I'm sorry it's been a hot minute since I've updated this, but I've been involved in a writing project that's pretty exciting.

Sara gave a lot whistle as she walked around the apartment, "Are you sure you're not rich Sharpe?"

Ava fought the blush down, "Maybe our family is well off and okay, Ann's got a good job. This is all theirs thought. They moved to Star city after getting hired by a firm out of University and they've been here since,"

"And you've lived with them since you came out to your folks,"

"Yeah. After everything that happened, I didn't have anywhere else to turn to,"

"It's cool that they took you in,"

"It's more than cool. I'd probably be in the streets if not for them,"

"This is Ann?" Sara asked, pointing to a picture on the coffee table, "I've seen them in some of your instas before,"

"Oh, you're stalking my socials"

"Sharpe, get over yourself. I only stalk people with talent,"

Ava snorted, shoving Sara into the couch, "Ass,"

Sara was laughing openly. Ava blushed, but couldn't help her smile. She dropped down next to Sara, "Aside from the almost getting arrested part, today was fun,"

"You think so?"

"Yeah," She sighed, "And I didn't hate performing,"

"Just didn't hate?" Sara asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Honestly, I felt like I wanted to throw up. Up until you jumped in there with me,"

Sara's smirk under other circumstances would have been insufferable.

"Don't get a big head about it or anything,"

"Too late," Sara chuckled, nudging Ava's shoulder with her own.

"I take it all back. Every good thing I've said to you,"

Sara only laughed harder, "Well, you know my opinion of your musical skills,"

"Do I?" It was Ava's turn to arch a brow.

"Oh, who's the one with the big head now?" Sara elbowed her, "Huh Sharpe?"

"I'm pretty sure that's still you Lance," Ava said with a snort.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"I think you like my big head,"

"Oh get over yourself,"

"Just admit it Sharpe, you'll feel better when you do,"

"Next time I invite you over, remind me to buy some poison before,"

"So, there's going to be a next time,"

Ava covered her eyes, caught between annoyance and amusement.

"See, I made you laugh, you like me,"

"This isn't laughter,"

"What would you call it?"

"Disdain,"

"Say that without a smile and maybe I'll believe you," Sara poked her cheek. Ava knocked her hand away.

"I probably shouldn't be telling you this, seeing as your head is big enough already, but what you did today with Mick, that's pretty cool of you,"

Sara frowned for a moment, "What did I do with Mick,"

"With the guards. How you two hung back to let the others get away. The way Nate talked, it's something you do often,"

"Not that often," Sara shrugged, "We're not always getting in trouble,"

"Still pretty brave,"

"I'm a cop's kid. I'm pretty confident of my chances of getting out with a tap on the wrist if I did get caught for causing trouble. Someone like Wally or Amaya won't have that same chance. It just makes sense. Honestly, the guys had a close call once with Jax a couple of years back,"

"What happened?"

"They were in an old building, closed for renovation, Jax, Mick, Leonard you remember him from the party, a few other kids we know. Just messing around. They admitted some of them were drunk. Someone saw or heard a bunch of kids blasting music, I don't know. Cops showed up and started to zip tie from aside. Jax got singled out, go figure. It was a small mercy my dad was on the beat that night. We want to make sure we never find out what would happen if cops like my dad aren't around,"

"It's still pretty cool,"

"Eh, any decent person would do it. Nate said you saved his ass. No, what's cool is that performance you gave at the station,"

Ava blushed again, "It was a simple composition really. Anyone could play it,"

"I couldn't,"

"Only because you don't know the basics,"

"Well then, would you teach me,"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah,"

"Oh, okay," Ava grinned, get up and getting her violin. She nodded her head to Sara, showing her to her room.

"Just don't teach me some 100-year-old song,"

Ava chuckled, "No century-old songs, got it," She tested the tuning on the violin before handing it to Sara. She showed her how to tuck the violin under her chin and adjusting the shoulder rest for her.

"This feels weird," Sara said when Ava adjusted her hold on the bow.

Ava smirked slightly, "Yeah, it should feel weird. My first tutor taught me that if it feels like it's going fall, then you're holding it right,"

"That makes no sense,"

"I know it sounds like it doesn't, just trust me," She guided Sara's arms across the strings. She taught her the basic cords first, getting her to play them in a succession. Sara played the wrong note more often than not.

"I'm horrible, aren't I?" Sara asked with a guilty look.

"No. You're just getting the hang of it,"

She played another off note and Ava flinched despite her best effort not to.

"Okay maybe you're a little bad,"

Sara laughed, shoving her, "You're supposed to be encouraging me,"

"Honesty can be encouraging," Ava defended herself picking up a pillow to protect herself from Sara's attack.

"Aves?"

The new voice made Sara stop, both girls looking to the door. Ann arched a brow, looking curiously at them.

"Ava, you didn't mention bring any guest over today,"

"Sorry, it wasn't really planned,"

"No," They smiled, "Don't apologize. I just wished I'd known. I would have picked more food on my way home," They held out their hand, "This is a pleasant surprise. Ava has never brought a friend home before,"

"Does that mean I'm your first?" Sara asked, shooting a smirk at Ava as she shook Ann's hand.

"For the love of," Ava dropped her face into her hands. Ann, however, burst into laughter.

"I'm Sara," She introduced herself.

"You're dead, that's what you are," Ava muttered.

"Is that any way to treat your first guest Aves?"

"You're not my first," Ava snapped, "I've had Gary over,"

"Gary doesn't count. He lives down the hall,"

"Ann, not helping,"

"Sara, I have Japanese take out. Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Ann," Ava hissed.

"As much I would too, but my dad and I have plans for dinner. I should probably get going anyway,"

"I hope we'll get to meet again Sara,"

"I hope so too,"

Ava saw her to the door, her face red. Sara seemed infinitely amused.

"Thanks for the lesson,"

"Yeah,"

"See you at the center?"

Ava took a breath, calming down a little, "Yeah. Count on it,"

"Great. I'm going to need your brain if we're going to figure out how to save the old place," Sara winked as she waved her farewell.

Ava sighed as she closed the door.

"So that's the insufferable Sara?"

"I never called her insufferable," Ava whipped around to face Ann. They were grinning.

"You did use a lot of synonyms for annoying,"

"I should have used those words to describe you,"

"If that how you want to speak to the person who brought you food?"

Ava sighed again, smiling as she went to help Ann set the table.

"Hey, so guess what. Pip has a friend performing in the ballet that's in town. She got us tickets. Do you want to come with? We have an extra if you want to invite someone,"

"Really?" Ava's eyes lit up, "Is it live orchestra?"

"Naturally,"

"Are you sure you want me third-wheeling on your date night?"

"Pippa loves you, what are you talking about? And you're my favourite niece after all. Besides, if you invite Sara you won't be a third wheel,"

Ava chuckled, "Sara used to dance ballet,"

"Oh, yea? It's perfect then, invite her,"

"I don't know,"

"Why not? You seem to like her,"

"That's the issue. I might like her too much,"

Ann arched a brow, "Invite her to the show Ava,"

Nardragon- until the next page.