Cheating Death

Secrets

Ava's POV

"Where have you been? I have been looking all over for you!"

"Not now Lily, I really want to be left alone right now." I mentally rolled my eyes, wondering if she thought I believed for one second that she was thinking of someone other than herself and some boy.

"WOW! What a grumpy grouch! Fine, I guess just call me later when you are over your little temper tantrum." Lily flipped her hair at me as she walked away. I know I didn't have to be so mean, but I just really didn't want to deal with her crap right now. Plus, I know deep down she will be fine judging by the amount of sarcasm that was dripping off her words. I hurry and grab my things and climb the steps to the bus. I pick a seat towards the front, seeing that everyone wants to ride in the back, and I just stare out the window trying to think of ways to bring this up to mom without her trying to lie her way out of it.

Slowly, the kids trickle off the bus until I am the only one left. We travel a few more minutes outside of the city limits to our farmhouse. The red dirt kicks up around the tires as we roll to a stop. I descended the steps and continued to walk to the front door, deep in thought. I didn't even notice mom's car was in the driveway or that she was home until I ran into her in the kitchen.

"Ava, watch where you are going honey. Are you alright? Did you have a bad day at school or something?"

"No mom, I was just thinking about something that happened today and I was wondering if you could maybe help me solve a riddle." I said nonchalantly. Her ears perked up at the words that just left my mouth as if I spoke a foreign language. I hardly ever open up to her about what is happening in my school life. I feel like she would be disappointed to know that her daughter is one of the most boring kids in the school. Granted, she has never stated anything to suggest that, but she does tend to avoid conflict, so I try not to stress her out.

"Yeah, sugar plum, sure. What's got you so bumfuzzled?"

"Well Lily was bothering me today in class," she rolled her eyes and turned back to the dishes, but looked at me briefly to signify for me to continue. "I got really dizzy all of a sudden and felt like the room was spinning. I was excused to the restroom but I ran into someone in the hallway that I had never really spoken to before. He helped me up but his dad was staring at me like I was a monster of some sort and told him to stay away from me. I have never met the man in my life! He must have had me confused with someone else." I rushed out before she could interject.

Much to my amusement, she is still washing dishes but seems to be listening to me very intently. She started scrubbing the pot from the dinner she had just cooked and biting her lip like she was in deep thought with herself over the situation. I try not to laugh because she is taking it so seriously and it's honestly probably nothing.

"Are you sure you have never met this man before? Have you maybe accidentally bumped into him or said something out of the way?" She offers, still scrubbing away.

"No mom! I'm telling you I have never met that man before in my life! I'm pretty sure he is Azrail's dad, but I don't know for sure."

At the mention of his name, she drops the sponge and turns to face me. Rage is all over her face as she quickly tries to hide it from me. She calmly wipes her hands on her apron and looks at me solemnly.

"Ava, do not go near that boy, do you understand? I don't ever want to hear of you being in the same vicinity as him. Do I make myself clear?"

I stood there for a moment opening and closing my mouth like a fish trying to process what she just said. It wasn't enough to give me any kind of information, but the look on her face said clearly that she absolutely hated that boy. I don't even recall her ever meeting him, though it is the strange part.

"Mom, what are you not telling me?"

"It's nothing you need to worry about, Ava. His dad and I go way back and I would just prefer you not taint your reputation by hanging out with someone like him, OK?" Her eyes pleaded me to agree, but now she has opened up a whole world of questions I want to ask. I'm going to have to find my own answers though, seeing how mom is a dead end. I don't know why she is being so secretive.

Azrail's POV

We got home and dad slammed the door to the truck. You can practically feel the anger radiating off him. He wouldn't really talk to me on the way home, not that I'm complaining, but he kept muttering to himself about Ava and how she was going to lead me down a wrong path. I'm so confused, but I know pressing him for answers won't do me any good with him acting like that.

"Dad, I'm going to make some dinner. Do you want anything?" I asked, trying to get on his good graces, so maybe I could ask him a little later.

"Yeah sure whatever." He mutters as he slams his door to his room.

I dig around and find some chicken breast, cream of chicken soup, mixed veggies, and noodles. I chop up the chicken and start sauteing it in a pan as I try to think of any reason possible he could hate Ava. I mean everyone loves her for Christ's sake. She is always being praised for her work and she constantly goes out of her way for people. What's not to like?

Stop thinking about her like that Azrial. She doesn't feel the same way about you and you are just setting yourself up to get hurt. I continue cooking the dish as I wage a war with myself back and forth in my head. There's no doubt that Ava is beautiful. I would love to be with her even as a friend. If she would just talk to me.

I knock on dad's door and he comes out to eat with me. He still seems to be in a sour mood but it may have lightened up a bit. He takes the first bite of his food and looks at me with a serious expression. I can see the wheels turning like he is trying to find the best way to say whatever it is he wants to tell me. Finally, he puts his fork down and crosses his arms.

"I don't want you around that girl, Azrail. She is bad news."

"Dad, she is literally the nicest person in school and makes straight A's." I scoffed, crossing my arms in return and giving him a glare.

"You are protecting her like you like her or something. Do you have feelings for her?" He asked, completely shocked and mortified.

"No dad, I don't have feelings for her. I just know that she hasn't done anything to you to warrant how you are talking about her." I deadpanned back.

"Listen and listen good. Her mom and I go way back and we had an agreement. You two were never supposed to meet and to think that she broke her side of the agreement is seriously pissing me off!" He slams his fist on the table, making me even more enraged.

"So you are basing my life and who I can be around off of a spat you had with her mom years ago?! Dad, that is complete horse s**t!"

I stood up so abruptly that I knocked my chair back in the process. I stormed out of the house not even bothering to look back at him. What the hell is his problem? We have nothing to do with this grudge he is holding and I will not stop until I find out what it is and why they are still mad at each other after all these years. I sat down on the porch steps still fuming from our argument. This has just opened up more questions than answers and I know dad will not be any help. It looks like I'm on my own finding out the truth. I just pray I am strong enough to keep an open mind when it all comes out in the open.