CHAPTER 10

Avery had a hard time falling asleep. Her mind was racing with the worst case scenarios. Fire?! What if the museum is burnt down? What if the exhibits are hurt? Can they even get hurt?

"I can tell by your sporadic breathing that you're overthinking things." She jumped at Beth's voice. It was a little over a whisper so as not to wake the rest of her family.

"Oh god, is it that obvious? I'm sorry, but I just can't sleep. The phone call to my…friend ended abruptly and he said there was a fire. I just need to get back to make sure everything is okay."

"The museum is really special to you huh?"

"Yeah it is. I mean I finally found my niche. I feel comfortable there, working in the archives room. I know I'm basically just an intern but the museum has really grown on me."

"Look, I know I give you grief about it and your horrible boss. And yes I'm salty about you leaving. But I'm really proud of you for sticking with it."

"Thanks Beth. I appreciate it."

The next morning was almost as chaotic as the night before. Avery had finished packing her bag and put her things in Josh's car. Amy couldn't send them home with nothing, so she began to pack each of them leftovers of all things. Avery had had her slice of pie for breakfast. She checked the clock and tried to figure out an ETA. She knew she wanted to get there right before it opened. She did the math and a two hour drive, give or take a few minutes, would get them to the museum a little past 8:30. She couldn't afford to waste any time by dropping off her things at the dorms. She felt panic creep up her spine when she remembered the call being disconnected and she hasn't been able to reach Larry since.

As much as Avery hated to be in the presence of Josh, she knew that Beth wasn't going to budge on spending time with her family or even wasting another second of their break traveling a roundtrip of 4 hours. Avery had no choice in the matter. Josh had a car, she didn't. So she sucked it up, quickly packed her bag, and said her goodbyes and sorry's to Beth's family.

"Well, we'll miss you sweetie! Drive safe you two!" Hugs and goodbyes all around.

"Alright well, I guess I'll see you back in the dorms on Monday then." Beth was still a little sour about Avery leaving but at least she wasn't the one missing out on her family time. Her attitude melted when she hugged Avery. As much as it seemed like an inconvenience, she could tell how much this internship meant to Avery. And she was proud of her. After she let go, she practically leaped into Josh's arms, peppering his face and lips with kisses. Avery internally gagged.

The two got into Josh's car and left. The atmosphere was tense to say the least. The weather was thankfully holding out. Though it wasn't sunny, it wasn't snowy either.

"Well, looks like you needed my help after all. And here I was beginning to think you didn't like me." Josh had dared to look in her direction with a smug grin.

"Hey, eyes on the road Josh!" Avery was stuck in the passenger seat.

"Well this is a two hour car ride. So you may as well talk to me."

"No thanks, I'm fine." Avery started fidgeting with the zipper on her jacket.

This is gonna be a long drive.

"I know you don't like me, Avery. I see it in your eyes everytime I'm around. And in your body language. Not that I mind your body language." He slyly grinned at Avery. He knew he had gotten in her head this time by the way she tensed in her seat.

"Excuse me?" Avery felt a wave of disgust bubble inside her chest.

"You heard me. I can't help but feel like there's some chemistry between us; an enemies to lovers scenario if you will. And what Beth doesn't know won't hurt her."

"Are you kidding me? You're her boyfriend! I'm her best friend! If you think I would ever go out with you or even entertain that idea, you're dead wrong. I can't stand you! The way you look at me when Beth isn't looking. How you always call me babe when your actual babe is right beside you. It's so inappropriate. The way you always seem to sneak into our room despite the door and window being locked. The way you-"

"Aw stop it, you're gonna make me blush. Look Avery. There's nothing you can do to stop me from being with Beth. You gotta jump on board the train because I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. So you better get used to me. I know you can't say anything to Beth or else you'll just end up in a huge fight. Remember how well that worked the last time you tried it? It wasn't pretty. Not that I minded hearing about it from Beth, or the sex that followed it." Avery had to suppress a shiver. She was trapped in this car with her roommate's slimy boyfriend with no escape. She had no choice but to listen to Josh.

"And besides, who does Beth always run to when bad things happen? Who does she trust and turn to more often than not? Me and me, that's who. It's working like a charm. She's listening to me more and more, all the while turning her back on you. I'm looking like a hero while you're playing the villain. And you know it's becoming true."

"You're despicable Josh." Avery couldn't think of anything better to say.

"You heard what Beth said back at the house! I'm one of her two favorite people! Meaning you and me."

Avery debated if she could survive jumping out of the car while it was on the highway. Bruised and broken bones sounded a hell of a lot better than being stuck with him.

The rest of the car ride was driven in tense silence. Avery felt anxious so she put her earbuds in and blasted some of her favorite songs. It still wasn't enough to drown out his presence but it was something to help pass the time that seemed to have inevitably slowed.

When they got to the museum, Avery was quick to jump out of her car, grab her things and slam the car door shut. She could hear Josh laughing as he drove away. But she couldn't deal with that now. Racing up the steps, she found the doors already unlocked. She immediately spotted Larry.

"Larry!" She dropped her stuff at the reception desk and ran over to him.

"What happened last night? I got here as fast as I could. You really scared me on the phone."

Larry couldn't speak, he only looked down guiltily and pointed to the nearest exhibit. The Neanderthals display was a wreck. There was a lone fire extinguisher on the ground, and the foam all throughout the exhibit. Avery did a quick head count and realized one caveman was missing.

"What, what happened to the fourth man?"

"He, uh, he didn't make it. He got outside…and he turned to dust. Right in front of my eyes. I couldn't reach him in time." Larry was devastated that he had let that happen on his watch. He subconsciously blamed Dexter for stealing his real keys and causing chaos.

If I get my hands on that monkey…

"MR. DALEY." A booming voice rounded the corner. It was McPhee.

"Miss Daniels, I'm surprised to see you here. I wasn't expecting you back until next week. No matter. Mr Daley. Foam? In the Neanderthal display?" Well at least Avery was recognized.

"I, uh, yeah. There was an incident last night with the fire extinguisher. I was actually on my way to clean it up right now-"

"Don't bother. You're fired." McPhee turned and left. Time seemed to slow again.

"Oh Larry. I'm so sorry." It was a poor apology because Avery didn't know what else to say.

"Look, it's not your fault. Like you said, you're an intern and I'm the night guard. It happened under my watch, but you know what- no I'm not done with this. Excuse me! Mr McPhee!" Larry had determination in his eyes.

"Larry, wait!" Avery had briefly turned her head towards the entrance to spot a group of boys, two of which were leaving. The one that stayed looked sad, but Avery didn't have the time to linger. She had to catch up with Larry.

"I know I screwed up, but I finally understand how to do this job now. Please just give me one more chance. That's all I ask."

Avery had trailed behind the two men, anxious to hear McPhee's decision. She was betting her money on him flat out refusing and kicking Larry off the property. But to her and Larry's surprise, he agreed. He looked too tired to argue against Larry, and it made Avery wonder if the board was on him again. After they were both dismissed, they both went their separate ways. Avery trekked back to the dorms but promised she would be back later that night. After taking a long, hot shower, she snuggled up in her blankets and caught up on some much needed sleep. She had planned to stay the whole night instead of just a few hours.

I'm still on break technically, gotta live it up while I can!

(So I can't decide on how I want to write Josh's character. I keep going between him being a douche, manipulative/narcissist, womanizer. I'm having a hard time writing his character. But he is 100% a certifiable slimeball/douchebag. Let me know what you think of how his charac is written)