Chapter 27

Talking to Ahk last night had made all the difference in Avery. She woke up early, before her aunt and dad were awake. Talking with Ahk made it clear to her what she needed to do next. She needed to go talk to Beth. Packing her things, she grabbed her car keys and left. The closer she approached her destination, the more anxious she felt. She hadn't rehearsed what she was going to say to Beth, if she would be able to talk to her and not get the door slammed in her face. Arriving at her destination, Avery sat in her car just collecting her breath and thoughts. Emerging from the vehicle, she wrapped her coat around her to protect from the cold. Marching up to the front door with as much self confidence she could muster, she knocked on the door. It didn't take long before the door swung open to reveal Amy, Beth's mom.

"Avery? What are you doing here, sweetie? Beth told us about the fight you two had at the dance and at the dorms. We weren't sure you would be coming by. Oh where are my manners? Come in, don't need you freezing." She was ushered inside where the temperature was much nicer.

"Yeah, that's actually the reason I'm here. I…I think I've put it off long enough. I really need to talk to Beth. Is-is she here?"

"Yes, she's just in her room. I'll leave you to it." With a pat on the back, Amy left Avery to her own devices.

Standing outside Beth's door, she felt like that scene from Frozen where Anna repeatedly asks Elsa to build a snowman, to come out the door only to be told to go away.. Avery would be lying if she didn't think that could be a real possibility. Still, she couldn't help but knock similarly to young Anna.

"Go away mom, I'm not in the mood to come out!" A grumpy voice sounded from behind the door. Taking her chances, Avery stepped inside and gently shut the door. She discovered Beth in her bed, face down under the covers. It looked like she hadn't left the bed much since their fight.

"Mom! Seriously! I just want some privacy! I… Avery? What-what are you doing here?" As Beth untangled herself from her blanket cocoon, she was shocked to see her standing awkwardly by the door.

"Hey Beth. I, I don't even know where to start but I'm so sorry for the way I acted. For the words I've said. I know I can't take them back as much as I want to. These last couple of weeks have been torture. I stayed on the couch of my internship friend, then I went to my aunt's house where my deadbeat dad showed up. But my thoughts always went to our fight. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I feel awful about it. I can't say I'm sorry enough." Avery paused in her speech. She had more to say but waited for Beth to say anything. Beth patted the bed for Avery to take a seat.

"Avery…I'm the one who owes you a huge apology. I got in over my head yet again and my emotions got in the way. I've been meaning to text you but the way we left things, I didn't think you would want to hear from me. So I've basically been holed up in my room ever since I came home. My mind has been a real bitch to me." She looked down at her hands.

"Well, we both said things we wish we could take back. We both weren't thinking straight. I hated leaving things as they were. I missed you." Her voice had softened saying her last line.

Beth brought her head up when Avery said that. Suddenly tears sprung in her eyes and she grabbed onto her friend in a tight hug. Seeing and hearing Beth become emotional made Avery crumble as well. Soon the two were just sitting there, hugging each other. After a while the girls calmed down enough to speak normally.

"So what do we do now? Do you…forgive me? I forgive you." Beth tentatively asked the question, hesitant to hear the answer.

"Yes, I forgive you. I think we still need to have a talk about…the elephant in the room though."

"Yeah, I was afraid you'd say that. After our fight, Josh picked me up and we had a long talk. He tried to tell me his perspective from the dance. That you were the one coming onto him. But when I sobered up, I realized that you were the one telling the truth. That he was the one who was lying. That realization led to another argument with him accusing me of never trusting him, how you were manipulating me.

"And suddenly it clicked, all those things you said about Josh were right. He is a manipulative weasel. I think he was trying to drive a wedge between us, to cut you out of my life because you were the one immune to his charms. I became disgusted by the way he was treating me and smearing your name. I broke up with him on the spot. He was so angry. He kept trying to convince me that I was the one in the wrong, that you were the one at fault. He left, cursing my name. I never felt so free. I immediately wanted to talk to you but, well, you know the rest. I'm sorry it took me forever to realize he was a snake in the grass. Can you forgive me for that?"

"It may have taken a while but you reached that conclusion on your own. And for that, I could not be happier that you're no longer with that douchebag. Pardon my French." She cracked a smile and both girls laughed. They hugged again.

"So, no more moping around! Our friendship is fixed, my boyfriend is dumped, so I think this calls for a celebration! Let's go make some holiday cookies!"

"Oh and Avery…Did you happen to bring some spare clothes? It seems like you are underprepared, and I can't keep lending you my clothes!" Beth cracked a joke and the universe seemed to fall into place again. They were back to being sisters.

"Ha, don't worry! I packed a bag before I left my aunt's."

And with that, the girls began baking up a storm. The aroma of freshly baked sugar cookies soon filled the house. Beth's parents were thrilled that the girls had reconciled. They were happy to see them acting like a couple of teenagers again.

The rest of the break followed a similar pattern. Avery never felt better.