"The tour ends right here. The school library. My favorite place." Kara took a seat at the top of a table. "Hello, Mr. Clement," she said.
"Hello, Kara."
"So the library is your favorite spot, huh?" Ava said, sitting next to her.
"Well, yeah. Mostly because it's quiet. Few students come around here. It's peaceful and mostly private."
"Okay, then. Since the tour is done, can we should head back? I need to do some shopping for my house early at the town market, which I don't know where to find."
"I can help with the shopping. I can help with directions. I'm good at that, and I think I've proven myself already, haven't I?"
"I don't want to bother you anymore, Kara."
"No!" snapped Kara. "It's not a bother at all. On the contrary, I will be able to lessen the time of reporting home like a ninth-grade kid."
"Alright. I see you've got yourself an excuse. Thanks anyway." They both walked back to school.
Before evening dark, they were already at the market. Kara picked up a few amazing items.
"Since you have done so much for me today, I would love to invite you for a drink at my small house your dearest father got me," exaggerated Ava.
"I can't turn down the offer. I would love to join you. Shall we?" They both headed to Ava's truck, which was parked across the street.
"So tell me about manning the town and your people," driving carefully through the streets.
"Well, people here have a nosy reputation. I think you have noticed that already. A number of them are very helpful, like Miss Stephanie from that store," pointed Kara at an average old lady who waved back at her. "The others can be a little harsh, but all in all, Manning is a wet town but worth the stay.
"Alright. Thanks for the updates. So I shouldn't be mad at all those bitter faces staring right now," Ava picked through the mirror.
"No, not really. All you need is a better tone of living," said Kara.
"I can try."
It was 6:30 in the evening when they both arrived at Ava's cottage. They took out the groceries and slung them inside.
"Did you clean up the mess that was here all by yourself?" asked Kara.
"Oh yeah, if you only saw it before it was clean."
"Well, we all know about this cottage. So it's good news to see it this illuminated," Kara complimented. "You don't seem like you're from a well-off family."
"When I say that's a step for me, you wouldn't understand," said Ava as she put away the groceries on the table and grabbed two bottles of beer for Kara.
"I actually don't drink," Kara said.
"Oh, okay. Since you don't... drink... how about a cup of coffee? Basically what I hate making," Ava smirked.
"Oh, okay! I can make it. I love making coffee. Show me the equipment, and I will make some for you," hastily sliding a table stool to her side. Kara picked up the kettle from the table and moved to the kitchen.
"I'm embarrassed. I invite you over for a drink, and you become the chef. Who are you?" Looking in amusement, clearly very inspired. "You don't seem to be the mayor's daughter."
"Well, I am, but I love providing special service, especially to cute people like you."
"Not to seem ungrateful, let me help out. Well, you can teach me how to make one cup of coffee so when I have you back, I won't have to see you make coffee for me again."
"Well, head on, then."
They both checked the kitchen, had a pot of water on for it to boil, and took a few starts conversating about a million things that made them laugh. They poured out cups of coffee and took seats on the irritating couch that was set by the table.
Past ten at night when Kara realized how late it was.
"Wow. It's ten, and we didn't notice," she said.
"You are a fun one to hang out with, but you need to hurry home. Let me drive you," said Ava, picking up her car keys from the table. She drifted her jacket on and slammed the door behind them from the house to the car.
Taking Kara's directions, in ten minutes, they were at the big mayor's house.
"Have a good night," said Ava, giving Kara an appreciative giggle. "See you at school tomorrow."
"See you at school."
Ava sat still, waiting for Kara to head inside the house. When that was done, she took a roll and headed back to her cottage.
She put the coffee cups in the sink with a smile on her face, took a shower, and went to bed.
Better yet, the next morning had arrived, and Ava was all ready for school. She took her backpack and threw her jacket on. In minutes, she was at Manning University grounds, and Kara was just at the hall entrance, waiting when she saw her station her car in the lot.
"Hey, you good morning," greeted Kara.
"Good morning. And how was your late sleep night?"
"Fine. I had someone pissed, but all in all, it was great. Slept like myself."
"Ha ha... who do you always sleep like?" Ava picked up her backpack from the other car seat and slammed the car door locked as they both headed to class, chatting.
Miguel Dante was all settled in Kara's seat when they headed in. She clutched a seat just close to her and pointed as she said.
"Not today, Dante. Just head back to your seat."
"Is that so, Miss Manning?" The whole class ruthlessly giggled, leaving Ava surprised at how they watched a grown old boy bully Kara.
"She said move, Dante. Now move," Ava turned with a demanding face that had everyone quiet when Dante mocked her.
"Oh. What are you going to do about it, Tom?" said he, growing closer to Ava.
"Everything. Everything there is to do. I will," Ava poked Dante in the chest. "Don't you ever bother her again, okay, or you will answer to me." She passed back to the chair that was just next to Kara's. "If ever I find anyone in these two seats, you will feel my wrath. I promise." She threw herself into the chair and placed her backpack at the back.
"How often does this happen?" Ava asked as they both took a seat. "No, forget about it." "No... no... I heard you clearly, Kara. You said 'not today.' That means it's often. I guess it's the reason why you weren't in class yesterday when I arrived." "No!... how do the two things connect. No," fumbled Kara. "Well, I'm not stupid, and your face says otherwise, so," shrugged Ava as she continued whispering. "I can't stand their kind, and I won't turn a blind eye if I ever learn he's done something to you." "Wait, are you my boyfriend?" Smirked Kara. "No... of course not, but this is me, and I take care of my friends." "So now we are friends?" "Well, I can chuck you right now and call Dante over to my seat so I can take his." Joked Ava. "Oh... so I'll take the friend you offer." "Yeah... I see he scares you. He should be scared of you?" "Well, he has his reasons, so. Let's stop talking about this. Mr. Alfonso is already here." "For now, yeah... but later we'll talk." Whispered
"Will you wait for me to take you home?" inquired Ava as she got out of the car. "Maybe. It will depend," replied Kara. She hurriedly reached the car. Brenda, though, was looking overwhelmed. Her gray eyes were fixed on her daughter, ready to tear up, and Audrey, with chocolate skin and crazy curly hair and very brown eyes, seemed quite upset and appeared to be forced to be there in the first place. Brenda slowly got out of the car and went straight into the arms of her daughter. "Oh, sweetheart," she sobbed. "It's alright, Mom. I'm okay. Thank you for coming. Audrey?" replied Ava, keeping her eyes on Audrey, who was still seated in the car. "I will give you space," whispered Brenda in Ava's ear. "Shall we talk inside the house? Please, Audrey?" requested Ava as Audrey untied her seatbelt. "Please, Mom, help drive Kara home. I know it's silly, but please do." Continued she walking to her car. "Hey, Kara. My mom will drive you home. See you tomorrow?" "No! I can get home myself
"Hey. Open up already," loudly knocked Kara, who had been standing there for about five minutes. In a beat after, Ava cracked the door open for Kara to head in as she proceeded to cover herself in the sheets again. "Good morning," said Kara sarcastically. "Morning? Is it?" responded Ava, sniffling. "So, last evening. It was bad, wasn't it?" questioned Kara. "Is it so obvious?" "No. Nooo. Not at all. That's why I was asking." "Really?" "Of course it's obvious. Look at you. I can't see you like this," snapped Kara. "Why?" "It's just that well... I don't know who this is now," pointed Kara at the saddest Ava. "I've not known you yet to be so emotional and very... um... what's the word? Yeah. Chicky." "What do you mean?" inquired Ava. "I've seen you so manly, strong, but not like this. Uh... forget my explanation. Just get out of bed now." "I don't want to," grumbled Ava, nearly banging her head. "Ummm... ha. Just get up. Let's have lunch together." "Is it already lunchtime?
"You disrespected me. Me? Miguel Dante," he chuckled annoyingly. "This is my town, Miss Sinclair... I don't play hide and seek with dogs. You can't just arrive here and undermine me." "So, you're the dog?" inquired Ava. "See, guys! I should teach her a lesson, right? So she doesn't play with her superiors. Or him because she literally is a boy," he gestured with his hand, leveling Ava, as his boys cheered in the back. "Yeah. Since I'm a boy, I believe we're a match. Aren't we?" replied Ava when Kara rushed out of the car, standing in front of her. "You don't get to disrespect one of my friends, Dante. Haven't you had enough fun with me?" questioned Kara. "What?" snapped Ava. "Okay, that came out wrong," replied Ava. "You can hit me then, Dante. I dare you." "Are you sure? Because I literally don't care about you helping one of your friends. I guess I'm lucky. Doubled my punching bags." "I'm sure. Go ahead. Hit me." He had raised his hand to slap Kara on her cheek when Ava grab
I've reviewed your document and made corrections for spelling and grammar while keeping the content and meaning unchanged. Here is the edited version: "I know it for a fact. I've known your father before, and he has never been a fan of me, so," explained Ava. "Yeah, I don't care what he thinks about who I hang out with, you know. I'm done having my life controlled. It's just so frustrating." "See, you do have something you're keeping from me, and I've been blabbing about myself all this time, forgetting to ask how you're doing." "I don't wanna talk about it, please?" "Really? Okay. I can tell you anything about me. Ask me anything, and I will tell you the truth, and in return, you tell me what's bothering you so you can get it off your chest." "Why? Why would you do that?" "I love carrying people's burdens," replied Ava, chuckling. "Seriously, I just want you to feel at ease talking to me. I don't want you to be an open book, obviously, but if we are friends, then I would love t
Early the next morning, it was a Monday. Manning, as a city, was getting into the Halloween mood, which was three weeks from the Sunday special. People were all around the town, with a few stores having decorated the night before. Everywhere was packed with scary designs. Manning University had not yet gone through the changes. Everything was as normal as it had been the previous day, except those students who were mischievous had already planted scary decorations in their mates' lockers. Dante, in particular, had placed one in Ava's locker. He had passed her locker, taken out her stuff, and replaced them with dry leaves and a scarecrow. She didn't find out about it, but Kara, who was helping her pick up a textbook from the locker, got to experience what wasn't meant for her. Ava was standing seven lockers away from hers, waiting for Kara to finish, when suddenly, a scream startled her, and she rushed back to where Kara had fallen from the scare. Kara was already on the floor with
"What are you going to do about your father?" inquired Kara. "He won't call him?" replied Ava. "You think so?" "I know he won't call him. He will be getting my mother." "I'm so sorry." "It's nothing. My only worry is how I'm going to spend two weeks in the cottage with no phone, no nothing." "I could keep you company some days, maybe bring you books to read?" "I could do with the company. I'm not really into reading. I'm no professor, but anyways, bring them over so I see what I will do with them," replied Ava, and they both chuckled. "Alright. I could also get myself suspended for some days," chuckled Kara. "Yeah, that's not a nice joke. Leave those only for me." "Who said I was joking? I'm not. I'm weighing my options." "Okay. You get suspended, don't come to my place. Stay home and keep sobbing," responded Ava. "Alright, alright. You don't need to threaten me." Dante had already left school and was heading home as Ava and Kara stayed until the classes ended. It was abo
Ava had slept on the couch that night, so she had to sleep lightly. By morning, she took a bath, made breakfast, and then brought it to Kara in bed, who was still sleeping. "Hey, Kara. Wake up. You have to go to school," Ava said, knocking and shaking Kara from her sleep. "Hey, morning. Am I late?" "No, you have an hour and a few minutes. You should take a shower and have your breakfast." "You made me breakfast in bed?" "You don't want it? I can throw it away." "No, I was appreciating the effort. I feel like I have my mom with me." "Yeah? But I'm not," replied Ava, placing the tray on a drawer and heading to pick up her clothes, then walking out. "Get ready. I will drive you to school, then pick you up so we can go buy some groceries." "Thanks for the breakfast. I love it." "Hurry up. You don't want to be late." Kara got out of bed as Ava was dressing in the living room, made the bed, and then headed to the bathroom. "Oh! I put some hot water for you. I thought you might nee