The Meaning Games

5.Oh, I See

If someone watches you close enough, they'll pick up your habits, your traits and your tactics.

And Shay Devereaux did watch Avarie closely, but not for any wrong reasons. She looked up to her in admiration. She had her own talents, but Shay had moulded herself to be like Avarie shortly after they'd become friends. Unlike the other girls, Shay lived alone, in the converted barn at the end of her families' garden. She'd designed it herself, with the help of Collins, who'd made large cushions for the window seat that overlooked into Avarie's garden. The barn had it's own kitchen and a place to lounge. Between the two gardens there was a loose fence. One night, when it was dark, Avarie had snuck through the picket and knocked on the door of the barn. She thought Shay would assume she'd gone through the house, as she didn't know Shay had been looking – neither was she about to tell her, it could be useful to her one day. Maybe Avarie had underestimated her, or maybe she'd let her guard down by not checking Shay was in the window seat, but Shay always noticed when she slipped up – albeit it wasn't very often. 

But Shay was always glad when Avarie chose to hang out with her, away from the other girls, so they could have some time together. After school, Avarie had knocked on Shay's barn door and had offered to drive her to the country club so they could hang out. Shay couldn't object, spending quality time with Avarie made her feel special. 

They were on the back patio with a view of the golf course, drinking iced tea from glasses with little cocktail umbrellas in them. The sun was out, people were busy golfing at all the different holes, and a rather hunky waiter had served them their drinks, everything was normal. 

A worker passed them and the smell of flowers wafted up their noses. He was moving a vase of roses from one end of the club to another opting for the outside route so he could catch sight of spring in the middle of his shift. The flowers made Shay think about February fourteenth, and the school's organised Valentine day events. 

"So, how many roses do you think you're going to get this year?" Shay asked, stirring her drink with her straw. 

"It doesn't matter," Avarie said coolly. 

"It only doesn't matter to you because you'll get the most in school." Shay said allowed. The roses were, as the name suggested, roses, that were passed around the school to people they admired, loved, were best friends with, have and even had. For the popular people, like Avarie and her friends, nearly everyone wanted to give them a rose. Freshmen gave out yellow roses, sophomores have pink roses, juniors gave out red roses and seniors were allowed to give out white roses. The range of colours always gave people like Avarie a nice bouquet to carry around and show off. Whether people bought them because they loved them, or if they were scared of them, Shay didn't know, but she didn't care. She just loved getting them. Once, Shay had received four from the same person, and she'd never let it go. 

Avarie laughed through her nose. "Of course."

Shay looked off into the distant, watching as someone celebrated a hole in one by hugging their caddy, who looked uncomfortable. "There's only one person I want a rose from this year."

"Who?" Avarie asked. Her lips were pulled back into a knowing smile, but she asked anyway. 

"Your step brother," Shay said dreamily, sucking her drink through her straw noisily. Avarie snorted, and although Shay frowned, she didn't say anything. 

Avarie lifted her head back as a ray of sunlight broke through some clouds. It wasn't as warm as she would have hoped, but she wasn't complaining – at least it wasn't snowing. She closed her eyes for a moment, hearing a lawn mower start up somewhere near by. "I'll tell you who I think should send you a rose."