It had been two months since the concert. My life hadn't really changed since then; it was only my point of view that was different. On this Thursday evening, I was waiting at Capital Gymnastics for the coaches to call A-Squad (my class). With me was my friend, but more my sister's friend, Kate. (Yes, the same Kate who got Anne's concert ticket.) On this particular Thursday, I had been thinking more than usual about Taylor. Right as my thoughts began to drift back to him, the coaches came out and told us to get in the gym and start warming up.
When the class had warmed up, we sat down to stretch. Just then, I saw an unfamiliar woman enter the gym, followed by a girl who was obviously her daughter. They had the same blond hair. The woman talked to one of the coaches for a minute, then left as the girl shyly joined us in stretching.
After stretching, we had to go to the bars for conditioning. One of the coaches asked me if I would show the new girl what to do. I agreed gladly.
"What's your name?" the girl asked as we started our conditioning.
"Monica. What's yours?"
"Avery. I'm 9. How old are you?"
For a second I was shocked. Could that really be their sister? I wondered, then quickly rejected the thought. There was no reason for them to be here. Then I remembered her question. "I'm 16."
"My brother's a year older than you!" Avery said excitedly.
I smiled. "What's his name?" I asked, just to keep up the conversation.
"Taylor."
My mouth dropped open. I had to know. "Avery, how many brothers and sisters do you have, anyway?"
She sighed. "A lot. There's Ike, who's 19, then Tay, who's 17, Zac, who's almost 15, Jessie, who's 12, then me, then Mackie, who's 6, and Zoë, who's 2."
As soon as she said "Ike", I knew. For whatever reason, they were here in Austin.
Chapter 14
Love Takes Time
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