CHAPTER 28

Returning from break, both girls felt renewed and confident in themselves. Their class load was each a little lighter this semester. Their last semester. As per her routine, Avery would spend some of her nights at the museum. She sometimes stayed out all night, not being pressured by the time constraint of a morning class. She enjoyed spending her time with Ahk. They kept getting to know each other. Their time together did not go unnoticed by their friends either. They knew something was there, even if the Pharaoh and Intern didn't.

Upon returning early in the morning, Beth had questioned her about what she was doing at the museum all night. Unlike last time, she asked this question with genuine curiosity and not out of anger. No more secrets, Avery thought. I think it's time I show her the museum. So the next evening that they were both free and did not have any early morning commitments, Avery took Beth on a tour.

"Seriously Avery? And I mean this with no reference to our fight but these are just dusty, old exhibits. I can't imagine why you would spend your whole night here. It's so boring!" Beth was not trying to open old wounds, she was just being honest with her bestie.

Avery just told her to wait as she watched the time tick away on her phone. Just as Beth was about to speak again of her boredom, Rexy came to life. His skeleton jumped off the platform and immediately spotted a new face. Meanwhile all Beth could do was scream. Avery had to hide her face as she tried not to laugh out loud.

Ahh yes. This brings me back!

Beth was understandably freaking out. She was hiding behind Avery wondering why in the heck wasn't she also freaking out. Then it dawned on her.

"Wait, wait, wait. You knew about this? You knew about this the whole time! That's what you were keeping secret! Ah!" Rexy had removed his rib and dropped it at their feet. Beth seemed disgusted at first until she saw Avery reach for it and throw it in the opposite direction.

"Dude! I take back everything I said about the museum being boring. This is awesome!"

"Glad you think this humble museum is awesome! Theodore Roosevelt at your service!" Teddy rode over to greet the newcomer. Beth reached up to shake his hand, utterly starstruck.

Avery took her on a tour after that. Beth could not hide her excitement at what she was seeing. She felt awful for saying those harsh words to Avery. Now she really knew why this museum was special to her. Especially when they crossed paths with a certain Pharaoh.

Ahk had just finished unwrapping himself and put on his crown and was on his way out of his exhibit. In the hallway he spotted Avery and someone new. He put on a smile and walked over to the ladies.

"Hello Avery and Avery's friend."

"Hey Ahk! This is my roomie Beth. I figured I'd finally take her on a tour of the museum. She wanted to know what I was doing at night here. Rexy gave her a bit of a scare." She laughed at the memory.

"Hello Beth. It is a pleasure to meet one of Avery's friends! I hope you will enjoy your tour. I am Ahkmenrah, Fourth King of the Fourth King, Ruler of the land of my father." He couldn't help but throw in his royal title.

"I've never met royalty before, not to mention ancient royalty. I don't know if I should bow or curtsy. Would you settle for a handshake?" He smiled and held out his hand and they shook. Avery was looking at them with an amused expression.

"Alright, enough pleasantries, time to continue on with the tour. Ahk, you're more than welcome to join us if you want." She didn't want to pressure him but she hoped he would say yes.

"Of course, it would be an honor to join you."

As they continued on with the tour, Beth couldn't help but notice that Avery was gravitating towards this Ahkmenrah fellow. She noticed the closeness the two of them had. She had seen enough teen dramas to know when someone had a crush. And Avery was crushing big time. So was Ahkmenrah for that matter.

"Hey Avery, will you show me where the bathrooms are?" She knew where they were, they had just passed them not too long ago.

"It's just down that hallway, Beth."

"I know but I'm bad at directions. And plus I keep getting distracted by the different exhibits."

"Fair enough, c'mon. Ahk, we'll be right back."

"Do you have a crush on him?" She asked as soon as they were a safe distance away.

"What? I thought you needed help finding the bathroom?"

"That was just a ruse! I need to know, so do you?" Avery was caught off guard by the question again.

"Well, I mean I like spending time with him. He's so sweet and considerate of my feelings and thoughts. And- ooh my god. I think I have a crush on him!" She was shocked to admit it out loud.

"Hah! I knew it! You have that same look I did when I first met he who must not be named." They had mutually agreed never to speak of Josh's name again.

"Is it that obvious?" Avery asked sheepishly. She suddenly became self conscious about her actions.

"A little yeah. But don't worry, I see those same signs in Ahk."

"This wasn't supposed to happen Beth! He's just a friend. Not to mention that he's technically dead during the day! Oh my god, that was so insensitive of me. But it's true and I mean he's already lived his life. Oh my god, I can't believe I have a crush on him. I can't have a crush on him! I told myself that he is just a friend." Avery was rambling. She couldn't believe that Beth had picked up on her crush on Ahk. That led her to wonder just who else knew if she was that obvious.

"Hey what can I say except that the heart wants what the heart wants. Don't you dare try to squash it! Love is a beautiful thing." She gave her a quick hug.

"Love? I never said I loved him! Since when are we talking about love? We were just talking about crushes and those are a whole other story than actual love! I am not in love!" She protested.

"It's written all over your face Avery. Don't freak out over this! It's perfectly natural to fall in love. Now that being said, I think we should start heading back. We don't need your crush worrying about your absence any longer." She smirked at Avery's face and started walking back.

"Hey! You can't just say that and walk away! Get back here Beth!" The chase was on as the girls ran throughout the museum back to where they had left Ahk. Seeing their impromptu race gave him an idea. Just as they were closing in he reached out and tapped Avery on the shoulder.

"Tag, you're it!" Grinning, he turned tail and ran as fast as he could.

The game was on. They ran past various, bewildered exhibits. Ahk was proving to be a fast runner, even in his traditional clothing and sandals. Avery came close to tagging him several times but he kept dodging her. So she went after Beth and had more luck there. Both girls could never get close enough to tag Ahk so they devised a scheme. Avery split off down a hallway hoping to cut him off when he approached. He would be preoccupied running from Beth, who he thought was it, that he wouldn't pay attention to where Avery had gone. As the pair got closer to Avery darted out in front of them…right into the path of Ahk. He was looking back and didn't notice Avery until they ran into each other. They both stumbled but didn't hit the floor, he held onto her to make sure of that.

"Heh, you're it." Avery was fully aware of their predicament. Both were a blushing mess, and Beth's 'I was right' smirk didn't help their case.

"Me play?" Attila and his men had rounded the corner and witnessed the last of their race. He seemed interested. Who were they to say no? And the game started again. They had amassed a decent portion of exhibits to play a legendary game of tag. Laughter was infectious all around.

Later when the girls were thoroughly exhausted, they decided to call it a night. After bidding everyone goodnight they were set to leave.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Beth. I hope our paths cross again." Ahk had stepped up and shook her hand. Avery hugged him goodbye and both left the building. They were greeted by cool winter air.

"So…now that you know my secret, what do you think of everyone?"

"Dude, this was the best night of my life! I mean, playing tag with a bunch of historical figures? That was awesome. Seeing you and Ahk crash into each other while playing tag? Priceless!" She had a teasing tone in her voice and was playfully shoved by Avery.

"Hey be nice or I won't bring you around again!" They each laughed and continued to their dorm room.

Laying in bed, unable to sleep, Avery's thoughts started to wander back to what Beth had said about her crushing on Ahk.

Gosh, even the thought of me crushing on him is enough to send my heart fluttering. Is this what it's like to be in love? Am I really in love? I can't be in love, it's not possible! Would he love me back? I mean, he's an ancient Pharaoh, and I'm just an intern. Surely he's had better love interests than me. What am I doing? I'm getting ahead of myself! Ugh!

She was finally able to drift off to sleep but even her dreams wouldn't let her catch a break.

She was standing in the foyer of the museum during the day, but she was the only one there. Out of nowhere, music started playing and she started singing.

If there's a prize for rotten judgment

I guess I've already won that. Her voice was beautiful as she sang.

No man is worth the aggravation.

Soon images popped up around her depicting past failed relationships. Not of hers though, for she had never had a boyfriend before. It was of her parents and how destructive their relationship was. How it scared her to think that that was just a standard relationship. The experience made her lock her heart away as a means for protection. Then the image shifted to Josh's wicked grin. She told herself she would never be put in a relationship based on manipulation.

That's ancient history

Been there, done that.

She started walking around and came upon Ahk's exhibit. There he was, standing there with open, welcoming arms. She started walking to him when she thought about being in love with him, and his image shattered. She wanted to protect her heart and herself so she tried to squash her romantic feelings down whenever they arose in her life. But that only served to bring up another voice. This time it was Beth. She materialized out of nowhere.

Who'd you think you're kiddin'?

He's the earth and heaven to ya

Try to keep it hidden

Honey, I can see right through ya

Girl, you can't conceal it

I know how you feel

And who you're thinking of!

She had her signature smirk on her face as she danced around Avery. So Avery responded back.

No chance, no way!

I won't say it, no, no.

You swoon, you sigh

Why deny it, uh-oh?

It's too cliché

I won't say I'm in love!

My head is screaming "Get a grip, girl!"

Unless you're dying to cry your heart out. Thoughts and images came up depicting Ahk rejecting her, causing her more pain. These were her worst case scenarios and they definitely lived up to their name. She shuttered and moved past them. But Beth was not giving up that easily.

You keep on denying

Who you are and how you're feeling

Baby, I'm not buying

Hon, I saw you hit the ceiling

Face it like a grown-up

When you gonna own up

That you got, got, got it bad?

Beth was practically dragging Avery back to Ahk's exhibit, urging her to face her feelings. But Avery was stubborn. So they kept going back and forth.

No chance, no way

I won't say it, no, no!

Give up, give in

Check the grin; you're in love!

This scene won't play

I won't say I'm in love!

You're doin' flips, read my lips:

You're in love!

You're way off base, I won't say it

Get off my case, I won't say it!

Girl, don't be proud

It's okay, you're in love

Beth had come up behind Avery and gave her a hug before disappearing. Leaving Avery to look at Ahk's exhibit once more. She traced her hand over his sarcophagus and a small smile graced her lips.

Ohhh…

At least out loud…

I won't say I'm in love…