Torturous Triangle

Mixed signals

The drive home was quiet. Asher had passed out again. Avery was in an oddly good mood. Zach and Mick were both sulking at the back and I had the front seat. I was perfectly happy seated at the front. I didn't have to endure Mick and his disgusting hands. I really wanted to tell someone about it, maybe I'll speak to Roxy and Chloe on Monday. The drive seemed peaceful... Until Mick passed over a CD to Avery. "what's this?" Avery asked. And all Mick had to say was "just play it Avery"

So he did. 10 songs and all of them about "hoes, s*x, drugs, money". How cliche. How pathetic. How sad. How disgusting. How disrespectful. Well what else can you expect from a sleaze like Mick. I zoned out as the music plays and before I knew it, we were home. I yelled, "dibs on the bathroom" making Asher shoot up and groan, muttering "I gotta study". I speed walk from my bedroom to the bathroom, as quietly as possible, my baby sister is asleep, her name is Mikayla. Prettiest baby in the whole world. Also, one of my favorite people.

I shower and shampoo as fast as I could and get out of the shower. I slip on blue denims and a yellow tee. Easy peasy. Going back to my room, I'll let Asher know that I'm done. I take a seat at my dresser while I brush my wet hair, I look out my window and see Zach at his bedroom balcony. Yep. My crush is my backyard neighbor. He looks towards my house and smiles. s**t. Did he see me watching him!? Oh God, kill me know. I hide behind the mirror of my dresser and continue brushing out my hair. I zone out, and think about today, overall I enjoyed the beach. A knocking at my bedroom window startles me and I scream out! "what the helll!" I look out and see a grinning Zach, who is trying so hard not to laugh.

"I'll say it again! You're an ass." I say

"I know but you love me anyway" he smiles the smile that makes me melt. He gets comfy on the outside of my windowsill and just stays there, not looking at me, not smiling, just looking very deep in thought. "something on your mind?" he looks up and nods "yeah, but I don't know what to do about it"

"well whatever it is, I'm happy to listen and help" I smile up at him. He smiles back but this isn't his normal smile, it's a sad one, one I don't want to see on his perfect face. "cmon, spill it Zach, you're frowning and I don't like it so spill!" I wait for him to start, he's very fidgety all of a sudden. It's been a whole 10 minutes. And still nothing. Finally he looks up and starts "my friend likes this girl, and I think I like her too. I don't want a girl to come between our friendship, we've been friends for 5 years." woah! I was not expecting that.. Was he talking about me? Oh I hope so. "tell me about this girl?" I'm going to rot in hell.

"she's great, pretty, funny and innocent. So innocent. She doesn't have a hurtful bone in her. I wish it wasn't so complicated. Her brother is also part of our group of friends." hang on, brother? Not brotherS? Is he.. Is he talking about Tyra?! I should just ask him. Yeah going to ask him." is it Tyra? "I ask, trying to seem bored by it. " No! No, of course not. Tyra isn't my type. She's too.. What's the word.. Friendly?" he sort of asked himself. Inwardly, I was dancing the macarena! Focus Ava, he's still talking.

I focus back to Zach."I just don't want to screw up the other friendships if it doesn't work with her." he finishes

"that's understandable. Hey, stop pouting, if she's as great as you say, she'll understand everything you've just said to me. So say it to her.. What's the worst that could happen right?"

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Zach POV

I woke up on Sunday, feeling better than these past couple of days. Speaking to Ava was always so refreshing. She's so different from the rest. A breath of fresh air. Im currently laying on my bed. I can't stop thinking about her. I hear my phone beep. I look, it's a text from Mick

"I'm outside, open the door"

I sigh and go to the door and open it. "hey, let's go!" he says. why is he always so hyperactive.

"go where?" I ask him. "to Avery's"

"nah I'm good, you can go though."

He nods, "OK wish me luck, today I'm going to tell Ava how I feel" he smiles and bounces out the door. s**t. "hold up, I wanna see this!" I yell to him.

Mick knocks on the front door and waits. Ava opens the door and she's wearing a pink tank and sweats and hair down her back. She looks lovely.

"oh hey guys, I wasn't expecting anyone, excuse me" she says shyly as she grabs her sweater and throws over herself. God, she's adorable.

The house seems quiet. "where is everyone?" I ask, looking around. "they've left to drop Asher off at college, he starts finals on Tuesday." she says and sits down. Mick is giving me the stink eye, he wants to be alone with her. "I need to make a call" I say. What a lame excuse. I awkwardly leave and go to the kitchen. I can hear everything clearly from here

"Ava?" Mick starts "can we talk, I'd like to tell you something" there's a few seconds of silence before Ava responds "yeah, OK, what's up?"

"we've known each other for a while now and unlike your brothers other friends, I don't take you as a small sister. You're amazing, friendly, kind and hot as hell. I'd really like it if we could skip the friendship and start dating, officially I mean." I hear something drop to the floor." I'm sorry? Officially? Mick, there's nothing going on between us to make anything official. You may not take me as a small sister but I certainly I don't think of you as anything else other than my brother's friend." she stops. 'I'm sorry, really. I don't like you like that. And yesterday, what you did in the car, gave me a panic attack. I literally panicked. You can't put your hands on me or anyone else and expect it to be OK. It felt violating and I felt violated." she was crying. Ava was so innocent. Mick is deadmeat. I couldn't control my anger. I was seething. I stormed to the lounge. I lifted Mick of the couch and dragged him outside "we're leaving" I hissed. As soon as we're put the door, i push mick up against the wall and stare him down, 'you're not to touch her ever again, do you hear me? I narrow my eyes at him. "what's it to you anyway? You've got Tyra, why can't I have Ava?" he huffs and storms off. "i don't have Tyra, you i***t!" i yell after him. I turn around and see Ava watching us. s**t.