Chapter 1

Avery’s POV

"I'll be down soon; I'm done dressing," I said, and the call ended.

I added a last layer of lipstick as I was going for a very mild look. I didn’t want to be so flashy, and yet I didn’t want to look too relaxed about the outing.

I checked myself in the mirror one last time to be sure my look was to my satisfaction. I pondered if I was dressing too much for the occasion, but I wanted Damon's eyes on me all of the time.

I thought of declining his invitation because I was not in the mood to go out, but I didn't want to turn him down. He was the only thing I was looking forward to these days, as everyone here was making my life miserable.

Magaret knew how rude Isabella had been to me of late, and she didn't do anything to shun her. I knew if Dad were still home, he would have found something to do about the situation, but he was struck down with a strong illness as I struggled to raise his money for his medical bills.

It seemed this situation was to the benefit of the two, as they used every opportunity they got to make my life miserable. It was so hard to overlook the new behavior, so it was just carved up for no good reason.

Magaret used to be soft to me whenever Dad was around, but now she would yell and insult me at the slightest provocations. I didn't know what I was expecting—that they'd scold their daughter because of me. Of course not.

I was expecting the treatment fosters gave and nothing more.I knew she was going to have something to say about my clothes, my make-up, or even going out with Damon. She always found a way just to get on my nerves and nothing more.

I walked down the stairs as I prayed she wouldn't be there or, worse, Isabella. As I got down to the final stairs, I steered my eyes, and unfortunately, Isabella was standing behind me with Magaret, and they had questioning looks on their faces.

"And where do you think you're going by this time?" Magaret splurted, staring at me with an inquisitive look.

"I'm going out on a date with Damon," I replied sharply.

"Damon this, Damon that." Isabella spat out.

"Watch it, Isabella." I threatened, with a serious look on my face.

"Or what? Who gave you such permission to wander around anytime you like? I didn't know you were already a slut.. She spat while walking closer to me, and her words hit me like a heavy blow.

"I'm not a slut, and Damon is my boyfriend; I don't think I need permission from you before I go anywhere with him." I retorted, staring at her sharply. I wondered what exactly she took me for.

"Are you now talking back at me? You think you're all grown up now, and you have wings to spread and fly.."She roared out in anger, staring at me with so much anger evident in her countenance.

"I didn't do anything to you, and I don't have time for whatever you're about to start." I said calmly and turned to leave the room when she pulled me back. I was about to throw a slap across my face when I caught hold of her hands.

"What were you just about to do? Slap me? That'll be the last time you'll try to pull such a stunt on me. She stood there in shock as I flung her hands back.

"How dare you do that to my mom, you witch?" Isabella muttered, but from a distance, as I knew she was scared of what I could do to her.

"Leave me to my affairs because I didn't do anything to the both of you. I won't stand there and let you ridicule me for no good reason.

Just then, Damon walked into the scene as his eyes scoured around to be sure of what was actually going on.

"Let's go, Damon." I said, waking ahead of him, not wanting him to get involved in any drama between the two of them.

"She's a witch." I heard Isabella curse out behind me.

“Just like her mother." I Heard- Magaret Mutter, and that was it.

“You don’t even know who my mother is, and you’re not even worth calling her name here and there. I don’t know how or who she is, but she’s a better person than you’ll ever be.” I spat out. That was the very first time I'd be retaliating for the insults she made to my mother.

"And don't you think of coming back here; just stay where you're going." I heard Magaret yell behind me on top of her lungs. I knew my response would teach her to keep my mother’s name out of her frustrated mouth and the little rod she calls her daughter. I felt embarrassed that Damon had to witness what just happened, but he seemed to care less about the situation.

“Are you sure you still want to go after all that just happened? It’s okay if you just want to stay back and rest." Damon whispered as we walked toward his car.

“What about you? I know how much you spent planning this, so I can’t throw it all away because of Isabella and Magaret; they are not worth it." I said, staring intensely into his eyes.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to go; I care about your well-being, and I won’t want you to go if you’re not going to be at peace the whole time there.” He muttered, gently patting my hair backwards, which was his way of comforting me.

“No, I'm fine; I want to go.” I replied with a smile as he leaned over to me and placed a gentle kiss on my lips.

His lips were warm and cold at the same time, and they were just the right texture to calm me down.