Ava thought she had the world figured out until it was turned upside down. She must decide if she wants to be free or re-building the life she had.
Series Order: Baby Steps, Colossal Jump, Moving Forward, Little Leaps and Passing Motions.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
My eyes scan over the small crowd spilling out of Blake's house. All of their faces look foreign, which leaves me sighing with dismay. Maybe I should have come with Kyle and Charlotte, then I wouldn't be alone.
I hear someone yelling which makes me jolt backwards. As I peer closer, I see Ben and Blake running through the front doorway. Blake runs across the grass and then Ben springs into the air and lands on Blake's back. The weight of Ben's body sets Blake off balance. The pair tumble to the ground and burst into laughter.
Blake rolls onto his side and hits Ben as I walk over to greet the pair of them.
"Hey guys," I say.
"Ava, you made it," Blake gasps with surprise.
"What, do you want me to leave?" I nervously ask.
"No, I'm happy you could make it," Blake replies.
"Thanks for the invite," I awkwardly thank.
The house is filled with people which makes it hard to move through the space. I do notice the lack of furniture which enables more people inside the house. The living room has been converted to a dancefloor and the kitchen table is overflowing with food and drinks.
Blake grabs a cup from the table and fills it with pink punch. He hands the cup to me and then grabs another two beers out of the fridge. Blake passes one to Ben and then opens the other one for himself. He takes a long sip of his beer and then places it on the bench and turns his attention to me. Ben notices the somewhat stiff atmosphere and disappears to talk to another group.
"How are you and this fella? You could have brought him," say Blake.
The devilish glint in his eyes makes my stomach clench uncomfortably. I can imagine Blake somehow attempting to assert his dominance over Axel. Probably in some kind of tough man's handshake, or glaring competition. It would be intimidating but so hot to see that.
"We're good, not that we are anything, but well." My gaze drops to the ground. This is quickly getting awkward. "He's playing in his band tonight, actually."
"He's the guitarist, right?"
"Yeah, that's him." I nod.
"I'm sure he's a great guy." Blake tightly smiles.
When more people arrive at the party, Blake leaves to greet them. Although I fear being alone, I'm thankful for the space. I rest against the kitchen bench with my cup and watch as Blake hugs the new arrivals. I don't recall their faces, so they must be work mates.
Taking a deep breath, I leave the kitchen and head outside. The noise seems to drop significantly which allows me to relax. I drink from the red cup and look around the yard. The back door from Angela's house opens and Jude and Tori walk outside.
Tori immediately spots me and comes running over. She wraps her arms around my neck and tugs me into a tight hug.
