"What kind of business had Jayden had to take care of that late at night" she wondered remembering Avery's words upon his return.
"Hey Mia…" Suddenly she was snapped to attention when her best friend Nita appeared before her.
"Hey girl, you here? Where's Avery and A.J.? Mia's face broadened into a wide and pretty smile seeing her best friend.
"Avery is parking the car and A.J. is spending the week over to his grandparents. We just thought we would stop by and chill. You know this is the holiday weekend, you still coming to our barbeque?"
"Of course… Your mom's house right? Should I bring anything?"
"Yup… a big appetite and maybe some ice and soda pops. Girl you know all of them grandkids are going to be over."
"Sup Mia…" Avery greeted as he entered the lounge.
"Hey A." Mia responded while stifling the urge to ask about Jayden.
"So what we're doing tonight?"
"I don't know… Wanna catch a movie…" Nita suggested and then she saw Avery's reaction. She knew that he didn't like the idea. As much as he liked Mia, he wasn't too fond of having her tag alone on their dates.
"Movie sounds good…" Mia said thinking it would be a good distraction for her wayward thoughts of Jayden. Nita bit her smile seeing Avery's involuntarily cringing and rolling of his eyes at her suggestion.
"Movie… sure why not" Avery said with lackluster in his voice. Abruptly he got up and walked out.
"Just a second… be right back." He told them as they stared at his back.
"Where's he going?"
"Who knows…" Nita answered holding back her giggles.
* * * * * * * * *
"Where are you?"Avery asked into the phone.
"Why you wanna know…" Jayden replied.
"Feel like a movie?" He asked withholding the information that Mia was coming along.
"Movie… sounds like a plan. Where? I'll meet you there." He figured that would be a good place to go to keep his mind busy. Then he wouldn't have to wonder if Mia was out with Skip.
* * * * * * *
"What's he doing here" "What's she doing here" Jayden and Mia asked simultaneously while giving Nita and Avery the eyes of suspicion.
"I had nothing to do with it" Nita quickly denied.
"I thought this would be fun" Avery said with little conviction.