Torn between risking it all and losing the man she loves, Ava must make a choice, but in the process of making this choice, Ava must accept the consequences of her actions and the damage that it leaves.
Series Order: Baby Steps, Colossal Jump, Movin...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Angel finishes off her unknown clear liquid before she slides off the pool chair and straightens out her clothing. Her white blouse is crinkled from slouching on the chair, but she doesn't seem to mind it.
"I'm going to get another drink," she announces. "Be back soon."
"Sure." I nod my head.
As Angela walks towards her house, I notice the slight sway to her step. I'm not sure what she's drinking or mixing the alcoholic substance with, but I wouldn't put it past her to drink it straight. With her sour attitude towards Tori, I don't think she'd need a chaser to swallow the oblivion alcohol brings.
I lean back and watch the rest of them mingling. Crossing my arms over my chest, I think about my options. I could sit here and wait for Angela to return, or walk over and put on a brave face to socialise with them.
With the churning state of my stomach and the lack of sleep received within this last week, both of those ideas sound horrendous. The idea of returning to bed feels oddly pleasant, pleasant would be downgrading it. If heaven was a place on earth, I'm sure it would be my bed. The idea of sleeping in one is something you seriously can't go wrong with.
With a final decision in mind, I force myself off the chair and head towards the group. I stand by Blake near the barbeque which immediately ends with him passing London to me. With a free set of hands, Blake quickly begins rearranging the food piled on the side of the barbeque.
"Just stand right there, baby," he instructs, a bright smile on his face.
Frowning, I nod my head and readjust London in my arms. I press her back against my chest and wrap my arm around her middle so that she can still see. This seems to make her happy because she giggles and kicks her legs with anticipation.
"We cook the onions first because they are annoying and it's easy to get them out of the way," Blake explains to London. He grabs the plastic container and tips the shredded onions onto the heated plate. Using the tongs, he spreads them out and they quickly begin to sizzle away.
"You're going to be a professional onion cooker, I can just tell!" I tease. Blake pouts, but he continues on with his lesson plan.
"Now, you can't over cook them. Except for granddad, he likes them close to charcoal."
As the onions sizzle away, the smell of those and the gas makes my stomach churn even more. Wrinkling my nose, I take a deep breath and avoid thinking of my stomach and how a trip to the bathroom would relieve it.
Just when I think I'm starting to feel better, Blake questions me about it and I'm suddenly hit with a huge sensation of sickness once again.
"Are you okay, Ava?" his green eyes seeping with concern.
"I'm fine." I nod my head, but really, I'm not.
Blake takes London from my arms and passes her to a chatty Tori. He takes a hesitant step forwards as he wraps his arm around my waist.
