Chapter Three

Ava.

I walked slowly, thinking on my way to the hospital. I bumped a lot into people, they reigned cursed at me, some even hit me to get my attention but I paid them no mind as I continued down the path that led to the hospital. 

I didn't want to talk to anyone but Avery. I didn't want to see anyone but Avery. I wanted to stay in her arms till everything got better. 

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I didn't take it out, it would probably be Ashley checking up on me or Brandon being the curious cat. Whoever it was, I didn't check to confirm. Instead I made a turn and saw the hospital ahead. 

What hurt me the most was that I didn't have my headphones anymore. It had managed to tear me away from my thoughts, but now I was left alone with the thought of how horrible my life was in my mind. It burned in every part, reminding of what I had lost, and I had left.

I opened the doors of the hospital and was immediately blasted with the smell of antiseptic. It was white, sterile and cold. Very few people were present since it was morning. Most people came to visit in the evenings and I was happy that it was less crowded. 

I sighed at the front desk and was granted access to see Avery. I walked down the hallway to the last room, greeting the nurses that passed me on my way there. I got to Avery's door to see her name written on it on a small board. 

I opened the door and shut it quietly behind me. Avery's room was almost empty, save for the bed, a closet and a small drawer. It wasn't any room a teenage girl should grow up in. But it was all I could afford. This was the cheapest room in the hospital, others with a television were more costly and it pained me to think that this was all I could afford.

Avery's small frame laid on the bed and I walked closer to it. She was asleep as usual. She seemed to be sleeping more, the doctor said it was probably because her body was trying to gain the energy lost from fighting the cancer. 

I drew a chair from the desk and sat on it, taking her hand in mine but she didn't stir. Her long lashes laid on her once round cheeks. Now only her cheekbones remained, the dark circles around her eyes were more prominent and if I hadn't caught her sleeping a lot of times I would have thought she hardly slept.

As usual there was no hair on her head, but she always wrapped it in a head tie because I told her to. Avery never minded much that she had cancer, most times she walked round the hospital with her bald head without a care in the world.

Many times I envied her for her boldness. She was a strong one and I wished I was more like her everyday. And as she laid there, I thought of all the big dreams she had before she had cancer. 

I guess life was a real cruel bitch. 

My finger twitched and I looked to see Avery flutter her eyes open to reveal dull hazel ones. She seemed to come out of a short daze before her eyes fixed on mine, a small smile touched her lips.

"Hey twinne" She muttered, before coughing loudly. 

I squeezed her hand, smiling sadly at her. "Hey Twinne" I said.

"I wasn't expecting any visitors this morning"

"You never get visitors" I laughed and Avery did too, before trying to sit up. I stood up abruptly and put my hands under her arms and raised her, so her back was against the headrest, I pulled up the pillows and she sighed in relief. 

"I know and that's sad. Why are your eyes red? Have you been crying?" I wiped at my eyes vigorously. 

"Crying? Nah, i-" I started and Avery cut me off immediately.

"We are twins, you can't lie to me, remember? And please don't tell me your apartment got flooded again" Avery laughed.

"No, Mrs Hellen actually fixed the drainage this time. I hope this one lasts and rats don't eat it up again" I said, and Avery took her hand from mine before reaching out to touch my face.

"So tell me what's up?" She said softly, dropping her hands back to the bed.

"I don't know Avery. But everything just seems to be falling apart. And I know I'm not supposed to be complaining. You're the one here in this lonely room battling cancer and it's nothing compared to-"

"Don't say it's nothing compared to what you're facing. Because I know you're going through a lot. And everyone has their battles. Mine is just fought inside my body"

"I know, but I'm not thinking that I'll die anytime soon." I muttered bitterly.

"Ok you got me there. But still what is it?" Avery said, resting on the pillow once more. 

I sighed before speaking. "I got fired from the hotel. I'm jobless"

I waited for a while and raised my head at the sound of Avery's laughter. It used to be a soft but loud noise but it was now a throaty one with a lot of coughs in-between.

"Is that why you're crying?" She asked, wiping tears from her eyes and I frowned.

"This is serious Aves. The apartment rent is due next week at month's end. And your expenses too, and I have no job." 

"But you'll get your pay for this month at least even if it's half, for the work you've done?"

"I guess. Yes" I replied and slumped to the chair in frustration. "I don't know what to do or even ask for a job"

"You could ask any of your friends" Avery said, looking out the window as if thinking of anyone.

"We have no friends, remember?" I laughed softly.

"How about our high school friends? Anyone still around?"

"No. Not that I know of"

"What about Renee?" Avery asked.

"She was a weirdo at school. She was always alone" I responded.

"Kiran?"

"He was a drug addict"

"Ok Annie? I hear she works in a big company now"

"Yeah and she never let anyone steal from her test answers. How am I sure she's going to get me a job?" I said bitterly.

"Hmm. Ok Jayden? He is still around I'm sure of that" Avery raises her brow at me and folds her arms.

"The school bad boy? Never!" I said, sitting up to look at Avery sternly.

"Yes, that Jayden. He had a crush on you, remember? He even asked you out for prom" Avery said, almost shouting.

"And I turned him down. What makes you think he's going to help me now that I need his help?" I said, rising to my feet and walking to the wall to rest my head against it. 

"Because he might still like you" Avery said, throwing her arms in the air while shaking her head at me. 

No. There's no way Jayden would like me after last year. It was next to impossible. He was always chasing after girls, he could probably have a kid by now. I laughed.

"Look Ava. There's no one else for us to turn to. He's our last hope. Except you want to sleep with me here at the hospital and the nurses would chase you out every now and then" 

"I'll rather do that than call Jayden. Ugh. It's somehow only remembering him when I need something" I said, slamming my head against the wall again and turning to face Avery. 

"I understand but there's no one else. It's either him or sleeping in the streets" Avery folded her arms, waiting for my reply.

"Ugh. Fine. I'll call him" I groaned before walking to the chair to take out my phone. I scrolled down through my contacts and found his number.

I dialed it, putting my phone on loudspeaker. I looked at Avery and she gave me a thumbs up before tapping beside her. I walked towards her and sat on her bed, she smirked at me.

I prayed Jayden was so busy and he didn't respond to his call. But today seemed to be filled with a lot of bad luck.

He responded.

"Hey Ava, I never thought you'd ever call me after you declined going to prom with me" Jayden said with a deeper voice than when we were in school. 

I flushed and turned to Avery but she only smiled and I took a deep breath before replying. 

This was a bad idea honestly.

"Jayden. Long time no hear. How are you doing?" I said and Avery shook her head in disappointment.

What should I say? I mouthed and she said nothing.

Jayden laughed over the speaker. "I'm alright. How's Avery? Is she getting any better?"

"Yeah she is" I said and waited. God I was so dumb sometimes. 

"Ok. I'm sure you didn't call to ask me for another chance to go out with me after you declined me last year" Jayden chuckled, sounding almost serious.

"I uhm-" I started, looking at Avery and she urged me on, moving her hands excitedly.

Go on. She mouthed.

"So are you in college yet? I asked and Avery slapped her hand to her head. 

I'm scared. I mouthed to her and she looked out the window in disappointment.

"Ava" Jayden drawled. "You know you can ask me anything" He said softly, and I sensed he might still like me.

Ask him. Jeez. Avery mouthed desperately.

"Ok. I uhm, I got fired from the hotel I work in and was wondering if you've heard of any job openings around. I could send my CV to you" I said shyly, tapping my fingers against the soft bed.

Jayden chuckled. "Of course Ava. I can ask a few of my friends if they've heard of anyone around." He said, and I breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Ok. Thank you. Just tell me your email and I'll send it to you" I said, and Avery gave me a thumbs up, smiling widely at me.

"You can give it to me in person. Let's meet tomorrow. I'll send you my address and we can catch up on old times" Jayden said.

There's no old times to catch up on! I wanted to shout at him but Avery nodded a yes and I sighed.

"Fine. Thank you Jayden" I responded through gritted teeth.

"Cool. I'll send you my address now. And you don't need to tell me thank you Ava, you're still the queen of my heart" Jayden said dreamily before ending the call. 

"This is a bad idea!" I said loudly, dropping my phone on the bed and Avery hit my shoulder smirking at me.

"You're still the queen of my heart" She mocked, before laughing. I stared angrily at her, before groaning, swaying my feet.

"Ugh. He still likes me" I said. 

"Of course. And I'm certain he would find a nice job for you. Trust me. Jayden has a lot of friends and connections everywhere. He would do anything to help you" Avery reasoned.

"And what would he take in return?" 

"Stop thinking too much Ava. Now tell me why did you get fired in the first place?"