"Danny, your parents bought you a car? Lucky—though it's just an old Buick," Ava said, her tone dripping with playful envy as the two strolled toward his car after school let out for the day.
"Old Buick?" Danny raised an eyebrow at her comment, suppressing the urge to correct her outright. He decided to let it slide—she was a girl, after all. If a guy had said that, he wouldn't hesitate to cut ties then and there.
Danny's car, a resto-modded 1987 Buick Regal T-Type Turbo, he held in almost sacred regard. If someone couldn't recognize that, they weren't worth his time. Ava, however, got a pass. She was a girl—a hot one at that. A hot chick who could, admittedly, kick his ass in less than two seconds flat.
"You don't have a car?" Danny asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Then how do you plan to get home? The school buses already left. Don't tell me you rode a bicycle to school."
The mental image hit him like a slap, and his expression froze. Had he really made friends with a freak who willingly rode a bicycle to school in their senior year? The thought unnerved him. The Martins were one of the wealthiest families in the county—they could afford to get Ava a car if she wanted one.
"Heck no! I'd rather die than ride a bicycle to school," Ava shot back, wrinkling her nose at the very idea. Then, with a flash of confidence that almost made Danny nod along in agreement, she added, "Besides, even if I did, I could totally set a trend in motion. It is just that my father doesn't trust me with a car."
Danny smirked, shaking his head. "Yes, yes, you totally could. But seriously, what is it with the city parents and them not buying their kids a car? My aunt flips out every time Ace begs her for a car. By the way, how do you plan to get home every day?"
"Same way I get to school," Ava replied casually. "Ms. Matthews—my cousin, our homeroom teacher? She's my ride."
"About Ms. Matthews," Danny began hesitantly, glancing at Ava as they walked. "I've been meaning to ask—why do you keep calling her your cousin? Isn't she your cousin Cam Martin's fiancée? Shouldn't you be calling her sister-in-law or something?"
Ava smirked, clearly anticipating his confusion. "Cam's my cousin from my dad's side, and his fiancée, Ms. Matthews—our homeroom teacher—is my cousin from my mom's side," she loudly explained matter-of-factly. "They met at one of our family get-togethers years ago and, well, hooked up. Then, out of shame or whatever, neither of them contacted the other until she started working here. One thing led to another, and now thanks to those two, we're officially the inbreeding family of the town."
Ava didn't hold back, delivering the details loud enough for passersby to hear, almost daring them to react. Danny, however, flushed with secondhand embarrassment, glancing nervously around as a couple of students turned their heads. He regretted asking but didn't dare tell Ava to lower her voice. If he did, she might hit him—and Ava's punches were no joke. He'd learned that the hard way.
"Hey, every family has one or two black sheep," Danny said, attempting to console her as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "After all, you can't choose your family."
Ava's eyes lit up mischievously. "Oh really? Does that mean your family has one? Who is it? What did they do?" she asked eagerly, practically bouncing in excitement as she leaned closer to him.
Danny hesitated, his lips twitching as he considered her question. He wasn't holding back because he didn't want to share—he just genuinely couldn't think of anyone in his family who fit the bill. But not wanting to disappoint Ava, he finally admitted, "Well, there is something going on in my family recently. It's more of a 'will-they-won't-they' situation, though."
Ava narrowed her eyes in mock suspicion. "What does that even mean? Spill the details!"
Danny scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, glancing away. "I'll tell you, but I'm warning you—you probably won't like what you hear."
"Holy shit, is it someone I know? Who is it?" Ava's interest peaked as she leaned closer, her eyes practically gleaming with curiosity.
"It's Mandy and Ace," Danny said softly, hesitating before continuing. "Everyone in the family—except for our dads—is on edge, thinking they might cross the line."
Ava froze mid-step, her expression quickly morphing from surprise to fury. Without warning, she grabbed Danny by the collar and pulled him closer. "Don't tell me they have a thing for each other. Is that why he rejected my proposal?"
Danny grimaced, tugging at her hands. "I have no idea. But, yeah… they're unusually close. Especially Mandy—she flirts with him openly, everywhere," he admitted, shooting a warning glare at the nearby students gawking at their heated exchange.
"That bitch!" Ava cussed, releasing his collar with a shove. "She dares to steal my man," she muttered, pacing angrily. Then, spinning on her heel, she pointed at Danny. "Change of plans! We're not going to check on Ace. Take me to Mandy. I need to warn that bitch."
Danny sighed, continuing towards his car. "I seriously advise against that. Mandy knows how to hold a grudge. I'm telling you—people who cross her never have a good day again," he warned, genuinely concerned for his new and only friend. He knew better than anyone that those who crossed Mandy would not have a good day in their life henceforth, it was like the universe abandoned them for her. It's as if the universe has her back or something
Ava crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "I don't give a shit. If she's trying to take what's mine, I'll have to teach her some manners. Maybe even have a proper heart-to-heart about why incest is not okay."
Danny opened his mouth to respond, but the words died on his tongue as the duo reached his car. They both stopped abruptly, staring at the familiar figure casually leaning against it—it was Ace.
"Danny, it didn't even take you a day to sell me and Mandy out," Ace teased his tone light but had a sharper edge to be considered as a mischievous comment. He glanced at Ava with a raised brow, clearly unsure if she was Danny's friend as the latter believed her to be or just using him. His smirk widened as if daring Ava to prove which one. "You are up to your old tricks, I see."
Yes, Ava stood up for him when many wouldn't but he knew her history with delinquents from his old school so he knew how she operated. She could be an acquaintance but to be a friend she would have to prove herself.