You're a loser!

"Why are you late?" Mrs. Downs asked, her tone edged with irritation as Avery entered the dining room.

Avery shrugged indifferently, replying,

"I made it here eventually, didn't I? Isn't that what matters?"

"Good evening, Daddy," Avery greeted her father, intentionally ignoring the rest of her family, including her mother.

Her father beamed happily at her and asked,

"How are you, my girl?"

Avery sighed.

"I was fine, but being here now doesn't make me feel that way anymore," she admitted.

Her father's smile faltered slightly.

"My poor baby. Have a seat. You can eat and leave soon, alright?" he offered, trying to provide comfort. Mrs. Downs couldn't help but scoff at the "father-daughter" display of affection.

Unable to resist the urge to provoke her, Avery's younger brother, Robert, lashed out at her.

"Upon being late, you still couldn't even choose a proper outfit. What the heck are you wearing?" he jeered.

Avery was wearing a black cargo pant, white t-shirt, and black flats.

"Unconventional or not, I'm comfortable in it, so what's your problem? If you don't like it, feel free to leave the room and go hit your head on the wall. Loser!" she fired at him.

"Loser? Ha! Says the girl who's attracted to girls. The biggest loser herself," Robert taunted, a smirk forming on his face. His words struck deep, piercing Avery's heart.

"My daughter's sexuality is none of your business. Don't make me send you away from this table!" Mr. Downs seethed at Robert.

"Don't shout at my son like that. Isn't he entitled to his own opinion? Why should a girl be sexually attracted to another girl?" Mrs. Downs challenged.

"This woman..." Mr. Downs began, but Avery interjected.

"Dad, it's okay. Let them express their opinions. Being bisexual isn't a crime. If you all have a problem with it, then that's your issue to deal with," Avery defended her identity.

"You told me to come home for dinner. What do you have to say?" Avery confronted her mom.

Just then, the maids brought their dinner to the table and set each person's plate down. Avery noticed her dish was different from the others.

While everyone else had pasta, Avery was served a broccoli and cauliflower salad.

"Here we go again," she muttered in frustration.

"You know how much I dislike broccoli and cauliflower, yet you specifically had them prepare this dish just to irritate me while the rest of you indulge in pasta. Is this your way of mocking me?" Avery fumed.

"Of course. Because you're not human, right? You must eat grass like a goat that you are," Robert sneered.

"Robert!" Mr. Downs snapped.

"I told you not to yell at my son!" Mrs. Downs shouted at her husband in defense.

"What do you want to talk about? Because I'm ready to leave now," Avery was eager to escape the toxic atmosphere.

"One word. One name. Tiffany," Mrs. Downs smirked, her tone filled with pride.

"And what about Tiffany?"

"And what about Tiffany?" Robert mocked.

Avery shot him a glare.

"We had a deal, remember? I said, 'Prove to me that Tiffany is a worthy partner and I'd let you guys be'. Remember?"

"Yes, but it hasn't even been three months yet," Avery reminded her mom.

"I know, but we don't need to wait that long. Tiffany has already shown that she's not a worthy partner," her mom replied.

"What do you mean? What did you do to Tiffany?" Avery demanded, her tone turning sharper.

"I warned you, didn't I? I told you Tiffany was up to something, but you ignored us. You turned a blind eye to your own family who was only looking out for you because we love you," Mrs. Downs snapped.

"Wow, I love the fake concern," Avery frowned.

"Simon," Mrs. Downs called, causing Avery to roll her eyes at the mention of the name. Simon was Mrs. Downs' executive assistant, as well as Avery's ex-boyfriend.

Simon appeared at the dining table, responding obediently, "Yes, ma'am."

"Show Avery the pictures," Mrs. Downs ordered, and Simon obeyed.

Avery scrolled through the images, her heart sinking. They depicted Tiffany at a hotel with another man, holding hands and smiling blissfully.

Despite her shock, Avery refused to show any vulnerability. She wouldn't give her mom and Robert the satisfaction of seeing her sad and broken.

"So?" Avery said, her voice dripping with indifference.

"It seems Tiffany understands that every woman needs a man," Robert sneered.

Avery glanced at him, her eyes narrowing.

"Robert is right. She is definitely tired of fulfilling your needs without getting anything in return, don't you think?" Mrs. Downs said.

"These pictures mean nothing. He could simply be her brother for all we know. And..."

Her words were cut short by Robert's laughter.

"Please, spare us the delusion. It's clear as day they are more than siblings or friends."

"She doesn't have any family members. So that "brother" theory goes out the window," Mrs. Downs chimed in.

Avery sighed and stood up, her patience wearing thin.

"I don't care what you guys think. I trust Tiffany, and I won't let you break that trust."

"Sit down! I'm not finished," Mrs. Downs demanded, and reluctantly, Avery obeyed.

"As per our agreement," Mrs. Downs continued, her tone filled with finality, "I will arrange for you to get married to an eligible and worthy bachelor. Expect my call and text."

"Good night, Dad," Avery muttered, brushing off the rest of her family as she stormed out of the house.

***

Avery arrived at her house and immediately dialed Tiffany's number.

"Hey Tiffs, how are you doing?" Avery greeted.

"I'm good. How about you?" Tiffany replied.

"Um... I really miss you. Want to catch up? Where are you right now? Can we possibly meet up?" Avery asked.

"Oh, um... now? Sure, let's meet. I'll text you the address of the coffee shop we can go to. Is that alright?" Tiffany responded hesitantly.

"Of course, that's fine. I'll be waiting," Avery then said her goodbyes and ending the call.

Avery arrived at the coffee shop before Tiffany. To calm her nerves, she ordered a can of soft drink while anxiously waiting.

After a few minutes, her eyes lit up as she spotted Tiffany entering through the door, wearing the same clothes as the one her mom had shown her earlier during dinner!