Secrets and Explanations (Avinea)

[Ashton Harper]

Things were hectic. Spring was coming closer and that meant summer was on it's way too. Ash didn't know what he planned on doing for college. Power suppression was a great and very useful power if he worked for Hammel, but he didn't know what he'd do. Recruiter? Possibly. But he wanted to keep his options open. Luckily enough, he'd already been accepted to U of V. Maybe he'd get even more lucky and find a major while he was there. It was unlikely, but he wished for it.

And on top of college jitters, he was also dealing with a lot of personal stuff. His parents were still fighting, he was still living with Tae and he'd found out some serious info about one of his good friends recently. Not many people knew, but one person did and her of all people should have at least warned him. Avi was supposed to tell him everything and she'd kept this huge secret from him. Now, sure, it wasn't her secret to tell, but it would have been nice to at least have been warned. But he hadn't talked to her much lately anyway.

Sending a quick text earlier, he had invited her to hangout with him at Kali's if she was up for it. Ash didn't plan on confronting her, but he did think they needed to hang out. They were best friends, or so he he hoped they still were. She didn't even know about half of the things that had gone on with him. Between getting a new girlfriend, his childhood pet dying, getting a new pet and his parents fighting, she knew absolutely nothing about his life anymore. So, he sat at his usual table and waited for her to arrive.

[Avinea Jale]

Things were getting a bit better. Lucy was doing better and now that she had told Avi and they had sorted out the whole date/no date, I like you/I don't know if I like you thing things were looking pretty good for her best girlfriend. She was in her Junior year and everything was looking up. Well almost everything. She hadn't really kept in contact with Ash after their race. The two just sort of fell apart.

It wasn't as if she meant for it to happen Avi was just busy. She didn't really have time anymore for him. She knew it wasn't the nicest thing ever, but she also knew it was the truth. Part of the problem was that she was keeping. That was a reason she was keeping away from him. It was just easier in the long run.

When she got the text she was surprised and a bit worried. She could only hope it was a good reason Ash had texted her. She made her way to Kali's and walked in, spotting Ash almost immediately. He was sitting in his regular table after all. That much she still knew. Walking up she let her long blond hair drift down past her shoulders and contemplated if she needed to get it cut soon. Shrugging at the thought she sat down opposite Ash and looked at him across the table. "Hey."

[Ashton Harper]

Mind roaming and attention off somewhere far, he hadn't even noticed that Avinea had walked in. The boy was pretty oblivious. That much would most likely never change about him. It seemed like he was still the goofy nerd-boy he'd always been, but he hadn't stuttered much in a while and his confidence was getting a bit better. He was also a bit more forward and not as big of a push over. It had changed shortly after his parents started fighting.

Divorce in the works is an ugly thing.

Once she sat down he nearly jumped and fell out of the chair. Okay, actually he did fall out of his chair, but he caught himself pretty quickly so it didn't seem like he fell. He ran his fingers through his hair and focused back on what was around him. Getting so lost in the world of his own mind was not something he enjoyed doing often. It usually made him fall or run into someone or something. He was the clumsy one.

With his mind back on the present and his former best friend sitting in front of him he relaxed a bit and cleared his throat, "Oh, uh, hey. Sorry 'bout that. I was just sorta off in my own little world, as if that's different from any other day." Ash said with a small laugh. Something was just off with him. Now that she was here, the fact that he hadn't talked to her in so long was starting to hit. She was his first real friend at Hammel, to be honest he never thought they'd never have time to hang out at least every now and then.

Clearly he'd been wrong.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi hesitantly looked at Ash as she sat down. it seemed he was lost in his own world, one where she just wasn't in it anymore. He had grown up and left her behind. They both knew that but were just too afraid to admit it. For many of the years they had been friends she had always known Ash like the back of her hand. The past year, well something happened. She wasn't quite sure just what it was, but something had.

Hopefully that something could sort of be fixed.

Avi grinned as he almost fell out of his chair. Typical Ash, always clumsy and very much the same. Avi was a little different. There was some stress, and her eyes had hardened. Lucy was still at the hospital. As normal Avi was worried. It would be shown if you looked hard enough. Somehow she doubted Ash would look hard enough. He always had his own problems. She was supposed to be the okay one.

Avi gave a nod and a small laugh to Ash. "It's ok its normal" Smirking Avi looked at him. "Ash, always getting lost in his own world." It was starting to hit just how long they hadn't actually talked. Maybe it was because she had won the race. Maybe it started as him being jealous? or his pride being hurt? Avi shook her head at the thought and gave a small smile. It didn't sound like Ash.

But really who knew anymore?

[Ashton Harper]

Ashton was so overwhelmed by school lately. Between getting all of his credits to graduate and figuring out what his major would be, he hadn't had much time for anyone really. Let alone his best friend. But that didn't mean he'd up and forgot about her. She'd been on his mind every once in a while, especially after Lucy and him had talked. And when he'd found out his best friend was keeping some vital information from him. Maybe that was why he'd been a little frustrated?

With a slight blush, Ash sighed slightly. Why couldn't he just get rid of his clumsiness? That wasn't needed. He'd finally gotten rid of that stupid stutter of his, now he needed to work on balance. Not just physical balance either. Tae had taken up a lot of his time lately, just for the fact of needing her. What Ash needed to work on now was finding time for his friends and his girlfriend. Surely his friends would be able to keep him as level-headed as she had. Well, okay, Avinea would at least be able to do that, heck maybe even Lucy could. Over all, he needed time for his friends before he went off to college.

He laughed when she smirked and couldn't help but remember their constant bickering. "I wasn't lost, just a little preoccupied. But some things never change I guess. Like the fact that you will forever be laughing at my lack of balance." Ashton returned her smile and leaned back slightly in his chair. "So how have you been? It's been way too long since we hung out last..." His tone held a lot of sadness which was typical for Ash, he never hid his feelings around people he trusted, but there was also some regret because he knew it was his fault.

How had they managed to stop hanging out all of a sudden? He still couldn't figure it out.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi was just lucky that she was herself. If she changed it wasn't to her knowledge. She was just busier then normal. To her there was more important things in life. No matter what happened she had to keep Lucy safe, at least from those that she could help. Leukemia was a witch with a capital B. It wasn't her place to tell. Secrets were safe with her, no matter how loud she was.

He always was clumsy. It made her wonder how Ash was able to run so fast, and so long. He was a sprinter that much was to be said. They hadn't run in a while actually. It was sad but she had just gotten too busy. She really did need to keep up with everything. Sometimes though life just got to busy. That was what happened to her. Ash was going off to college this year. Avi wasn't. That always was one of the things he had teased her over. Her being a year younger that was.

Avi gave a grin as she watched him readjust himself back into his seat. "No not lost, just... thinking.That you do a lot of." Avi smirked once again as she tilted her head towards him. "Your right. I will always laugh at you when you are down." Because they both knew that she was teasing him. Really she was probably the only one that could get away with it, at least she used to be. "I've been better." Avi looked away from him, there was too much going on in her life at the moment. She was sad about it as well but Ash hadn't minded before.

He wouldn't mind now.

[Ashton Harper]

Ash had been back and forth between Hammel and the Kai household lately. If he wasn't there, he was at his parents' house getting more of his essentials because when he had taken off he hadn't expected it to be so long. And he definitely hadn't expected the divorce to be coming up so soon. Personally he thought they were rushing into it, after all, they hadn't had any problems prior to this little mishap. It was dumb and unfortunately Ash couldn't even talk to them about it without getting screamed at. When had his parents become screamers? He had no idea.

Ash knew that Avi was stressing about Lucy. Lucy had said as much and he felt horrible for her, but she could have gone to him if she needed help. Of course he understood that it wasn't her secret to share, but Ash already knew something was wrong with Lucy. The illusions didn't work on him because of his power, Avi should have known that. He wasn't mad at her by any means for not telling him, but it killed him to know that all that time she didn't have someone else to talk to about it. She'd always given him strength and the one time she needed an extra dose, he couldn't be there to help her.

It was surprising that Ash didn't wipe out while running. He tripped over his own feet as such slow speeds that he should be tripping while he sprints, but he never has. His clumsiness tends to irritate him a lot more now especially because it kicks in at the most inopportune times. Always right in front of someone.

"True, I do think a lot. Way too much actually." He rubbed the back of his neck his eyes slid shut for a moment as he tried not to think. His eyes opened again and he laughed, "Don't I know it. You've been laughing at me while I was down since we were young. And I still haven't gotten you back for it." Ashton shook his head slightly at the fact that she always got away with everything around him.

Her answer hadn't surprised him any. He knew she wouldn't be great and he knew one reason behind it. "Yeah I figured as much, what with Lucy and all. How's she doing? I haven't heard much from her since I got so busy." He asked quietly not exactly seeking out her eyes because his mind was elsewhere. Ash remembered when he'd seen Lucy last. She looked pretty good, better somehow, but he had a feeling it was getting worse.

[Avinea Jale]

To her Lucy was everything right now. She didn't know how long she had and she didn't know what was going to happen in the future. She was lucky to even have this time with Lucy. She hoped to anything that she would beat this.

Sure it was stressful, sure it was different. Avi actually had something, more importantly, someone to worry about. It wasn't as if she could just tell anyone. It wasn't her secret to tell. Avi was just happy she was able to be the one Lucy could confide in. No matter what she was happy for that. If she could relieve at least some of the stress she would be happy.

Avi thought that Ash was most likely, himself, because of the clumsiness. She wouldn't change that about him. it was apart of who he was. No matter what he was he would always be Ash, clumsiness and all. She wouldn't change a hair on his head.

Avi gave a grin when he brought that up. "You know you love me." completely platonic of course. Avi gave a grin and shook her head at the absurdness of him and her together. It just wouldn't work. He was like a brother. Besides. She had Lucy. She much rather have Lucy.

Avi was surprised when Lucy was brought up. "Shes fine." Why was he asking about her now? He was too busy before. " What do you mean busy?" This was curious. She didn't know what he had gotten himself into, but right now she was sure that it was odd, and wrong. Something was up and she would find out.

Plus it would divert the conversation.

[Ashton Harper]

Ashton didn’t know the full story about Lucy and Avinea, he hadn’t really been around enough to know. All he knew was that they were close friends. He didn’t know just how much Lucy meant to Avi, but he knew that if something were to happen to Lucy, Avinea would be torn up about it. He would be too, of course, but something told him that it wouldn’t be as bad as Avi. They had a different connection than Ash had to Lucy. He loved Lucy, but more as a sister, like he saw Avi. If he lost her, that would just be the icing on top of the cake of his life as of late.

Stress wasn’t the healthiest thing in the world. It led to heart attacks for old people, and it just made young people lose their minds that much faster. Ash didn’t usually let stress get to him. The only time it ever happened was if things got really bad. Lately, he’d been stressing. Graduation, his parents divorce, trying to stay a good boyfriend, trying to keep all of his other friends; it was becoming too much for him to handle. He could only imagine how hard it would be if he’d had the same pressure put on him that Avinea had.

Two things would never change about Ashton Harper. One was his ridiculous stutter that only appeared when he was nervous now or if he got really angry. The other was his clumsiness. Both of those were key qualities that made him up and made him different from other people, especially other guys. He wasn’t a smooth talker when he was nervous and when he tried to put swag in his walk, he tripped over his own feet. He was as smooth as sandpaper.

Ash snorted, but laughed anyway, “Yeah, yeah. I love ya, kid, but seriously, I need to get you back.” He laughed again and a memory struck him. The time he’d first met Zac and Zac had brought up the idea of Avi and Ash dating. The thought then mirrored the thought now. It was just too weird. Avinea was beautiful of course, but in a way that he’d call his mom beautiful. Strictly familial stuff. He had Tae now and he couldn’t picture himself with anyone else.

The surprise on her face made Ash sigh, she still didn’t know that he knew. Her question made him frown and he looked away. He really wasn’t wanting to get into all of his family problems, but then again, she was his best friend. He could go to her with anything, right? “Just going back and forth between Hammel and Tae’s house. Avoiding my parents. That sort of stuff.”

Looks like he’s gonna have to bring up the Lucy matter later.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi was glad that Ash didn't know the full story. She had tried to keep it quiet and small in the amount of people that knew. She had told Odion, and Odion had told Rhett, but aside from them and Stella, Not many people knew. She was sad though that she was unable to make Lucy smile more. That was all she cared about.

Sometimes stress was the only thing that could keep one going. It certainly was the one thing that Avi was keeping her going. It was what was keeping her grades up. She wasn't the smartest out there, disregarding math, but she was smarter then a person. it was just all of her time was being taken up by Lucy. That was all that mattered right now. She was so stressed about that, to be frank she didn't really care about anything else.

She was glad that it would never change about Ash. Even if it was to his dismay. She liked that he had some flaws. It made him human. Really he was like her little brother. Nothing more nothing less. She teased him endlessly and he teased her in return. That was just the way it was. No matter what would happen she would and could get a rise out of her favorite Ash.

" Just you try Ashy!" Smirking she took a small drink from the coffee she had gotten. " You wont ever be able to." Smirking she looked towards him and tilted her head. She knew he hated it when she called him that name. It was one of her greatest weapons against his teasing and prodding. All she had to do in the past was call him that in front of a large crowd of people. Or she could bring up his doll collection. Or his taste in music. Grinning she just looked at him. "I've taken up Rhythmic Gymnastics again."

"Tae?" Oh right, He had gotten a girlfriend in that time. It was weird, but she was happy for him. "Why are you avoiding your parent's?" last she heard it was bad but it wasn't that bad. Seems something had changed in that time. She wasn't sure what, but something had changed. "How is she doing by the way?"

It would be best to avoid the Lucy matter entirely.

[Ashton Harper]

Ashton had fallen out of the loop when it came to his friends. Before, people went to him to talk because he was nice and nonjudgmental and didn’t pressure people into talking about their problems. Now it seemed like he knew nothing about his friends’ lives, all he knew was that his own life was chaotic and that he really wanted to figure out where his life was going. His priorities had been all over the place, but the one thing that had kept constant was his relationship with Tae.

Being such a laid back person, stress didn’t set well with Ash. It made him lose sleep, it caused him to get sick from exhaustion, his grades slipped and he was just not himself. Usually, Ashton was smiling constantly and always real happy, but lately he’d been sulking and broody. It wasn’t healthy for him, but then again…neither was this deal between his parents right before he graduated. What the hell had they been thinking? Clearly not about the toll it would take on their son.

As helpful as it had been staying at Tae’s house for a few days on the weekends, even she couldn’t bring him to really smile genuinely as he had before. It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy with her, it was that he couldn’t be happy with the way his life was going. What if he managed to screw things up for himself because he couldn’t handle the pressure. Due to his stress level peaking, Ash had stuttered a lot in the past few months. He’d worked hard on making his stutter disappear, but now he couldn’t control it. Every time that he tripped over his words, it just made him more angry which caused more stuttering. Talk about a domino effect.

The nickname struck his ears and he narrowed his eyes at her. She knew that he hated being called that and he knew that was exactly why she said it. Shaking his head, Ash smirked, “You always did know how to embarrass the living crap outta me, kid. Still do apparently, but y’know that nickname doesn’t bother me so much any more.” He laughed and leaned back in his chair. Once she spoke again he smiled wider, “That’s great, Avi. I’m glad you got back into that, you always seemed to be happy when you were doing it.”

Hearing Avinea question the name he scratched the back of his neck, “Uhm, yeah. My girlfriend. We’ve been dating for a while now.” He hadn’t really told many people about his relationship with Tae or to the extent of which he felt about the girl, nor did he really want to discuss it with his best friend. Way too weird. “I’m avoiding my parents so that I don’t have to get dragged into the middle of a divorce. Both of them are trying to win me over to take their side, but it’s really just making me want to stay away from them.” Ash frowned and looked at the table, his parents had once been the two happiest people he’d seen and now…they were at each other’s throats. Her next question made him look up and he smiled half-heartedly, “She’s good, probably getting a little tired of me being around so much.”

[Avinea Jale]

Avi could keep secrets, that much was certain. She might be loud and proud of it, but she could keep secrets. No one would ever doubt that. Just no one. She was trustworthy, or at least she tried to be. Avi was loud, but part of that was to just hide her insecurity. Some may ask where this insecurity came from, well it came from being who she was. Avi felt that it was much easier to have a loud personality then to have all of her problems out for those to see.

Besides, if you kept yelling eventually people would leave the subject alone. That was how Avi had gotten through life, how she would continue to get through life. With or without Ash. She knew Ash had been busy, she knew She had been busy, it was a shame though they weren't really good enough friends anymore. Clearly time ha taken its toll on the two, along with everyone else. It seemed this would be a rough year, had been a rough year.

Oh god, she couldn't believe that Ash was actually graduating. It was odd to say the least. She wasn't used to such a notion. he had always teased her about being a year older, well, it was what it was. There was nothing she could do, not really. Not unless she made him fail. Which she wasn't wasn't going to do. That would just be mean. Plus she doubted he would much be her friend anymore after this. That she wasn't going to allow to happen, but it was still an odd thought. She was supposed to be the more mature one. Not him. She laughed slightly at the thought and shook her head. Really what was the world coming to?

She grinned as she got the reaction out of hint hat she was aiming for. It wasn't right per se that she was still calling him that, but it was all she could do to not. It just flowed out of her. " good , that means I'm doing my job." Avi gave a small smile tilting her head at Ash. A lot had happened, but she was glad for that at least. "It has actually been helping with powers." She knew it was weird, but it was like the wind flowed when she danced, naturally. No beckoning, no help. It just flowed and moved with her.

Well that was a lot to dump on a person. Divorce, Significant Other, Living with someone else. It was all Avi could do to keep quiet and not reach over and smack him across the table. Really, did he think spurring this all on her now would be a good idea? Because it wasn't. Avi was the type that needed to process things. Processing wasn't working well. Not will the crap load of stuffed just dropped on her plate. Contemplating she bit into her cookie before sighing. "And why wasn't I informed of ANY of this?" She was genuinely concerned. She knew they had grown apart but still! He should know enough to come to her. "Wow... Life is pretty crappy huh?" That was really all she could say at the moment. You can't blame her though, she was still processing.