Ready to Love

HIGH-FEVER

Not far from where Avery was standing she saw her friends in an Arcade. Neria was sitting on Michael's lap while Anthony was hugging Yuna from the back.

She wanted to jumped from the 3rd floor because she's upset... very upset. Avery can't believe that her friends lied and boys is the reason why, The Liss to be exact.

Aside from Anthony and Michael, Ivan and Terrence was also there playing street fighter.

"L-let's go, Arthur." She held Arthur's hands and went inside the restaurant.

Her mother gave her the Menu List to check what she wants to order.

"Hurry up, Avery. We don't have all day. We might be late on our flight to San Francisco." Her Mother told her. Avery could feel her mind flashing back on what she saw earlier.

"C-chicken Fillet." She said to the waiter before sitting down.

She wanted to burst in tears because of too much disappointment. She's disappointed and Clark is right, she's hurt because of the too much attention she invested in their friendship.

She took a deep breath. She needs to spend an alone time in San Francisco to give herself a self-realization and privacy but the important thing she needs is to face any problems with maturity.

After they got out of the restaurant while carrying their lunch. Avery turned her head to take a glance on the arcade but it seems that they already left.

.

"Are you okay?" She nodded when her Mother asked her.

They are in the middle of their flight to San Francisco. She checked her phone to see if Neria or Yuna messaged her but she forced a smile because of disappointment. Maybe, they are both busy with their dates, she thought.

"Is Dad will be with us?" Arthur asked.

"Yes, sweetie. Your Father will file a leave. He'll follow."

Avery put on her headphones and decided to sleep when she saw that it will take 4 hours for them to arrive in San Francisco.

.

Avery and her family went back to their hometown on Monday evening. She decided not to attend her Monday Class since it'll be too late for that.

She also took the chance to think over the situation about her bestfriends and The Liss. Avery felt that her bestfriends were very busy hanging-out with their boyfriends that they forgot to contact her.

When she entered the classroom she saw Neria and Yuna talking about something important that they didn't noticed Avery sitting next to Neria.

"How can they got so busy all of the sudden?" Avery heard Neria complained.

"They're musicians, girl. Of course they will be busy."

Avery was right as what she thought. It's about The Liss..... their boyfriends to be exact.

"Hi, guys!" She greeted them with a fake smile. Neria and Yuna immediately looked at her with their eyes rounded in surprised.

"You're here? Omg. We missed you."

"I'm glad you arrived here safely. We missed you!" The both stood up and went to Avery to give her a group hug.

Avery also extended both of her arms to hug her friends. Her fake smile didn't fade.

Missed me? Really?

.

"Guys." Neria and Yuna stopped from walking when Avery called them.

"Why? Is there somthing wrong?" Yuna asked, worriedly.

"I guess there's nothing wrong. I just noticed something to improve our friendship and ourselves."

"What is it?"

"We are always together like sisters but don't you think that always sticking together will improve our friendship and lose ourselves? We always spend time with each other that we don't have enough time with ourselves." She said and Avery knew that Neria and Yuna understand what she was saying when they nodded.

"Yeah, you're right. We don't have time to socialize and have friends with other people because we always thought that we don't need them since we already have each other which is wrong."

"What if we separate during vacant hours since we are seatmates in all of our subjects except for our TLE class? Then, go home together." Yuna suggested and Avery nodded without a second thought since she knew that Neria and Yuna will take advantage of not being with her during vacant hour and spend their whole time being with The Liss.

.

Avery is in the garden..... alone, sitting in a bench. There are few students talking, reading, and sleeping. Her tears is eager to escape but she held it back tightly. Avery realized that her friends doesn't have any plan to tell her the truth.

When the bell rang. She stood up and put on her bag before walking towards her last subject in the afternoon... her Cookery Class.

Her eyes never left the ground until she arrived in her kitchen-classroom. Sir Jess was early, he was sitting on the high stool beside the Master's table.

"Goodafternoon, students." Avery also greeted back and a few minutes had passed, she noticed that Xanthite didn't came.

She made a face-palm and her eyes widened when she remembered the incident on the Foundation Day. She told Xanthite to meet her at the Saavedra Elementary School last Sunday but she forgot to tell him that she'll be flying to San Francisco.

Avery thought that maybe Xanthite was upset and pissed. She knew how short Xanthite's patience is.

When their class ended and all of her classmates already left. She went to Sir Jess.

"Sir Jess." She called him.

"Riri, why are you still here?"

"I just want to ask why Xanthite didn't came." Sir Jess straightened his back.

"He has a high-fever because of the heavy rain last Sunday. Why do you asked?"

Guilt suddenly filled her. Her conscience can't handle if something worse had happened to Xanthite. It's her fault afterall.

"I-it's my fault. We have a meet-up last Sunday but I didn't came because I was in San Francisco. Do you have his contact number, Sir?" She was squeezing her hand while talking to Sir Jess.

"Sorry, I don't have his contact number." She sighed and her shoulders fell in disappointment.

"But I know his address." Sir Jess took something inside the shelf of the Master's table before handing it to Avery.

"Thank you so much, Sir."

"You're welcome."

.

"Aren't you coming with us?"

"Sorry, girls." Avery apologized.

"Why? Will your Dad be fetching you?"

"Y-yes, that's why." She lied. Avery decided to visit Xanthite and to see his status.

"Take care, Ave."

"Thanks. You too." Avery waved at them and when she saw Yuna's car drove away, she immediately went to the bus station.

She stared at Xanthite's address as the bus started to move. She's nervous to see Xanthite's reaction. Avery is already imagining herself being strangled again.

ANDERSON RESIDENCE:

TOWN HEIGHTS,

BLOCK 32, LOT 15

Avery was surprised to see an exclusive subdivision. She stared at the luxurious entrance gate of the subdivision.

"How may I help you?" The guard asked when Avery was about to get in since the entrance gate was open.

"I want to visit a friend."

"Can I have your name, please?"

"Avery Houston." She politely answerred. Avery has never went into a subdivision with strict guards. Normally, she would just enter a subdivision gate without being asked.

"So, you're the one Sir Jess was talking about. Okay, you're free to go in."

Avery dumbfoundedly walked inside the subdivision when she was expected by the guard because of Sir Jess.

Does it mean that Sir Jess and Xanthite is very close to each other that he knew Xanthite address? and it also looks like that Sir Jess always come here because the guard knows him very well or Sir Jess also lives here too?

Multiple questions are running inside Avery's head while searching the number of block and lot.

"Block 29... 30... 31..." She stopped on a three-story large mansion. It has a black, small and elegant gate. There is a palm tree beside the gate. There are 6 fantastically big windows with golden luxurious window frame.

Even the small doorbell looks so classy that makes you pay a billion before pressing it.

Is this really Xanthite's house?

Avery really can't believe that Xanthite Anderson lives a wealthy and magnificent life.

Avery pressed the doorbell and just a few seconds after, there's a short woman wearing a maid's uniform, could be one of the maidservant.

"Goodafternoon. I am Avery Houston and I'm a friend of Xanthite." Avery was confuse when her face began to enlighten and a smile started to form in her face.

"Come in, come in. You are expected by us, servants. Sir Jess already informed us that you are coming." The servant opened the gate widely and Avery got inside before she closed it.

"Sir Jess? Is he a close friend of Xanthite?" She asked the servant out of curiosity.

"Close friend? Hahaha no. He is the Young Master's cousin." She froze because of the answer she received.

They are cousins?!

Avery turned around to face the mansion and she felt being in a luxurious paradise.

I won't leave if this will be my house.

There's a fountain on the center of the huge grassy parking lot like a resort where 2 lamborghini and Rolls Royce were parked. The pathway from the gate to the mansion is made out of cobblestone and it takes a 2-3 minute-walk before you can finally get inside of the mansion.

The plants were trimmed into different shapes and the whole ground is very neat and relaxing.

When the servant opened the door, Xanthite's house never fails to amazed Avery. A large chandelier was hanging on a 6-foot ceiling.

Their living room was made of styleworthy and branded materials from carpet to sofa. Avery was surprised to see five maidservants and two manservants smiling at her genuinely.

"Madam Houston, let me take you to Young Master's room." One of them said.

"Don't need to address me like that. Just call me Avery."

Avery followed the maidservant named Kira. The elegance of the mansion is very detailed. Avery was panting as she raised her legs step by step. Two long stairs that she needs to surpassed before stopping on a black gorgeous door.

"This is the Young Master's Bedroom. I shall leave you here." Kira made a slight bow before leaving Avery.

Avery knock 2 times and immediately took a step backward when she heard Xanthite's terrifying shout.

"What the f*ck do you want this time?!"

HE'S SO RUDE! DOES HE ALWAYS SHOUT AT HIS SERVANT?

"X-xanthite, it's me." A huge silence exist on the other side of the door.

"Get in." She slowly rotated the doorknob and went inside. She closed the door and Xanthite's room was not as what she expected. The room is so dull, modern, and plain.

The color of the wall is only grey and the furnitures are colored white or black.

Her eyes were filled with worriedness and guilt when she saw Xanthite lying on his large bed covered with thick blanket. He look so weak and pale.

Avery immediately went to him. She touched his forehead and neck. Her eyes landed on Xanthite's side table where the thermometer was sitting. She instantly grabbed it.

"Xanthite."

"Hmm." He moaned and not opening his eyes.

"Xanthite, please sit." She begged. Avery looked away when Xanthite opened his electric blue eyes. Xanthite slowly sat with his back rested on the headrest.

"Arm up."

"Give me, I'm not a baby." Avery gulped because of Xanthite's order.

"No. It's my fault why you have a high-fever and I am offering you my service. So, if you like it or not, I will take care of you until you're cured." Avery looked at him intently and seriously in the eyes.

"Now, arm up." She saw Xanthite gulped before raising his arm. Avery immediately put the thermometer on his armpit.

Avery sat on his bed as they waited for the thermometer to beep.

"I'm sorry if I didn't came. My Mother bought a ticket for our last-minute flight to San Francisco. I'm sorry." Avery slightly removed the thermometer on his armpit and she instantly panicked when his temperature reaches 39 degrees.

"Oh gosh! Just wait for me. I'll go get some med--" She was surprised when Xanthite suddenly grabbed her arms.

Avery ended up lying beside Xanthite with his arms wrapped around her waist.

"Just let me rest." He said in a sleepy tone.