Ahh Valentine's Day — such a sweet tumultuous day. You can literally smell the sweetness in the air with the chocolates and overpriced flowers being bought here and there.
I've never dreaded anything more in my life. So much so that I'm willing to risk a day of school attendance to avoid making contact with one of my admirers. Alas, the world is not as kind to me on this day, every year.
I was personally reminded by my Mathletics coach to attend our mock contest today as practice for the upcoming championship this March. I did, however, managed to make her and my teammates promise to not disclose our arrangement and location. If you ask me, that's a good deal.
In an attempt to dismiss my worries, I surveyed my reflection on the mirror. My uniform looks nicely pressed — it always does because I take care of it on the weekends, my brunette hair is done in a chic satin ponytail, and the complimenting colors of my uniform and my white caviar chanel leather bag blend perfectly.
I've always loved our school uniform in Shakespeare Memorial High School. Everything matches from the white blazer with black linings and gold buttons, on top of the white, collared long sleeve, along with a pleated, red-and-black, checkered skirt (the same pattern for the ties, and black slacks for the guys), then black closed-shoes.
Just looking at how neat and chic my ensemble is for today made me feel refreshed and ready to survive being hunted. If you're being hunted, then you gotta at least look good.
"Avery dear!" I heard Alana's call loud and clear. I'm guessing she's at the kitchen.
Miss Alana Brown is our head housemaid and my caretaker ever since I was five years old. She's like a mother to me. She has kind eyes and a refreshing smile. She's in her late thirties but still looks younger than her age. Maybe it's because of her cheerful nature and sweet demeanor. Her blonde hair has no grays mixed in it yet, and there are barely any wrinkles on her face too. She's a very attractive petite woman.
"Avery, come eat breakfast with me and David before leaving for school!"
"I'm coming, Lana dear!" I yelled after opening my bedroom door.
Our term of endearment came from the children's book series Nancy Drew. Nancy and Hannah Gruen have the same relationship as us. I pointed this out as I read the books when I was six years old and insisted that we call each other this way. Alana thought it was sweet and it stuck until today.
I surveyed my room for any misplaced item, took one last look in the mirror, then grabbed my phone as I descended the left curved staircase. It's one of the two staircases of the central passage — the entryway to the Gray's mansion.
Living in our home is enough exercise everyday. There's too much walking being done in this household that you get used to cardio without going to the gym. My room is more or less a hundred steps from the front door. And it takes another hundred to get to the kitchen.
The kitchen is in the adjoining room of the dining room which I needed to pass through to get to Lana. As I entered the dining room, I could already smell the whipped cream and waffles, and a hint of hot cocao. I heard my stomach grumble.
"Good morning, my darling Avery." Alana greeted me with a kiss on the cheek and I returned the gesture.
"Good morning, Lana dear. And you too, David." David faced me then returned my greetings with a sweet smile.
"How's your day so far, Avery?" David asked me with a smirk. David Smith is my personal chauffeur and bodyguard for almost a decade now, and I trust him with my life. He's in his mid-forties and is great friends with my dad.
"Already sucks. I received a lot of texts, IMs, and emails already. And none of them are from my dad. I miss him. This the first time he hasn't called me on Valentine's morning. I guess China really is keeping him busy huh."
Alana gave me a sympathetic look and said, "Honey, I'm sure Mr. Gray will call you tonight. And I'm sure he misses you, as well. You know how much he cares for you."
"I do know. Thanks, Lana dear. I guess I'll just have to wait until tonight."
"That's right. Plus, you won't even notice the time since you're gonna be busy running from drooling hyenas," David said with a chuckle which made us laugh. This eased my worries and I ate my breakfast without thinking about this dreadful day.
I brushed my teeth and retouched my makeup in the kitchen restroom. I bid farewell to Lana and told her to greet the other maids and staff for me today.
David and I made our way to the central passage and opened the modern luxury walnut double-doors — on the veranda were a number of gifts and cards in different shapes and sizes. It took a while for me to process the scenery, mainly because of denial. Since breakfast, I tried to forget what day it is and now I am freaked out by what we saw.
I heard David sigh. Ang I let out an irritated one myself.
"So, where shall we put this, Miss Avery?" David asked.
"Let's just go, please."
"Would you like me to clear a path for us?"
"That would be greatly appreciated."
"Are you having an anxiety attack right now?" David asked. I thought he was merely joking but when I glanced his way, he was looking at me emphatically.
I smiled. "Am I really the kind of person you need to worry about, David?"
He let out a chuckle then said, "That really doesn't answer my question though."
"I'm okay. Thanks for worrying."
We made our way to the parking space and David asked me which car we should take today. I suggested the newest one — our Mercedes-Benz S600 Maybach, because nobody at school will recognize it.
It's only half an hour after seven and I already feel exhausted. Then thinking about the ruckus at school and the possibility of being suffocated by a mob made it unbearable. So I flaked.
"On the other hand, you can drive me to the uptown movie theater."
David smirked then said, "Gotcha."
"And as usual-
"Don't tell dad," he chimed in. "Don't worry, your secrets safe with me."
I sat comfortably on the backseat knowing that it's a thirty-minute drive from our house, just getting out of the estate will take more than five minutes.
I checked my other phone which contains my secret social media accounts and checked on the weather forecast, news headlines, and the showings on the movie theater. I got excited when I saw that the new horror movie is available today at nine am in the movie theater I'm headed towards.
"David, can I have my emergency pack? Did you manage to put one of the packs I made here?"
"Of course, I put it immediately a day after this car arrived."
I wandered my hand under the seat for a material resembling a plastic bag. Then, bingo!
"Found it!"
I opened my emergency pack then took out a black facemask, a white tee, a black leather skirt, then a beige sweater. I also took out a copy of the Little Women, a tote bag, and fifty bucks. Then I returned the pack exactly where I found it.
A few minutes later, the car came to a stop. David made sure that I didn't forget anything and that he's going to pick me up at two in the afternoon. We said farewell then I quickly bought a ticket for nine o'clock and then changed in the bathroom. I put my uniform in the tote bag then visited the cafe beside the theater.
I figured I'd spend the remaining thirty minutes drinking an iced latte and rereading my book. The cafe was almost empty except for me and another guy at the far end who was engrossed in his phone. He seemed young. If I can take a guess, maybe fourteen or so.
It was 8:47 am when I finished my iced latte. I put my mask back on then made sure I didn't forget anything before I left the cafe and headed for theater one. There are only three theaters in this franchise.
I felt a craving for a hotdog sandwich so I bought one at the food corner then added a small bag of popcorn and a bottle of water.
The huge screen made me squint as I entered the theater room. Looks like the advertisments for ongoing and upcoming movies are on right now. I scrambled to find my seat.
13d. 13e. 13f. Aha!
I put down the tote bag then sat down. I only noticed the guy sitting beside me after I removed my mask and snuggled into the seat while holding my food.
It was Leo Castor Harrison. Shoot.