyes widened when she immediately recognized the paper in he held in his hand.

"Where did you get that!?" She screeched as she snatched the paper from him resulting in it crumpling further as she clutched onto it for dear life.

"A simple thank you would suffice." He muttered under his breath but the girl did not drop her deathly glare.

"You dropped it on your way out of Banner's the other day." He stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Avalon looked at the paper she held in her hand before she eyed the boy in front of her warily, "Did you open it?" she said quietly, clearly dreading the answer. But Ed could hear the intensity in her voice despite the lack of volume. Whatever was written inside that paper was important to her. Really important. And he was glad he chose not to read it. Despite her size, Ed had a feeling that igniting the girl's wrath would be dangerous.

"No." he stated as a matter of factly.

Avalon looked up and stared at him disbelievingly.

"Trust me." Ed said finding the taste of these particular words rolling off his tongue quite bitter. Back in Narnia there were those who still questioned his loyalty and Ed went through great lengths to prove himself. He hated it. He hated how his past seemed to carry into the things he did. It was one of the reasons why he'd miss London. It presented a clean slate.

Unfortunately it seemed that people doubting him followed him even all the way here.

Avalon scoffed, "I've heard that before." She said as she made a move to leave but Ed grabbed her arm.

"Let me go." She seethed pulling at his hold and refusing to meet his gaze.

"What did I ever do to make you hate me so much?" Ed asked.

"I don't hate you," Avalon said, "then again I don't particularly like you either." She added.

Edmund quirked a brow at her and she sighed.

"It's complicated," She muttered, "but I think it would be best if we just left each other alone, Edmund." She said she finally managed to shake her arm from his grip and walked out of the café.

Ed looked after her wistfully, "At least she got my name right." He thought before he too exited the cafe.

Who knew talking to women could be so troublesome?


"What took you so long?" Eustace said as he exited the meeting room to find his cousin walking towards him with a pensive expression.

"I got a little… distracted." Edmund said lamely and Eustace gave him a disbelieving look before shrugging off his cousin's odd behavior and grabbing his frappe from Edmund's hands.

"Come on," he said dragging Ed out the school doors, "today, you're going to get the education of a lifetime… literally." Eustace said chuckling at his own wittiness.

As they excited the school doors Edmund was stopped in his tracks by his cousin. "Hey Ed? Who's Heidi and why does she want you to call her?" Eustace said with a grin as Edmund glared and changed their drinks.

A few minutes later Edmund found himself standing in front of a local bar and crinkled his nose. He'd never been too found of alcohol or wine. He'd always preferred deserts.

"Is this really necessary?" Ed said gruffly as he tried to shake off Eustace's vice-like grip.

Eustace looked at his cousin and noted how he looked so normal in the London setting but in all actuality was far from it. "Listen neither of us know why you're here. There are definitely no wars for you to fight so that leaves us with two options: a) you sit around and do nothing and hope that Aslan sends you back or b) you go around do things people in this century normally do."

"Really?" Ed said incredulously, "a bar?" His regard for the youth today plummeted.

Eustace threw his arm around Ed's shoulder and the said boy had to crouch a little due to the height difference. Eustace pushed open the door and Ed was greeted with a waft of sweat and alcohol that almost made him hurl.

"Welcome to the real world dear cousin."


Avalon quickly wiped the counter of spilled beer before she proceeded to readying a customer's order.

"I thought I told you not to come in today, kid." A gruff voice said from behind her as she spun around and saw her boss.

She shrugged, "I didn't really have anything else to do." That was a lie actually. She could have spent her time at Serendipity but then Edmund had to show up. She didn't know why she felt so uncomfortable whenever she was around him but she knew that minute she saw him that things would change. And the fact that when he told her to trust him a part of her really did. That was enough to prove to her that Edmund Pevensie would just spin her life out of proportion. She wasn't a big fan of change. So she came up with a solution to avoid him at all costs – but it seems like someone has it out for her since they seem to be bumping into each other all the time.

Thank god, she had the sanctuary that was the bar. She highly doubted she'd see Edmund here.

"Sorry boss, she insisted." Tony piped up and Avalon shot him a glare.

Ernie pinched the bridge of his nose, "Fine, just don't work yourself to hard kid." And Avalon nodded with a smile. Ernie was a good boss – a great boss. And Avalon knew he'd taken a liking to her the minute she walked in 3 years ago looking for a job – she suspected it was because she reminded him of his daughter. At least that was what the older staff told her.

"Hey Avalon," a voice called out to her. She spun around and came face to face with Ian Macardell, her schoolmate.

"Hey," she greeted, "what can I get you?"

Just as she was about leave to prepare Ian's order, she heard a familiar voice break through the noise of the crowd and music, "Excuse me."

It was soft but it was the kind of voice that parted crowds and right now it did just that to reveal the one person she did not want to see… Edmund Pevensie.

"Great. Just freaking great." Avalon cursed. Of all the times in all the bars why here?

"The others' told me to come and help you out…" he said speaking to Ian as his voice trailed off when his eyes landed on Avalon, who shifted uncomfortably under it.

"Is that all?" she asked, turning her body completely towards Ian who nodded his head as she practically sprinted away from the two.

"What's the deal with you and Carter?" Ian asked over the music.

"Nothing. Why do you ask?" Ed said breezily. "Is it that obvious?" he thought as he held his breath for Ian's response.

"I dunno," Ian said shrugging, "It's just when you came it was like you stabbed her with a pencil or something."

"I didn't notice."

"Then again, Avalon is strange like that." Ian mused and Ed feigned agreement by nodding his head as he watched Avalon work.

"Hey lady, I'm waiting for my order!" a drunken voice called out to the said girl as she rolled her eyes and quickly spit into the man's drink.

Edmund chuckled at the girl's uncanny behavior.

"Feisty little bugger isn't she?" Ian pointed out as Avalon walked over to the big oaf and set his order down with a sweet, unsuspecting smile.

"That she is." Ed murmured in agreement.

"Here you go, Ian." Avalon said appearing before them with their orders. Edmund frowned at the fact that she'd only addressed the man standing next to him.

Ian nodded in thanks and grabbed 2 pitchers before gesturing to Edmund to follow him as he made his way through the crowd.

"I didn't peg you as the kind of person who went to bars." He said deciding to attempt to strike a conversation with the girl before him.

"There's a lot more to me that you can tell." Avalon said after a momentary lapse of silence. And Edmund nodded in agreement.

"I think your friends are waiting for you." She said as she gestured towards the table where 5 of her classmates sat – including Eustace Scrubb. It was a weak attempt to get him to leave her alone but it was worth a shot.

"They'll be fine without me," Ed said shrugging, "besides, they're more like acquaintances anyway."

Avalon bit her tongue at his dismissal of her suggestion. It seemed that she'd found someone almost as stubborn as she was. Note the almost.

Ed proceeded to sit on the barstool as Avalon eyed him. "You do know we're not friends right?" she said clarifying any misconceptions that the boy before her might be having.

"I'm getting the feeling that you are not exactly the friend type of person so it doesn't really bother me." Ed said shrugging.

She was just about to open her mouth the retort and tell him to go away when one of her coworkers passed by her. "Avalon, cover table 6 for me will you?" she hollered as she disappeared to attend to another hoard of rowdy men.

"Duty calls." Ed drawled with a gesture for her to leave as he too stood from his seat. "I'll see you in school." He said before disappearing in the crowd.

Avalon shook her head at his retreating form as she went off to do her job.


Edmund made his way back to the table as they all eyed him knowingly.

"So, Carter huh?" one of the guys asked as he sat down.

"Pardon?" he asked.

Ian slung his arm around Ed and patted it in a comforting manner, "We've all been there, man. But she's a tough nut to crack."

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Edmund stated and the entire table guffawed at him.

"You like Avalon." Eustace stated obviously with a roll of his eyes, "Not that I blame you. She really is something."

"We all have in one point in time – liked her I mean." One of the guys, Alex, piped up.

"In fact, Macardell over here still has a soft spot for her." James said nudging the said male who glared at him.

"I don't like her like that." Ed said defensively, "She's just different..."

The conversation soon drifted off into another direction as most do and everyone forgot about Avalon Carter. Save for two people.

Ian spent the rest of the night eyeing Edmund, trying to figure him out. Truth be told he liked the guy. Sure he spoke like he was the prince of England but one got used to it over time. But all in all he was a good guy and Ian was looking forward to getting to know him more. That is until tonight.

His eyes flickered over to the brunette who was manning the bar – her cheeks were flushed pink as she scampered across the room to fulfill orders being thrown at her. Ian had always liked Avalon.

She was kind as sweet when she wanted to be, unknowingly beautiful, blatantly sarcastic and blunt and insanely intelligent.

And he had fallen for her.

It took him years to get her to willingly hold a conversation with him without running away in another direction and he took pride in being her friend on some level. Yet suddenly Edmund Pevensie shows up and is talking to her after only being in school for 2 weeks.

Sure, she still looked slightly uncomfortable when they were talking but she hadn't done anything to push the Pevensie boy away. And she made no move to leave despite being irked by his presence. It was only when Trisha asked for her help when they stopped talking and Ian wondered if they would have gone on talking had they not been interrupted.

The group of males, minus Ian who was too busy brooding, burst into a loud fit of laughter. He saw Edmund chuckle at their group's antics and shake his head.

His eyes instinctively flickered towards Avalon and he frowned when he noticed her gaze on the certain dark brown haired male.

He once wasn't going to lose Avalon to anybody.


OHHHHHH! Tension!

HAHAHAHA anyway I hope you guys enjoyed that because I enjoyed writing it :)

I'll update soon - 2 weeks at the latest (scout's honor!)

Don't forget to review and if you have any questions/comments/suggestions feel free to put them out in the open!

Ciao!

phoenix0723