Figured I would do two chapters cause I didn't get to update yesterday. Enjoy!

Avery and Sophie

Avery walks into the Leverage Headquarters and flops down on the couch, dropping her backpack on the floor next to her. She lets out a sigh as she rests her head on the back of the couch. Sophie looks up at her from where she's sitting at the table, curious as to what is bothering young girl. Closing up her magazine and walking over, Sophie takes a seat on the couch next to Avery.

"Everything all right?" Sophie asks, looking over at her and watching her closely.

"Huh?" Avery asks, looking up from her hands to look at Sophie, "Oh, nothing."

"Doesn't seem like nothing," Sophie points out with a raise of her brow. Avery bites her thumb nail, thinking about what she should say. Sophie waits patiently, knowing the girl's deciding what to say to her.

"So, there's this guy at school…" Avery begins, hesitating. "And…well, I think he likes me."

"Do you like him?" Sophie asks with a raise of her brow and her eyes taking in Avery's mannerisms.

"Yeah…" Avery replies with a nod after thinking about it for a second.

"But…?" Sophie prods, knowing there's something more to it.

"How do you know when someone's telling the truth and when they're just saying stuff to get you to do something for them?" Avery asks, looking over at Sophie and meeting her gaze.

"Well, they won't make eye contact," Sophie begins, thinking about the different signs, "But, if they've been doing it for awhile they might have gotten over that."

"Oh," Avery says, frowning and looking at a spot on the ground as her hands fiddle with a loose string on her sweatshirt.

"They won't move their body a whole lot, only as much as they absolutely have to. And they'll touch their face, throat, or mouth. For instance, scratching their nose or ear. More than likely they won't touch their chest or heart with an open hand," Sophie continues to explain as she looks at Avery. "He'll contradict himself or his timing will be off. Like, emotions will be delayed or stay longer than they should but then they'll abruptly stop. Or, they'll say something like "That's great!" and then smile or frown when they say they love you. Usually their expressions are just with the mouth and not the whole face."

"Okay," Avery says, taking everything in, mentally writing it all down.

"He might get really defensive or he won't face you directly. He might even unconsciously put things between you two. He might repeat your questions. For instance, you'll ask 'Were you home last night' and he'll say, "Yes, I was home last night'. Or, he'll just imply answers instead of outright answering them. He's also more likely to be telling the truth if there is a contraction, 'didn't' instead of 'did not'. He'll provide an overabundance of details to try to prove to you he's telling the truth. He might speak in a monotonous tone, mumble, or speak softly, although if he lies a lot he might have gotten out of that habit as well," Sophie proceeds, sitting back in the couch, making herself more comfortable.

Avery nods her head, still mentally taking notes, trying to remember everything Sophie is telling her. As she's doing this she finds herself mentally checking off boxes of what Sophie has told her. Sophie watches her for a minute before asking what is on her mind.

"Why do you think he's lying to you?" she asks as she keeps her gaze on Avery. Avery looks up at her, surprised at the question.

"Well, my friend Katy said he…gets around," Avery answers, searching for the right words, "I just want to make sure what he's saying is true and not just…"

"So he can sleep with you?" Sophie finishes for her with a raise of a brow and nodding her head.

"Yeah," Avery says with a nod of her own head, giving Sophie a relieved smile.

"That's smart," Sophie replies, smiling at Avery.

"Yeah, well, I really didn't want dad to end up in jail for murder ya know?" Avery says with a slight smirk aimed at the grifter. Sophie returns it hesitantly, knowing all too well he has actually killed people before. "Thanks Sophie."

"No problem sweetheart," Sophie replies, still looking at Avery and holding her gaze, "You keep me posted okay?"

"I will, I promise," Avery replies with a smile, giving Sophie a hug. Sophie returns it, this time with a genuine smile.

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