I've reviewed your document and made corrections for spelling and grammar while keeping the content and meaning unchanged. Here is the edited version: "I know it for a fact. I've known your father before, and he has never been a fan of me, so," explained Ava. "Yeah, I don't care what he thinks about who I hang out with, you know. I'm done having my life controlled. It's just so frustrating." "See, you do have something you're keeping from me, and I've been blabbing about myself all this time, forgetting to ask how you're doing." "I don't wanna talk about it, please?" "Really? Okay. I can tell you anything about me. Ask me anything, and I will tell you the truth, and in return, you tell me what's bothering you so you can get it off your chest." "Why? Why would you do that?" "I love carrying people's burdens," replied Ava, chuckling. "Seriously, I just want you to feel at ease talking to me. I don't want you to be an open book, obviously, but if we are friends, then I would love t
Early the next morning, it was a Monday. Manning, as a city, was getting into the Halloween mood, which was three weeks from the Sunday special. People were all around the town, with a few stores having decorated the night before. Everywhere was packed with scary designs. Manning University had not yet gone through the changes. Everything was as normal as it had been the previous day, except those students who were mischievous had already planted scary decorations in their mates' lockers. Dante, in particular, had placed one in Ava's locker. He had passed her locker, taken out her stuff, and replaced them with dry leaves and a scarecrow. She didn't find out about it, but Kara, who was helping her pick up a textbook from the locker, got to experience what wasn't meant for her. Ava was standing seven lockers away from hers, waiting for Kara to finish, when suddenly, a scream startled her, and she rushed back to where Kara had fallen from the scare. Kara was already on the floor with
"What are you going to do about your father?" inquired Kara. "He won't call him?" replied Ava. "You think so?" "I know he won't call him. He will be getting my mother." "I'm so sorry." "It's nothing. My only worry is how I'm going to spend two weeks in the cottage with no phone, no nothing." "I could keep you company some days, maybe bring you books to read?" "I could do with the company. I'm not really into reading. I'm no professor, but anyways, bring them over so I see what I will do with them," replied Ava, and they both chuckled. "Alright. I could also get myself suspended for some days," chuckled Kara. "Yeah, that's not a nice joke. Leave those only for me." "Who said I was joking? I'm not. I'm weighing my options." "Okay. You get suspended, don't come to my place. Stay home and keep sobbing," responded Ava. "Alright, alright. You don't need to threaten me." Dante had already left school and was heading home as Ava and Kara stayed until the classes ended. It was abo
Ava had slept on the couch that night, so she had to sleep lightly. By morning, she took a bath, made breakfast, and then brought it to Kara in bed, who was still sleeping. "Hey, Kara. Wake up. You have to go to school," Ava said, knocking and shaking Kara from her sleep. "Hey, morning. Am I late?" "No, you have an hour and a few minutes. You should take a shower and have your breakfast." "You made me breakfast in bed?" "You don't want it? I can throw it away." "No, I was appreciating the effort. I feel like I have my mom with me." "Yeah? But I'm not," replied Ava, placing the tray on a drawer and heading to pick up her clothes, then walking out. "Get ready. I will drive you to school, then pick you up so we can go buy some groceries." "Thanks for the breakfast. I love it." "Hurry up. You don't want to be late." Kara got out of bed as Ava was dressing in the living room, made the bed, and then headed to the bathroom. "Oh! I put some hot water for you. I thought you might nee
"So, what do you think? Can a few of these get done before the end of the day?" "Yeah, if you give a little hand. My friend here and I can get a lot done before the end of the day." "Well, okay. Tell me what I will need to do, and we can get started," asked Ava. "Well, not too much. Can you just take a seat on the couch? You would be of great help if I kept watching you as I work," explained Ben, smirking. "Oh, yeah. Alright. I can sit right there on that couch," pointed Ava. "But you don't get paid for your work. You gaze at me all the time, and after you're done, you just snooze off. Does that work for you?" "I will take the pay." "Well, good then. You can start in the bedroom. And please don't touch where you're not supposed to." "You've been clear, miss," replied Edgar as they both headed inside Ava's bedroom. They moved a couple of things out of the way, cleaned and patched up the tiny holes. Ava, however, was in the living room, sipping a beer as she watched them work thr
"What do you think of the maroon?" asked Mr. Bradley. "Nah, maroon is like old, right Ava?" replied Kara. "I don't know. Whatever you choose, I'll go with it." "Then how about the black? It's cozy," explained Bradley. "It's too big. I don't think we need that," responded Kara. "So, it's for her house," Kara explained to Bradley. "Okay. I think the white one, five by six. It's movable, comfortable, and lasts long no matter the strength that rests on it," Bradley suggested. "I will take a look," said Kara, heading over to where the bed was. She examined it and then said, "How expensive is it?" "It's three hundred fifty dollars." "Should we take this?" Kara inquired from Ava. "Yeah, I guess. Who helps with delivering it, Mr. Bradley?" "Oh, my nephew can." "Oh, Edgar. Sure," Ava said, and Kara looked at her in surprise. "You've met Edgar?" Kara asked. "Yeah. He's a lovely guy." "Where did you meet him?" "At the cottage. I didn't want to tell you. I wanted it to be a surpris
"Wow, this looks delicious." "My mom taught me how to make it. I don't know what she called it, but I call it dinner." "What? Hehe." Chuckled Ava, taking a seat on the couch as Kara passed her a plate of food. "Are you planning on heading back home? You need to make amends with your father." "I don't want to talk about that, please." "Alright. Then this Martha friend. Who is she?" "Oh, she's my friend. We went to kindergarten together. We've been friends forever." "Yeah. Have you ever thought of her as a woman, like someone who attracts you?" Inquired Ava. "No, never. She's very pretty, quite a catch, but not my type." "Is she interested in women?" "Why ask so much?" Questioned Kara curiously. "Just want to know." "Yeah, she is interested in women. She came out and got into trouble, but now she's a lesbian, out of the closet." "What happened when she came out?" "The next morning, she appeared beaten up." "Who would do that?" Inquired Ava in worry. "We all thought her mot
Ava led her way out of the university hall to the parking lot, where she picked up her car and drove to town, straight to the store where she first found Ben. She arrived and knocked for a welcome inside, finding Ben seated and clearing a piece of wood. "Get to see you this early, Miss Sinclair. You're my morning charm today, I guess," joked Ben, getting close to her. "Am I? Good morning, Ben," greeted Ava. "Good morning, Miss Sinclair. Shall we?" replied Ben, tugging on his jacket. "I'll wait for you in the car while you pick up Edgar," said Ava. "Sure, I'll be there in a few minutes." They both went their separate ways, with Ava walking to her car and Ben heading straight to the store located next to Bed and Beds. In a few minutes, both Edgar and Ben arrived at the car and hopped in at the back as Ava set off. They arrived at the cottage, and Ava got out to open the door for them. She walked inside quietly as they had arrived and started preparing for their work. Ava, howeve