As We Fall

Fifteen Centimeters

My best friends are the very definition of best friends; they are willing to go out of their way to help me achieve my goals. But, despite it all, I'm still very scared of what might happen. This is the Avalon Lancaster. It was already said she was infamous for her schemes, but it was terrifyingly true. She had an eighty percent success rate in her operations; the other twenty percent was hardcore failure. She almost went to jail because one of her plans failed.
I hope she doesn't with the new plan.

It was a week later when Ava came back to me, X and Gerry. It was the weekend and we decided to meet up at Ava's house. Ava's house was always such a pleasure. It was a cosy home filled with her and her dad. Her mother rarely visits. There are many pictures of when she was young with her dad and oddly a lot of pictures of ships. Maybe they went on vacations but I never wanted to ask. Family is always a very touchy topic when it comes to Ava.

It was typical house, but I liked Ava's room. She has so much paper blue tacked all around her walls to show you much time she takes in for planning or doing whatever she wants. Her bed was large enough for two and other than that, her room was neat and tidy. I like the wooden floor she has; it's always nice to touch with your bare feet in the hot temperatures. It may have been September but there are still remnants August heat lingering around, as if it doesn't want to be forgotten.

X was informed of Ava's decision and I was more nervous than I was excited to hear the development of her operation.

"Alright, so we're here today because we're the brains of this operation that I have beautifully called 'Operation KnightTime!'" She smiled proudly, probably because of the name. She spends at least a day or two on deciding the name. "In any case, I have managed to pull at least fifty people in, and twenty people in reserve. Gerry's accomplices are around thirty and X has accumulated around about fifteen people. Between us all, that is more than enough."
"In any case, let's get down to business. So here's the plan. I've asked fifteen people throughout last week to give me the patrolling patterns of the teachers during lunches, breaks and during lesson time so I can efficiently plan out when to do it. It seems to get the most massive effect is to do it during lunch. What needs to happen is I need to distract Mrs. Blu from being around you during lunch — or maybe someone from Special Needs can do it. I'll sort that out. Anyways. when she's gone, X will signal a chain of students to cause a fight to distract the other teacher's attention. That same signal will cause another distraction across the other side of the school, to ensure the maximum amount of teachers are distracted. That's when you, Mayu, have to either pretend to have fainted or actually faint — your choice — and Gerry will rush over, grab you in his arms, and rush you to the nurse office. OR we could try to wake you up but then the teacher's would probably get involved so I think we'll drop you off. Either way, the plan should work and if it goes according to plan, we will be trusted by your parents! So, any questions?"

"Yeah I do," X raised his hand. "How come Gerry has to carry Mayu? Why can't I do it?"

"No offence X, but I rather stick to the sixteen year old who plays sport and has a six pack," Avalon pointed out as she laughed. "And what the heck? You know I meant to offend your non existent manliness. In any case, you're also supposed to signal afterwards to stop the fight so the other kids won't get in trouble too much. I can get them out of detention if needed, but it's important to minimise casualties."

"I have no arguments on the plan," Gerry smiled at me. "I think Mayu needs to know how it is to be carried by me every day."

"Hey, I almost beat you in badminton Gerald," Ava retorted. They're both competitive as each other. "So you're not the end all be all of players."

"When you finally defeat me, then I'll admit it," Gerry's eyes rolled over to Ava. Their eyes are infused with passion and rage. "But for now, call me your Daddy."

"You fucking wish," All of us laughed. Those two can never settle anything between them. "Anyways, no more qualms. We all understand what we have to do right?"

We all nodded, and that meant we could do other stuff — though Ava was adjusting the plans in case of emergencies. She always makes contingency plans if the plan goes wrong.

The rest of the day was Ava making calls to other students that I know the names of but don't know well and I was tutoring Gerry on math because he asked me to. In all honesty, I never really liked to go through f(x) but if Gerry needed me to, then I guess I don't mind.

X was sleeping with a book on top of his face. I've seen X sleeping before; when we were in primary school going into field trips, he would often sleep on the journey back. He always looked cute when he slept. He still does look cute. I don't think he knows that I stare at him when he sleeps, and it sounds bad that I do, but I think he looks peaceful when he does.

"Hey Mayu, I'm still here?" Gerry scared me by waving his hands in front of me. I blushed and smiled at him. He began laughing slightly. "Hey, I guess you're back to reality Mayuri. Anyways, what does the graph look like when f(g(x))?"

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It was the afternoon already and after Ava finished with us and her planning, we were official kicked out. Gerry got picked up by his mom, but Gerry and I decided to walk. We wanted to savour the moments where we could walk out with the sun still brimming down.

"I'll miss this summer heat X," I looked at the grassy ground and the number of daisies spread across that ground. "I like walking like this, where the sun is shining and the breeze is cool, where the flowers are still blooming."

"I'll miss it too," X smiled at me and patted my back, for some reassurance most likely. "But I think autumn is beautiful. Autumn is such a beautiful season."

"I prefer spring, where the cherry blossoms bloom," I smiled and looked down. The sight of cherry blossoms always make me smile. "It's... always breathtaking seeing a tree lose all it's petals. It's as if the tree is crying. The irony of cherry blossoms: it cries despite the return of such a vibrant landscape."

"Maybe the tree isn't crying," I looked at X, wondering what may be inside his head. "How I see it, the tree undergoes the normalcy of life. Like trees in the autumn where their leaves fall, it is fated for a cherry blossom to do the same in spring. Maybe it's just destiny Mayu. Sometimes we fall, but as we fall, we'll appreciate whatever passes by."

"You think too much," I giggled as I punched his arm playfully. "Then again, I also think too much as well."

"Then I guess it's fine," X smiled at me before he stopped. I mirrored his actions. I peeled forward and looked at him, wondering what was wrong. He took a deep breath and looked at me. His smile faded away. X looked concerned. "Are you sure you want to go through the plan Mayu? You know you don't have to."

"It's fine X," I smiled and patted his back. "I trust Ava, even if the risks are high. You know what they say? High risks, high rewards. Besides, this is Avalon Lancaster. I trust her with my life."

"I trust her with mine too," X replied. He muttered something but I couldn't hear it. All I could distinguish was 'something, something, not yours' something.' He shook his head before patting me head. I puffed my cheeks and he laughed, poking it. This guy. "Well, I can't stop you if you're all in the Ava train. But if you feel like pulling out of the operation, just tell me and I'll help you get out of it."

"Alright X, I promise," We pinkie swore on this. I'm glad I have friends like them.