she&#x27;s too rough

Oh - sorry. Is this a bad time?

#Sarah

“Right okay.”

I’lll just grab my stuff and get out of your way.

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was here.”

“Oh - don’t worry about it, I was just finishing up.”

“The Smiths, got it. Don’t worry, I’ll remember.”

Do you have any band recommendations? I’m always looking for new stuff.

“What’s the name of the band then? I can believe that. Don’t know if I’ll actually have time to look them up but I’ll certainly give it a try if I remember.”

“The Smiths, they’re pretty old school. You should definitely do that if you happen to remember.”

Aerith felt herself tense up for a moment when she said her name but she just nodded, “Yup.” She simply said popping the “p” at the end. She’s never actually had a real conversation with Ava before, she always thought the girl was much too social for her. Aerith liked her peace and quiet and that was something she assumed didn’t come with being a cheerleader, “Who’s this guy you’re trying to avoid?” She asked softly. Her nerves were a steady buzz but it was always like that, even at school. She was able to handle it for now since they were in a more quiet room of the house, “If that’s not a weird question?”

Ava took another sip of her drink, moving a little closer to Aerith as she spoke again; they were in a quieter apart of the house but the music was still blasting so it was harder for her to hear and she wasn’t about to ask her to repeat herself. “No, it’s fine. Travis is one of the basketball players. Nice enough when he’s not drunk but impossibly handsy with me when he is. I like to avoid him when he’s like that.”

Aerith wanted to run away now, was she going to rat her out? She’d terrible at this, she’s used to giving the weed to a guy and he did the selling for her for half the cut. She was terrible at this, she didn’t know what she was thinking. Her palms were getting clammy a lump in her throat, “We have the same science class.” Her voice was soft but she knew the girl, which is a reason she wanted to abort mission, “Just something uh.. To smoke?”

Ava’s recollection of where she had seen this girl came flooding back with the reminder and she nodded, they had a few classes together over the years but they had never really spoken. “Aerith, right?” Her brow furrowed as understanding washed over her. “Oh, well, I’ll take some actually. And half the team probably wants some if you want me to talk to them.”

Aerith liked to be by herself, unless it was Sophie. When she went out to places like this she usually grabbed Sophie because she was the only one who knew how to properly calm her down but she needed the money. She was applying to art schools and her old pencils she got for Christmas were history. Inhaling and exhaling deeply she turned to the girl and smiled, "Despends if you or someone you know is interested.” She spoke quickly to get it out her palms sweating, she hated this feeling of complete and utter helplessness that her anxiety gave her.

The girl looked familiar to her but she couldn’t exactly place where she had seen her. When she had finished filling up her drink, Ava stepped closer to the girl and offered up a smile. “Well, to start, I’m Ava. I think I’ve seen you around but I’m not sure.” It was evident that this girl was nervous and she hoped that she could make her feel slightly more comfortable. “Interested in what exactly?”

“Oh right–got it. Does that mean I shouldn’t try and look up whatever band that t-shirt is from? Not that you can really judge a band by it’s–well t-shirt.”

“I’ve listened to them and they’re pretty decent actually. But then again, I don’t know your music taste. The band is better than the t-shirt, I promise you.”

I don’t do parties?” Aerith questioned, she was a bit overwhelmed but the fact that a girl spoke to her eased her tension over if it was a male, “I’m just here on a super top secret mission and I can’t get anything done with all of these people sexting.. Wait, is that the right word?”

“You’re not really missing much.” When Ava had become a cheerleader she was more than excited to attend the parties she had heard about but they had grown old over the years, especially as she was becoming more and more anxious to leave Tree Hill. “Yeah, it does the trick. Need any help with this super secret mission? It seems like it would be a lot more fun than trying to dodge Travis.”

“Your dad’s as in his band or assorted band t-shirts?”

“Oh, no. Just assorted band t-shirts from concerts he’s been to. I’m pretty sure my dad’s tone deaf.”

“I came out to have a good time and I’m honestly feeling so attacked right now.“ Aerith sighed looking around in minior disgust and confusion, "Well by the overwhelming number of people and by how everyone is having literally and theoretical sex everywhere- my eyes are being attacked right now.”