Popping Bubbles, Chapter 3

by Red in Hogwarts or Forks...you pick

The following Monday, Avery palmed a square, folded piece of paper during art class. Laura looked up curiously, but Avery just gave a tiny shake of her head and walked up to the teacher.

"May I go to the nurse's office?" she asked with a half-hearted smile. "I'm just not feeling myself today."

She didn't look herself, either. The real Avery was always fresh and bouncing with energy, always smiling like there wasn't a care in the world. Standing before the art teacher was a more subdued, wilted verison of Miss Crawford. Her smile was wane and tired and her face was paler than normal. Laura had noticed this and shot concerning looks at her friend. Avery didn't turn around to face her.

Since Avery was adored by all the teachers at Roseburn (and probably the only student to ever achieve high honors), a nurse pass was quickly issued, along with a 'feel better' from the art teacher. Laura was left sitting alone at her table.

Slowly, she unfolded the paper in her lap and smiled at Avery's familiar handwriting.

Ten things Avery wants to do before she dies

-Jump off a cliff into the ocean like they always do in the commercials

Laura reread the note and bit her lip, fingering the corners with thought.

Avery had been so tired lately, and during the past few days, she'd been asking so many of her deep, philosophical questions that Laura told her she might turn into Socrates.

Quietly, she refolded the paper and stuffed it into her pocket, wishinh the trickle of dred in her chest would vanish.